Brian lay on the couch. He looked at Hailey, who stared intently at her laptop. Her hair was tucked behind her ears. The screen's warm glow flowed against her blemished skin."Hailey, c'mere for a sec," Brian said, sitting up.
She looked at him, got up and walked to him. "What?"
"Let me look at your face."
With a sigh and a roll of her eyes, she sat down next to him.
Brian took her head in his left hand, and slightly touched her cuts. She flinched with every gentle touch.
"It hurts so bad," she whined softly.
"She certainly packs a punch, eh?" he joked.
"Brian, please stop," she said in between gritted teeth.
"I'm done, Hailey," he cooed quietly.
"Well," she sputtered out, suddenly, "I've got to go to bed now. Work tomorrow."
"Skip it," he said plainly, "Let's watch movies all night!"
"Work..."
"Forget work. I don't want you to open those cuts tomorrow."
"Brian, no."
"Hailey, yes," he mimicked. "That's the end of this discussion. Now, got any good Jim Carrey movies?"
"The bin over there. 'The Mask', I think," she muttered.
He jumped up, grabbed the movie and popped in. Brian flashed Hailey a goofy grin and plopped down next to her. The movie started and Brian yawned and casually put his arm around her.
"Smooth, Littrell," she commented sarcastically.
"Thanks."
The movie seemed slower than ever. Hailey's eyes became droopy.
"Don't fall alseep so early," he pleaded gently into her ear. She climbed into his lap and put her head on his chest. "Gosh, just getting all comfy on me, aren't ya?"
She muttered yes and closed her eyes. She felt his hand rubbing her back. She felt his lips kiss her forehead.
Brian continued to watch the movie. Which, at a point, was impossible to do. In her sleep she mumbled his name. Freaked Brian out.
He finally turned off the TV and carried Hailey to her room. He tucked her in. He kissed her forehead and watched her.
"Oh, Brian," she gasped in her sleep.
Brian chuckled childishly and went to sleep.