Me before you

chapter 33

Sana woke up Saturday morning before the alarm, with a feeling of anticipation buzzing in her chest.

Pre-morning light streamed through her thin curtains, setting her bedroom awash with a golden- pink glow. If she listened closely, she could hear Louis snoring lightly in the room next door. That put a smile on her face. She wondered if Y/n was awake yet. No, who was she kidding? Y/n never woke up this early, even on a day like this.

Sana shifted, fluffing her pillow a bit before setting back down. She didn't have to get up for a while - she could just wait for Louis to come bounding in like he did every Saturday. And then...

She couldn't help smiling into the pillow. God, maybe she was being ridiculous but this - even just this, going and discussing their options, felt like a step forward. A leap, a stride, a mile. Sana stretched, sighing against the sheets, and settled back on her back, watching the play of pink morning light over the ceiling. There was a feeling in the air and in her chest like something good was about to happen.

She couldn't help her mind wandering back to the phone call, replaying Y/n's words over and over in her head. I want you to be there. Her voice had been breathless and certain, for all her hesitance. It reminded Sana of a night not too long ago, when Y/n had called her up to say some other words in a voice like that.

No.

Sana stopped herself before she could get too lost in memory. It wouldn't do her any good thinking back to all those romantic moments, not today. She was in a good place with Y/n now. What they'd shared was magical, and it had showed Sana parts of herself she'd scarcely known existed, but there was a good chance it would never come back, or happen again. And if it didn't, that was okay. Because she still had Y/n in her life. That, she thought, was more than enough.

She sat up against the pillows, reaching over to pick her phone up off the nightstand and turn it on, just in case. When the lock screen - a photo of her and Louis outside Granny's - flashed to life, she saw she already had one new message from Y/n. Sana bit back a grin as she opened it up.

Hey. You still up for today?

Sana didn't know what time it had been sent, but she started typing her reply immediately. Of course. Do you really think I'd miss the look on your face when you realise I was right? She tapped send, watching the little loading circle turn around and around.

She barely had time to think before her phone vibrated in her hands as Y/n texted back. Another smile appeared on Sana's face. And you say I'm the childish one.

Sana fought the urge to roll her eyes, or laugh, or something. Instead, she fixed her eyes on the phone screen with a feeling of dizzying lightness buzzing inside her chest, and tapped out her response. Come back to me when you've sat through three PG-13s in a row for somebody.

She couldn't help but laugh when Y/n's reply buzzed through. Lady, are you still harping on my taste in movies? And then again when another followed. Come at me bro.

I rest my case, Sana typed, pressing send with a smug smile. She couldn't quite believe she was sitting here, in bed, jokily texting Y/n as if nothing was wrong. Nothing was.

"Mom!"

She looked up with a grin at the sight of her son standing in the doorway in his Marvel pyjamas and blue slippers, brown hair askew. His sleepy face turned suddenly curious and suspicious. "Who are you texting?"

"Nobody," Sana raised an eyebrow challengingly.

Louis studied her for a minute, before deciding, "You're texting Y/n." He flashed a grin, and then bounded in and onto the bed with her. "I can tell 'cause your face is all gooey."