tea stained newpapers. mileven au.

twelve.

CHAPTER TWELVE.
IN YOUR DREAMS.
EL'S POV.

the distinct smell of jasmine and lavender was something el was definitely not used to waking up to. let alone the feeling of silk sheets underneath her fingertips. the bedroom in which she occupied was still dark, the only source of light being from the sun escaping from the underneath the blinds that covered the window next to her.

the brunette's honey orbs took their time adjusting to the dim room, her head gently starting to throb while she rested intently on the writer's large microfoam pillows. but nonetheless, she couldn't help but to feel safe underneath those warm dark covers... the stitching so fine it had to be the most expensive blanket she'd ever touched.

the small girl rolled over on the plush mattress carelessly, quickly noticing the empty pile of grey and red fabric bunched up next to the bed as she pushed herself up on her elbows. that's when the broken statement from the night before washed over her.

"stay with me."

ugh god, how stupid of her to say that? of course, the memory was fuzzy. she had no recollection of how she actually ended up in his bed. honestly, she was surprised the writer didn't just toss a few blankets at her face once they arrived at his apartment and send her to the couch.

she was also quite surprised he didn't climb into bed with her.

well, actually that was a lie. the small girl knew the raven haired boy wasn't the type to take advantage of people. she figured that out the second he gave her father all the money he needed to repair his car. she had to admit, mike wheeler was incredibly loyal and sweet... even if she desperately wished he wasn't.

the brunette sighed, bringing her hands up to her face to rub the tiredness out of her eyes. she hated feeling this way. she hated feeling at all. eleanor jane hopper was not one to fall for people, especially not in one night.

love didn't exist in her world.

the boy was simply her father's journalist. she had to remember that he was literally getting paid to spend time at their home every friday. technically, it was his obligation to be polite to her. yes, inviting her out for the night was a very nice gesture but it didn't mean... well it couldn't mean anything more than him just wanting to make her feel better. besides, the small girl knew nothing about mike wheeler's personal life to feel any sort of connection towards him.

she terribly wished she did though.

the small girl abruptly pulled the covers off of her, pushing her confusing thoughts about the adorable writer away. she refused to get wrapped up into something that wasn't there. it was pointless. she was in new york to work not to find a boyfriend.

she quietly slid off the tall mattress, taking some time to freshen up in the bathroom before exiting the bedroom. there was quiet mumbling coming from somewhere down the hall, along with a very sweet smell of someone cooking vanilla waffles. the brunette carefully followed the whispers to help navigate her way around the large apartment and into the kitchen.

"lucas sinclair, i swear if you don't take these stupid pills i will call your mother." mike threatened, placing two gel tablets on the counter in front of his best friend. the boy looked exhausted. yet, she couldn't help but to admire him in this element... him in comfortable clothes and his dark curls wildly pointing in various different directions. it was quite refreshing compared to the usual tamed, put together mike she was used to.