Friction

Silence

I woke up the next morning with my shoes off and tucked into Chase's bed. I looked around and didn't see him anywhere and I couldn't quite tell if he had slept in the bed with me or not. I didn't remember being carried in, but I remembered feeling safe enough to fall asleep next to him on a roof. It still made me feel uncomfortable not knowing if he had slept in the bed with me.

I climbed out of bed, and stretched my back. Sleeping in a dress like I had on wasn't exactly the most comfortable way to sleep.

"Crap." I spoke louder than I intended. I didn't know exactly where I had left my phone or if I had even brought it out of the car. I felt around in the bed and found nothing. I grabbed my shoes and slowly crept down the stairs.

The house was completely trashed. Solo cups and soda cans were everywhere. So we're the people. There wasn't a single person awake. A lot of people had left, but there was still tons knocked out on every possible thing someone could sleep on.

"Psst." I turned and saw Ashlee peeking her head out of a door way. I assumed there was a bedroom on the other side. She wasn't wearing her same purple dress; instead, she was wearing an oversized T-Shirt and boxers.

I tried to glance into the room, but she closed the door fast and quickly step to me. "Soooo you slept with Chase?" She smiled and did a little jump at the thought of me finally, possibly having done something her way.

"By slept do you mean sleeping. Eyes closed. None aware. Resting. Or...?" I knew exactly what she meant but I wanted to hear her say it, so she could then realize the answer on her own.

"But he walked downstairs like 20 minutes ago and you just did now. That's the only room upstairs?" She whispered questioning my answer, but knowing nothing happened.

"I don't even remember getting to his bed. Wait where is he now? And I see your situation was a little different." You could tell just by the change of clothes that she'd done a little more than sleep last night.

"He went out back." I turned and saw him sitting where we had the night before. Before Ashlee could say anything else, I walked through the kitchen and out on to the back porch.

I watched him for a moment. He had new clothes on and wasn't really doing much more than sitting, watching the waves crash.

I walked down the stairs and slowly, quietly walked through the sand. Even though it was early, the sand still managed to feel warm as my toes slowly sank into them.

"Rise and shine." He spoke even before I got up to him. I continued to walk and then sat beside him. He didn't look at me. Instead, he continued to stare out into the ocean.

"Am I that loud? Even on sand?" I asked and pushed my hands beneath the sand. It felt relaxing. I always loved being on the beach, even as a kid.

"Heard the door shut. Figured you were the only one who could be up. Everyone's else is drunk over their heads." He looked at me and I looked back. His eyes seemed even more beautiful today.

"You didn't sleep with me did you?" Just as I had the day before, I jumped right into the question I wanted an answer to. I asked quickly, but carefully. I didn't want to sound rude. I never really let my curiosity wait.

"In the same bed? No. I've known you a day. Same room? Yes. I slept on the floor. My cousin took over my parents room. Everyone else was just kinda passed out so it was really my only decent option. I hope you don't mind." I thought it was sweet that he had given me his bed. He could've fit with me and I'm sure any other guy would have.

"I can stay and help clean up. I don't think Ashlee wants to leave anytime soon." I dropped our eye contact now and looked at my dress. It was a crinkled pink mess. "I mean just for extra hands. You know? I doubt any of them will help." I spoke fast as I said this. I didn't want him to assume I had wanted to stay for him. For me, it was a generous offer. He had given me his bed, so it was the least I could do. I just didn't want him thinking anything more of it.