Chapter 3: Safe And Happy

On Monday, it felt like going back to reality after leaving a fairy tale. And the real world sucked.

Mondays were always tiring, but today just had me fed up. It was one of those days.

My parents were still out, which meant that I had to rush home after class so I could cook lunch for Chuckie and stay with him when he arrived from school. And the poor kid had to wait for me for an hour because my classes finished one hour later than his did.

Lately I had been thinking about Dave too. To be honest, he was one of the main reasons why I was so shy and insecure. We had been dating –if it could be called so- for a very little time. But he stopped talking to me all of a sudden. Almost as if he had forgotten that he had a girlfriend. I think he didn't even consider me his girlfriend, but just a fling. He definitely wasn't as fond of me as I was of him.

And hence, when I suggested that we should break up, he was alright with it at first. But then he just threw all these things on my face, saying I wasn't good enough for him. And I believed him.

After all, why wouldn't he like me if I wasn't good enough? One should think that if a person is special, someone will have to notice it and want to be with them, right? So he broke my spirits a little and managed to wreck the very little confidence I had in myself.

Thomas was raging with fury when he found out. He went to have a word with Dave, and he was so close to beat him up. My friend would have done so if I hadn't stopped him.

I sighed as I tried to get all those thoughts out of my head. I was alright just a few days ago, not eating my head. I could get back to that state if I tried hard enough.

But on top of all, classes were destroying my motivation for English Literature even though I was so passionate about the subject. Studying so many works and authors... It was enthralling for me. But studying a degree is not easy and can tire even the most enthusiasts.

So when I had a free period, I took the time to relax. I tried to bring back the memories of my date with Newt to lighten my mood.

It was one of those days when you're barely aware of what you're doing because you're so damn absent in your own little world, in your own thoughts and daydreams. Trying to escape reality.

I was in the cafeteria, eating a croissant and having a coffee to boost my energy up. I needed a break from the classes, and I missed my friends. Thomas, Teresa, Minho, Gally...

Newt...

"There you are!" A familiar voice caused me to turn my head.

"Hi, Minho!" I smiled at him as he sat next to me in the table.

"I've missed you so much" He faked a sob and dramatically sighed.

I was about to reach for my croissant to give it another bite when Minho took my hand and trapped it inside the both of his and put it next to his heart.

Used to his goofiness, I chuckled and freed my hand from his grip.

At first, every time he did those things, I didn't know how to react. I got awkward and shy until he would notice and pity me enough to leave it.

But eventually I grew accustomed to it and would laugh it out because I found it funny. If I weren't that shy, I'd tease him about it, go along with him.

During that week that I had been searching for Newt, Minho and I grew closer. And even after my date, we kept talking until we randomly looked for each other to pass the time together because we enjoyed doing so.

"I saw this today and thought about you" Minho took something out of his front pocket and put it on the table.

It was a little stone in the shape of a heart.

"That's so cute" I said, picking it up and examining it.

It was rough when I touched its surface, and it was of a dark grayish color with black spots all around it.

"Yes, because I know how deeply in love you're with me" He concluded, making me let out a loud guffaw.

"You're so dumb, Minho" I dragged the little rock across the table to give it back to him.

"No, but seriously" He dropped his flirtatious tone and the smolder and addressed me like a friend and a normal person. "I want you to keep it"

"Thanks" I sheepishly smiled as I saved the little stone in my pocket.

I took a sip of my coffee and picked up my croissant when I noticed he was still staring at me. When I looked at him, he just innocently smiled.

"What?"

Minho shrugged, but I knew what he wanted. So I held the croissant in front of his face and waited until he took a bite of it.

"All you want is the damn croissant" I laughed, watching as he chewed on it with a big grin.

"Hi!" Thomas was suddenly in the cafeteria too, and I got excited about his presence. It was always great to see my best friend.

"Hi, Stephen!" I greeted him as he sat across from us in the table.

"Dude, his name is Thomas" Minho defended him.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise and glared at them.

"You know each other?"

"Yeah" They both said at the unison.

"We're in the same track class" Minho explained, and I finally realized.

Thomas had been talking about him. He would comment on how he was making friends with this guy that was in one of his classes, but he never actually told me his name. He usually just lovingly referred to him as the 'sarcastic asshole'.

"He's the guy I've told you about" Thomas explained briefly.

"Oh, yeah! I didn't know you were talking about Minho. I had no clue you even knew each other" So Minho was the 'sarcastic asshole'. What a surprise.

He was constantly talking about his new friend. 'This guy is awesome' or 'He is the fastest of us all' or 'I can't wait for you to meet him'. He spoke about him like he was in love with the guy.

"So how's it going with that guy?" Thomas changed the subject.

"Well..." I began to answer, but Minho cut me off.

"What guy?"

"That Newt" Thomas didn't bother to cover his dislike of poor Newt. It was only because he was overprotective; Newt hadn't given him any reasons to earn that aversion towards him.

I was sure that Thomas would like Newt if he got to know him better.

"The one you were looking for the other time?" Minho asked me, his dark eyes fixed on me, shining with interest.

"Mhm" I just hummed, blushing a little.

"That dude is stealing my girl!" Minho wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me towards him protectively.

I giggled and jokingly pushed him away.

"Y/N, aren't you supposed to be back in class?" Thomas suddenly asked me, so I quickly looked up to him.

"What time is it?" I got hold of Minho's wrist to check his clock and jumped up when I realized he was right.

"You really have to go?" Certainly Minho got a liking to me, I found it really cute.

I, too, would love to stay with them longer, but sadly I couldn't.

"Yeah, see you guys later!!"

At least being that short while with them improved my mood a little.

*

I said goodbye to Sonya and Harriet –two girls who were in all of my classes and whom I talked to every once in a while –and checked my phone to see the time.

Chuck had probably just arrived home from school.

I had just finished my classes for the day, but the bus took a long time until it went from college to home.

I might as well buy something to eat in the vending machine, because I was starving after four boring hours of classes with the same obnoxious teacher. Ugh, I hated Anderson. Actually, the only teacher that was truly cool enough was a guy called Jorge.

Dragging my feet along the floor, I walked to the snacks machine and looked at the different options I had. A bag of chips, some sunflowers seeds, Kit Kats, Twix...

As soon as I saw the Twix, I knew that was what I wanted, so I put a coin in the machine and got my snack.

I opened the wrapper, shoved one of the chocolate bars in my mouth and nibbled on it. Just when I was about to go out of the door of the building, I noticed someone familiar.

"Alby!" I called him, adjusting my bag over my back and running to him.

The boy turned around when he heard his name and greeted me with a casual nod.

"Hi, Y/N"

"I, um..." I put my bag over my chest and opened the zipper to take something out of it. "Forgot to give this back to Newt"

Alby was looking at me with a tiny smile when I looked up and offered him Newt's jacket.

He didn't take it.

"So?"

"So..." I answered him, giving him a weird look. So grumpy! "I thought you could give it back to him. I don't know when we'll see again..."

Alby laughed a little, like I had said something funny and hadn't realized it.

"I think you could give it back to him yourself, he'd be glad to see you again"

'Again?' Then had Newt told him about our date? I was curious, but I wouldn't ask Alby directly.

"How? I don't know where he is or-" Before I could finish my sentence, Alby cut me off.

"Do you have pen and paper?"

I nodded and looked for them in my backpack. I tore a page off one of my notebooks and gave him a pencil, so he started writing.

He was still grinning, his lips stretched even more than before.

"I'll be out later today, but he'll be home" Alby pointed at the piece of paper while he handed it to me. "That's our address"

I took a quick look at the paper to make sure I could read his fast and sloppy handwriting.

"I didn't know you were flat mates" I observed, surprised by how close they must be.

"Have been for two years now" He casually commented.

I really didn't realize they were such good friends!

I liked them both; Alby was nice even if he could be a bit grumpy. And Newt, well... he was Newt.

"Well, I have to go" I shoved the little paper in my jeans pocket and accommodated my bag on my back. "But thanks, Alby, it was great to see you!"

"You too, Y/N!" He waved at me as I ran to get to the bus before it drove off. "Take care!"

*

When I entered the house, Chuck came and gave me a big hug that brightened up my day a bit more. I loved that kid so much.

"Sorry I'm late, little brother" I put my backpack on the floor and headed directly to the kitchen.

"It's alright" Chuck followed after me. "I made up more words like 'klunk'"

"Did you now?" I gave him a kiss on the cheek as I closed the fridge once I had gathered the food I would cook.

I opened the package of bacon and put two eggs on the counter.

"Yeah: shank, slinthead and shuck" My brother beamed, proud of his invention.

"Do I want to know what they mean?" I laughed, pouring oil on the pan and turning on the cooking fire.

"Nope" He giggled, and I smiled to myself.

As soon as the oil began to create a bit of smoke, I cracked the eggs open on the edge of the pan and cooked Chuck's meal.

"How did school go today, Chuck?"

"Good" He sat on the table as he waited for the food to cook. "Dee Dee gave me a kiss on the cheek"

"Awww" Dee Dee was a girl he liked, his own age, and they were kind of close. So adorable.

"And cousin Aris called" Chuck informed me as I served him the food. Smooth change of subject right there.

I wasn't really hungry, so I decided to skip lunch and turned off the stove once his food was ready. Still, I sat with my brother as he ate.

"What did he say?" I missed cousin Aris, he was really nice to be around with.

"That he might drop by soon" He attacked the bacon with great appetite.

"Great" A huge wave of exhaustion washed over me as I shrunk into the chair across from Chuck.

"Waz wran?"

"Don't talk with your mouth full, kid" I scolded him with a tiny smile of amusement.

He rolled his eyes at me but then swallowed his bite and repeated the question.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing..." I sighed and rubbed my eyes tiredly. "Just tired"

At least Chuck didn't throw on my face that I was late or that I wasn't there to look after him all the time. He probably thought he didn't need me there, and maybe he didn't even need me. He was a smart kid after all.

Still, I was the older sister and I wanted to look after him. And it was getting on my nerves that I really couldn't do it with my class schedule.

"You should eat something"

I smiled at him, loving how much he cared for his big sister too.

"I'll eat something later, Chuck" To be honest, eating the Twix destroyed my appetite.

The kid ate in silence for a moment, appearing to be thoughtful, before he looked up from his plate and to me again.

"Did you talk to that guy again?"

"Which-?" I began to ask, and then I remembered and stood up. "Newt!"

"What's up?" Chuck shoved the remains of the eggs in his mouth and followed me as I picked up my bag again.

"I forgot to give him his jacket, I have to take it to him" I held Chuck's head as he chew on the food with his cheeks full and gave him a kiss on his crown. "I'll be back soon, little brother!"

Chuck pouted, but then nodded and gave me a hug before I left the house.

*

It was quite the walk to Alby and Newt's apartment, but I found it easily. Besides, that way I had the time to rehearse in my head how I would say hi to him and tell him about the jacket. Even if it sounds stupid.

When I arrived, I took a deep breath and I knocked on the door. I then patiently waited until he appeared.

Newt opened the door, and I smiled at him as a hello. But my eyes grew wider when I realized... he was only wearing some sweatpants. He was shirtless.

"Newt!" I nervously said, covering my eyes with my hands. The jacket almost fell off my hands, but I managed to slide it to my inner elbow.

"Hey, Y/N" He casually said, and I could almost see the smirk in that pretty face of his.

"I, um..." Not that I didn't want to shamelessly stare at his bare torso, but it was making me really nervous, so I just kept my glare down even though my hand still blocked the view. "You... the jacket... Your jacket... I forgot to give it back and..."

Newt lightly chuckled and his hands uncovered mine by gently pushing them away.

"Want to come in, love?"

"Oh... okay..." I quickly glanced at him and just as quickly, I looked away.

He stepped aside to let me in and closed the door once I was inside the house.

"So you brought me the jacket" I didn't know Newt that much, but I was positive that he found my embarrassment extremely amusing.

"Aha..." I replied, awkwardly clearing my throat.

"Sit down, I'll go put a shirt on" A part of me was relieved, but part of me wanted me to tell him not to bother. I resolved to just keep quiet and nod at him.

Still looking down as he walked past me to his room, my hip collided with something hard and pointy. A freaking table.

"Ouch..." I rubbed my hip to try and ease the pain.

"Bloody hell, Y/N" He laughed a little as he put his hands on my hips and gently pushed me away from the table I had just bumped in. "Table. Watch out for tables"

I looked up to see where I was going and plonked myself down on the couch.

I got to see his back, and even if it wasn't that broad it was surprisingly muscular. I also saw his abs for a moment as he came back putting a blue shirt on.

"I'll take it as Alby isn't home" I observed to break the ice, nervously fiddling around with my hands.

"No, I bloody enjoy walking around the house shirtless while he's here" Newt sarcastically said, sitting next to me.

Trying to forget the fact that I had seen him shirtless and he didn't seem to mind at all, I shyly smiled at him.

He turned his body to me as he placed an arm on the top of the couch.

"Wait, how did you know we are flat mates?"

"Oh, I ran into him today and he told me. I wanted him to give you the jacket, but he gave me your address instead" I simply shrugged.

Newt licked his lips and stayed quiet for a moment, absently-minded. I wonder what went through his head at that moment.

"I was about to watch a movie and take a break from my studying" He gestured over to the table with a motion of his hand.

I hadn't noticed until then, but it was filled with psychology books and papers scribbled with a messy but cute handwriting, along with empty bags of chips and a can of soda.

"Oh" I mumbled, pushing my hands against the seat to stand up. "I'll leave you to it then"

"Y/N" He stopped me mid movement and smiled at me. "I was inviting you to stay and watch it with me"

I internally cheered, relieved that he wanted me to stay with him for a little longer. I didn't want to bother. And I didn't want to take for granted that it was indeed an invitation.

He stood up and fiddled around with the TV and his laptop, which was connected to it, until a movie started playing.

Newt cheerfully plonked down next to me again.

"Want anything? A snack? Something to drink?"

I was actually really hungry. I had forgotten about eating and before I didn't feel like it. I had only eaten breakfast and those stupid Twix chocolate bars.

Newt gently took his jacket from my hands. Only then I realized I had been twisting it in between my fingers. That boy made me really nervous, and my shyness didn't help.

"I don't bite, yeah?" He chuckled when he noticed too.

"Do you have chocolate?" I quickly diverted his attention off my restlessness.

Newt huffed, sounding offended.

"Do I have chocolate..." He stood up, cleaning the table of empty snack bags, and walked down the corridor shaking his head, amused by my question.

I absently watched the titles of the movie as he got back.

He carried a lot of bags and wrappers on his arms. He dropped them all on the table and plopped down on the couch yet again, picking up a bag of chips for himself.

"Suit yourself, love!"

I smiled to myself as I grabbed a wrapper of what seemed like white chocolate. Ever since I met Newt, I had a weakness for it.

Newt put his feet up in the table before us and slid down in the couch a bit.

"Hungry, I see" He chuckled as he watched me devour the chocolate.

"Didn't eat much today" I admitted, shrugging.

"That's not right" He kindly poked my stomach with his index finger. "You need to take care of yourself and eat. Here"

Newt put a few more bags of snacks in my lap and I sweetly smiled at him. He was so thoughtful.

The movie started with a musical note that reminded me a lot to the beginning of 'A Hard Day's Night' by The Beatles. I loved the Beatles.

A boy appeared, his looks and hairdo proper of the 1950's era. He looked British, just like Newt.

"He reminds me of John Lennon" I mumbled, nibbling on the delicious white chocolate.

"He's supposed to be" Newt laughed a bit, nudging me with his elbow. "The bloody Beatles, love"

"Oh, awesome!"

I got comfortable on the couch and prepared to enjoy the movie. I was tired, so it didn't take long for me to find a comfortable sitting position.

Newt and I were sitting right next to each other, our arms touching. He passed his characteristic warmth on to me.

We enjoyed the movie and briefly commented on it every once in a while. It was very amusing when Paul appeared in the movie. The actor was just like Newt! But he disagreed, even if I thought he was the spitting image of him.

*

The movie was almost over, but I had stopped paying attention a while ago. I just couldn't focus on it anymore. It seemed to be really sad anyway and I didn't feel like watching it because of that.

Newt yawned and stretched his arms as he did so. His arm happened to fall back on my shoulders when he finished stretching.

Smooth. That was the oldest trick in the book.

But I snuggled next to him almost without wanting. He felt so warm and so cuddly and cozy...

After everything that was going on lately -me feeling a bit down, insecure and a mess -he appeared out of nowhere and suddenly made me feel safe and happy again despite everything. Despite the stress and the anxiety that lately was overcoming me.

And we just clicked so well together... Like we had known each other for much longer, like we didn't start from scratch. We just felt truly comfortable around one another despite the little interaction.

I was falling asleep over him, a guy that I had known for such a short period of time. Still, he made me feel like I could trust him entirely.

Maybe it was that tiny spark that sent minuscule chills all over me every time we touched, like a gentle and soft spark of electricity that ran through my veins. Whatever the case, my instincts told me he was alright.

"I still don't see the bloody similarity between that lad and me" Newt mumbled, pointing at the screen as Paul, George and John were recording a song.

"He's you with dark hair" I mumbled with a sleepy voice.

I heard Newt smiling, but I didn't move. I was so perfectly comfortable that I was afraid I'd mess it up if I moved even just an inch.

I slightly moved my head, though, settling it over his shoulder. There, that was the perfect position.

Honestly, I didn't know how long we were like that for. I didn't even know if the movie was over or what time it was. But I must have fallen asleep for a while because I remember weird images about John Lennon and Newt playing the guitar together that had to belong in a dream.

All of a sudden, a nice melody sounded in the distance. It was starting to annoy me because I was so drowsy.

"Y/N" Newt called me, gently shaking my shoulder.

I groaned and hid my face on his shoulder, half slept.

"Love, your phone's ringing"

I opened one eye and took it off my pocket to look at the screen. It said Chuck.

"Chuckie!" I exclaimed, sitting up straight quickly.

I had completely forgotten about him! What kind of a big sister was I? He was alone at home! Oh my God...

I answered the call worriedly.

"Honey, are you alright?!"

We both knew that was my 'mother voice'.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine" He sounded a bit sulky, but okay. "Aris is here"

"What is he doing there?!" I rubbed my eyes, trying to wake up.

"When he said he'd be dropping by soon, he meant today I guess"

I sighed and looked at the little clock that was over Newt's TV. It was around nine o'clock in the evening.

"He's with you then" I checked, and when he hummed affirmatively, I went on. "Okay, I'll be there in a while. Sorry, kid"

"It's alright"

"See you later"

We hung up and I rested over the back of the couch and sighed.

I got scared when I realized I had left Chuck alone, and when he called I thought it was because something bad was happening.

In fact, I got so scared I actually forgot Newt was sitting there with me.

"Everything alright?" His voice made me jump a little.

"Yeah, but I have to go" Despite the restlessness, I felt so lazy... "Chuck's home alone"

I held the urge to lay my head on his shoulder again and close my eyes, missing that moment of closeness. But if I did, I would never move away from him.

"Let's go then" Newt stood up and pulled me up too by my arm.

He slipped some shoes on and walked to the door.

"You don't have to walk me home, Newt" I assured, not wanting to be a bother.

"I want to, come on" He was already at the door, holding it open for me.

Smiling, I squeezed his upper arm to show him my gratitude and exited the apartment.

*

Chuck was so glad that I was back that he dropped the pouty attitude that he had while we talked on the phone.

I greeted Aris with a hug when he came to see me just as I walked in. I hadn't seen my cousin in three years: he was so changed!

I made sure neither of them needed anything and excused myself when they assured me they didn't. Then I heavily walked up the stairs and changed into my pajamas.

Newt had been humming 'Hello Little Girl' as he walked me home –which I found incredibly endearing- so his husky voice lowly singing a few verses rang in my head as I lied in my bed and finally waited to fall asleep.

That put a smile on my face.

I also thought about how Aris would help me with Chuck so I wouldn't be so stressed out with classes too.

But my last thoughts right before I gave in to slumber were directed towards the chocolate boy.