I stared up at the ceiling, my skin damp.

Travis placed his hand over mine, rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb.

I looked over at him to see he was already staring at me, and I smiled gently.

"Don't smile at me like that," he sighed. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"What do you mean? What smile?"

"That apologetic smile that means you feel bad that you're gonna be leaving. I don't want you to leave." I rolled a little closer and pecked his lips. "Is that a new thing? An apologetic kiss?" I kissed him again, this time a little longer. I pulled away. "Please stay," he begged.

"Okay, I'll stay."

"The whole night?"

"Yes, the whole night." He grinned and cuddled closer to me.

"I'm glad."

"Do you have something I can wear so I'm not just naked?" I gestured to my body that was only hidden under the thick comforter.

"Aw, but you look so good like that." He laughed as I whacked him with a pillow. He got out of the bed and put on some boxers before going to his drawers. He pulled out a shirt and tossed it to me. I put it on and thanked him. He got back in the bed and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Goodnight, Katelyn."

"Goodnight, Travis."

And I waited. I waited for him to be fast asleep so that a quiet snore was escaping evenly out of his lips. I waited a little while longer to be sure, and peeled his arm off of my waist, slowly. I soundlessly got out of the bed and began looking around the room. I snuck out of the room and went to where we were eating to go to my bag that I had brought. I grabbed my phone and went back to the bedroom. I clicked on the flashlight, cupping my hand around it to keep it from shining too brightly.

He had to have some secrets, and I was determined to find them.

I crouched by his desk and ran my fingers along the wood's fine intricate lining, looking for a faulty board or something.

Nothing.

I placed a hand on the wall, knocking twice. I went to each wall until one of them sounded different, a little more hollow. I felt around, my fingers gliding over a subtle jut in the wall. I hooked my fingers in it and pulled. The wall slid open and a bulletin board was behind it. I shone my light over the papers that were connected by strings. I brought a hand to my mouth to try and quiet the gasp.

Countless newspaper clippings, pictures, and small notes were up there. All about Chad.

He really was working to find him. To kill him.

I closed the wall and hurried to the balcony, slamming the doors shut on accident due to some wind. I let out some heavy pants and steadied myself. I calmed my nerves and looked out into the garden. It was beautiful, but so sad at the same time.

It was like the whole thing was a memory. It was beautiful and the colours of the flowers were bright, but knowing about his parents made it depressing. It must have been the way Travis always remembered his parents. The memories were bright, but he was sad. He will never get over that melancholic rut.

I heard the doors behind my slide open and shut. I didn't turn to look, I didn't have to.

"What are you doing out here?" Travis chuckled, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. He kissed the back of my neck and I smiled.

"Woke up," I lied, shrugging my shoulders a little.

"It's late, and cold out here. You're gonna get sick."

"I'm fine, it's spring so it isn't too cold." I turned in his arms. He took a deep breath and looked off into the distance. His eyes were tired and distant, seemingly in thought.

"You wanna watch a movie?" He asked. I took a deep breath and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"It's late, you said it yourself. And you're really tired." He smiled down at me and nodded.

"Yeah I am, but you're not."

His voice was rough and hoarse. His eyes were duller than normal. His hair was disheveled and spiking in awkward positions. He was beautiful.

"You'll fall asleep too quickly. I'll just stay out here until I'm tired." I placed a hesitant hand on his cheek. I saw him as fragile in that moment. Like any wrong move would break him.

"Alright, you're choice. If you're hungry you know where the kitchen is." He kissed my forehead and mumbled a goodnight. I smiled and hugged him. He walked inside and I watched him leave. I wrapped my arms around myself and took a deep breath.

Everything just got ten times more real.

My body grew tired quickly, and it wasn't too long before I was yawning.

I waited outside a little while longer, focusing on the cold breeze that wrapped around me, and the gentle rustle of the leaves. I looked down at my palms were small red nail marks had formed earlier that day. I inhaled shakily and walked back inside.

Travis was already in bed, but not asleep. He had put on some pants and a loose muscle shirt, his back facing me. I slipped into the bed beside him and he rolled over to look at me. We smiled at each other before closing our eyes.

And although I was tired, I was scared. I couldn't sleep. All I could think about was that bulletin board covered in research.

Ever since I had met Travis, he did little work in school. He didn't bother too much with studying and homework, and he didn't get stressed out. Our exams were in a week and he didn't seem to mind one bit. It seemed so unlike him to go through so much trouble.

He was serious about finding Chad.

A/N It's.....lame. I know. I know. And I just finished it the day I'm posting because I just got home again last night. I'm sorry, but it's a busy summer!! Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I love you all.