Chloe seems lost in the movie, laughing at the funny parts. She seems happy and content, lying next to me as we watch. It is nice to hear her laugh and watch her smile. It tells me she feels safe here with me, and that is all I want. I can only hope I can convince her to stay.
Chloe starts fidgeting, moving down to the bottom of the bed on her stomach. She is trying to get comfortable. I hear her huffing, wriggling around.
“Chloe, are you okay?” I chuckle.
She glances up at me, pouting, “I can’t get comfortable, sorry.”
“Try placing your head here,” I smile, patting my chest.
I see the heat rise in her cheeks, “Um, I don’t think that would be comfortable for you.” She whispers.
“I don’t mind. Come.” I encourage.
She hesitates for a moment but crawls back up the bed. She lays beside me, her head on my chest, “Are you sure?” she asks nervously.
I smile brightly at her, “Yes, positive.”
She smiles back and makes herself comfortable. It only takes a moment for her to become so, turning her attention back to the screen. I slip my arm around her shoulder, and she snuggles in tighter.
Chloe’s other hand lands on my stomach. I caress her arm, concentrating on the movie. There wasn’t long left of it, and then I could make us some dinner or order pizza. I would see what she is in the mood for since we had a big lunch. Neither of us spoke until the end titles started rolling.
Chloe turns onto her stomach, resting her chin on me, “That was a really good movie. I think tonight has probably been my first official movie night.”
“Your first?” I ask, surprised.
“Yes. I had a crappy childhood. I have never had friends, and any guys I have dated weren’t exactly into movie nights.” I can hear the sadness in her voice, and it broke my heart to hear she hasn’t had a chance to experience even the simplest things.
“That is a shame. I feel like you have missed out on a lot of things?” I ask softly, stroking the hair away from her face.
“I have, but I can’t blame everyone else for that. It is partly my fault too. I was too busy doing things I shouldn’t have been doing, but it was my way of coping.”
I am positive there is more to that story, but she isn’t ready to share yet.
“Tell me five things you would love to do or have but haven’t?” I ask curiously.
“Hmm, let me think,” she laughs.
I give her a moment, wondering what she will come up with.
“Okay, here goes. I would love to fly on a plane. Go to the zoo. See a waterfall. Swim in the ocean, and lastly, own a pet, like a dog or a cat.” She smiles.
Some of those things are simple and what people do in their daily lives. It makes the entire situation even sadder. I can probably help her experience all of those things.
“I am sure one day you will have the chance to experience it all.” I didn’t want to tell her I could help with those because it was hard enough to get her to come back here with me, never mind trying to convince her to let me make those things possible.
“Maybe. I know they probably sound boring and pathetic, but I am not one for dreaming big because dreams don’t come true for people like me.” she sighs, tears brimming in her eyes.
I instinctively reach in, wiping them away before they have a chance to fall.
I smile, resting my hand on her cheek, “You should never stop dreaming. No matter how hard life can get, you need to dream. It can make life a little easier.”
“You haven’t had an easy life either, Blake, by the sounds of it, so how can you still be positive about things?” her eyes search mine, waiting for me to answer.
“Because I refuse to let the bad win. There is good in this world, too, and sometimes you need to concentrate on that.”
I used to hate everything and everyone. I had no trust, but as the years passed, I decided my past wouldn’t ruin my present or future. It wasn’t worth it.
“I wish I could see the world through your eyes, Blake. I think it would be a better place if more people thought like you do,” she says, kissing my cheek.
“Thank you, that is rather sweet of you.” I appreciated her compliment.
Chloe moves, sitting up next to me, “Can we watch another one?” she asks hopefully.
“Of course, we can watch as many as you want. Firstly, though, are you hungry? I can order pizza or make us a snack.”
“Hmm, pizza sounds good, but I will probably only manage maybe two slices,” she replies.
“That is okay. What we don’t eat can be reheated tomorrow.”
“Sure, sounds good.”
“Great! What do you like?” If we like different things, we can get one each or half and half.
“Cheese and pepperoni.”
Perfect, we like the same things, “Me too.” I reply brightly.
I grabbed my cell to place our order, telling her to choose our next movie, something she seemed excited about. It was cute. I will sit up all night with her watching movies if that’s what she wants.
***
It was one o’clock in the morning, and we were still watching movies, well, until twenty minutes ago when Chloe fell asleep. She has her head on my chest, and her arm draped over me.
I carefully reach for the remote, ensuring not to wake her and switch the tv off. I will sleep good tonight knowing Chloe is safe here with me. If she weren’t, I probably wouldn’t get much sleep at all because I would be worrying about her.
I glance down at her, “Sweet dreams, beautiful. You are safe here with me, promise.”
I bring the covers over us, switch the light off and get comfortable the best I can without disturbing Chloe. She snuggles in tighter to me.
“Thank you,” she whispers tiredly.
“Any time, angel. You are protected here with me.” I promise.
Her breathing evens back out, telling me she had already fallen back asleep. I caress the small of her back and close my eyes, waiting for sleep to take over me. I hope she is still here when I wake up and doesn’t disappear in the way she didn’t this morning.
We still have a lot to figure out for her, but tomorrow the important thing is to get her stuff and her medication. I will take a couple of buddies with me because I have no idea what to expect when I show up at her place. If Max is there, I will need to hold myself back, so I don’t kill the stupid piece of shit. I swear I plan on doing everything I can to make sure he doesn’t get anywhere close to her ever again, no matter what it takes.