You Belong With Me

The Elevator

I stumbled into the elevator after a grueling five-mile jog, panting and slick with sweat. Each breath came harder than the last, my chest heaving as I pressed the button for the penthouse. The mirrored walls reflected my flushed face, the tiredness etched in every feature. I felt like a ghost of my former self, a mere shadow of the vibrant girl I once was. As the doors slid shut, I leaned against the cool metal wall, trying to steady my racing heart. Thoughts churned in my mind like a storm. I knew the lack of food was affecting me more than I cared to admit, yet the urge to push through the exhaustion was overwhelming. I had to stay in shape, maintain the image, keep the expectations at bay. But today, my body protested, and the reality of my situation hit me like a tidal wave. I had thought running would clear my mind, but instead, it only amplified the voices inside me. The struggle was real, and it felt insurmountable. 

The elevator dinged, and as the doors opened, in stepped Wes. He looked effortlessly handsome in his casual clothes, his hair slightly damp from practice. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, a familiar warmth spreading through me, pushing back the weight of my insecurities, if only for a moment.

 "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, his brow furrowing with concern as he caught sight of my disheveled state. I opened my mouth to respond but struggled to find the words.

 "I'm fine," I managed to say, though it came out more breathless than I intended. I sank down onto the ground, leaning against the wall. My legs felt like jelly, and the world around me swirled in a dizzying haze.

 "Clearly," he said, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Need a hand? I can help you up. Or maybe just carry you?" He raised an eyebrow, his teasing lightening the atmosphere. I couldn't help but laugh, though it quickly turned into a wheeze.

 "Oh please, like I need saving by the football star," I shot back, a playful bite to my tone. "I think I'll manage on my own, thank you very much." But when I attempted to push myself up, my legs protested, refusing to cooperate. "Actually, I might need a little help," I admitted, a hint of embarrassment creeping into my voice. Wes stepped closer, his hand extended. I took it, and as our fingers intertwined, a jolt of electricity surged between us, an undeniable connection that sparked something deep within. I felt the warmth of his grip, strong yet gentle, and in that moment, everything else faded away. It was just the two of us in that small, confined space, surrounded by the hum of the elevator machinery.

 "Here, let me," he said softly, helping me to my feet. Our hands lingered a moment longer than necessary, and I could see the flicker of something in his eyes—a shared understanding, an unspoken longing.

 "I miss teasing you," I said, almost shyly, as if admitting a secret. The words hung in the air, thick with nostalgia.

 "Me too," he replied, his voice low and sincere. The world around us felt suspended in time, and for a heartbeat, everything else faded. There was no past, no distance between us—just the magic of this moment. But then the elevator lurched, and the moment broke. I pulled away, suddenly aware of the space around us. As the doors opened, I felt a rush of adrenaline mixed with the lingering warmth of his touch.

 "Thanks," I said, a little too quickly, as I stepped out into the hallway. The sudden rush of cold air hit me, but I barely registered it. All I could think about was Wes, and the way my heart had raced at his touch. As I turned to walk away, my legs wobbled beneath me. I stumbled, falling to the ground with a thud. Embarrassment flooded my cheeks, and I glanced up to see Wes's expression shift from surprise to concern.

 "Lana!" he exclaimed, rushing to my side. "Are you okay?" I nodded, but the moment felt surreal. Laughter bubbled up as I found myself sprawled on the floor, the remnants of our connection still swirling in the air.

 "Just testing gravity," I joked, trying to play it cool, but inside I was a whirlwind of emotions. 

"Looks like gravity won this round," he said, a grin breaking across his face. His laughter mixed with mine, and in that moment, the heaviness of my struggles felt lighter. As he offered his hand to help me up again, I realized something profound: this wasn't just about the moments we shared or the laughter. It was about the possibility of something more. As I took his hand, feeling the warmth envelop me once more, I knew I wanted to explore whatever this was between us. The world around us may have been chaotic, but in this elevator, this hallway, this moment, everything felt right.