‎‧₊˚✧The Distance Between✧˚₊‧

Part 7

Mila woke up in a panic. She felt as is she was trapped inside a small box and her breathing was erratic and strained. She quickly ran to the bathroom and sat on the lid of the toilet, she didn't remember where she was, thinking she was in her old apartment.

Hearing a noise from the bedroom made it worse. Alejandro. He's here.

"Mila?" A groggy voice asked from the room. "Are you okay?"

Shit. It's not him. It's Charles. I must seem crazy.

"Yeah I'm fine," she replied, her voice shaking slightly.

"Come back to bed ma chérie."

Mila took a second to breathe and calmed down. She went back into her room and saw Charles lying facing her.

"Are you sure you're okay Mila?" You look shaken up."

"Yeah I'm okay, just had a bad dream."

Mila began to tear up slightly, still standing in the darkened doorway of the en suite.

Charles noticed the tears in her eyes, glinting in the light from the lamp beside her bed, and jumped up, rushing to Mila.

"Mila, you can tell me what's wrong. Was the dream about him?"

"Yes," Mila began to break down. "He was just so horrible Charlie. I'm so glad I could get away, but what if I didn't? Why does he keep coming back in my dreams?"

Mila sobbed as Charles walked her back to her bed. The two sat down beside one another and Charles hugged her close.

"Our minds play cruel tricks on us Mila, I know it just as well as you do. We just need to remember who we have now, rather than dwell on people from the past, good or bad."

Mila looked up into Charles's eyes, they were glossy, matching hers. "Thank you Charles. You're an amazing friend."

That word. Friend. It hurt Mila to say, but in the moment it felt right. If only she felt the pain that Charles did when he heard it. Friend.

In the back of his mind a small voice told him that this was all he would ever be. The friend that was there to comfort her in her times of need, and nothing more. Charles couldn't stand that voice.

Charles scooted over to his side of the bed and patted beside him. Mila lay down next to him, shying away from his gaze.

"You probably think I am crazy."

"I don't. I know how it is to feel like your life is out of your control. After my father, Jules, and Antoine passed, I had nightmares for months. I didn't know who to tell, so I just dealt with it. I know that's wrong now, but then I thought I had no other choice."

Mila cried more, for Charles more than herself. And he held her close, never wanting to let her go. As it neared four am, Mila dozed off, tears staining her cheeks. Charles followed soon after, but not before kissing her forehead and whispering a quick "Goodnight Mila, sleep well."

I think I love you.

~~~~

Carlos frantically knocked on Mila's door. They had organised to meet for breakfast at nine and by half past with no contact he was worried.

Mila dragged herself out of bed, careful not to wake Charles, and cracked her door open. "Carlos! What time is it?"

"It's 9:35 Mila." He said, matter-of-factly. "Are you not dressed?"

"No, I had a bad nightmare last night and I didn't get back to sleep for ages. Is it okay if I have a lie in and you can get breakfast alone? Sorry."

"Yeah. Was it the usual?"

"Yes. It was worse though, I think with the new room you know?"

"Mhm, I'll see you in a bit then?"

"Yes. Love you Carlos."

"Love you too Mila."

Carlos walked away down the corridor, sad that his sister wasn't joining him, and worried. Her nightmares had been getting less frequent, but if travel made them worse he didn't know what the season full of it would bring for her.

~~~~

"Are you okay Mila?" Charles asked, checking the time on his phone. "Who was at the door?"

"Yep, all good, for real this time. It was Carlos but I'm blowing off our breakfast, I'm too tired."

She got back into bed and snuggled closer to Charles. What are we?

He accepted her with open arms, letting her bury her face his chest.

"I love this." A small whisper escaped her mouth. She breathed in his scent, not wanting to forget it.

"Hm?" Charles responded, not sure if he heard her right.

"I said I love this. Everything about it." Mila smiled softly at the man she lay next to.

"Do you fully remember the night at the club?" Charles asked, "I really tried to make it not obvious that I liked you."

"I was oblivious. Do you mean liked?"

"No. I definitely still do."

Mila looked up at Charles. The sincerity shone on his face.

"Kiss me."

Charles laughed, "What?"

"I mean it Charles. Kiss me."