You're The One

Chapter 23

April 2021 - north London, England

Shit.

I woke up that morning feeling atrociously ill; whether that was hangover or the fact that there was a girl laying next to me, I wasn't so sure.

Leah was still sleeping peacefully as I snuck out of her room into the kitchen. Quickly grabbing a hoodie that was on the couch, I picked up the pieces of clothing which were scattered on the floor and folded them, placing them onto the chair. I blushed as I thought about the previous night, or at least what I could remember.

I was so screwed.

I poured myself a bowl of cereal before making myself some ice tea. Sitting there in silence, I didn't know what to do; Leah was bound to wake up soon and I would have to say something to her.

My thought were interrupted by a familiar voice. "Good morning." Leah said, already dressed in a t-shirt and shorts.

"Hi." I managed to squeak out, feeling unbelievably awkward. She eyed me intently, pouring her own bowl of cocoa puffs. "Leah. About yesterday-"

"Just forget about it, I get it." She answered, and I felt a pang of hurt. Even though I was certain that I didn't want there to be anything more between us, it strangely still felt like rejection.

"That's sorted then, thanks." I responded, being careful with my words.

"I have to go see my mum today for lunch, but if you want we can cook some dinner tonight?" She said, unnervingly simply.

"Sorry but I think I might go to Jill's today." That was a lie. I didn't even know if she was free.

"Right." She replied, and I could've sworn there was a flash of disappointment. Or there might not have been.

That was all that needed to be said before I practically ran to my room to escape. I texted Jill if I could come over, and thankfully she said yes, so I put on a pair of sweatpants and snuck quietly out.

Jill only lived a five minute walk away from me, but I decided to take a quick detour and buy some food for us to eat.

"Hey Aleid, we're massive fans! Could we possibly get a photo?" Two teenage girls asked as I walked into the supermarket, and I smiled back at them.

"Of course!" I responded, taking individual pictures with both of them. "What are your names?"

"Lily, and this is Clemmie." The shorter girl said, "Thank you so much!"

I kept smiling as they walked away, but once they were out of sight I practically sped to the till and then to Jill's house. Normally I loved meeting fans, but I wasn't looking, nor feeling very presentable.

"Sorry it took me so long, there were some girls who asked for a picture when I stopped for food. Anyways, I'm so screwed." I said to Jill as she opened her door, giving her a big hug, needing her comfort.

"Good morning to you too." She said back, laughing. "What's wrong?"

"Long story short. Leah and I kinda..."

"Kinda...what?" She said slightly confused, but then her eyes widened as she realised what I was implying. "Oh no, that's not very good."

"Don't even start."

"And you just left her?"

"No, she had to go see her mum. I'm not that mean."

"I don't know about that Aleid..." she joked, but I just rolled my eyes because I knew what she was referring to.

Her eyes gazed down to my choice of attire, and I could see her visibly cringing. I didn't even look at myself in the mirror that morning, so it's not like I expected anything better.

"You said you got a picture? Looking like that?"

"That's very nice of you Jill. Thanks a lot." I answered sarcastically as we made our way into her kitchen.

"No you look fine. But have you realised what you're wearing?"

"Um, not really. I grabbed the first thing I could find. Why?" I looked down at my outfit, a cream hoodie and some bright blue sweatpants. I looked like I just crawled out of bed. Which was true, I guess.

"You're hoodie says Williamson on the back." She answered, and my mouth dropped open.

"You're kidding right? You have got to be kidding me."

"No, I'm not. I'm dead serious right now." She burst into laughter, taking a picture of the back of the jumper and showing it to me. It did in fact say Williamson in big letters, just above a drawing of a football. I had just thought it was a plain, old one, but then I recognised it as the one given to her a couple weeks ago when she visited one of the local youth teams nearby.

"Oh crap. What if that photo goes on social media? That's so embarrassing. Leah basically friend-zoned me this morning so she'll see it and think I'm a psycho who's obsessed with her or something."

"I'm sure that won't happen. You are such an exaggerator." She answered, sitting down on the couch with me. It was quiet for a moment before she suddenly said, "Wait what? She friendzoned you?"

"No. Sort of? Yes? Basically, I woke up first and was eating in the kitchen. She came in and I started to mention it but she cut me off with 'just forget about it."

"Those were her exact words?"

I nodded, groaning in frustration and tugging at the strings of my hoodie.

"Al, I knew this would happen. Both Viv and I called it at the very beginning. This is the classic trope you see everywhere in the movies and the books - roommates turned lovers!"

"Can you not? We're not lovers."

"Not yet at least!" Jill began to laugh once more before I playfully slapped her arm, rolling my eyes in the meantime.

"This is not a time for jokes! You do realise that this is my life?"

"Right, I'm sorry." Her face hardened before she continued, "I think you just need to talk to her about it."

"And say what?"

"Just tell her the truth, that you like her and all that sappy shit people in situationships say."

"I don't like her."

"I don't get why you're still in denial. It's painfully clear to absolutely everyone in this entire universe that you have something going on, whether it's above or beneath the surface between you two. What's holding you back?

In that moment I felt an epiphany of realisation. A thought came over me that I had tried so desperately to keep out, a thought I'd been able to keep veiled for years.

"Fucks sake, Jill." I said, starting to feel tears trickle down my cheek. I had done so well being able to block it out for so long. "I'm so scared."

I looked her in the eyes and I could tell instantly that she understood. Unspoken words encompassed with a single look. 

"Eline." She said, and I just stared back at her absentmindedly. "It's about Eline."