Late Nights

Pillow Forts

My mouth is open slightly, and I turn to my left. An unfamiliar clock is beeping, and the numbers 11:00 are displayed on the screen. Memories of the past night come flooding back to me, and I remember everything. I turn my head, and notice I'm alone in Aaron's bed. I stand up, and my head feels fuzzy. I feel absolutely exhausted, my body plagued with fatigue, probably due to the fact I only got a few hours sleep.

I shake my head slightly and walk through the house. I realise that Aaron isn't home, and I decide to wash off. As soon as I walk into the bathroom, I notice the shower. It is at least twice the size of my car, and twice as tall as me. As soon as the cool water begins running down my back, I am more awake. Just as I get comfortable, I hear three knocks on the apartment door. I sigh, and step out of the shower, pulling a towel around my waist.

Aaron steps through the door once I've unlock it.

"Forgot my keys." He explains. He eyes my towel and my wet hair.

"Sorry, were you having a shower?" He asks. I nod my head in response.

"Should I get changed?" I ask him, realising I'm in his apartment completely unclothed besides the white towel around my waist. He shakes his head in reply, and he walks into his apartment.

"Hey Maxi, I thought ma- what's that?" He inquires. I turn around, and I see the pillow fort I made last night after Aaron had gone to bed, with his pillows and blankets.

"I um, made it for my cat." I tell him, my face red. He chuckles.

"Glenn, you are in my apartment, and you don't have a cat." He reminds me. I struggle to find words.

"You know, I used to love making pillow forts. They're so comfortable, especially great to watch Anchorman in." He says, eyeing the open DVD case on the floor next to the popcorn.

"Really?" I ask him.

"Not for 18 years." He laughs at me. I roll my eyes, and shove his shoulder, playfully. He walks towards the pillow fort, and begins inspecting it, muttering inaudibly.

"I think this makes up for you walking in on me dancing yesterday. Why don't I test it?" He asks me. He shuffles inside, and motions for me to sit next to him. I laugh, and enter the fort.

"Tell me Glenn. How old are you?" Aaron asks me, jokingly.

"27." I reply, shamefully. He pokes me in the side and I laugh falling backwards, but I quickly remember that I'm only wearing a towel. I straighten it on my waist, and sit back up.

"Why don't I put on a movie?" He offers.

"Aaron, we have a team meeting starting in a few minutes." I reason. He shrugs.

"Not important right now. Let's go with Grease." Grease has always been my favourite. I'm secretly pleased he chose it, but I don't let it on. As soon as the movie comes on, the room feels weird, but we sing all the same.

My favourite part is coming up, and I turn to Aaron to let him know, but as soon as I see his face, my heart comes to a stop. He's been crying.

"Aaron?" I ask. He turns away, and coughs. I shake him slightly, and he turns back to me.

"It's just, last time I watched this movie, it was with Amy." He stutters, reminding himself of his ex-girlfriend. My heart drops.

"Look, I'm not in love with her. I never really was. I do care for her a lot, but that's not the point. What I'm trying to say is, last time I watched this, she was with me, and I miss her. I just, I'm not sure why this is getting to me. It's stupid, I just wish there were someone with me right now that really loved me." He finishes. Tension fills the room after the last comment. I'm not sure what to say to that. I'm not sure what to say to him at all. He turns towards me; his face is red and tear streaked. My mind is racing. I want to help him.

"Listen, I'm sorry Glenn. I ju-" whatever he is saying is completely cut off, as I lean in, close my eyes, and plant my lips on his. His lips melt into mine perfectly, his face suddenly softening. He pulls away, and holds onto me. His hands grip my bare back, with great force, and he rests his head on my shoulder. When he pulls back, my favourite part of the movie has passed, but I don't really care.

He pulls my face back, and he kisses me softly again. I can feel him smiling against my cheek as we separate, and it makes me glad to know that he's happy. Aaron starts laughing to himself.

"What's up? Do I have something in my teeth?" I ask him

"No Glenn, I'm just surprised. I thought you might have been a little drunk last night, and what we did wasn't real but, I feel better about it now." I smile at him and shake my head slightly, to let him know that it was real.

"I should go Aaron. It was really nice seeing you today, and I can't wait for tonight. " I tell him

"What are we doing tonight?" He asks me.

"Well, we're going to dinner! I tell him.

"Just make sure you're, well, actually dressed." He eyes my towel again. It has slipped past my hips, and considerably loosened. My face goes red as I pull it back up to my waist.

"I'll see you later tonight." I tell him, smiling to myself. He nods, and I make my way out of his apartment. As soon as my car starts I miss him. I drive away, flooding with memories of the past 12 hours.

(written by Diana)