"Nick." She said thankfully, tears filling her eyes, before leaping into his arms and crying. Nick held her tightly to comfort her, running his fingers soothingly through her hair.
"It's ok, I'm here now." Nick said kissing her head gently. He felt her fingers grasping his back, and outlining his spine as they stood in the doorway. Her fingertips made him melt-but this was not the time, nor the place. She backed out of his arms, and invited him in, picking up a tissue as they walked into the living room. The living room was large and numerous doors lead from it. The walls were painted lavender and the décor was all bought to match. It was neat and cute-definitely a girl's apartment. Exquisite pieces of art work lined some of the walls. Nick sat down on the sofa, and refused an offer of a "drink or something." "Come here, and tell me what happened." He encouraged and she sat down with him, clinging to him slightly. She sobbed and Nick brushed her hair from her face and fully took a look at her bruise. It was awful, a harsh mark on something so beautiful. He gently stroked it with his thumb and she flinched. "Sorry…" Nick said. "…He really did this to you?" She nodded and buried her face in her hands crying. Nick leant back onto the sofa and softly pulled her into his arms, where he questioned her no further, just relaxed her and nurtured her. Nick awoke at six AM as the sun was rising on his face. He was at first alarmed that he wasn't at home, but he soon remembered where he was when he looked down and saw Heather curled up and asleep in his arms. He yawned. He needed to go home. He lifted Heather lightly so he could shift from underneath her. He rested her against a pillow as he went on the hunt for his shoes and car keys etc. She stirred in her sleep.
"Nick?" She asked sleepily with her eyes still closed. Nick knelt down next to the sofa and brushed her cheek with his hand. "I'm still here." He comforted her. "But I have to go Heather…"
"Please don't go." She mumbled dreamily, and pleadingly. "I have to." Nick sighed. He had to go, but he by no means wanted to. That was by far the best night sleep he had had in months, and he would give anything to stay in this light purple apartment for the rest of his life, just sleeping with her on her sofa. He longed to be the man she wanted in her life-he allowed himself to admit this to him now. "I have my brother at home." He explained, although he didn't blame Aaron at all, he needed him too, Nick just felt sad that he had to go. "Listen to me though…" He began. "Don't let him call, text or come here ok?" She nodded silently, her eyes still closed. "If he shows up, I wanna know about it ok? I'll come as soon as you call…" Nick realised this was all a bit much to relay to her in her dream-like state. He kissed her forehead gently. "I'll call you later and talk to you then ok?" He asked. Heather nodded again to him. On his knees, Nick surveyed her face in the new sunlight. "So beautiful." He thought to himself. "But so fragile." He added and sighed. He wanted to be her protector-the one to guard her from pain and heartache. Some feelings were there despite whether you want them to be there or not, Nick concluded. He couldn't help his feelings; as the sun glossed her face with a pale glow, he didn't want to help them. He let his face wander to hers, and he limply kissed her lips- a moment of pure, sun-blessed bliss, that Nick kept close to his heart, the entire day.
