Lydia’s P.O.V
Someone was sleeping beside me.
That was the first thought I had as soon as I woke up to the warmth of someone’s body and their arms around me.
But when I opened my eyes, all I saw was darkness.
Panic started to set in as I brought my fingers closer to my face and touched my eyelids to make sure that my eyes were indeed open. They were, but I couldn’t see anything.
The bullet was pressing on my optic nerve.
Removing the arm from around my waist, I sat up in bed rapidly while searching around with my hands to remember where I was. Thankfully, I still had clothes on, that means whoever I was with, didn’t do anything to me last night. I was trying to keep my panic at bay, but my movements were jerky, alarmed.
And then I felt movement beside me along with the rustling of the sheets.
“Lydia?” I heard Lyric’s soft voice and relief washed over me immediately. &ld
Lydia’s P.O.V“All packed up?” Ivy asked as she handed me another dress that my mother had bought for me to take to Rosewater.“Almost…I think.” I sighed. “I came with one bag and I’m leaving with three.”Ivy gave out a short laugh. “I’m glad you came though. I would’ve felt lonely without you.”“I’m glad I came too.”“So…how are thinks with Lyric? I noticed a bit of tension between the two of you this morning.” Ivy asked curiously. “Everything alright?”I sighed and tossed aside the dress I was folding. “Lyric wants me to become his girlfriend.”“Really?” Ivy gasped in excitement and hurried over to sit in front of me. “When did that happen? You know what, forget it! What did you tell him? Are you guys a couple now?”“Ivy!” I snapped, st
Lydia’s P.O.VI got up from my seat as the bell rang, signaling the end of class. I had another class today but that was about an hour later. Maybe I would go grab an early lunch?As I was about to exit the classroom, someone stopped me by calling out my name. Turning towards the sound of the voice, I found a boy running to catch up to me. He was around five feet nine in height with sandy blonde hair and light green eyes with a lean athletic build. He handed me a piece of paper as he came to a stop in front of me.“Hi,” he panted. “I’m Ethan Stonewall. You might not know me but we’re in the same class.”“Hi, Ethan.” I tilted my head to the side. “I’m Lydia McKenzie.”“I know…,” Ethan scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “We’re partners in Psychology 2. The teacher paired us together for the project that is due next week. This
Lyric’s P.O.V“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Were my brother’s opening words as soon as he wheeled into the house and found me in the kitchen as I was putting away some used plates into the sink.“What do you mean?” I asked, clearly confused.Derek seemed to be in an awful mood and whatever that happened, things didn’t end well for the both of us. But what could possibly be his problem now? I won today’s match fair and square! Damnit! I could already feel a headache coming on.“You’ve been unfocused!” Derek snapped. “It’s like you’ve lost all purpose in life and you’re just endlessly roaming around inside that ring! What the fuck is wrong with you?”“I won the bloody match, Derek!” I snapped back at him. “I lost focus for a few seconds because the bastard hit pretty close to my ear. But I got back up and beat him in
Lydia’s P.O.V“I’m crashing here tonight.”That was all the explanation I got as Lyric shoved past me into my apartment with an overnight bag in hand, leaving me very confused, awkward and surprised.“Excuse me?” I turned to face him once I had closed and locked my door. “What exactly do you mean by ‘I’m crashing here tonight’?”“It means exactly what I said,” Lyric threw the bag in one corner and plopped down on my couch. “Look, it’s just for tonight. I’ll get a hotel room or something tomorrow and then you’ll be free of me.”“You have a house.” I pointed out as I crossed my arms across my chest.“Yes, one that is very unwelcoming at the moment.” He sighed and rubbed his hands over his eyes. “Come on, Lydia, it’s not like I haven’t been here before or spent the night.”
Lydia’s P.O.VI moved away from Lyric a few seconds later, unable to keep the contact but when I went to remove my hand from his nape, he caught it in his own large ones.“You know I’m here for you too, right?” He spoke softly.“What do you mean?” I asked, but a sense of dread settled in my stomach, clawing out the tenderness from the earlier moment.“Being brain damaged doesn’t mean that you have to refrain yourself from everything life has to offer,” Lyric tilted his head to the side, studying me with those intense eyes of him that often tended to make me nervous. “You avoid physical contact like it’s the plague. Or is it just with me?”I felt my breath catch in my throat. Did he really figure it out? But even if he hadn’t yet, I think he just did because his eyes widened slightly before he told me accusingly, “It is just me, isn’t it!&rdquo
Lyric’s P.O.VI woke up to the sound of birds chirping in the distance.The morning air was chilly and the bed I was in wasn’t mine but there was no mistaking who I was sleeping next to. I’d recognize her even if I went blind. Lydia was my breath of fresh air; she was my salvation, my home.It didn’t matter what my brother tells my parents about her, I’d gladly leave it all behind for Lydia. And I don’t think Derek would get away with his emotional blackmail this time, because I just remembered that Lydia’s father knew my dad and once dad found out exactly who Lydia was, he’d never take Derek’s side.Lydia stirred in her sleep and I grew quiet next to her, closing my eyes so she wouldn’t find me watching her. I didn’t want to run in the opposite direction even before our relationship began.A few moments later, I felt her moving around a bit before she removed my han
Lydia’s P.O.VThe next morning, I was surprised to find out how normal it felt to wake up next to Lyric.Yes, the guy snored and yes, he likes to think of me as his personal pillow as he wrapped himself around me like a blanket, but it seems like I was just as comfortable cuddling up to him because I had my hands wrapped around him as well, our legs tangled with each other under the sheets. It was very intimate, but I didn’t find it uncomfortable.I was a really bad sleeper as far as I remembered. I was used to swimming around in my bed, but so far Lyric hadn’t complained about my sleeping habit and even I felt that I didn’t move around all that much when I was sleeping cuddled in his arms.I woke up early the next morning, thanks to the birds chirping on my windowsill and tried to untangle myself from Lyric’s arms so I could get up. The task proved difficult since he tightened his hold on me as soon as I tri
Lydia’s P.O.VLyric hadn’t been too thrilled at the idea of me meeting his brother and that was understandable. But I felt like I had to meet Derek. There was something important I had to discuss with him and it could only happen if I went to this party.It’s not like I couldn’t just go over to their house and meet him, but it would be better in a formal setting where Lyric could introduce me properly to his family. Derek had no idea that our parents knew each other and that was my advantage. Whatever he must have told his parents to get rid of his guilty conscience, it would be a blow to his ego to learn that his parents couldn’t outrightly hate me.There was a knock on the bedroom door right then, snapping me out of my trance and I called out to Lyric to enter before I got down to the finishing touches for my makeup. I’d kept my look simple yet elegant for today’s event. There wasn’t any dress co