5sos Shorts

"Locked Out" c.h.

"Ohhhh..." I heard a voice from outside my apartment door followed by a louder chain of a repeated word. "No, no, no!"

I forced myself out of bed to investigate the noise that was preventing me from finally getting to sleep. I flipped the hallway light switch on and padded into my living room, stopping in front of the window and pulling the shades apart to peek outside. She was dark haired and wore a black dress that had been soaked by the storm and stuck to her curvy figure like a second skin. She was slamming her fists against her door letting out frustrated noises. I let the shades close and unlocked my door before opening it and leaning on the frame.

"Do you need some help out here?" I spoke up to get her attention. Her whole body whipped around so fast I could feel the water from her hair hit me. Mascara was running down her cheeks and she was shivering, but she looked hesitant.

"I-I forgot my key." She explained through chattering teeth.

"I have a spare room." I totally lied without thinking, but before I could revoke my offer she rubbed her tanned arms and her heels clacked as she strutted by me and into my apartment. I shut my door and watched as she went straight to my kitchen-the only room besides the bathroom that was covered in tile- and then turned to face me as she dripped water all over the ground.

"I-I n-need a sh-shower." She shivered. I nodded and made my way down the hall to the bathroom. I shoved the curtains aside and turned the shower on, making sure it had warmed up sufficiently before laying out a towel for her and returning to the kitchen.

"C'mere, let me help you." I instructed her softly, putting one arm around her to help steady her as she shook. She was in no position to object so she just nodded and we made a slow trip to the bathroom because she could barely walk. I helped maneuver her onto the toilet seat before running my hand through my hair nervously.

"Do... do you need help..?" I trailed off, hoping my words wouldn't be taken the wrong way. She nodded.

"M-my shoes, please." She spoke softly, sounding tired. I nodded and pulled the shoes off and as soon as I threw them aside they were forgotten. Her skin was ice cold.

"Can you take off your dress?" I asked, then quickly added. "I'll wait outside while you do!"

"N-no... help p-please." She whined, and I nodded nervously. "Close your eyes."

"Not to negate your wanting privacy, but it's going to be hard to get that dress off with my eyes closed." I reasoned, giving her an apologetic look. She nodded in understanding and closed her eyes.

"O-okay." I helped her get back into a standing position and she turned around slowly. I took a step toward her and clasped the zipper between my fingers, careful to avoid touching her skin for her sake and mine. I pulled the zipper down quickly and pulled the spaghetti straps down and the rest of the dress followed easily before hitting the floor. At that point I closed my eyes rather suddenly and turned away, hitting the wall in my rush. She must have forgotten to mention she'd gone commando to wear that dress.

I heard the disturbance in the water flow from the shower head and figured she'd made it into the shower. I stumbled blindly out of the bathroom and shut the door quickly behind me before resting my forehead on the door. Whether it was from the steam in the bathroom or the insanity of having a girl who's name I didn't even know in my shower, I felt dizzy and confused. I shook my head in an attempt to clear it.

"Um... I left you a towel on the counter!" I rose my voice so she'd hear me through the door and over the shower.

"Okay!" She responded, sounding a bit better already. I felt a small smile form on my face and went to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. I sat down at the kitchen table and after downing the entire bottle I put my head down and closed my eyes. I don't know how long I stayed like that but eventually I woke up to my arm being poked.

I shot to attention. My vision was blurred from sleep and it took me a moment to focus. When I did I saw that she'd taken the seat next to mine. Her hair was slick from the shower, but her face was no longer verging on blue and instead her complexion was clear and a warmth emanated from her that had nothing to do with heat.

"Hey neighbor." I greeted quietly, a grin creeping onto my face. She smiled and let out a quiet laugh.

"Thank you for that." She spoke in a tired voice. "I hope you don't mind I grabbed some clothes that were on your dryer."

"Not at all." I assured her then stuck my arm on the table and opened my hand to her. "I'm Calum."

"Darcy." She introduced herself, and instead of shaking my hand like I'd expected, she took my hand and intertwined our fingers.

"Um-" I started to speak, but was cut short when she moved from her seat to mine without letting go of my hand.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be forward. You're just so warm and I'm... well, not." Her voice was barely above a whisper, I could tell she was so tired she probably wasn't aware of what she was doing.

"Let's get you to bed, huh?" I suggested. I felt her body shake a bit as she laughed.

"I didn't see a second bedroom on my way down the hall." She mentioned, sounding almost amused. I felt my face heat up as my lie came to light.

"I'm really sorry, I don't know why I said I had another room." I apologized. "You were just in obvious need of help and I didn't think before I spoke and suddenly you were in my shower and it was too late to say anything."

"Damsels in distress get the bed." She hummed.

"At this point, that role could go to either of us." I laughed and she joined in. "Of course you get the bed."

"Thanks. I really owe you one." She told me as she stood up, wavering slightly in her sleepy state.

"No, you don't owe me anything. Let's get you to bed." I assured her. I wrapped an arm around her again as I led her to my room and she leaned into my embrace easily and let me guide her. We made it to the room and I moved away from her to pull down my comforter and sheets for her. Darcy stopped between me and the bed and wrapped her arms around my neck. I went to put my arms around her for what I assumed was a hug before she suddenly pressed her lips to mine.

For the split second her lips and mine connected, it was warm-comfortable and exciting at the same time- and I tasted the vodka on her lips. I pulled away immediately, my hands going to grip her arms gently to keep her from trying again. I couldn't help the smile on my face.

"Go to bed, Darcy." I spoke firmly, but considering my smile I could imagine it would probably be hard to take me seriously if she had been more sober. Instead she just gave me a small smile and collapsed onto the bed and all I could do was lay down on the couch in my living room and hope she remembered where she was and what happened when morning came.