𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑭𝒊𝒙𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 {𝘚𝘢𝘭 𝘍𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳}

Simon (Sal) Riley [14]

"'Cause I wanna burn it
down, down
down, down..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fingers threading through my hair, gentle and soft, summons me back to life. Seconds ago, I was consumed by the deepest sleep I've had in weeks. Months, really. I mean I really slept good. I didn't have a single dream. It was just bliss.

I blink my eyes open and glance at Ash who's staring down at me with a grin that's holding back a series of laughs. Mirth dances in her jade eyes and I'm really curious as to why she looks like she's about to laugh at me.

I take a deep breath through my nose then sit up, closing my tired eyes while I do a long and well-deserved cat stretch. "What's wrong?" I murmur, my voice hoarse.

"Nothing," Ash whispers, standing to her full height. She's still in her pajamas, which consists of a pair of Hello Kitty sweatpants and a black sports bra. The epitome of comfy, basically. "You were snoring, for one. And I mean it sounded like you were choking on some really good dick. Sorry if I interrupted any kind of-- hehehehe-- dream, but I wanted to make sure you were alright." While she obviously couldn't help but giggle, she does seem a bit concerned.

I grimace. Was I really snoring? That hard?

"I'm fine," I rasp, shrugging while trying to keep my eyes open. "I wasn't even dreaming. Was just in a deep sleep." I smack my lips, swallowing thickly over the heavy cloud of exhaustion that hovers over me.

"Okay, hun," Ash says softly, pushing a strand of hair out of my face. She tucks it behind my ear then cups my chin in her dainty, cold hand. "You can go back to sleep. It's only nine in the morning. I'll be moving to the living room, so you can have the bed to yourself."

I shake my head. No way am I going to sleep my day away-- it's my last day in Las Vegas. I want to spend it with my friends. "No," I tell her, trying to perk up a bit. "It's my last day. I want to spend it with you guys. I just need some coffee, or something."

Ash giggles. "Whatever you want, sweetness." Then, she stands with a little sigh, stretching her arms out. "I'll send Larry to go downstairs and get us a few cups of coffee then."

"That sounds wonderful," I reply, yawning loud and proud. No matter how hard I try, I can't jump over this sleepy hurdle. I've gotten about six hours of sleep so I shouldn't be this tired.

Ash puts on some slippers and I secure my mask onto my face before we walk out. I stop by the bathroom to brush my teeth quickly, only to nearly choke on the toothpaste frothing in my mouth upon seeing the half open shower curtain.

I have to face Sal Fisher soon.

Oh, boy. I genuinely don't know how this is going to go. I want to act like nothing even happened-- that feels like the safest route. But if he acts awkward around me, then how am I supposed to work around that?

I rinse the toothpaste out of my mouth and stand there with my hands on my head for a moment, reeling over the situation I've put myself in. I don't regret any of it. Sal really did show me a good time and I slept good as fuck afterward. If I'm being completely honest, I'd do it again.

His touch was so addictive. I've never had such a visceral reaction like that in my life. Just a brush of his fingertips had my brain practically vibrating.

He's special, talented. That's for sure.

I'll figure something out, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there. For now, I'm in the clear because, as far as I know, Sal is still sleeping in his and Larry's shared room.