Pearl

I woke up in the middle of the night. I reached out for Lucas but my hands met with nothing. He was not beside me on the bed. I sat up and found him on the balcony. He was smoking.

I got out of the bed and made my way to where he stood. He had his back facing me. He must have sensed my presence behind him. He stiffed and dropped the cigarette.

“ You smoke? ”

I stopped beside him. Leaning my back against the railing.

“ Sometimes, a little bit ”

“ Oh ”

I looked at several cigarette butts on the floor.

“ It don't look like a little bit ”

Lucas sighed. He stepped closer, I sometimes forget how tall he was. He was towering over me and I had to crane my neck to look at him. He leaned in, his forehead resting against mine.

“ I can't sleep ”

He whispered.

“ Why? Nightmares? ”

He shook his head.

“ I am scared that if I close my eyes and sleep, you will be gone. ”

I looked at him, his eyes were closed. I didn't know how to respond to it, so I just pulled him closer.

“ I am not going any