𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐍 (𝟏)

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟓𝟏

I opened my eyes slowly. They fluttered shut and then opened again. I felt warmth on my face, saw a golden shadow cast over my eyes. My body felt limp and my limbs sluggish, bones cracking as I tossed and turned over the flimsy mattress, wrapping myself in the soft sheet.

Feeling stiff: I spread my limbs apart, feeling my tendons stretch until a good kind of pain filled my body. I sighed, my body resembling what might be a starfish. And then, some sort of empty feeling engulfed me, mixing with confusion.

I tipped my head up, trailing my eyes over the empty mattress that is currently being consumed by my legs and arms.

I didn't go to bed alone.

I sat up abruptly, confused. I swung my legs over the bed, feeling the cold wood on my feet as I began to lean over them to stand. I stretched my arms over my head and stifled a yawn as I focused on the sound of running-water coming from the other side of the room.

Listening to the wood crack and creak as I stalked towards the bathroom. The bathroom door was almost shut, apart from the small crack between the door and the wall. Suddenly feeling nervous, I leaned in toward the door to listen. A sink. Not a shower, just a sink was running. What if he was naked?

you've seen him naked before?

Not Rowan. I mean Joey—What if he came back to take a shower.. I'd be scarred for life.

I reached my hand up to knock, only I paused right before I could, My knuckles barely grazing door. I hesitated, considered peaking through the crack to see who it was first—Instead, I force my knuckles to hit the door. But they barely make a peep of sound before the force is pushing the door open.

I freeze. Hand floating in the air.

Slowly—so slowly it's painful, does the door open. Standing there, right by the sink, Is Rowan—Frozen mid-movement.

A red toothbrush hanging out of his mouth and a slimmer of toothpaste dripping out of the corner of his lips. His hair tousled and messily splayed over his eyes. Eyes that just blink at me in surprise.

I cringe, dropping my hand to my side. "Sorry," I mumble, attempting a small smile.

I see his body untense immediately. I see his slight frown and the hard look he gives me before pressing a hand to his heart. I almost laugh, but pad my feet in his direction instead. I settle beside him.

Sending a cheeky side-ways glance his way as I reach and pluck the light blue toothbrush into my hand. I remember when Rowan had gotten me this toothbrush for specifically his cabin. I also remember almost mixing it up with Joeys significantly darker toothbrush once. I want to vomit at the thought.

I squeeze some toothpaste onto the white bristles before stuffing it into my mouth. And I try to scrub my teeth faster and harder in hopes to finish at the same time Rowan does. I focus on trying to beat him, occasionally looking side-ways at him and seeing the squinty looks he gives me through the mirror each time.