Midnight ☆ L.H (au)

eighteen

8:11 am - ANASTASIA BYNES

I stir in my sleep, the blankets twisted around me uncomfortably. The soft rustling of the sheets is the only sound in the room, aside from the steady purr of snores.

I quickly sit up, my heart hammering in my chest as I look around the room. The dim light trickles in through the hallway blinds, casting long shadows across the walls. And just as I'm about to get up, I hear it. The subtle shuffle of Luke stirring in his sleep.

I'm not hungover, i'm not still asleep. I'm here.

Sleeping next to Luke.

And with that, the panic sets in. My breath comes in quick, my heart racing as I wonder how long I've been here, sleeping in this bed with him.

I try to calm myself, but it's no use. My mind is racing, my thoughts racing with it. All I can think about is how I need to get out of here, to find my own bed, my own space.

Quietly, I slide out of the bed, my bare feet  padding on the thick hardwood. I look for my shoes and phone as quietly as I can. I spot them in the corner on the floor by the cardboard box of VHS tapes Luke always kept out. I snatch my belongings and peer into the box, reading the scribbled words on them.

As my eyes slowly adjust and make out the words "Hemmings 2009", I hear Luke shift in his sleep- causing me to flinch and walk away. I make my way over to the door, my hand trembling as I reach for the handle as quiet as I can.

Just as I'm about to turn it, I hear Luke's voice. It's soft, barely more than a whisper, but it's enough to make me jump.

"Are you scared of me?" he asked, and I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest.

I try to speak, to explain, but the words catch in my throat. And with that, I turn the handle, and slip out into the darkness of the hall. I close the door behind me and lean against it with my back, trying to catch my breath and prepare myself to see Connie.

I open the door into the apartment, my heart still racing as I see Connie sitting on the couch with Thomas. Her face is pale, her eyes bloodshot as she looks up at me. "Oh! Thank God you're okay," she says, her voice shaking.

I nod quickly, my mind racing as I try to think of an excuse for why I didn't come home last night. I can't tell her the truth- that I was ran off the road with Luke and ended up falling asleep in his bed. That would only make things worse.

"I'm sorry," I say, my voice shaking as I sit down beside her. "The flight was just really delayed."

"Delayed? Bullshit" Connie repeats, her eyes narrowing. "You can't just disappear like that, Ana. We were worried sick about you."

I look to Thomas who had to lean past Connie between us to stare at me with a deadpan, no emotion on his face.

We? were worried? Sure

I nod again, feeling the guilt weighing heavy on my shoulders. "I know, I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

Connie sighs, running a hand through her hair. "We care about you."

I nod, my voice barely a whisper as I say, "I won't. I promise." I glance over at Thomas who keeps his eyes on me, almost in disbelief to see me.

This is another promise i've made to Connie, one that was broken before it started.

Connie seems to relax at my words, her shoulders dropping slightly. "Good"

I keep staring at her, hopping that the awkward silence in the air will get one of us to say anything.