Once In A Lifetime

Don't Tell Anyone!

I wake up a little sore and confused... I roll over and see an alarm clock on the nightstand that reads 7:47. I stretch getting the morning ache out of my bones. All I know is that right now I'm a mess of smeared eyeliner and tangled hair. The curtains are partially open and golden morning light is streaming in. I sit up pulling the blanket up to cover my chest. The blankets and sheets are white cotton and the walls are a light gray. I see converse lined on the floor against the wall but no pictures or anything identifiable to let me know who's bedroom I am in. I crawl out of bed wrapping myself in a sheet. I make my way to the bathroom. This person obviously slept with me so the least they could do is allow me to shower before I leave. I take a look in the mirror and see that I just look rough... I climb into the shower letting the hot water wash over me. I sing the Punch Brothers cover of Another New World. When I get out of the shower I throw on my dark jeans from yesterday and dig through his closet in search of an old t-shirt he won't miss. My eyes immediately fall onto an old rubics cube designed shit. I throw it on and tuck the front in. I pick up my tan ankle boots then slowly find my way down the hallway but not before taking my bracelet off and leaving it on the nightstand. If he's cute and nice I want a reason to come back.

"Nicole...?" I hear a guys voice call out my name.

"Hey-" I say as I turn the corner into the living room/kitchen of his apartment. "-Hunter!?"

"Hey..."

"I-uh... Oh my God..."

"Well good morning to you to."

"Did we...?" I leave the rest of my sentence in the air as I look back down the hallway toward his bedroom door.

"I'm pretty sure."

"Wait! You don't remember?"

"No... but we were both really drunk."

"Ok so, if we don't remember then it doesn't count..."

"What?"

"Yeah! This never happened because we don't want it to. I mean you didn't did you?"

"No! I mean no offense, I've been worried that you thought it meant something. I mean I have Libby and I love her. Oh God! What am I gonna tell her?"

"Nothing! We can't tell anyone. This stays between us! I mean- Oh God! Oh no no no no no... NO!" I begin to freak out a little and I literally sit down on the floor with my legs out in front of me. I set my shoes down next to me as Hunter rushes over and kneels in front of me.

"Nicole? Are you okay?"

I look up at him and say, "What am I going to do about Travis?"

"Wait, who's Travis?"

"My boyfriend. Sort of, we're always on-and-off but right now we're kind of on."

"Well, like you said we don't have to do or say anything."

"Okay... but I've never cheated before."

"Me neither but we were so wasted it doesn't mean we meant to do it."

"Yeah... well I think I'm gonna go."

"No, at least have breakfast before you go."

"No, I should probably go."

"Okay well I guess I'll see you later, drive safe." He says as I walk out the door and I don't even say anything back. I put my shoes on when I get to the stairs. I get in my car and slowly make my way home as I slowly start to remember the night before.