"I don't doubt that at all, but it's always good to have some extra protection. Especially when you live a life like mine."
"But I don't live a life like yours," I tell him, watching my fingers run across the back of his hands so that I don't have to look at him in case he can sense that I'm telling a little white lie.
"But you have," he states, shocking me to the bone.
My fingers pause their movements, and I'm certain my heart freezes inside my chest.
"I'm not prodding for information, I'm just making an observation," he says gently, covering my hands with his.
When I remain silent for a few more minutes, he sighs.
"Did you bring fizzy rainbow belts?"
My gaze flicks to meet his and he winks at me.
"You said you'd sneak me some, and if you did, then I'll share them with you. I don't usually share with anyone, but I'll make an exception for you."
The corners of my mouth turn up, thankful that he's once again realised I was getting uncomfortable and started shutting down therefore, he's given me an out by changing the subject.
"Well, I can't turn you down then, can I?"
He laughs and leans over the table beside his bed.
"Let's be honest, you wouldn't dream of turning me down, darling."
No, I wouldn't, because I've grown to love spending time with him.
"Well, I'll go and get the sweets from my locker then."
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Jaylen
Never in my life have I found myself captivated by another person, yet here I am, lying in my bed, surrounded by silence, and watching Rory as she reads on her Kindle beside me.
The sweets she brought into the room are long gone, and the darkness outside has swamped the city.
The lamp in the room casts a glow across the both of us, highlighting the different shades of brown than run through her hair, and the faint smattering of freckles that dust her skin.
She's gorgeous, and my eyes eat up every inch of her while she's distracted by the device in her hands.
It's fascinating watching the subtle reactions she has while reading.
The small quirk of her lips and the quiet giggle she lets out whenever she finds something funny is adorable and I find a smile appearing on my own face every time.
Whenever she reads something upsetting, her brows draw down in a frown and she'll glance away from the screen to look out the window for a few moments as if the events in the book are getting a little bit too much for her to continue without having a break.
I've asked her a couple of times if she's okay, and she just nods, takes a deep breath and then dives straight back into the book.
I feel like the book is definitely getting to her a little bit though, because the longer I watch her, the more tears I can see gathering in her eyes, and the more she keeps blinking, trying to get rid of them.
When I notice her chin begin to tremble, I reach my arm out, rest it on her shoulder and give it a gentle squeeze.
"You good?" I ask, feeling a turmoil of emotions swarm inside of me when she swipes her hands across her eyes and then turns to face me.
"Yeah, it's just hitting me harder than I expected."
"Okay, why don't you take a little break from it then?" I suggest, rubbing my thumb against her, hoping it's somewhat comforting.
