Never Not You

Like teenagers

Leah sighed, stretched out on Alex's sofa as she half-heartedly watched the movie playing. She couldn't help but think about Aurora and how, come tomorrow, they'd finally be married. Yet, as Alex and Alexia had insisted on this "tradition" of separating the night before the wedding, she found herself missing Aurora more than she'd expected.

Leah's phone buzzed softly, and seeing Aurora's name brought an instant smile to her face.

My Rory <3
Alexia's gone to sleep.

Leah's heart did a little flip as she read it, her fingers quickly typing back.

My Le ❤️
Alex is still up.

After a brief pause, another message popped up.

My Rory <3
Tell me when she goes to bed.
I'll open the window.

Leah chuckled, already knowing she'd be sneaking over as soon as she could. But she couldn't help teasing back.

My Le ❤️
Why can't you just come here?

My Rory <3
Because, one, Mateo's asleep here
and two, this bed is way bigger than Alex's guest bed.

My Le ❤️
Same reason you always had me sneak into yours instead of you coming to mine?

My Rory <3
Actually, no.
That was because there were four of you in that house, and only two or three in mine depending on the day.

The memories of their late-night rendezvous as teenagers flooded back, a time when sneaking into each other's rooms had been second nature. It was something they'd perfected over the years, ducking around family members and finding ways to steal just a few extra minutes together.

Leah glanced over at Alex, who was stifling a yawn while attempting to stay awake for the rest of the movie. She'd noticed Alex's eyelids drooping, and Leah knew it wouldn't take long before she drifted off.

My Le ❤️
Alex looks tired.
Give me a few minutes, and I'll try to make her go to bed.

There was a beat, then Aurora's text appeared, simple yet full of excitement.

My Rory <3
I'll be waiting.

Leah grinned, feeling a surge of anticipation. It felt exhilarating to break the "rules," sneaking around for one last night together before everything would change. She looked at Alex again, waiting for the perfect moment to suggest she call it a night, mentally planning her route back to Aurora's house and imagining the look on Aurora's face when she climbed through the window.

Already, she could picture slipping into that larger, more comfortable bed beside the woman she'd spent her life sneaking in and out with. And even though this time it was only for one night, the thrill felt the same, making her heart beat faster.

My Le ❤️
I'll be there soon, Rory.

Leah sat back on the sofa, watching as Alex's head started to tilt, her eyelids drooping despite her best efforts to keep them open. With each passing second, Alex looked more and more like she was ready to call it a night, and Leah couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her face as her friend's determination slowly crumbled.

Finally, Leah leaned over and gently nudged Alex's shoulder. "Al, go to bed," she whispered, trying to keep the impatience out of her voice but failing to hide the fondness.