Magnet Love

15. The Morning After

ALEX POV:
I woke up with a pounding rattling through my skull. What the hell? The throbbing was almost deafening and as I turned over on to my side to check the time, I winced with pain. What happened last night?

It was only 9:45, but I was confused and clueless to the events of the night before. I must have gotten into a fight, why else would my body be aching so much? As I came to my senses more however, I noticed a glass of water and two pills strategically placed on the bedside table. Thank the Lord for that. I gulped down the water and pills and flopped my head back on to the pillow as I struggled to recollect the nights events.

It was only then that it actually dawned on me - I didn't put the pills and water there. Who did? I sat up quickly, in a panic incase there was some random girl in the bed with me, but thankfully I was alone.

Something then caught my eye. A petite body was wrapped in my woolly brown blanket, asleep on my couch. The girl's face was covered, nuzzled into the cushion supporting her head, but her long gently curled brown hair was splayed all around.

I didn't move at first. Simply staring at her resting body from the comfort of my own bed, until I slowly stood up, careful of my injuries and tip-toed over for a closer look.

Walking past the mirror, I caught sight of my damaged form. My chest was littered in bruises and cuts were visible on my eyebrow and lip. As I looked closer, I saw the care that someone had taken to my injuries - they were clean, with no blood smeared and the reminiscences of soothing cream visible around them. The sleeping girl must have taken care of me.

I gently swiped a section of her silky hair away from her face so that I could identify the stranger. My breath hitched in my throat as I was met with the peaceful, porcelain face of Lily Evans. Horrified, my mind witnessed a flashback of the night before:

"You fücking bästard!" I launched at Jay, connecting my clenched fist with the side of his face. He ducked and smacked back at me - which I skilfully dodged, before punching back and beating him towards the brick wall.

He put up a tough fight even for me; his leg flying upwards and boot colliding with my face. At this point I saw red and was attacking the prïck with everything I had. We punched each other everywhere, each receiving vicious beatings until I managed to pin him against the wall, my forearm against his neck, compromising his breathing and finally stopping his retaliation.

I was furious. The scum bag had been taunting me all night. I knew he was bad news, a druggie, dealer and known all around for his violent rages and hate for me, but once he mentioned Lily, he had well and truly overstepped the mark. Nobody threatens my girl. Nobody.

I could see him begin to really struggle - lips losing their colour and eyes widening as he saw his fate nearing. I felt no guilt as I watched the light slip from his eyes - only to be disturbed by a figure watching in the distance. I turned my head, ready to scare the onlooker away and threaten them into silence about what they had seen until I was met with the startled, innocent eyes I adored the most. Lily.

I shook my head, wincing at the memory of the fight, and seeing Lily so terrified at my violent rage. She was too precious and fragile for the dangerous gang world Jay tried to involve me in. I recall her shoulders shaking in my hold, pupils dilated with fear and it made my heart ache.

I struggled to remember any more, the alcohol must have taken a hold of my mind - coupled with my rage and injured body. Her presence however confirmed that she had taken me home, cared for my wounds and nursed me during my vulnerable, intoxicated state. Wasn't she afraid of me? Why would she stay if she surely hated me now?