20 Days In His Bedroom

Chapter Seven

"I need to relax for a bit," I say as I get up and head toward my room.

Once inside, I close the door behind me with a soft click. I really need a shower, but I don't have anything to wear afterward. Not even a towel or a toothbrush. What a life.

A knock interrupts my thoughts.

"Can I come in?" a familiar voice asks.

"Come in."

Alex walks in with a friendly smile. I sit down on the bed.

"How are you feeling?" she asks.

"I don't know... okay, I guess."

She sits beside me, and I shift slightly to give her space.

"Oh," she says, noticing.

"I want to shower, but I have no clean clothes. Nothing. Not even a toothbrush."

"There are plenty of clothes here. You can just take some."

I frown, unsure. "Uhm, I don't think that's a good idea. I'd rather not wear random clothes."

"Oh, so you'd rather walk around naked?" she teases, raising an eyebrow.

"Are they new?"

"Some are, some aren't," she replies with a light shrug.

"Never mind, then."

"Huh?"

"Why would I change out of my dirty clothes just to wear someone else's dirty clothes?"

She chuckles. "I can give you some of mine. They're new."

"But then you'll have nothing to wear."

"Don't worry about me," she says, flashing a smirk.

Honestly, at this point, I don't care. I just need to feel human again.

"Even... underwear and a bra?" I ask quietly, embarrassed.

She nods, then stands and gestures for me to follow her.

She leads me downstairs to her room and opens her closet. It's surprisingly neat. She pulls out a pair of black leggings and a soft pink sweatshirt.

"They look expensive," I say.

"They're comfy. Think they'll fit?"

I nod. "Thank you. Really."

"No problem. Now let me grab you a bra and underwear."

She opens a drawer and pulls out a set from a clean box. "Here."

I blink at the bra, then glance at her chest, then back at the bra.

"What?" she laughs, amused.

"I think it's a bit... big."

"I think it'll fit."

I glance down at my chest, then back at the tag. "What size are you?"

She grins. "What size are you?"

I hesitate. No one's ever asked me that before. "Um... 32C."

"Not bad," she winks.

I study the bra—it's push-up. I've always wanted one like this, but my mom said I didn't need to "show off." The tag says 34D. It's not my size, but I'll make it work.

"Thank you again," I say, touched.

"Anytime," she says, then pulls me into a hug.

I freeze for a second before hugging her back. I never expected to make a friend like her. She's nothing like me. I judged her the second I saw the tattoos and eyebrow piercing.

But she's kind. And real.

I hurry upstairs to the bathroom, hoping to avoid anyone else. Inside, I flip on the light and catch my reflection in the mirror. I barely recognize myself.

Dark bags under my eyes. Chapped lips. Hair a mess.

I look... tired. Hollow.

I strip and step into the shower, letting the warm water wash over me like a small mercy. Afterward, I slip into the clothes Alex gave me. The bra isn't as bad as I thought. Not perfect, but it'll do.

I gather my dirty clothes and head out into the hallway.

"Hi!" Alex says, waving.

She's talking to Niall.

"Hi," I reply awkwardly.

"Those clothes look good on you," she says with a grin. "Kinda sexy."

"Thanks," I say, cheeks warming.

I catch Niall sneaking a glance at my chest and quickly look away, blushing. I retreat to my room, toss my dirty clothes on the bed, and rejoin them.

"So," Alex asks, "where are you going after the ship docks, Twi?"

"I'm going to find my parents."

"I hope you do," she says sincerely. Then she turns to Niall. "What about you?"

"I'll probably book a room somewhere. See what happens. Maybe I'll stay in the city."

"And you?" I ask Alex.

"I'll get a hotel room too. Rest up. Then I'm going back to Brazil."

"Oh," I say softly.

"How old are you, Twyla?" she asks suddenly.

"Eighteen," I answer.

Niall snorts. "Really? Based on your behavior, I'm surprised."

I arch a brow. "How old do you think I am, then?"

He shrugs. "I don't know. Fifteen? Something like that."