A NIGHTMARE FREE NIGHT
IT WAS ROUGHLY 3AM BUT ED WAS WIDE-AWAKE. When he had first lain down, he hadn't been able to get comfortable. After about an hour of tossing and turning, Ed had inspected the lumpy bed only to discover that someone had stuffed a book called Advanced Alogorithims under the bed. However, now it was his mind and not the bed that was keeping him awake. Thoughts were zooming round his head like flies feed on caffeine
After their tear jerking talk, Gaia had steered their conversation in a different direction and told him all about the Lollipop Murderer case. Ed wasn't sure if he was just being dumb, but he was sure that there was a gaping big hole in the middle of her story. However Ed knew Gaia well enough to not question her story. It was obvious that the hole was there because there was something she didn't want to tell him, and at that moment Ed didn't want to say anything that would upset Gaia. It still hurt him to watch her cry.
It was nearly midnight by the time Gaia's story was frequently broken by yawns, prompting Ed to suggest that they go to bed. Immediately Gaia nodded, before shoving all her stuff off the spare bed onto the floor and giving Ed directions to the bathroom.
By the time Gaia stumbled back from the bathroom herself, Ed was already laying on top of the spare bed ready to fall asleep. Gaia dumped her clothes on the floor, and then flopped onto her bed, her eyes fluttering closed.
When she gave no signs of moving, Ed took it upon himself to get up and turn off the light. As soon as he flipped the switch, the room was instantly plunged into darkness. From the other side of the room, Ed heard Gaia make a grateful noise that was between a mumble and a sigh.
Ed closed his eyes as he lay back down. He was tired after having spent all day travelling and now wanted to fall into a deep sleep. However there was one nagging thought that was keeping his brain awake.
"Gaia, why did ask me to come here?"
"Because I needed a friend," replied Gaia's drowsy voice.
"What? You don't have any friends here?"
Ed cringed slightly. He had meant it as a joke, but when Gaia didn't reply immediately he worried that she had taken him seriously.
"No, I do," Gaia mumbled eventually. "But you're my best friend."
Those few words had left Ed dumbfounded. He couldn't believe Gaia still thought of him as her best friend. For the one year they had gone to high school together, they had mostly been at war with each other. Though it had felt like they had been friends for years, the truth was that the times they had been speaking to each were few and far between. By the time Ed had thought of a reply, Gaia's soft snores had begun to fill the room.
Sighing, Ed rolled onto his side and gazed across the room to Gaia's still sleeping form. Despite the tangled hair and the drool leaking from her mouth, she looked every bit a goddess. Her hair glowed in the darkness and her T-shirt was pulled tight over her body, showing off the defined curves of her body. As Ed's eyes drifted across her face again, he noticed the slight smile curving her lips. Ed felt a content feeling spread through his heart at the sight. Even though she had been crying her eyes out earlier that day, it appeared she had finally found some inner peace.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WEEKS, GAIA DRIFTED BACK TO THE WORLD FROM A PEACEFUL SLEEP. Ever since Will's death, her dreams had starred an angry Will and Jake with guest appearances from guilt inducing Ella, Mary and even her mother. But instead, last night she had had a nightmare free night. Now she just hoped she would have a nightmare free day.
Gaia slowly unstuck her eyelids. Instantly, her eyes were burnt by the bright light that filled the room. Using her hand as a shield from the light, Gaia peered around the room. Everything looked messy, pale and still.
Even Ed did.
Gaia felt her throat dry. She had told Ed all about Will. About Will's death. It had been hard to relay that night but Gaia knew that if she didn't tell Ed then him being here was pointless. She needed Ed to be here to help her heal. Just like when Mary died.
Mary.
Gaia had been through a similar experience with Mary all those years ago. As part of a game of truth and dare, Mary had dared her to tell her about her mother. Dragging up the memory of her mother's death had been excruciating. But at least it had lifted a weight off Gaia's shoulders; she no longer had to deal with the pain alone.
And the same had happened last night.
Feeling vulnerable but empowered, Gaia sat up and stretched her arms. Peeling off the hair that had plastered to her face, Gaia focused again on Ed. He looked tired with dark circles under his eyes. Deciding to leave him sleeping, she swung her legs off her bed and began searching her room for some clothes.
THE SOUND OF A DOOR SLAMMING ECHOED IN ED'S EARS. Pulling his pillow out from under his head, Ed then shoved it over his head. Ed felt as if he had run a marathon while trying to complete a maths test; his entire being ached with exhaustion. And noise was not helping him relax.
Ed stayed still for a few minutes before realising it was no use: he was wide-awake. Ditching the pillow, Ed scrambled up into a sitting position. The first thing he noticed was that the bed opposite him was empty. While he knew there were several possible reasons for her absence, Ed still felt a tinge of worry. Last night Gaia had opened up to him. Big time. And now he just hoped that by displaying her heart, she had pushed herself off the emotion cliff.
"You're awake."
Ed's head snapped round to see Gaia standing in the doorway. He noticed that she looked awkward as he replied, "Yep, I am."
Gaia shuffled over to her bed and dropped the stuff in her arms on her bed. She fidgeted with the T-shirt she had slept in for a few moments then turned round and looked Ed directly.
"Once you're dressed we'll go out for breakfast. I know a dinner that sells the best muffins," Gaia said. "You'll love them."
TBC
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thank you for all the feedback. Special thanks to Mollie; I have now altered chapter two so that Gaia is less hostile towards the other trainees.