Before I could grasp the handle of my door, it creaked open, startling me as I jolted upright, gasping and pressing my hand against my heart. "It is me," James chuckled, slowly making his way toward my bed.
"Why are you here?" sinking into the softness of my bed. He reclines next to me, mirroring my position.
Oh, please do not bring up that earlier incident again. The voice within me begs.
"Why are you here?" I ask again.
"I cannot sleep; that is why I am here," he chuckles softly.
"I want to talk to you; that is the other reason I came here," he concludes.
A deep, weary sigh escapes my lips...
The room is enveloped in silence, a heavy stillness that lingers for mere milliseconds before he shatters it.
"What causes those nightmares?" he inquires, shifting to his side to look at me.
"It is nothing, really," I say, feigning nonchalance.
He remains silent, and an exasperating stillness envelops the room once more.
I clear my throat, shattering the stillness that envelops us.
"I can not tell if this is tied to my childhood," I exhale softly, my eyes fluttering shut.
He patiently waits for me to continue speaking. "I do not even remember my childhood," I finally released the weight that had been pressing on me.
He inhales deeply.
"If it is something you continually envision, then it seems you have a bond with it," he elaborates.
Avoiding the conversation, I shift the focus to, "Why are you not with your girlfriend?"
He lets out a soft chuckle. "That's because she's not my girlfriend," he responds.
"Fuckboy," I scoffed, a hint of disdain lacing my voice.
"Pig," I scoff, my voice dripping with disdain. "Why aren't you with a girl?"
I pivot from my side to confront the side he occupied.
He exclaims, "I found myself trapped with your unattractive presence." A smile begins to emerge, illuminated by the shimmering city lights that filter through the window.
"Fuck you," I say, narrowing my eyes with intensity.
"I can completely satisfy you."
"If you want me to," he smiles with a seductive charm.
"You are quite the character," I respond with a lighthearted laugh, our eyes locked for a few moments before he breaks the silence once more.
"I too experience nightmares," he says.
"Would you like to discuss it?"
"Not now," he exhales, a heavy breath escaping his lips.
It is evident that this matter holds significant importance concerning him.
"I am always here if you want to discuss it," I say.
I persist, "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I am now," he said with a smile.
Speaking with him has provided a welcome distraction from my worries, and I find myself feeling much lighter knowing he did not bring up Kate. There is an undeniable sense of confidence and ease that envelops me in his presence. Conversations flow naturally, and sharing jokes and laughter feels perfectly in tune, as if he were an old friend I have known for ages.
"I am glad I had the chance to talk to you," he says, rising from the bed with a sense of purpose.
"C-can you stay here with me, just for tonight?" I plead, my eyes glistening with a hint of sadness.
"I was going to lock the door, but it seems like you need me."
"Uhm, sure," he exhales softly, settling down beside me once more.
"Thank you," I say as I turn my back on him.
He utters a few words, but they drift away from my thoughts as my body teeters on the brink of slumber, enveloped in a profound sense of tranquility.
He whispers "Good night" as I gently drift into slumber.
As I gradually open my eyes, I rise to a sitting position, gently rubbing my eyes while letting out a soft yawn. To my right, I catch a glimpse of Jason, peacefully asleep. I had assumed he would stay by my side until I drifted off, yet here I am, having succumbed to slumber regardless.
He appears utterly serene as he slumbers.
He lies on his stomach, arms tucked beneath the pillow, his biceps taut and accentuating his features. A glimpse of his eyelid peeks through his tousled hair, while a hint of stubble adorns his jaw and upper lip, adding to his undeniable allure.
He lets out a soft groan and shifts onto his side, draping one arm around my full thigh, still lost in slumber. I am completely taken aback. What is going on? Why am I staring at him in awe? He is just my roommate.
How can I navigate without disturbing him? I gently lift his arm, carefully repositioning it over him. Rising to my feet, I tread softly toward the door, easing it open before quietly making my way to the kitchen.
As I swing open the fridge door, I scan the shelves, searching for something appetizing to satisfy my hunger.
"Good morning, you beautiful mess," Jason strolls in, his eyes still half-closed, his voice deep and alluring.
"Go fuck yourself," I shout.
"Woah, please, I just woke up," he exclaimed, settling onto the kitchen table, his hands lifted in a gesture of defense. with his tousled hair swept away from his forehead.
I burst out of the kitchen, and he gazes at me with a look of bewilderment. I march into the living room and plop down onto the couch.
"Why did you say that?"
"What did I say?" I let out a soft laugh, feigning a hint of bewilderment.
"You idiot!" he laughs, settling down next to me and gently placing my cup of coffee on the table.
"Did you dust it with a toxic powder?" I inquire, gesturing towards the cup.
"Shut up and drink it," he says, taking a sip from his cup.
I take a slow sip of my coffee, savoring its warmth, before gently setting it down on the vacant mug resting on the table.
"You have 24 hours left to live," he says with a casual shrug.
"Whatever, if I go down, I am going down with you," I say, rolling my eyes dramatically.
He lets out a soft chuckle, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Get ready; I am taking you out for lunch," he declares, rising from his seat and striding purposefully toward his room, his expression unwavering and intense.
********************
As we enter, I take my seat at the restaurant table, eagerly devouring my Chinese food. "Mmm," I murmur, savoring the delightful flavors of the food. Jason went to the bathroom as soon as we entered, and I can't shake the feeling that he's up to something bad; he's been gone a while. However, prior to our arrival, he exhibited peculiar behavior throughout the entire journey from home.
Once I finish my meal, I reach for my phone to check the time, only to let out a groan upon seeing the hour displayed on the screen.
Jason emerges confidently, his dark, damp hair slightly tousled as he adjusts his t-shirt.
"Come along," he says.
W-well...
He yanks me up from my seat, pulling me along as he swiftly reaches into his left pocket, retrieving his car keys with a practiced motion.
"Get inside!!" he shouts.
With my heart racing, I pose the question, "Did you find yourself caught in a conflict?"
He gazes at me intently.
I swiftly enter his car, refraining from asking him any further questions. I remain still in his car, my gaze drifting towards him. He removes his shirt, revealing a striking skull rose tattoo elegantly inked on the right side of his chest, accompanied by several initial tattoos that cascade down his right arm. It evokes the memory of the initial moment I laid eyes on his bare chest.
I can not help but gag because he is so hot.
"Why are you staring?" he inquires, his hands deftly slipping into a crisp black shirt. He starts the car, and in that moment, I realize I had been gazing at him the entire time. What is wrong with me? I long to glide my fingers through his moist hair and along his wide chest.
I am at a loss for words, and I find myself wondering what I should express.