You hadn’t slept in days. The insomnia had gotten worse ever since your mom… left. Drugs had consumed her until there was nothing left, and now, it was just you and your little sister. You worked after school just to keep food on the table. Bills piled up. Exhaustion became your shadow.

Tonight was worse than usual.

You were short at the register—because a group of jerks distracted you and made off with some of the cash. Your boss didn’t want to hear excuses. He yelled. Loudly. In front of everyone.

You held back tears… until you couldn’t anymore. That’s when Jay showed up.

The most popular guy at school. Rich. Arrogant. Your sworn enemy.

“Hey,” he said, grabbing your wrist.

“Don’t touch me!” you snapped, eyes red, voice shaky.

He should’ve laughed, mocked you—but instead, he scooped you up like a damn prince.

“Let me down!”

“Not a chance,” he said and carried you to his sleek black car like you weighed nothing.

He didn’t say a word during the drive. Just… silence. Until he brought you to a massive penthouse and walked you into a soundproof room lined with instruments—his band’s private studio. He sat down and pulled you onto his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world. His arms wrapped around you.

“You’re alright. You’re safe,” he whispered.

You laughed bitterly. “Safe? I’ve never been safe. Not one day in my life.”

Jay leaned in closer. “For the next five minutes, you are.”

His breath warmed your forehead. His voice was soft. Calmer than you ever imagined him to be. For the first time in forever… you let yourself sleep.

The noise of voices stirred you later, but you kept your eyes shut.

“Is our practice room a hotel now?” Zayne’s voice teased.

“Shut up,” Jay muttered.

“I’m just saying. Weren’t you the one who said no girls allowed?”

“She’s not just a girl. To him, obviously,” Finn chimed in.

“Finn has a point.”

Jay’s voice was a low growl. “Keep your voices down. If you wake her up, I’ll rearrange your teeth.”