Walking After You | Dave Grohl

eleven

11

THE ALARM CLOCK rang loudly, echoing through the room and forcing Dave awake. He groaned, frustrated, and then snuggled deeper into Nessa, burying his face on the crook of her neck.

Nessa, in return, sighed sleepily while slowly trying to untangle her limbs from the tight embrace of his arms. She had to start her day and get going if she wanted to get to work on time.

"David," she giggled when he gripped her tighter. "David, I need to get up"

"... But why?" he groaned against her neck, his hot breath giving her goosebumps. "It's so nice and warm in here"

Nessa contemplated ignoring her compromises for the day and just spend the entire day cuddling in bed. But she couldn't, though. "I have to work dummy" she giggled, even though she snuggled closer. "The bills won't pay themselves, you know?"

"I'll pay your rent," he mumbled in response, his voice muffled against her skin.

"Oh, look at him, all rich and famous," Nessa joked, and Dave scoffed, tickling her side.

"Well," he shrugged. "If I'm going to use my privilege for something, I'd rather it be this"

"This, what? Keeping me in bed all day?"

Dave shrugged again, his laugh tickling Nessa's neck and shoulder. "Sounds like a splendid idea if you ask me"

Nessa pinched his side with her fingers and Dave squirmed, pulling away from her. Seizing that opportunity to fully untangle herself from him, she rolled out of the bed, using the long white sheet to cover her body.

"Unfortunately," she began, matter-of-factly, moving to her closet in search of something to wear for the day. It had to be modest and simple, per the school's request; and she really wasn't complaining. "A young generation of artists depends on me going to work. On time,"she emphasized.

Dave laid on his back, defeated, and rubbed his face, hoping he'd feel less tired and sleepy. The blankets and sheets stopped around his wait, living his torso uncovered. Nessa blushed to herself, discreetly staring at him through the closet's mirror.

"Can we at least share a shower?" he asked nonchalantly, dropping his arms.

Nessa rolled her eyes and chuckled, laying her chosen outfit over a wooden chair at the corner of the room. "I'm going to be late, David. The subway is at least fifteen minutes away on foot"

Dave tucked his hands under his head and stared at the ceiling. "I mean, you were the one complaining about the bills," he shrugged, and although he was trying to keep a neutral expression, Nessa could see a light smirk on the side of his mouth. "Showering together would for sure reduce your water bill by 1% or whatever— I don't really know, I dropped out of school," Nessa couldn't help but laugh at his goofiness. "And with the whole 'save the planet' thing going on, I think it would be at least ethical"

Nessa turned to face him and raised a brow, seeming not yet convinced by his persistent arguments.

Dave shrugged again, his smirk growing wider. "Besides, I could drive you to—"

Nessa cut him off, releasing her grip on the sheet surrounding her naked body, and letting it pool on the floor around her feet.