My phone buzzes in my pocket and I groan in my sleep. It keeps on buzzing making the whole bed shake and I wonder why I've slept with my phone in my pocket in the first place. Not bothering to open my eyes, I struggle to take it out and shove it under the pillow when it stops. I turn to the other side and thank God whoever it is calling hung up. It feels like I haven't slept at all, I can barely move.

Not long afterwards, it starts again, making my pillow vibrate and I curse as I blink my eyes open in defeat.

My eyes first land on the ceiling and it doesn't take me much time to recognize it's not my own. Although it hasn't been two weeks since I moved in with Myra, I've grown to love the shiny stars that she hung up on the rooftop and the dark paint that makes it look like a night sky.

Confused, I continue to blink and rub my eyes, wondering why my stars have disappeared when a weight shifts beside me.

"Just answer the phooone, dammit..." The voice moans and we both snap out of it at the same time.

"What are you doing here?" We say at the same time, our bodies shrieking back as we sit down. He clutches the sheets bringing them to his lab, but lets go of them when he realizes he has clothes on.

"This is my house." Ethan is the first to answer and I look around. Oh snap! Last night... The nightmare...the late walk...the coughs... I must've been exhausted to have slept here.

"What are you doing here?" He sounds hesitant when he asks again.

"Don't you remember what happened last night?" I ask him, already knowing the answer. He barely recognized me, how can he remember anything else?

"What do you m-mean?" His eyes wander around scanning the place, his cheeks having a red tint to them as he avoids my eyes and is still looking around. He removes the sheets and stands to his feet, looking down at his body as if checking if nothing is missing, and then back to me. His frustrated look makes it very tempting to tease him, to play him and say that we slept together just for the hell of it. But I can't risk him pissing himself.

"I dragged you home. You were so out of it." is what I finally say. His mind seems to wander, as if gathering last night's shattered pieces to get the full picture. Then his eyes widen in realization and he gasps.

"Dammit! Where'd you find me?" his voice is inquisitive and his eyebrows are furrowed.

"In a dark alley. You were throwing up and you seemed like you would bark at me and eat me alive. What happened? Why were you out that late?"

"I don't remember actually. All I know is that I had a nightmare and woke up in the middle of the night. And there was a loud party around and I went for it. I had a few drinks. Maybe a lot of them actually. And I don't remember anything after that." he huffs and takes a seat at the bottom of the bed, his hands massaging his temple.

"So you don't remember what you told me? Or your offer?"

"What offer?" he turns back to me, color drained from his face, trying to recall what the hell he said. "Oh my God, I embarrassed myself, didn't I?"

I can't hide the evil grin taking over my face. Its so unbelievable how this nervous boy sitting in front of me massaging his temples and trying to cover his face is the same one from last night, the drunk carefree bad ass who was joking and teasing me. The way he tries to do anything just to avoid my gaze makes me want to squeeze his cheeks just to reassure him.

"You cursed me, then asked me to be your girlfriend. You said we'd be couples goals. Then you asked me to spend the night with you." I bite my tongue to stop any sounds from coming out and he lifts his hand to itch his neck while he stands to his feet.

"Oh...I...I shouldn't have drank..."

"I was joking about the last part, if it makes you feel any better." I let out a chuckle and he lets out a nervous one after a while. He stands awkwardly in front of me, not saying a word and his face about to explode.

If I hadn't known him for a couple days now and if I hadn't known how incredibly shy he is, I'd say he's an unbearable guy. Boys tend to be bold and carefree, but not him. Ethan is different. If you don't figure him out from the beginning, there's no chance you'll be friends with him. He's a delicate person and I still have to figure many things myself.

"Come on Ethan, get over it! Didn't you tell me that you're my friend? Friends get comfortable with each other gradually, you know. You can start doing that." I bend to wear my sandals.

"Yeah, I'm sorry-"

"Tip number one: Never apologize to me again." I give him a comforting smile and a relieved grin takes over his eyes. "Do you want to talk about last night?" Spotting a mirror hanging next to the door, I walk over to it and start gathering my hair in high ponytail.

"Maybe another time?" he says and when I look at him through the mirror, he is fiddling with his fingers.

My phone buzzes again and I instantly remember that I'll be meeting my uncle today and that he has already called me twice.

"Crap!" I say under my breath, wearing my jacket and taking my phone.

"I'm meeting up with my uncle. Talk to you later. Thanks for letting me stay the night." I tell him before I turn on my heels to the door, a wide smile plastered on my lips.

•••••••••••

"I'm so sorry I kept you waiting!" Once I reach the table, my uncle takes me into a long bear hug that brings tears to my eyes.

"Oh my God, Aidan honey, how are you? How is Myra treating you? Are you eating well? Were you sick? Are you okay?" Uncle John has always been like this, more than caring and always ready to help. He loved me and my siblings so much, since he and his wife couldn't have children. So we were like his own kids and he missed no opportunity to spoil us.

"Uncle Johnny, don't you worry about me. I'm all good. Tell me about you. How is aunt Margaret and the doggies? And how's Jacob?"

"Margaret is alright, as usual, gardening and watering the trees. The doggies made such a difference since we brought them. They're too cute to look at when they play together. They take much of our time which is what we want. Jacob always comes to play with them. And he asks about you a lot..."

"I'm sorry I left you in that situation. I know my departure was abrupt and I'm so thankful for your help. But I just couldn't say goodbye, I couldn't..." A bump forms in my throat blocking any words out. It was so painful to leave that night, with no money or suitcase with me, just the taste of a kiss I planted on Jacob's forehead.

"You know I love you like the daughter I never had and I'd do everything I can. We were obliged to do that. I know he'll understand, maybe not now, but he will."

"It might be a while before I get a job and an apartment, but I'm thinking of settling here. If the arsehole doesn't show up in front of my face again, I like it here. So calm and fresh. I can start over, no one knows me. And you can bring Jacob here once in a while."

"Wait, did he follow you here? Did you see him?"

"He was here the day I arrived. But I don't think he followed me. I haven't seen him after that. I made it clear that we're not married anymore and that he must leave me the hell alone."

"You have to be careful Aidan, always look behind you and never walk too close to strangers. You need to get a job really fast."

"I won't have time to walk around if I find a job. I'm looking for a full time job or two part time jobs, so I can have money for an apartment."

"Wow almost forgot what I'm here for! That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about." He pushes the glasses further up on his nose. "We have somewhere to be at but..." He pauses mid-sentence, smiling at my ignorant look. "Not before your surprise arrives." He smiles down at the rolex in his wrist and then looks through me.

"Surprise?" I ask at the same time that a pair of hands cover my eyes from behind. I put mine on them and it doesn't take much time for me to let out a scream of joy.

"Jacob?! Oh Lord, you little cutie pie, I can't believe it!" I turn and take him in my arms and start throwing him in the air, like he's a two year old. He's dressed in a cute baby blue dungarees with a white top beneath it. His auburn hair is swept to the side and fixed in place like he's a mini superstar. God I missed him so much even though it hasn't been very long since I last saw him.

"Aidy, I miss you so much. Why don't you live with us anymore? " I put him on my lap as I sit down again and my uncle presses his lips together. This is one of those moments where I really want to burst crying because this poor thing doesn't know a thing and he's too young to know. If I know I'm able to do it, I'd take him live with me. But then we'll be back to zero as they will start looking for us.

"I work here baby. We need money at home and I'm helping out mom and dad..." I lie.

"But mommy and daddy are looking for you. They always fight because they can't find you. I'm scared. " he hugs me tighter and hides his face.

"I know baby. I know. I'm just keeping it as a surprise, you know? I need to make a huge amount so I can come back and surprise them. Don't tell them about today, okay? Can I count on my little hero?"

"Of course." The triumphant look on his face pains me. I want to hug him and cry till I have no more tears. How I wish I can just take him with me and ran away from them.

"Come on Aidan, we got to go now." My uncle pays for his drink and we take a taxi to our destination.

Jacob doesn't let go of my hand the whole drive and even when we stop in front of a huge building and get off the taxi. Uncle Johnny leads the way and we follow him. The sides of the walking path are all patches of fresh vibrant grass which invites you to bring out a book and sit down on it. The surrounding area is full of hundreds of short bushes, long trees and multiple kinds of colorful flowers.

We make our way through the entrance door and go up to the first floor. He walks further the hallway and opens room number 191 with his keys.

The first thing that I see is the kitchen and the small kitchen island. The sink is large and there's a variety of cooking items displayed on the counter. Cream beige cubboards are stuck a little higher on the walls, it's color synchronizing with the color of the oven and the small fridge.

"It's not too fancy but not too bad too. You can stay here. It's my old place, but I haven't been here since twenty years. Go check out the inside."

When I walk further the kitchen area, there is a chocolate brown sofa resting on the right, facing a small tv on its wooden stand and in between there's a mini low table full of old dusty magazines.

"Everything is old in here, in case tou couldn't tell already, you're going to have to check if the TV works and if you need, get a microwave and a coffee machine. Sorry about that." I nod at him, and move to draw the curtains which show a huge window displaying the beautiful busy city and the blue promising sky.

Jacob opens a door a little on the right of the sofa, and runs in. My uncle smiles at me and prompts me to go in. When I do, there's a double bed a little on the left, with blue sheets and one night table on its left, along with curtains that block any light from lighting the room. He walks by and draws them, and the room shines. He slides the huge window open and the smell of fresh air fills my lungs.

"This area is really calm and its people are friendly, and everything is available nearby so you won't need to go further." The cool breeze invites me closer and I oblige, setting my hands on the frame and inhaling deeply the scent of the city. A peaceful feeling takes over my whole body and I close my eyes, cherishing this moment, a feeling I haven't enjoyed in so long.

"In here, there's the laundry room and the bathroom." He says opening another door within the bedroom. "The washing machine might be old as well but I'm sure you can handle it."

"Uncle Johnny, can I stay here? Pleaaase?" My little Jacob tugs at his pants and starts begging with his eyes almost watering and his feet stomping.

"Baby Jacob," I sit on the bed and extand my hands for him. He comes in between my legs, wiping his wet eyes and sniffing slightly. "First of all, you're a big boy and I'm so proud of you. For being patient and handling everything so well. I want you to know that I'm doing this for you, for all of you, because I love you. Things have been hectic at home and that's why I have to be away. It doesn't make sense now but it will eventually. I want you to keep this thing between us. No one can know that I'm here, get it?" He nods in silence, and I see that determined look in his eyes, the one I know I can trust.

"You're a grown up man. I want you to take care of mom and dad and protect your sister Gwen. Uncle Johnny will bring you here whenever you want, right uncle?" I look up to him and he nods with a proud expression.

"Of course big man. Now wipe your pretty face, and let's get going. I promised them to bring you back after lunch. Let's get some."

After a huge amount of deep kisses and suffocating hugs, physically and emotionally, my uncle and brother leave the apartment, leaving sour emptiness in my chest. He gave me the keys with some cash before he left and a phone to use in cases of emergency. He said he had his secret phone number on speed dial. Despite my disagreement and the fake angry face I made, he shoved them in my hands again. I thanked him probably a million times for the incredible support that he offered and he just kissed my forehead as a response with a sweet "I love you darling."

I close the door and allow myself to slouch on the comfortable sofa. I take out my phone and call Myra.

"You better have an explanation for the last 12 hours young lady!" I bring the phone away from my face, as it keeps on yelling inaudible things.

"I do, I do. I'll send you an adress. Meet me there ASAP, okay? We have so much to do." I hung up and send her the adress in a text message before she answers then stand up and start lurking in my own new property, familiarizing with the surroundings.

Finally one thing ticked off, one left.