Parental Advisory; That Girl's A New Breed; 2.

Finally Austin's eyes peeled open. Two in the afternoon, still hazy from the night before. He'd stumbled in at 5:30 a.m., Allie's sweet, hammered voice in his ear begging for his help. She couldn't even carry herself, and he couldn't believe he'd driven her Jeep Renegade home. He'd swear the unique square headlights were burned into his skull. He sat up, entirely unsure of where his blankets had gone... oh right. They were piled onto his arms, where that girl had fallen asleep, after doing everything he could to get her there. Ran his long, calloused fingers through her magic marker hair and listened as she muttered sweet nothings and hostile everythings. Played soft music. Made sure she ate. Finally, in a brief rustling of sheets and tossing of pillows, she was asleep. An arm thrown over his chest, fingers entwined in the scruff hair on his chest, her tiny, chemical head resting firmly over his heart, his consistent rhythm lulling her into darkness.

Now there were blankets between them, as though she had arranged them to create a barrier between the pair. Not surprising. He was certain they'd gotten into some kind of completely heinous argument about what kind of jelly he kept in the refrigerator, and whether or not it was the right brand. He was only glad now that they were in his apartment, he wouldn't have to sneak through the window before she through the infamous cast iron skillet toward him in rage over God knows what.

He never moved until she woke. Watched her sleep, for once in calm oblivion. Truly a moment to be cherished. When conscious, she was always wily, unpredictable, fiesty and completely head over heels for all of his mistreatment.