The four of us make our way through to the dining room, me trailing behind as I contemplate on just turning around and running off.

I don't even acknowledge Rafe's presence as I sit down in a seat across the table from him, my eyes on my lap as I fidget with a ring on my finger.

"How have you been Annie?" Ward asks me, i reluctantly look up at him, forcing a weak smile on my lips.

"I've been good sir" I lie, because that's the complete opposite of how I've been, but it's not like I'm about to get into a heart to heart with Ward Cameron.

"That's good to hear, sweetheart" he smiles over at me. I can feel Rafe's eyes on me as I speak to his father, making me feel like a bug under a microscope.

The tension at the table is palpable, for a while the only noise to be heard is the sound of everyone serving themselves food from the platter on the table.

I poke my fork around the vegetables on my plate, the absolute last thing I want to be doing right now is eating, especially with Rafe sat barely a few metres from me.

Out of pure curiosity I decide to look up at Rafe, as I do, I notice he's already looking at me. Our eyes meet, and for just a moment, he doesn't look like he wants to kill me. His eyes are fully focused on me, his expression soft.

Neither of us pull our gaze from each other, and it seems as if everything around us has stopped, the air going almost uncomfortably still.

For a second I swear the only two people to exist are me and him.

My heart skips a beat, my stomach unconsciously erupting into butterflies despite my best efforts not to feel this way about him.

The irrational part of my brain goes into overdrive, trying to force me to think that maybe, just maybe, Rafe isn't so bad.

Maybe we could work through our problems, maybe he'll get better.

I'm aware this is bullshit, I know I crave his love, and for some stupid reason, sometimes I'm willing to put myself through hell for it.

I come to my senses, reminding myself that Rafe is the worst thing for me, even if I wish it wasn't true.

I look away from him, focusing my attention back on my still untouched plate of food.

After a not so pleasant hour or so, dinner is finally over, and I couldn't be more glad. My dad walks Rafe and Ward to the foyer, with me slowly traipsing behind.

They say their goodbyes, with me uttering a halfhearted "bye" as I watch Ward open the front door.

I go to turn on my feet to make my way to my bedroom, when I hear the sounds of wind strong enough to knock a person over, paired with rain splashing down onto the concrete outside, so loud I can hear it from in here.

"Jesus Christ" I hear Rafe mutter to himself as he pokes his head outside the door.

I watch from behind the three men, keeping a small distance away as I try to see just how bad the weather is.

As if on cue, a booming grumble of thunder is heard, so loud I am surprised it didn't destroy my eardrums.

My dad almost instantly shuts the door, turning to face Ward.

I shouldn't be nosey but I really want to hear what's going on, so I take a small step closer.

"I'm not letting you two go home in that, you and Rafe will stay here tonight"

Great.

I almost wish I hadn't have listened in, if I had just went up to my bedroom, I would've been none the wiser about their presence.

More specifically, Rafe's presence.

I don't think anyone has even noticed that I'm still stood here, so right now seems like the perfect time to make my escape.

I make my way up to my bedroom, closing the door behind me and letting out a sigh.

If I stay in here for the rest of the evening, there is no way I'll see him. Right?

I change into a pair of pyjama shorts and a loose T-shirt, before climbing into bed and switching my tv on.

Around four episodes into Brooklyn nine-nine, I feel my eyelids become heavy, my body threatening to fall asleep at any moment.

That's when I hear a soft knock at my bedroom door, startling me.

"Come in" I call out tiredly, rubbing my eyes and sitting myself up in bed.

I'm not even paying attention to who it is, because of course I just presumed it was my dad.

That is until I hear his voice.

"Your dad said you had some spare blankets" Rafe says gruffly, like he's not happy about having to ask me himself.

"Oh... yeah-of course" I stammer out quickly after staying silent for a moment.

He gives me a short nod, shoving his hands in his pockets as he glances around my room.

I get myself out of bed, walking over to my closet where I'm sure I keep some spare blankets at the bottom of.

I kneel down to get them, rummaging around in the mess I've left.

"This enough?" I ask him, tossing out the first two I can find before standing back up.

He clears his throat when I turn back around to face him, and for a second it seems like his mind was elsewhere.

"Yeah. That's fine" his voice is strained, confusing me a bit.

I nod slowly, brushing past whatever in the hell that was.

"Oh wait, before you go" I quickly stop him before rushing back to my closest and grabbing him a pair of grey sweatpants and a white T-shirt, clothes he had left here when he used to sleep over.

"At least you have something to sleep in now"

"Thanks" he replies as I pass him the clothes, my finger accidentally brushing against his in the process, making my stomach do a flip.

"Not like I was going to wear them" I force a chuckle, which comes out a lot more awkward than I had intended.

I thank god I left my tv on, otherwise we would both be stood in complete silence.

To be completely honest, I'd rather we were arguing, the silence between us is so much worse.

I notice how his eyes keep trailing down my body, specifically my exposed legs and choice of outfit.

"I bought you those shorts"

For a moment I swear I could see him begin to grin.

I furrow my brows in confusion as I look down at myself, until the memory comes to me, a small laugh escaping my lips.

"You said you liked how short they were" I chuckle, rolling my eyes at the reminder of his words.

"Mmm hmm" he hums, a small smirk on his lips as he continues to stare at me, more specifically, my bottom half.

"I'm surprised you remembered" my words snapping his gaze back up to my face.

"How could I forget?" His tone is almost teasing in a way, that stupid grin on his face growing.

I can't help but roll my eyes again, and at this point I can't hold in a smile, my cheeks growing warm.

There is absolutely no way I am blushing right now.

I have to stop, I have to tell him to get out my room before something stupid happens.

Why am I entertaining this?

"Are you sleeping on the couch?" I ask him, internally cursing myself for even prolonging this conversation.

"Unfortunately" he replies with a small nod, making my face scrunch up at the thought.

"What?" He notices my expression, his own turning into one of confusion.

"Nothing, nothing. It's really uncomfortable though... so good luck"

"Is that you hinting that I should sleep in your bed instead?" He grins again.

"No!" I say quickly, my eyes going wide as I shake my head in protest.

"So rude" he makes a tutting sound with his mouth, mockingly teasing me with a smile.

"Goodnight Rafe" I try to get him out before I embarrass myself any longer, my cheeks feeling as if they're on fire.

"Goodnight Annie" he replies while he looks into my eyes, before turning around and leaving my room.

God I hate the way he says my name, I hate the way it flows off of his lips so effortlessly, so smoothly.

I let out a shaky sigh as I watch my bedroom door close, and once again, I'm alone.

Feeling nothing but confused and flustered.

Not quite a month you had to wait this time ;)

Also I'm pretty sure I'm reusing GIFS now, I have officially ran out.

I hope you enjoy the chapter anyway!