We Really Need To Stop // ImAllexx

Stuck

"You absolutely sure she won't come to check?" Alex asked, taking very cautious steps into the shop, wary of what happened last time. "Nadia in boss mode is... err," he laughed nervously.

"Yeah, she's a bitch," I finished for him, earning a shocked look from Alex as I flicked all the sketchy vintage lights on. "Not today she won't. She's really busy organising a shoot for Grazia magazine, we're good," I said, closing my eyes in peaceful bliss. Sunlight was streaming in through the windows in between the clothes on display and I could feel the yellow beams kissing my eyelids. For a winter's day, it felt incredibly warm.

"So, do you wanna see our new toy?" Wrestling with the protective packaging and sending foam pellets everywhere, I fought to get to the goods.

"Is that a camera?!" Alex asked excitedly as he bent down next to me. He held the cardboard in place whilst I tugged to finally release the item.

"No! You dumbass," I teased, handing the final plastic bag over to Alex. "You'll see. Open it!"

***

Snuggled up on layers upon layers of duvets and cushions and blankets, Alex and me were digging in to our pizza. We'd spent the last few hours setting up the room for the ultimate chill day in. We had ambient purple lighting, a pink and white pillow fort deluxe and plenty of snacks. The mysterious item in the box was in fact a projector... which Nadia had bought for upcoming photoshoots. Luckily for us, she wasn't using it today. Or at least, we hoped she wasn't.

"This is so good," I drooled, taking another slice of cheesy goodness from the oil-stained box opened across our laps.

"It is mm mmm!" Alex licked his fingers exaggeratedly and grinned.

Once we'd finished devouring the pizza, Alex put his arm around me and pulled me next to him. Super cosy under the pillow-like duvet layers, I rested my head on his shoulder.

"Thanks for coming to spend the day with me. I wish all Mondays could be like this. This is so nice," I softly said, nuzzling into his neck.

"It is," Alex smiled and I could feel myself melting. "Have you ever done the game where-"

"No," I cut him off.

"Ahaha, no!! Listen," Alex whined and pouted at me. "Have you ever done the game-"

"No."

"Haveyoueverdonethegamewhereyou-"

"Nooooo!"

"Callie that's enough, I'm gonna kill you!"

A full on tackle ensued, us both tangled up in the sheets as Alex aggressively tickled my sides. No matter how much I shrieked, he didn't stop. Fighting for breath, I managed to sit up and hold his arms in place. He was laughing too much to continue. How could someone have such a cute laugh?

"Alex," I managed to say, gasping for air.

"Yeah?" he spluttered in between giggles, barely opening his eyes.

"You're the best in the world." I really meant it. To me, he was. "And you're my favourite person," I added, kissing his nose.

"Callie, ah," Alex's smile lit up his face and he pulled me into a cuddle. "You're my favourite too," he lulled me into a fluffy daydream-y place as we snuggled there together.

Alex's arms around me and body against me felt so warm and I felt so safe, yet feeling them made me want to squish him tighter and protect him from the world. The cruel unforgiving world that I'd wanted to give up on. But now I had more than enough reasons to stick with it. And the main one of them was right here, pressed up next to me. I squeezed him tighter. I didn't want him to ever go away or get hurt. Ever.

***

Halfway into our second Star Wars movie of the evening, the purple glowing lights cut out. Then the projector image flickered and disappeared from the wall.

"Whaaat?" Alex lifted his head from leaning against mine and I shot up, suddenly wide awake. Not that Star Wars was boring or anything... but we'd eaten so much pizza and snacks and it was so cosy being next to Alex that I kind of started drifting off. Phew. Timing.

He squished his arm that was around my waist tighter against me and I could feel his rings press against my stomach. I leaned back into him.

"I guess we'll have to make our own entertainment then," Alex said in a hushed low tone.

"Yeah, too bad we're stuck in the dark in here alone, huh?" I traced a finger along Alex's cheek bone under his right eye and leaned up to kiss him there.

Then a thunder bolt cracked down from the heavens sending me into a huge state of fright. Alex laughed at me and then held me tighter, one hand cradled around my head as if to protect me.

"Fucking hell," I cried into Alex's shoulder. "I hate storms so much," my voice quivered, "Does that make me a baby?"

"No, but it is funny though," Alex spluttered again before pouting and giving me another comforting hug, stroking the back of my hair slowly. Then it happened again and the whole room flashed up white before going dark again.

"Nooo, I hate it, I hate it," I shivered into Alex's warm torso and squeezed him back even tighter than was probably comfortable. The rain was absolutely gushing down, as if whoever was up there was really angry.

"Callie, ow!" Alex winced and I loosened grip a little.

"Sorry, sorry. I just want it to stop," I whispered, tracing over the soft part of Alex's fringe and tucking it back into the rest of his hair.

"Killing me won't make anything stop except my heartbeat!" Alex exaggeratedly pretended to die in my arms, choking and spluttering and twitching.

"Alex!! Don't die on me!" I yelled and pretended to push his ribcage to get his heartbeat back. Not that I had any clue how to do CPR or resuscitation. Now he knew he couldn't trust me to keep him alive if this situation ever did arise.

"Fuck, Callie! You didn't really try did you? Thank god I'm not actually dying! Don't have much faith I'd make it with you," Alex side-eyed me rather cautiously.

"No really, I was thinking that. I should probably learn," I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "I mean..."

"Yeah but now's not the time, let's play that game!" Alex's eyes lit up and shone fiercely in the dark.

"What game?"

"The one you weren't listening to me about when I was trying to explain it to you earlier!" Alex chuckled to himself and stretched an arm up behind his head before wrapping it around me and kissing me all over my neck.

***

"Alex, Al, pshh," I tried whispering harshly into his ear. His face was smushed against the pillow as he lay face down next to me. There was no way I was gonna get an answer. He looked so adorable sleeping there. It did feel a bit criminal to try and wake him.

Full of dread, I flicked my home screen open again on my smashed up phone. There they were. 5 missed calls from mum, 3 from Nadia (very excessive from her, she usually never calls, even in emergencies) and 10 unread messages on Whatsapp and Instagram.