Don't Fall Asleep

I ran through the dark forest, the leaves from the bushes whipping against my body. but I do not dare to stop, for he might catch me. And so I run and run until a bright light catches my eye. I turn and look back. My feet feel lighter than air as they carry me towards the light. I am about to pass through that light when I see two figures standing next to it. They appear to be arguing and I cannot hear them at all. I run towards the figures, then stop. A single tear rolls onto my cheek as I see it's my parents.

"...Sakura?"

I hear a distant voice.

"...Sakura...wake up!"

I jolt awake, gasping for breath. In front of me I can see Jasper. His face is filled with concern. I try to calm myself down but failed miserably. "Hey..." He says. "You were having a nightmare." It took all of his strength just to say those four words.

He wipes the tears from my cheeks. I nod, "Yeah..."

"It's okay...everything is fine now." I lean my head on Jasper's shoulder, listening to him talk while we both tried to catch our breath.

***

After taking a shower and changing, I was now sitting in the living room, watching some TV show with Jasper. The sun had set long ago; but Jasper was still there with me. He has been here for almost three weeks. After the last time I woke up screaming in my bedroom, he decided to come over. He didn't want me to be alone. And even though he said this was for me, deep inside my heart I knew it wasn't.

We've spent a lot of time together lately, but something was missing. Something that was missing ever since that first day Jasper arrived. Something we used to share. Now it was gone. Jasper's been here for the better part of a month and nothing has really changed between us.

I look up to him, "Hey...thanks for staying with me..." I smile. Jasper looks surprised by what I said and then smiles back.

"Of course! You're like family to me!" I laugh, "That's such a lame way to put it."

Jasper laughs along, "What did you have in mind then?" I smirk before speaking, "Well...we could watch one of your movies again..."

A grin spreads across Jasper's face as he agrees, "Sure! Let's go pick out one." We get up and leave the apartment.

***

A few minutes later we arrive at one of the movies. Jasper tells me that it'e called "The Phantom Menace". When we step into the theatre, I gasp. All of the theater seats are taken! Jasper chuckles and takes my hand. As we start walking, a girl around our age starts whispering something. She glances behind her, but turns her gaze back to her books the moment she sees Jasper.

"Sorry about that." She whispers, as if Jasper couldn't hear her from where he stood. I look over at Jasper and he just shrugs. I don't blame the poor girl for being scared. Jasper holds my hand tightly and leads us toward the middle row of seats.

There aren't many people here tonight.

As we find our seats I notice out of the corner of my eye, a man staring at me with a smirk. "Nocturne..." I shake my head wondering where that name even came from or why it came to mind. I try to focus on the movie, but the man keeps looking at me. I look away, but his eyes follow me. I can tell that he wants to make a move.

Why am I feeling anxious? I should just ignore him and pay attention to the movie.

The film begins and everyone sits comfortably. I'm leaning on Jasper who is resting his head on top of mine. The whole time I keep my eyes focused on the screen. The only thing I can think about is how soft Jasper's hair feels against my forehead. I close my eyes, trying not to fall asleep, and just enjoy the movie. Eventually Jasper stirs and looks down at me. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yea." I answer. "Go ahead."

Jasper leans closer so that the side of his lips brush against my ear. "Are you sure you're okay?"

My heart races as I stare at him. "Yes!" I whisper, pushing his face away slightly. "Just tired."

"Okay then...goodnight." Jasper lays his head back on the seat and closes his eyes. I lay my head back against the seat and close my eyes too. Soon the darkness takes over and I feel myself slipping into sleep once more.

***

I'm running again, but this time I feel a cold hand catch my sweaty palm. "Sakura! Stop running for one minute!" this man says as he whips me around to face him, his silver eyes boring into mine.

"Nocturne..."

The name escapes my lips.

I glare at him, shaking.

"I am here to help you. Why do you always run from me," he asks, his chiseled face wrought with hurt.

"Why are you scared of me?" He snaps , my eyes beginning to water. "How could you be afraid of someone like me?" He smirks.

"You are stronger than you seem, you're smart, and you've grown so much since we first met. If anyone should be afraid of you it would be me."

***

I gasp awake, my chest heaving. Jasper looks at me startled.

"Are you ok?" He asks, a look of outright worry on his face.

I look around and notice the movie is over and almost everyone is gone. I look and see even the strange raven haired man that was staring at me was gone too. I nod.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

I take a deep breath. "Nope."

I grab my stuff and walk out the door. The cool night air blows harshly past my face, making my cheeks sting.

"Wait!" I hear behind me.

I stop and turn around. Jasper runs up to me and pulls me into a hug. "Please don't run anymore, you'll get hurt."

I let go of him and push him off of me.

"I need to be alone right now." I reply, turning and walking home.

***

When I reach my house, I open the door and rush up the stairs. I lock myself in my room and bury myself under the blankets. For a minute I just lie there, trying not to cry. Finally, I manage to calm down. I sit up, and I begin pacing around my room. Then suddenly there is a knock on my door, and I sigh.

"Come in."

"I hope you're okay." Jasper says as he comes in and shuts the door.

"I'm fine, really." I try to convince him with a smile on my face. Jasper walks over and sits next to me, "I know that you are not. But I also know that you will talk about it eventually. I'm just happy that you let me stay here and that you trusted me enough to tell me everything. So thank you."

"I trust you." I respond quietly.

I pause, waiting for Jasper to say something. To tell me that he loves me. That he wants to keep coming over and seeing me every day and that everything is going to be fine. But no matter how often I wait, I don't hear him say any of those things. Maybe because we've never talked about anything serious. Maybe because we only have each other. Either way, I know I love him. And that's all that matters.

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