SOMEONE TO LEAN ON

When I was three, I used to be scared of the boogeyman I read in children's books. I would hide under the blanket, and when I couldn't take it anymore, I ran to my parents.

My dad would tell me, 'don't be scared, my princess. Daddy will always take on any boogeyman for you.'

His words were my comfort, and I would sleep between my parents' on their bed...my mom's lullaby, soothing my ears, putting me to sleep with a big smile on my face. I felt completely safe.

I didn't sleep last night. Just when I thought the unknown people would break down the door and find me in there, the siren noise came from the streets and the gang members started to flee—-the cops saved me again. I stayed up all night. I couldn't sleep out of fear. It kept troubling me that I was so close to getting hurt, and the thought made panic grow inside of me.

At work, Miles listens to the terrific event that occurred the previous night. Afterwards, he hugs me tightly telling me, 'everything is fine now...don't be scared.'

His words comfort me. 'You should move to the new place sooner. I'll also help.'

I look at his face and feel a depth of gratitude towards him. I wish I met him earlier. Those difficult days would have been easier. I would have leaned on him in difficult times, and laughed with him at the good ones.

'You've been a great friend, Miles. I'm so glad I know you.'

He nudges me, his palms resting on both sides of my cheeks. He smiles and says to me, 'I'm so glad we met, Caroline...you have no idea.'

We both eat the hamburgers he bought from the cafeteria, and I let him know I'll be moving to my new place on Friday. He offers to help, and I gladly accept. The weird handsome man that appeared in the archive didn't show up since then. Somehow, he seems mysterious...if he ends up texting me and we go to the bookstore together this weekend, maybe I'll find out exactly what it is.

Friday arrives and he still didn't stop by the archive. I reach a conclusion—-he is no longer interested in me. Somehow, I don't know how I feel about that. After work, I go home immediately. An hour later, a knock comes from the door and I open the door to meet a smiling Miles.

I smile, giving him a hug. 'Thank you.'

We take all the boxes downstairs, putting them in his car. Thankfully, my things aren't much. I drop the key with the landlord, getting into Miles' car afterwards. The new area I'm moving to is quite far. The ride is about an hour long and thirty minutes. Good thing the place is close to work. It's way easier and cheaper to commute to work unlike my old place.

Relief washes over me and a smile forms on my lips, knowing those days are over. Now, I can shop new clothes with my next pay and maybe buy a few home appliances.

We arrive at my new home...it looks really comfy even from the outside. It's a tiny home in a nice environment in the suburbs part of the city. The crime is less, and the cost of living is decent. We bring out the boxes from the car. I unlock the door to the house, and we take the boxes inside.

'This is so comfy, Caroline.' Miles says, turning on the light and I agree with him.

The room brightens and I take a quick look around. I've been here a couple times before, but moving in feels completely different. Miles starts opening the boxes in the living room while I walk past the kitchen, opening the door to the bedroom. I walk to the smaller door and open it, seeing the bathtub, toilet, the basin, and the vanity mirror. It really feels like home—-my home.

Miles goes to his car to get the paints and brushes. When he enters the living room, holding them in his hands, I purse my lips and groan.

He laughs, putting the items on the floor. 'Carol...you are not allowed to be lazy.'

I roll my eyes, walking to the kitchen island to grab the bag of doughnuts we bought on the way.

I pick one, taking a big bite. 'My God, it tastes so good.'

I drop what's left of the doughnut on the kitchen island, grabbing a bottle of water and downing it. I heard Miles laugh and before I know it, he's dragging me back to the buckets of paint.

'Ugh, there's no way I can escape you right?'

'You already know.' he winks.

Miles makes painting fun. His laughter and my giggles echo loudly in the room. He begins the battle of paint...brushing my cheeks with the white paint. I struggle to get away from his torture, giggling hard. My hand finds his chest and I push gently. A wicked smile appears on his face, and his hand pulls me abruptly, sending us both flying to the floor. I giggle on top of him, feeling the vibration of laughter that rumbles in his chest.

'You are so mean...you didn't have to do that.' I chirped, laughing hard.

The side of my face is pressed against his chest now, and we are both breathing heavily from laughing too hard. It's been so long I had such a good laugh. Too long, I can barely remember when. I notice his laughter had long stopped and I start to wonder if he had fallen asleep. It's been a stressful day for the both of us—-especially him.

I feel his hand in my hair, my body goes still and I stop laughing. I turn my head to look at him, and my eyes meet his. He looks so serious...I have never seen this much intensity in his eyes before. His mouth opens, and I wonder what he's about to say. But He keeps silent, and I roll my eyes getting off his chest.

I extend my hand to him, 'Okay...up, up now you playful thing.'

He places his hand in mine, and I pull him up. We stand there in the living room with a smile on both our faces.

A sudden warmth swells inside me—-I feel so happy here.

Miles has a way of bringing out the child in me...our food fights, how we bicker over the most little things and laugh afterwards. How I run to the elevator grinning ear to ear like a little kid when he visits the archive...honestly, I think I finally found a best friend in Miles Pierce.