Dreams Can Come True

58. The sweetest girlfriend

POV Bill

With a soft sigh, I slowly opened my eyes, the light seeping through the curtains feeling like a beam of unexpected brightness shining directly onto my still light-sensitive retina. A faint groan escaped my throat as I slowly sat up, my hand gently massaging my forehead in a futile attempt to soothe the throbbing pain that seemed to consume my head.
It took a moment for my thoughts to somewhat organize themselves, and I realized that I had gotten drunk the previous night at our album release party. The memories of that evening were like fragments slowly merging into a vague, disjointed film, with only occasional moments of clarity breaking through the haze of my hangover.
My gaze drifted to the other side of the room, where Elise was busy at the wardrobe, her attention fully focused on selecting her outfit for the day. Her early activity stood in stark contrast to my own slow awakening, and I couldn't help but admire her as she elegantly sifted through her clothing.
The realization that I had gotten quite sick the previous night from the amount of alcohol I had consumed slowly dawned on me, along with the memory of Elise sitting beside me, concerned and caring, as I battled my hangover. My gaze briefly flicked to the spot next to me, where the bucket she had set up for me would usually be. To my surprise, it was already gone, likely tidied up by Elise while I slept. The thought that she had taken care of me during my sick moments touched me deeply. My heart filled with gratitude for her caring nature, and I felt blessed to have her with me, even in my most vulnerable moments.
As I struggled to sit up with some effort, I felt a sharp pang of pain shoot through my head, like a warning that my body wouldn't soon forget what had happened the previous night. "Ow," I groaned softly, my hand instinctively reaching for my temples in a futile attempt to ease the pain.
Elise turned around upon hearing my voice, her eyes meeting mine with a friendly smile. It was as if her presence filled the room with a calming energy, making the intensity of my hangover feel slightly less overwhelming.
"Good morning," she whispered, her voice like a balm to my weary soul. Her smile was warm and reassuring, and I immediately felt a little better in her presence.
I let my gaze drift over her, my heart warm with affection for this special woman who filled my life so abundantly. "How are you feeling now?" she asked, her voice full of concern as she looked at me worriedly.
I sighed and tried to muster a smile, despite the throbbing pain in my head. "Better now that I see you," I replied, grateful for her care. "But it still feels like a truck ran over me."
Her soft laughter filled the room, like a melody dispelling the heaviness of the morning. "You look better than you sound," she teased, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she studied my face.
"Aren't you mad at me?" I asked, my voice hoarse from dehydration and the hangover. The idea that she had witnessed my discomfort the night before weighed on me, and I fervently hoped that I hadn't spoiled her evening with my unplanned hangover.
"Why would I be?" she replied, her voice soft and reassuring. She came over to me, her eyes shining with kindness as she sat down next to me on the bed. I suddenly felt ashamed of my behavior from the previous evening and stared at her, lost in the warmth of her smile.
I sank back against the pillows, running my hand through my tousled hair. The memory of the previous night was fuzzy, but the shame still overwhelmed me. I had behaved like an idiot, and the fact that Elise still looked at me with the same loving gaze was more than I deserved.
"I don't think I was the most pleasant company last night," I mumbled, casting my eyes down as I tried to hide my guilt. I felt her weight beside me on the bed, her presence warm and comforting.
She placed her hand on my back, a gesture that offered me more comfort than she could imagine. "I take care of you too, even when you have a massive hangover," she laughed, her voice filled with affection. I weakly smiled, grateful for her unwavering support.
"You're the best girlfriend ever," I whispered, looking at her with a gaze full of gratitude. I didn't know what I would do without her; she was my rock, my support, even on my worst days.

My heart skipped a beat as Elise leaned back when I tried to kiss her, her words laced with a playful tone. "Maybe brush your teeth first," she chuckled, her laughter like music to my ears. I immediately withdrew, laughing at her remark as I realized that I indeed didn't smell particularly fresh after the wild night.
"Good idea," I replied, still grinning as I headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth. As I rinsed my mouth, I felt a certain tension in the air, as if there was something between us that hadn't been spoken yet.
When I returned to the bedroom, I saw Elise sitting on the bed, her eyes focused on the duvet as if she were concentrating her thoughts on it. An uncertain expression crossed her face, and my stomach clenched at the thought that something was wrong.
"Bill," she began hesitantly, her voice soft and uncertain. "I want to talk to you for a moment." Her words hung heavy in the air, and suddenly the room felt like a colder place than before. I sat down beside her, my heart pounding in my chest as I wondered what was happening.
"Yes, of course," I replied, my voice calm but my thoughts swirling in a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty. What could she possibly have to say? What was wrong between us? I wanted to reach out to her, to ask her questions, but something in her demeanor prevented me from doing so.