Intersecting Lines

Chapter 6

I can feel something wrong inside me. Like I can't feel my guts, it's like pure acid. A moment later, I hear my stomach grumble. I am hungry at 2 in the morning. And I am not just hungry; I want something Korean for tonight. My stomach is seriously messing with me tonight that I had to wake up. The lights are already off in the ward and everyone's sleeping, including Alex. If mom was here, then I just have to tell her. But she isn't here, I told her to take a rest and proper sleep at home because I thought I can manage. Turns out I can't.

                I take a deep breath and try to think. But who am I kidding? My brain doesn't function like it should when I'm hungry. I don't need to think. I need to eat. I swallow like it's going to relieve my churning stomach. I let out a sigh and I look over at Alex who's fast asleep. I'm going to have to keep him up tonight.

"Hey..." I somewhat whisper to Alex's direction. But of course, he doesn't move, "Alex" I call him. Several times to be exact, I can't blame him. No one wants to wake up for someone at midnight. He starts to move and I call him again, this time he clears his throat.

"Are you awake?" I know, obvious question. But I just need to know, he might be sleepwalking. He opens one of his small eyes as a response and he turns on his lampshade. I almost smile at him but I had to suppress it. He might find it insulting but he looks like a cute little

puppy

with his small eyes a lot smaller and his hair all over the place.

It took him a couple of seconds to realize that I woke him up for something. He scratches his back as he adjusts himself to a sitting position. He let his feet dangle at the edge of his bed and then he whispered, "Is everything okay?" he looks worried. I can see it in his eyes and even if his voice sounds hoarse, but in a good way, I know he is.

I nod, "I'm fine. But..." I trail off. This is seriously embarrassing. Waking someone up just because you're hungry? Now that I think about it, I shouldn't have done this in the first place. I was thinking of how to tell him when he suddenly whispered.

"Are you hungry?" he asked. How in the world does this stranger, who I just met a month ago, know that I am hungry—no, starving at 2 in the morning? But of course, I nod as I bite my lower lip. I hope he forgets about tonight.

He starts to smile like a fool and I get more flushed because of shyness, embarrassment, I don't know. But I feel my cheeks go red anyway. Thank God the lights are off and only two lampshades are open.

"What?" I shyly asked him, not sure why he is smiling so wide I can see his dimples deepen.

"I just find you cute." He said in his husky voice and continued to smile stupidly.

 "Alright. What do you want to eat?" he asked me.

"I'm craving something Korean. Is that too much?" he nods and his smile slowly disappears. I don't know why but Alex is seriously something. If someone woke me up from sleep at 2 a.m. just because that person is hungry, I'll seriously get mad.

"I know a 24-hour Korean restaurant around here. But, we need a car to get there." He said, I'm starting to think that my 2 a.m. Korean craving won't be satisfied. Where the hell do we find a car at this time?

"Hold on." He reached for his phone on his bedside table. He punched in a couple of number and he held the phone to his ear. I wait for him. What is he doing now? Do Korean restaurants make deliveries or what?

"Hey, Brad." He began to speak to the person on the other line. So, who's Brad and why does Alex think this matter concerns him. But, I trust in Alex and his actions. I know deep down in me that he is a good guy.