What Once Was

Chapter 14: Want You So Bad

Eddie and I reached my apartment not too long after. I typed in the code to the front door and we entered, Eddie guiding me in first, his right hovering over the small of my back. The short elevator ride felt painstakingly long as we both stood in silence, not looking at each other once. We exited and walked to my front door. Apartment 3C. I slammed my keys in nervously.

"Voilà!" I exclaimed, holding my arms out theatrically.

Eddie entered without saying a word. He stood in the middle of my front room, turning around as if taking in everything he could see.

"Sorry about the mess. I didn't really have much energy to tidy up this morning".

I was being dramatic. There was one dirty mug on the coffee table and I hadn't bothered to make my bed that morning. That was it. But for my standard, that was decently messy.

"It's... really nice. I like what you've done with the place". He finally spoke.

"It's not much to work with, but I did try".

Eddie walked over to where I had hung a couple of pictures. He leant in closely, like he was inspecting every detail of every photograph.

I walked over to him.

"Those are my parents". I pointed to one of the pictures. It was taken on my 21st birthday. We had gone out for Italian food.

"They look... nice". He smiled at me. I felt guilty.

"They're the best. Overprotective, but still amazing... That's my best friend Bella from home". I pointed to another picture, this time of Bella and I. It was taken on the day of our high school graduation. We were dressed in our blue cap and gowns.

"You've barely changed a bit". Eddie laughed.

"You think so? I feel like a completely different person. Anyway, can I get you a drink? I've got wine, a couple beers..."

"Water is fine, thank you". He gave me a small smile.

"You sure? You sure you don't want a proper drink?"

"I'm fine, thank you".

I walked over to my small kitchen. I turned on the tap and poured him a glass. After, I went over to the fridge and opened it.

"Mind if I have a drink?" I grabbed a bottle of white wine from it.

"Go ahead".

I poured myself a glass before heading back over to Eddie.

"Here you go". I smiled, handing him the glass.

"Thank you". He blushed. He was fidgeting with the sleeves of his coat.

"Oh... let me get that for you". I tugged on his arm. He slipped out of his signature blue parka and I hung it on my coat rack.

"So... I was thinking of maybe introducing you to one of my favourite movies. How does that sound?" I ushered for him to join me on the couch. He stood awkwardly for a moment before following my lead.

"Sure... I'd like that". He fixed his stare onto the glass in his hand.

"Fabulous! Have you ever watched Vivre Sa Vie? It's a French New Wave movie. Quite the revolutionary piece of cinema".

Ew, (Y/N). How pretentious.

"I... um... don't think I have. You're quite the film buff then, I see?" He chuckled to himself.

"I don't know... maybe". My cheeks turning pink.

I inserted the disk and pressed play. Eddie and I sat on opposite ends of the couch. I got up a couple of times to top-up my glass. I looked over to see Eddie tightly grasping onto the same glass of water I had poured for him 45 minutes ago. He seemed uninterested in the movie playing on screen.