Keida lingered in the forefront of her mind like a bad dream that refused to leg go. The past few months with Cain had been one of the best months of Haley's life, yet every now and then, thoughts of Keida would seep in like poison in her bloodstream. She could manage going stretches of time without ever thinking about him, but when she passed him (on the rare mornings he was outside) as he wore girls on his arms like trophies, something in her soured like a potent rot. Today had been one of these days. She'd seen him in the morning with a girl hanging off his shoulders, they'd locked eyes without ever exchanging words - but despite their minimal contact - he burrowed into her brain.<br/><br/>She didn't like it when he lingered. She was happy with Cain, and thinking about Keida was unfair to him. So she sent Keida one last text, a short, hostile text that asked him to stay away, to stop rubbing his conquests in her face so she could finally get him out of her head. It was confusing, thinking about him in a yearning way when he'd used her. It was shameful, thinking about the passion between them when Cain was the kindest and sweetest person in the world.<br/><br/>Cain was nothing like Keida, and Haley reveled in that fact. Her Knight in Shining armor was everything she imagined him to be. He was polite, old-fashioned in a sweet chivalrous way, patient, caring, everything she could ever ask for. He wore his heart on his sleeve and lived life to the fullest, something that made Haley (and everyone else) adore him. He was the warm sun that everyone seemed to revolved around. Even her parents loved him (they always had) and when she and Cain became official, her mother and father accepted him with open arms, welcomed him to the family even. She was happy with Cain.<br/><br/>"Careful!" She called out when he fumbled his way toward her with a tray of strawberries. His parents were away and they were now in the midst of making some strawberry themed dessert. One of the red berries fell to the ground and was crushed beneath his foot. "Cain," Haley laughed good-heartedly as she closed the distance between them. "If you keep this up we won't have any left for the cheese cake." She took the tray from his hands and gave him a soft peck on the lips. They'd grown more intimate these days, and an electric presence had started to form between them. It was exciting in a way that made her more affectionate. "Are you feeling okay? You've been a little jumpy these days." She wondered if the electricity had affected him too. He was prone to blushing and it made him even more adorable. Slowly, she made her way back to the living room and set the tray on the table. "I guess the cheese cakes can wait. I got the movie ready," she gave him a small teasing smile as she held up the DVD cover. It was a scary movie about poltergeists and haunted mansions, perfect for cuddling up, perfect for drowning out all thoughts of Keida. "You better not chicken out on me, Cain."<br/><br/>The two spent a moment joking around and teasing one another before the movie was placed in the DVD player and the TV switched on. Haley and Cain found their respective places on the couch. Haley leaned against him contentedly, her head resting on his shoulder and her arms wrapped around his. When a scary movie played out, she buried her face in his chest and held him a little tighter. Cain made her feel warm and safe, and a part of her wondered, if it was time to finally take the next step. She trusted him.