Watercolour

Twenty Nine

Alana's P.O.V

I awoke with that strange feeling you get when you know you're in someone else's room but can't remember whose or why. However, that very quickly changed once I sat up and saw Luke still sleep on the other side of the room.

The guys had a radio show to go to this morning which left Jace and I with a few hours to ourselves. We'd thrown around a few suggestions of what to do but we were probably just going to end up going into town or possibly down to the harbour.

I had a quick shower before getting dressed and heading downstairs. I wasn't expecting Jace or Luke to get up for at least another half hour, so I made myself comfortable on the sofa and decided to message home to see how everyone was doing.

It would currently be about half ten back in the UK so I was expecting some people to still be up and happy to have a small catch-up. I needed them to be. Having all the guys around was even better than I thought it would be but as soon as I was alone, there was only one thing I could really think about; the one thing I really didn't want to think about.

I opened WhatsApp and instinctively selected George's name.

Alana: Hey you

After a couple of minutes of waiting, there was still no response. I left George's chat and opened Lucas'.

Alana: Heyy

Almost immediately, a reply came through.

Lucas: Hey al, how are you holding up?
Alana: I'm alright
Lucas: Good good :)

Impulsively, I typed my next message and, without thinking, hit send.

Alana: How's Alex?

What was I doing? I hadn't intended to ask anyone about Alex and then, all of a sudden... I had.

Alana: I mean, have you seen him at all?

Shit. That wasn't any better. And of course he had; they see each other almost every day.

Lucas: Yeah

There was a pause where I could see he was typing and then he'd stop. And then he would start again. This happened a few more times before he finally decided on the message to send.

Lucas: He's been asking about you

Alana: Really?

I reply, not caring about the impression I was giving off. Lucas knew I cared about Alex - no matter how much I tried to pretend otherwise.

Lucas: Yeah. He was at mine the other day... he really wants to speak to you but doesn't want to start the conversation because you clearly want your distance from him

Lucas: That's what he said at least

Lucas: If I'm honest this is really eating him up. Just as it with you

Lucas: Not to say you're in the same position as him because obviously, you're the one he's hurt. But in doing so he's hurt himself and needs some consolation

Lucas: I've tried. I really have - I've told him over and over again that this won't be the end of your friendship because I know the two of you inside out and neither of you could hold off forever.

Lucas: And I know you need your time/space (without sounding cliché) but when you're ready and have sorted everything out with Harvey, then Alex will definitely be here and willing to sort it out with you