“Hey, Riot?” I shouted behind the closed bathroom door.

“Yeah?” His voice responded, muffled.

My cheeks heated in embarrassment. “I forgot to grab pajamas for myself. Could you… Could you get them for me?”

There was silence. “Riot?”

“Yeah, I’m here. I mean, just come out and grab them.”

“I can’t…” I clenched my jaw, annoyed at my insecurity.

Riot, not missing a fucking beat. “Why?”

“I just can’t. Can you please-“

“I’ll close my eyes. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

There was warmth, yet an embarrassed feeling in my gut. “Okay.”

“Alright, eyes are closed.”

Hesitating, I opened the door slowly. The view I saw was breathtaking, funny and sweet. Riot was wearing only a pair of loose grey sweatpants, one of his favorites that he had left here. His spare shirt and boxers were still folded on the chair in the corner. What was funny and sweet was how he had covered his eyes. He had his hands over his eyes holding a small decorative pillow, making sure I knew he could not see me.

“Thank you. I’ll be quick.” I smiled, laughing softly.

I quickly slipped on a pair of boxers and an oversized shirt, my normal pajamas. Again, forgetting I was about to share a bed with my lifelong friend and someone I loved a lot, I did not realise he had never seen me in my normal pajamas - I always wore shorts or pajama pants when we had a sleepover.

“Okay I am good.” I realised all of this the second he had uncovered his eyes, setting the pillow to the side, and his gaze met mine. Well, actually, his eyes immediately looked me up and down, which was very noticeable.

I didn’t know if I was hearing things, or if it was actually said, but I think Riot said, “Shit”, very softly.

“Ah, sorry. I normally sleep like this in my bed. I can put on shorts or something if it makes you more comfortable.”

“No.” Riot answered quickly, his eyes widening as he stared at me intently. He immediately relaxed. “No, it’s okay.”

I smiled, nodding slightly. “Okay, well, let’s go to sleep. Long day tomorrow.”

I turned off the lights and went to my bed. I slipped under the thick comforter, Riot doing the same. Though I had a king sized bed, and there was plenty of room for both of us, we both had settled near the middle of the bed. Our backs faced each other.

After laying in darkness, trying to sleep, an hour had passed before I gave in. I normally sleep, by myself, cuddling a stuffed animal I had in my closet or a pillow. However, I decided, fuck it, and I turned around. Riot was now on his back and he looked completely asleep. Though we’ve cuddled before, it was always Riot grabbing me and cuddling me, not the other way around. I shrugged and gave in. I cuddled against the side of Riot, his arm wrapping around me, causing me to tense.

“It’s okay.” His gruff voice rumbling in his chest. “I couldn’t sleep either.”

I blushed and nodded, my body moving closer to his. I laid my head on his chest and, in less than a minute, I was asleep wrapped in warmth and listening to Riot’s slow heartbeat.

~~~~~

~~West’s POV ~~

“Guys, bedrooms are ready, if you need me, let me know.” Quinn’s voice traveled from atop the staircase.

“Alright, well Nova and I will share a room so you both can have your own.” Blaze stated as he and Nova went up first.

Victoria shrugged, a carefree smile matching her attitude. “Well, sounds good to me.”

“Yeah,” I mumbled, exhausted. I was always tired.

I followed after Victoria, going up the stairs slowly. Victoria was what plagued my mind and was the reason behind my exhaustion. Her gorgeous skin, her beautiful eyes, her soft hair, her loudness and her intense attitude on any topic. All of her was what lived in my mind every second of my life. It became like this once she became my holder. I was addicted to her. And she didn’t notice.

I entered the last bedroom, after saying a mumbled good night to Victoria. I fell onto the bed, groaning in frustration which was muffled by the comforter.

I laid in bed, facing the ceiling now, for probably a solid hour. Memories of Victoria throughout our friendship were always replaying in my mind. My favourite memory was when I first knew I was in love with her.

~The morning sun was bright as the sky was clear. I had just gotten to Whitehall the previous day. Today I was walking around the campus to look at where the classrooms were. The school wasn’t starting yet for another week, however there were tons of kids playing sports on the field or walking around the campus together, chatting. I was alone, walking by myself.

As I neared the square where the cafe was, I got hit by a football. I fell to the ground, my head exploding into a massive headache.

“Hey dude, sorry about that.” Some guy had picked up the football and went back to his friends.

“Douchebag.” I mumbled after he left.

“Here.” I looked up to see a hand reaching out to me. I took it and stood up. My eyes immediately met a pool of shining cocoa. The sun, which laid behind me, had caused this girl’s eyes to shine brightly. Her eyes reminded me of polished rocks or gems found by the creek.

“Uh, thanks.” I smiled slightly.

The girl shrugged and smiled brightly. “No problem. The douchebag is Logan Roy, senior and head jock of the school. Though, he is kind of nice, sometimes.” She picked up my bag and handed it to me. “The name’s Victoria Belladonna. You can call me Victoria or Tori.”

I took my bag. “Thanks. I am West. West Trident.” I hesitated saying my last name, knowing what my family name meant nowadays. But she didn’t seem phased.

“Nice to meet you. If you have a headache, I can bond with you so you can heal yourself.”

“Oh, uh, I could just go to the nurse’s office.” I remember being embarrassed.

I felt a soft push and then warmth spread throughout my body. The warmth was comforting and relaxed my body from it’s usual tense state. She had bonded with me.

“Go ahead and heal yourself.” Victoria had smiled. A real smile. It made her eyes shine and her face was relaxed. There wasn’t -what was her usual attitude tension- anything distorting her smile to mean anything but comfort and safety. Her real smile made me fall for her. ~

A knock on the door brought me out of my memories. A quick glance at the clock told me it had just passed midnight. I had been laying in bed for three hours now. Another soft knock on my door made me look at the door.

“It’s open.”

The door slowly opened and Victoria walked in and shut the door. I sat up slowly, taking in her clothing. She wore a loose pair of cotton shorts and a crop top that looked to be an old t-shirt as it was faded and definitely cut by her.

“Everything okay?” I was confused as to why she was awake this late.

Victoria nodded as she sat beside me. Her demeanor was quiet and nervous. It was strange and worried me a lot.

“Victoria? Are you-“

“Are you okay?” She looked at me. Her eyes were swimming with worry and sadness. That alarmed me.

Confused, I stuttered out. “Yes… I am fine. Is everything okay?” Though I had my mental issues, I didn’t think I was acting differently than I usually do.

Victoria smiled sadly before hugging me. “One day, when you want to talk, I will be here and I will be ready to listen.”

I gently wrapped my arms around her and relaxed. “I am okay, Tori. I promise it’s nothing new.” My head fell onto her shoulder.

“Still. I am here.”

We sat in silence, our arms wrapped around the other. After a while, she let go and I did as well. She stood up and smiled. “Okay, go shower and go to sleep. Please.” She left after that, leaving me in confusion.

~~~~~