Leah

   I pulled the blanket around me closer only to realize it was short. This is not my blanket.. the events of last night flooded my mind and I couldn't help but burn in embarrassment.. how could I cry in a stranger's arms?

   I took in my surroundings and realized I was in a car. Beside me was the boy from last night. The car seat was leaned backwards and the windows were halfway down.

   The boy looked so peaceful I'm his sleep. His thick eyebrows were slightly furrowed and he hugged himself. I took the small blanket on my body and placed it on his body. I looked around the car and saw a couple of clothes folded on the backseat, an overfilled backpack and books littered everywhere.

   "Good morning." A raspy voice greeted and I jumped in surprise. 

   "Morning."I replied, "I'm sorry for what happened last night." I quickly apologized. He was about to say something when someone tapped the window by my side. My heart leaped out of my chest as the officer standing there looked at us disapprovingly.

   "This is a restricted area." The officer started. "You either drive along or find somewhere else to park." He added. It was then that i realized that we were still around the bridge area.

   "I'm so sorry officer." The boy apologized immediately and started the car. The officer peered at us and his eyes widened in realization.

   "It's you two again. The kids that went on a date here last year." Ohh so he's THAT officer. "Is this your anniversary or something?" He asked and i shook my head. "Run along kids." He said.

   "That was close." The boy- who I still didn't know his name- said and I nodded in agreement. His phone rang and he looked at the caller ID then at me.

   "Can you hold the phone for me?" He asked and I nodded. He answered the call and put it on speaker.

   "Hey Tristan." A chirpy voice said.

   "Morning aunt Charlie." The boy- Tristan greeted.

    "Are you at home right now?"

    Tristan looked at me nervously before clearing his throat.

    "I'm on my way home. I had some errands to run." He replied but the way his hands squeezed the steering wheel showed that he was lying.. about what exactly? Running errands or going home? Because from the backseat situation, it seems like the whole thing is a lie.

    "Perfect. Send me the address of your friend's house. I made lots of breakfast this morning and I thought you and your friend should have some." She said happily.

   Tristan stepped on the brakes quickly making us both jolt forward. He mouthed sorry before he resumed driving.

   "Aunt you can't come." He quickly said.

   "Why not?" She asked.

    "My friend- he um.. he travelled." He lied and I heard his aunt scoff through the phone.

    "Nonsense. That's what you said two days ago. Send me the address now boy." She said before hanging up.

    "Shit.." Tristan cursed stopping in front of the bus stop. I slowly kept his phone and muttered 'thanks'. I was about to open the door when Tristan held me back. I ignored the sensation that sparked in my hand and looked at him in confusion.

   "I know this is sudden but.. um-" he started nervously, "Can I ask you for a favour?"
***
   To say I was freaking out was an understatement. Opening the door to my apartment was no big deal but having a boy over was a big deal. How I accepted to his favour was a mystery but here I was opening the door that held my reality.

   I opened the door and stepped aside to let Tristan in. He looked around the neatly arranged house awkwardly.

   "I promise I'll be out before your parents get back." He said and i almost choked on air.

   "Yeah.. parents." I muttered. "Make yourself comfortable. The kitchen is there." I said pointing at the kitchen. Tristan nodded and sat on one of the couches, my mum's favourite chair. "That chair is faulty." I lied and he jumped off it and sat on another one. I may sound petty but.. not yet.

  I decided to take a shower. I took a change of clothes and went to the bathroom. My body felt heavy from yesterday's crying and I looked like a mess.

   After doing my business, I decided to whip something up in the kitchen, if there's anything. As soon as I stepped out of my room, I came face to face with a woman who was carrying a bag. Tristan looked at me with a shocked expression and I realized my mistake. His aunt's here..

  "Hey ma'am." Ma'am? That's awkward.

  "Oh hey sweetie." She said smiling at me, "So this is why you don't want me to come over?" She asked raising her brows at Tristan.

   "It's not that.." he replied nervously and I couldn't blame him. How could I forget his aunt was coming?

   "Then what?" She asked and I shuffled awkwardly in my feet.

   "She's Drew's cousin." He quickly blurted and I nodded even though I had no idea who this Drew was. "She started college here and needed a place to stay." He concluded trying to keep a straight face.

   "Yes ma'am. I'm Leah, nice to meet you." I added smiling a bit too much. His aunt looked at the both of us before smiling.

  "Well sweetie, call me aunt Charlie. I brought breakfast for you guys." She said, believing our lies. "I have to go to work now. Bye." She said and I waved at her.

   Tristan walked her out the door and hugged her. She told him something and his face fell. I took the bag aunt Charlie kept on the center table and kept it on the kitchen counter.

   "Let's have breakfast." Tristan said and I nodded. He tried to smile but it was obvious the smiled was forced and it came out as a grimace. My heart pounded as a question popped in my mind. Maybe it was a bad idea.. maybe it was my only good idea so far.. The image of Tristan's backseat flashed back to me and that was the final blow before I asked the question.

   "Tristan.." I called out and he looked at me in surprise, " if you don't have a place to stay for now, do you want to stay here for the meantime?"

******
~Korisa