Falling For The Enemy

Chapter 40 (The Talk)

I looked up at Steph, my mouth still recovering from the putrid after taste left in my mouth as puke residue. My stomach lurched once again as I took a deep breath of air and washed my hands with soap. After rinsing out with water, Steph's question finally sounded in my head as I came to my senses looking up at her.

'Nothing I just felt sick so I threw up,' I took a towel from nearby and wiped my face then proceeded to walk out of the bathroom. Before I could make my escape from the claustraphobic room a hand blocked my exit from the doorway.

'Seriously is everything okay yeah?' Steph pressed on as I massaged my pounding head trying to comprehend what she was trying to imply.

'Of course everything is fine, I just drank a bottle too much last night and am paying for it with a killer hangover!' I groaned clutching my head and cursing my aloofness.

'Oh right yeah I forgot about that...go rest I'll bring you some water and painkillers,' she sympathised and supported me into the bedroom. I squinted my eyes as she opened the curtains and light rays shot inside, torturing my eyes to a point of exhaustion. Sinking into the bed I felt my stomach lurch again but I ignored the feeling and closed my eyes forgetting about the world surrounding me.Just as I felt my self relax, I felt soft lips on my forehead and instantly recognised the familar musky smell.

'Mmm go away!' I frowned pushing away the figure with both my hands and hearing a stumble and a thump! My eyes instantaneously popped open as they landed on a snivelling Alex splayed across the floor. The image of his cute face contorted into a from brought a smile to my lips. 

'You are so mean in the mornings,' Alex mumbled wobbling to his feet while rubbing his arse with one hand.

'Awahhh I didn't mean it!' I explained myself as a range of expressions passed through his face mostly consisting of confusion.

'Yeah right!' he mumbled turning away and heading for the door.

'Wait!' I shouted quickly as he stopped and gradually spun around to face me and I continued, 'We need to talk...' I finished of in a strong voice as Steph swept into the room with the medicine. Alex's face had contorted to worry as he tried thinking of what I was going to talk about.

'Okay here are the meds if you need anything else just...' Steph's voice faded slowly until she stopped talking and looked between my face and Alex's.

'Um I think I'll give you guys some space...' she trailed off backing out of the room as I gave her a small smile and took the meds quickly. Alex stood still, staring at the sheets on the bed.

'Sit?' I advised as he nodded and nervously sat down on the bed. His eyes avoided mine as I gulped trying to digest the fact I was about to share with him  myself.

'What's wrong?' he questioned in a low voice, finally daring to look up into my eyes. I opened my mouth to speak but closed it again not being able to find the right words.

'I know Alex...' I hurridly blurted out, bracing myself for his reaction.

'What are you talking about?' he asked, gulping down a rock stuck in his throat, constricting his ability to speak. After an awkward silence of us just trying to see within each other, he gave up and averted his gaze, scratching the back of his head.

'You know exactly what I'm talking about..' I whispered, forcing my voice to say strong as tears brimmed the borders of my eyes. The silence was resumed and the silence stayed. In the background the faint chattering and music was errupting from the living room, as I conjured up what was going to be said next.

'Listen Ani..I know it looks bad but-'

'Looks bad? Are you kidding me Alex? How stupid do you thing I am? We aren't talking about the flu...this is...cancer!' I spat out the horrendous word at the end, praying that he would still try to explain it wasn't so bad and we could get past it.