My Name is Not Cupcake

His long arms wrapped around my thin frame completely as he buried his head in the crook of my neck. His breath tickled my throat and neck, sending excited tingles through my body and making me feel warm and protected. I felt hyper-aware of every inch of him that was touching me. His hair tickled my cheek and his broad hands held me firmly. After a long quiet moment, I pulled away, much to his dismay, and smiled at him softly. He reluctantly took a step back and cleared his throat.

"So what's the plan of the day for tomorrow?" I asked, remembering what he said to the girls.

"I figured we could go on a picnic and then go for a swim at this lake in a wooded area of town," he explained.

"We?" I asked curiously. He shrugged.

"Alana, Anya, you, and me," he elaborated.

"I didn't think you would want to go. You were so uncomfortable around the orphanage and around the girls," I noted. He shrugged, his face looking more tired and defeated.

"That's because I know how each of their parents died. I had to confirm their deaths and place the kids in a new home. Some of them had family members willing to take them in... but those kids are all alone. And I hate that there is nothing I can do about it except hope someone will adopt them. But I hate that I can't give them a family. No body wants them... and no one should have to grow up with that thought," he explained. "I feel like I failed them."

"Well, poor Yana. She's taking care of all those kids by herself," I noted. "How did she end up being the only one?" I asked.

"She's windowed. Her husband died and she miscarried. She was about to give up on her life when she found out that no one was looking after these kids well. She threw herself into caring for them, and treats them like they're her own kids. She shows them love, but I know that it won't be enough for those kids," he explained.

"That's really sad," I said, more to myself than to him.

"You can help her all you want now that you're here. I'm sure the kids would love that," he said. I sighed and moved back towards the door.

"I promised to say goodnight to the girls... but thank you," I smiled at him. I went back to the girls' room to find them dressed and waiting. I smiled and pulled the covers over each of them, tucking them in and kissing them goodnight. I turned off the lights and soft snoring soon followed. I mentally smiled at how tired they were.. As far as I knew, this was probably the most exciting day of their life. I closed the door softly behind me to find Elias waiting on the other side.

"They're asleep," I said quietly as I moved away from the door and into my room. Once I sat on the bed, I noticed how truly worried Elias looked. I stood again and placed a gentle hand on his arm. I tried to ignore the butterflies running amuck in my stomach. The feeling I had when he touched me seemed to be getting stronger with time.

"What's wrong?" I asked, worried myself. He took my hand and led me back to his room. I was starting to get nervous. We went inside, closing the door behind us, and he sat me down on the couch before he began pacing in front of me. "Elias," I said quietly, trying to bring his attention back to me. He looked at me and sighed.

"I have to tell you something," he said. I was starting to get really nervous now. "I'm not really a good person. Hell, I'm hardly a person at all," he said in a rush.

"Eli, slow down. What are you saying?" I asked. Even though Elias seemed like an okay guy, I was still hoping for a way out of here. This town, although it had it's moments today, was bat-shit crazy. Elias struggled with words before he sighed in defeat.

"Nothing, never mind... Forget I said anything. Goodnight, Nova," he said defeatedly. I knew whatever it was, was really eating him because he didn't even call me cupcake this time. I hesitantly stood before I left. I don't know what that was about, but I had an idea. I stopped at the door and looked back at Elias.

"Eli?" I asked sweetly. He looked up to me hopefully. "I don't think the girls have swimsuits. Would you mind taking them tomorrow? I'll make a lunch basket while you're gone," I offered. He smiled tiredly and nodded.

"Sounds good," he said simply. I turned and went back to my room. Tomorrow would be try number three.

~

The next morning, I waited until I saw Elias drive off with the girls before I snuck downstairs and into his office. I searched around his deck.

Bingo.

I found a landline phone. Who even uses landlines still anyway? I put the phone to my ear and heard the glorious dial tone. I quickly punched in the number and waited.

"Hello?" the groggy voice answered.

"What the hell are you still doing asleep at ten am, Nolan?" I asked, slightly irritated that he wasn't up yet.

"Nova?" he asked, confused. I rolled my eyes.

"Duh!" I said in a hushed tone.

"I spent the night at Mason's place and... wait, how are you calling me?" he asked.

"I found a phone," I answered simply. "Not the point right now. Did you find Rigor Moon on a map?" I asked.

"No, I didn't. So I called Mason. Luckily he knew exactly where it was. He said that was the easy part though. Mason says that the town's leader is a power hungry maniac. I think you're in a lot of trouble there, Nova. We're working on a way to try and get you out of there, I promise," Nolan explained. I sighed in relief.

"Is that Nova?" I heard Mason's voice in the background. There was shuffling of the phone before I heard Mason again. "Look, Nova, for now, just play along with whatever Elias says. As long as he has you locked in that house, it's going to be difficult to get you out of there, but my father is working on something," Mason promised. I felt twin tears leak from my eyes.

"I miss you," I said quietly. They other line was quiet for a moment.

"I miss you too. I'm coming for you, I promise. I'm not going to let anything happen to you," Mason said with such conviction that I believed him. I may not of felt the same things with Mason that I felt with Elias, but he was my first love, and I still loved him. I sniffled and brushed my tears away.

"Elias is taking me to some lake in the woods in town today, but there will be two little girls with us," I explained.

"For now, just play along and be careful. Elias is powerful and dangerous. We'll figure something out," Mason promised. The door swung open and I froze.

"What are you doing?" Peyton asked accusingly.