The Proposal [18+]

Chapter 8 - "Are we moving in together?"

 Warning *mature content*

   I got in my room, letting go of all the stuffed toys Jason won for me on the floor and flopped on my bed with a sigh of relief. My feet ache like crazy. I can still feel those mini muscle contractions you get after you've been on your feet all day long and you're not used to it. I let my feet dangle off the edge of the bed, too tired to use my muscles, and leaned on the wall on the side. My head flopped to my shoulder, not feeling strong enough to keep it upright.

The last rays of the day's sunshine got into my eyes, but I let them be. The sky outside was like a scene from a dream. It was like a painting; full of oranges, pinks and purples. But the sun was quickly disappearing behind buildings. The magical twilight was already creeping up, creating soft shadows on the street lamps, the benches and the trees they keep planting in the cities, as if that will make the air any less dirty smelling and muted.

People outside were still doing their own things. Walking, in pairs or solo. Listening to music or podcasts on their headphones. Maybe even audiobooks. No one ever has enough time these days, we have to make do with the time we would usually stay in silence. Going to or from work. Picking up kids from school. Studying for an important exam.

We're all bombarded by other people and their opinions thanks to the social media we're all addicted to. It makes it feel as if we are socializing all the time. Sometimes we just need to disconnect, and not just online. Even in a crowd full of people, having on music blasting through your headphones is sometimes the only way we can retain our sanity and pretend that there is no one around.

I sigh, lifting my head up from my shoulder. I can feel that the muscles in my neck have gone stiff from staying in that position too long. I roll my neck, feeling it crack softly. Gathering my courage, I flex my legs and pull up my feet on my bed. As soon as my head hits my pillow I let out a sigh of relief and curl up around myself. Cracking one of my eyes open, I spy on the charger I always keep plugged in next to my nightstand and try to estimate if I will be able to reach it from my comfortable position, without moving. I really should charge my phone. The battery died hours ago and I need to turn it on, otherwise I will miss my alarm. I shouldn't miss any lectures unless I am absolutely sick.

My fingers move slowly, crawling from my bed to the nightstand, trying my hardest not to lift my hand. I manage to creep past my nightstand and reach over it. The tip of my finger just barely brushes the cord, sending it flying away from me.

I huff, knowing I need to get my phone charged before I conk out. I groan, using my left hand to push myself up and I finally reach the cord. Plugging the cord in a practiced manoeuvre, I turn to the other side of the bed and close my eyes.

The exhaustion envelops me quickly and I drift off to sleep almost instantaneously.

                                                    ****                                                                ****

The sharp sun directly in my eyes is what wakes me up. I drag my right palm across my eyes to shield them, experiencing temporary blindness for looking directly in the sun. I cough, trying to wet my throat. I realize that my phone is ringing the alarm.

I lunge to get it, almost ripping the cord right out of the wall. Stopping, I take a deep breath and then try again. This time, calmly. Looking at the phone, I realize that the alarm has been ringing for the past two hours. That means not only that I am late for my lecture, but it is almost over.

Well, that's it. I don't have to go. I only had the one lecture today. I pull the duvet down and I am still in my clothes from yesterday. I chuck my rumpled jeans and sweater to the basket as soon I change. No use in wearing them again.