*Zayn's POV*

I groped at the familiar feeling of cold space on the couch beside me.

Empty. Typical Carter behavior.

It had been a long time since I'd held her like that. Lips parted in her sleep, eyelids fluttering at the slightest movement. I knew it was the only time her brain ever left it's red alert state, and I loved seeing her vulnerable.

An old stir started in my stomach, and my brain immediately signaled for me to watch out. I couldn't let feelings get in the way again. I had chosen my path and Carter had chosen hers.

The springs creaked as I slowly stretched, blinking against the wispy lights of sunrise. Up before the butt crack of dawn, also typical Carter behavior.

I could hear Avriel running the shower somewhere in the house and I made my way to the bathroom, smirking when I saw a lacy red pair of underwear peeking from under Carter's bathroom hamper.

"Now why would she need things like this?" I muttered to myself, picking up the sheer tip with my index finger.

"What the hell do you seriously think you are doing Zayn?!" Carter's gasp caused me to snap towards the door. She stood there dressed for the day, frizzy bed head still coating her face, but pencil skirt showing no trace of a wrinkle.

"I don't know. But I'm thinking it should be you..." I whistled. I was suprised when she didn't automatically shove me away. Instead allowing her cheeks to turn a flustered shade of red.

Gosh, that blush...

Get it together! I internally reprimanded, Deciding to twirl the tiny things around my finger before Carter snatched them away.

"Hurry up and get dressed Zayn!" She muttered, ticking her nails on the doorframe.

"I slept in my clothes." I motioned to the crumpled t-shirt and Carter crossed her arms, chewing her lip in what looked like an internal battle.

"Something you aren't telling me?" She motioned for me to follow her down the hall, and I masked my suprise when our journey stopped in front of her closet.

"Hate to break it to you baby girl, but there is no way in hell I can fit your clothes."

Carter rolled her eyes, choosing to ignore me and rummage through the back of the dark space. I studied the room while I waited, quietly slipping open a drawer here and there. Stopping at her open journal on the nightstand.

Honestly, I was suprised she owned one. It was taught to suppress your emotions, keep everything concealed.

Because I had been doing such a great job of that lately...

"Ahem!" Carter stood behind me, cardboard box in hand with my name hastily scribbled on the side. She shoved it my hand, snatching the journal and clipping it shut.

"What's this?"

"Clothes."

"Who's?"

"Yours." She was blushing again.

"Mine? But what's with the blush?" That alone was enough to spark the "real Carter".

"That's what I said. You should get changed. Meet me downstairs in five minutes. Over by a milli-second and you're walking." She was gone before I could respond. Leaving me in the midst of the tense awkward air as I snipped the packing tape open.

The smell of storage greeted me, as did the sight of my old shirts and pants I used to leave over. She had saved everything. And oddly enough, that feeling in my stomach returned.

What was she doing to me?

Notes

Lemme be honest. I said I'd start the mission...I lied. I have no idea what the royal fudge muffler I am doing with this anymore lol

So I'm brainstorming a plot, doing some more character development. Sorry that it's terrible written (I'm getting rusty), and a wordy filler with too much dialogue. And the character's personalities changing *hangs head in shame*.

But thank God for Queen. Without "Somebody To Love" writer's block would still reside with me lolol

-Denim <3