A/N: I'm so sorry for being an awful author and not updating this for over a week. I feel horrible about it. At my college we have literally an orientation WEEK, so my time has been otherwise occupied. I finished this night before last, but the internet in my dorm sucks. Again, I sincerely apologize. I also want to thank those readers who messaged me asking if I was okay/alive. It means a lot, even though I know you only like me for my story. It's okay, though. I'll take it. Oh, and this is technically the last chapter, but I have an epilogue in mind. So, yeah, enjoy!
(Jade's POV)
Morning finds us sitting on a bench in the middle of a park. Well, I'm sitting; Cat's sleeping in my lap, still. She may be light, but her head weighs a ton. My legs have been numb for a couple of hours, but I'm not complaining. I have nice, soft hair to run my hands through; who would complain? Certainly not me. I've wanted this far too long to be worried about my stupid blood circulation. Speaking of wanting, she is so damn beautiful, especially asleep and helpless, that it makes me want to go fight dragons, or some clichéd shit like that, just to protect her. She's so fragile in this new part of her that it scares me some times. But I'd never tell her that. I have to be strong for her. Even if it means beating up her asshole of a mother.
After we left last night, she seemed freer than before, less burdened. I took that as a good thing, so I asked her if she wanted to walk around the park with me, to which she of course said yes. We ended up having lapped the park four times before our adrenaline slowed down. She crashed almost immediately after; thankfully we were near this bench. She fell onto my lap and was out in seconds. We've been here ever since. I still haven't slept 'cause I have her bag to look out for. Not to mention two girls sleeping on a park bench is like an invitation to the crazies. I mean, who wants a neon sign saying, "Hey, we're unconscious! Come rape us and steal our stuff!" Not me. Anyway, we talked about what was going to happen since she obviously couldn't go back to her house. I told her my house was open any time and she said, "I don't want to be a burden, so no." She's homeless and she doesn't want to 'burden' me? She's insane; I would positively love to have her with me constantly. Not to sound sappy, but, I do. I thought I liked the Cat before her, the fake one, but this one? The real Cat? She's a treasure. She's still like the old one, kind of a blonde and candy obsessed, but she has a seriously smart mind. While we talked, she told me theories about things that I'd never even heard of. I asked her when she came up with all that and she answered, "I had to do something during the time I ignored my homework. Painting my nails only takes up so much time." I instantly felt bad for bringing up bad memories, but she assured me that she's used to it. I just can't imagine how much will power it takes to act for years. It blows my mind. She's the strongest person I know, definitely stronger than me.
I look down at her peaceful face, and I have the urge to kiss her, so I do. Her eyelids flutter open at the quick kiss on her lips. Shit. I didn't mean to wake her up. I don't want her to have to face reality just yet. "Shhh. Go back sleep, sweetie. You're safe." I whisper into her hair. She looks up at me with groggy eyes.
"It's okay, Jade," she says. "I've slept long enough. Did you sleep at all?" She asks, running her thumb over the sagging skin underneath my eye. I must look awful. I shake my head to answer and when I see the question in her eyes, I decide to elaborate.
"I didn't want someone to attack us and steal your stuff." I say sheepishly. Since when was I chivalrous? Cat brings out all kinds of side of me, I suppose.
"Oh, Jade! That's so sweet of you!" she exclaims. I wince, bursting to yell out 'Never speak of it!' but I reel it in and sigh at her. She smiles knowingly.
"Yes, well, it doesn't happen often. So, in return, will you come to my house?" she looks conflicted, so I say, "I'd like to sleep in my own bed. Please?" Wait, did I just beg? Oh my God, I never beg. This is ridiculous.
"Okay, let's go." She says sitting up. I grab her bag and her hand as we proceed to walk the short distance to my house. Once inside, I see my father watching sports in on our couch and I inform him that Cat would be staying with me. He must think I only mean for the night because he doesn't object. Whatever, I'll take what I can get. We make our way up the stairs to my room and I can't help feeling a little déjà vu when we reach the top of the staircase. I can tell Cat feels it too because she hugs me closer to her, a gesture that I return. When we enter my room, I immediately turn around and lock my door. I am not repeating last night. I turn around to see Cat under the covers holding her arms open for me. I smile and join her with a sigh. Her arm falls over my waist and she snuggles up to me, placing a small kiss to my shoulder.
"Goodnight, Jade. Sleep well." She whispers.
"I will. Goodnight, Cat. I love you." It's out of my mouth before I can stop it. I tense up, prepared for any reaction.
"I love you, too." She accentuates the statement with another kiss to my shoulder and tightening her hold on my waist. I relax and smile, thinking 'she loves me' over and over. And that is the wonderful thought I fall asleep to, happy and content.
A/N: Again, this is the last chapter, but there is an epilogue in the making. Might take some time, though, so just consider this the ending. Also, I'm not going to apologize for the length of this chapter. It wasn't writers block that made it so, it was just how The Hider needed to end. By the way, did any of you catch the poem/rhyme thing I was doing with the chapter titles? You know, the first and last chapters rhyme and all the one's in between rhyme. I thought it was clever. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed Jade's POV. I always like her side best so I hope I did both characters justice. I'm sad this is ending, but it feels right. Please review and tell me how much you loved this story and don't want it to end. Please? One last review? For Cade? They thank you.