Two Hearts, One Home | | J&T

Chapter 17

Mood Music- Lush Life by Zara Larsson (but not yet)

T/W- VOMIT

"For existing."

He pulled back and looked me in the eye, slight shock present on his features with a hint of adoration. We stayed like that for a while, half-embracing and gazes locked before I ruined the moment with words. Not just yet.

"Oh, by the way, um, one of Sash's friends- a colleague, I think, is having a party tomorrow. I don't think it's anything too fancy, just a few friends and some cocktails but... I'd like you to join if you're free."

"Yeah, I'd love to, sounds fun."

"Cool. I'll knock at around 2:30." He nodded, as we split apart and headed to our separate flats for the final time that evening. Just as he was about to close his door, I remembered something.

"Oh, and Tyler?" He turned back to face me; brows raised.

"Wear swimming trunks. It's a pool party." And with that, I locked the door and headed to bed, thoughts of how I was going to tell my stubborn roommate we had a tag-along to the party she hadn't stopped going on about all week running circles in my crowded mind.

-

"What do you mean Tyler's coming?! I specifically told you not to invite him because you'd ditch me!" As suspected, Sasha did not take the news lightly, although it may have been a bad choice to tell her first thing when she woke up in the morning.

"Look, we had a moment of sorts, and it felt right to ask him! We- I won't ditch you, I promise."

"Good. Woah, wait, rewind. You two had a moment?" I thought she hadn't picked up on that.

"I guess..." I trailed off, walking away to get breakfast from the kitchen.

"Don't 'I guess' me, tell me what happened!" I sighed, taking my bowl of cereal and giving in.

"It wasn't much, really. We went for a walk yesterday and when we got back we just... hugged." It was unconvincing to say the least.

"You hugged?" She questioned, not believing I was telling the full truth for a minute. I was dodging her looks, able to easily imagine the face she'd be pulling.

"Yeah.. for quite a while. And then I said thank you. For helping with the work, you know, and for uh... existing." I lowered my voice on the last part, but she still heard.

"You thanked him for existing?"

"Are you gonna repeat everything I say?"

"Sorry, sorry. How are you feeling then? Do you like him again?"

"I don't know, really. Part of me is blushing and remembering the good times while the other half of me is screaming at me to remember what he did. Problem is, I don't know which side to listen to."

She paused for a moment.

"Only you can decide. Just, promise me you won't bottle up your feelings? You have a habit of doing that."

"I do not!" I did.

"That's a blatant lie and you know it." It was, and I did.

"Whatever. I'm going to get ready, see you in a bit." She laughed, heading into her own room while I headed into mine. I closed the door and crashed back onto my bed. Why did life have to be so confusing?

I pushed all thoughts of potential feelings out my head, focusing on having fun at the party. To be honest, I could've done without it. Uni was swamping me with work and revision, and I thought my head might explode, but knowing I'd get to see Tyler and have fun again- that was too thrilling to miss.