My Adorable Little Rascal

Around 3 a.m. the next morning...

Skylar stirs from her sleep, the heaviness in her hand pulling her from the edge of a dream. She looks down to find Julian, fast asleep, his fingers still curled gently around hers. His lips move slightly, murmuring something she can't quite catch.

She leans in.

"Skylar…"

Her eyes widen, heart skipping. She recoils, covering her flushed face with both hands. But curiosity soon wins over embarrassment, and she leans back down.

"…Why… why are you so different now? Back then… you hated studying. You loved life so much. So why…"

His voice fades into silence.

Skylar freezes.

Back then?

What was I even like… back then?

And why does he sound like he knew me?

"Damn it..."

She cranes closer, ears straining.

"Skylar… that brat stole my class ranking… She's so annoying. She used to be so cute when she was little…"

Skylar nearly chokes on air.

Her hand rises with intent—but halts midair.

"I'll let you off this time. But there won't be a second."

Around 5 a.m....

"Mm…"

Julian stirs awake.

"You're up? Slept well, huh? So, what did you dream about last night?" Skylar "smiles."

Julian mumbles drowsily: "Last night… I dreamed that…"

His eyes pop open: "Wait—you're awake?!"

"What were you dreaming about?" she asks, eyes narrowing.

"I, uh… I dreamed you were a bouncing beach ball. Rolling around everywhere."

"Liar!"

"You said things I didn't even know about myself! Tell me—how much do you really know about me?!"

Julian's brain screams: Oh no. She figured it out?! Time to change the subject!

"Uhh… your current house—does it belong to your parents?" he asks, forcing a smile.

Skylar scoffs, unimpressed: "Don't fake a smile. It makes you look worse."

Julian's heart breaks a little, though he expected it.

"No… My family's staying in my aunt's old house."

Julian takes a breath: "So… if your parents ever end up in jail, I'll take care of you. Money's not an issue."

As soon as the words leave his mouth, Julian mentally punches himself: Crap. She hates being pitied. This was dumb.

Sure enough—Skylar narrows her eyes, smile sharp: "Wow. You're really thinking ahead, huh? Already imagining my parents behind bars? Is that what you want to happen?"

"No! That's not what I meant! Don't misunderstand!"

"Then what did you mean?"

"I mean… well…" Julian falters. Deep down, he does want those two locked up.

"So you did mean that, huh?"

"…Yeah."

She sighs, placing a hand on her forehead. Every inch of her seems weighed down: But someone who knows would recognize the subtle signs of a person desperately fighting their own fate.

"…Alright. Let's think positive. Maybe you're just worried about my uncertain future. Thanks."

"But I swear—1000%—that won't happen again." She lifts her head, eyes blazing.

Julian sees her determination and smirks: "Okay. Then I'll wait for your results."

She pauses, then smiles—really smiles: "That's how you smile. Yours is just—ugh. Hideous."

Julian blinks: She smiled… a real smile. Not that fake one. A real one. YES!

Then she glances away, unsure: "So… can I change how I talk to you?"

"Sure."

"Then… let's go with you and me, casual terms."

"Okay." He makes an "OK" sign with his hand.

Suddenly, Skylar leans forward: "But for the next test—"

Before she can finish, she slips.

"Ahh!"

Julian doesn't move an inch, watching as she falls.

Serves you right for being careless - he thinks.

"Ow!" Skylar winces. Her upper half is still on the bed, legs dangling. The blanket falls to the floor. Her hand grasps something—not the cold ground, but… Julian's leg.

"Can you let go now? My leg's falling asleep."

Skylar looks up, stunned: He saved me? Even after not reacting a second ago?

"Nope! I'm staying right here. Whatcha gonna do?" She pokes his leg playfully.

"Aren't you worried about dirt?" Julian smirks.

"Nope. What about you? Am I too dirty for you?"

"Fine. You don't care. I don't mind. Happy?"

"Perfect. Then I'll just lie here. Too lazy to move." She slumps over his leg like a cat.

Julian doesn't mind: Maybe this is what she's always wished for.

Someone gentle. Someone who cares. Someone who stays.

He whispers: "You're happy now, huh?"

"Huh? What'd you say?"

"Nothing. What were you gonna say earlier?"

"Nothing much. Just that next test—I'll beat your score."

Julian grins. "Alright. Good luck. I'm really good though."

"Stop smiling. When you do, ghosts and demons cry."

His smile falters: "Can't you say one nice thing about me?"

"Nope. I haven't found one yet."

Julian's eyebrow twitches. He shakes his leg, making her cling tighter to avoid falling.

"Then get off me."

"No."

He lifts his leg, flipping her back onto the bed.

"Hey! What the heck?!"

Grumpy kitten, he muses and laughs.

"What are you laughing at, jerk?!" Skylar pouts.

Julian picks up the fallen blanket, shakes it, and gently covers her. Then he leans over: "Alright. No more laughing. Go back to sleep. It's still early."

"Sleep your head! It's almost six!"

Julian glares: "Still early. Sleep. Discharge is tomorrow."

"I'm not sleepy! How can I sleep now?"

"Want a bedtime story?" He walks over, pulls a thick fairytale book from his bag.

Skylar stares: No way! His soul's this childish?!

"So, what'll it be? Sleep? Or storytime?" Julian smiles sweetly.

He sits beside her and flips open the book: "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs?"

"N-No thanks! Lights off! I'll sleep, okay?!" Skylar panics, pulling the blanket over her head.

"Should've said so earlier."

Julian walks to the corner.

Click

The lights go out.

He returns to the chair.

"Sleep easy. I'm right here."

"Mhm."

An hour passes.

They fall asleep again.