Do Me a Favour - Alex Turner

20. Kelly

The next morning, I dragged myself to the hotel's dining area, my heart heavy with confusion and hurt. I hoped, desperately, that Alex would be there, that he'd tell me it was all a drunken mistake. But as I entered, my hopes were shattered.

There he was, sitting with Matt, Jamie, and Arielle. She was nestled close to him, her hand casually resting on his. My stomach churned, and I felt a fresh wave of tears threatening to spill. I couldn't bear to sit with them, so I found a table at the far end of the room, away from everyone, and tried to focus on my breakfast.

A few minutes later, Nick appeared and sat down across from me. His brow furrowed as he looked at me.

"You okay? You look like you've been crying," he said, concern evident in his voice. "And why aren't you sitting with the rest?"

That was all it took. The tears I'd been holding back all morning spilled over, and I quickly wiped them away, not wanting to make a scene. But Nick's kind eyes and genuine concern broke down the last of my defenses.

"I... I don't know where to start," I began, my voice shaky. "Alex and I... we've been seeing each other. We weren't officially together, but... it felt real. And then last night, I find out he has a girlfriend. Arielle." I gestured subtly towards their table.

Nick's eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, he was speechless. Then his expression softened, and he reached across the table to take my hand.

"Alex is an idiot," he said firmly. "I'm so sorry, Lana. You didn't deserve that. None of this is your fault."

His words were a balm to my wounded heart. "Thank you, Nick. It just hurts so much. I thought... I thought we had something real."

Nick squeezed my hand. "I know. But you deserve someone who treats you right, who values you. And if Alex can't see that, then he's the one missing out."

I nodded, grateful for his support. The hurt was still there, but knowing I had a friend who understood made it a little more bearable. We sat together in silence for a while, Nick's presence a comforting reminder that I wasn't alone in this.

Nick's expression shifted from one of concern to one of simmering anger as he processed what I'd told him. He glanced over at Alex, who was laughing at something Arielle said, completely oblivious to the hurt he had caused.

"What the hell is he thinking?" Nick muttered, more to himself than to me. "Or is he just not thinking at all?"

I looked down at my hands, still trembling slightly. The tears were threatening to spill over again. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

"You know," I began, my voice barely above a whisper, "I realize now that the Alex I thought I liked, the Alex I kissed... he was never really there. It was always the same infuriating Alex I met first. Maybe I was just seeing what I wanted to see."

Nick's anger seemed to deepen at my words. "You don't deserve this, Lana. You deserve someone who sees you, who appreciates you for who you are. Alex... he's just a fool."

I nodded, the pain still raw but mingled with a sense of clarity. "I just don't understand how I could have been so wrong about him."

Nick squeezed my hand again, his grip reassuring. "People can be good at hiding their true selves. But you, Lana, you're genuine. Don't let this change who you are."

I looked up at him, grateful for his words. "Thank you, Nick. Really."

He gave me a small smile, but I could see the anger still simmering in his eyes. "Alex needs to realize what he's done. Maybe he will, eventually. But in the meantime, just know that you have people here who care about you."