The Draw

3

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*****

For Stacey, things never really felt the same again. Nothing had actually happened between them, she could barely remember what they'd done or spoken about that night. But the feeling of being so close to him as they slept had stayed with her. His warmth, his smell, his snoring. Neither had mentioned it the next morning during their horrendous hangovers or even in the days or weeks after. Could it have been her imagination that he was a little more gentle with her now? He was less cheeky, more considerate. Certainly better around the house with his chores. But that could simply have been because he was trying to locate all his clothes before he packed for his big month long trip to America to finally record that album.

She tried her best to carry on as normal. She didn't want anything to change. She wanted to keep her best friend and not confuse any stupid drunken feelings with possibly, maybe falling for him. Because that wasn't happening here, was it? You don't live with a man for a year before falling in love. If it was love, it would've happened right away, the day he moved in. That's what happened in all the films and the love songs. Not 12 months down the line. And not because he held your hand while you slept. 'I need to stop reading romantic novels.' She mussed to herself.

'Huh?' Dan said. He'd been sat with his guitar and jotting down lyrics while she absentmindedly stared at him.

'I need a new book.' Nice save, she thought.

'Ive got something better.' He handed her his notepad. She'd never really paid attention to what he was writing before. She'd been interested to see what he was coming up with, but had never sat and watched him at work. 'So, that one I'm doing here, I think could be our first single.'

She skimmed the lyrics, it seemed like a really sweet song. He'd scribbled 'Overjoyed' at the top. As she read, he played a few keys on the guitar.

'Its good Dan, really good. Im so proud of you, you know.' She saw him blush slightly. He was always genuinely modest. He did lack confidence in himself but the few times she'd seen him singing away to himself, that melted away. He could be two different people. There was the quiet, thoughtful shy Dan. Then there was the real Dan that she knew, who liked to take the piss out of her and be incredibly loud and annoying.

He hadn't replied to what she'd said. He had just sat there, looking at her. After a few moments she felt uncomfortable.

'What?' She asked. Was there something on her face? He continued to stare. Was he having some sort of fit? 'Dan, what! It's not funny. Stop looking at me!' The corners of his mouth lifted into a teeny smile. 'Oh my God, what!?' She waved a hand in front of his face before covering his eyes with her palm. 'You're so annoying.' She giggled. Now he was laughing too. He took her wrist and moved her hand away from his eyes. Her heart pounded in her chest. What was he doing? She wasn't imagining this, he was being very odd. She didn't quite know what to do or so say next, but she did want this, whatever 'this' was, to end.

'Right. Dinner. Let me see what to cook.' She pulled her arm free, dived up and skipped into the kitchen, trying her hardest to act nonchalant. She opened the fridge and put her head right in there, closed her eyes and sighed. What on earth was going on? Probably nothing but her brain making a mountain of a mole hill. Would she have felt uncomfortable if he'd done that a few weeks ago? No. Because they we're simply friends. And not even out of choice, friends. She needed the rent paying and he needed a house. Simple as that.

'You can't cook, remember.' He'd entered the kitchen.

'I use the word 'cook' in a loosest of terms. We have cheese, bread and a grill.' He sat down at the island, which for once was cleared of rubble.

'Are you alright? You've been acting a bit...off.'

'Im fine.' She said immediately.

'If this is about what happened at the house party last month-'

'That? Gosh no, that was nothing. Don't worry. I'm just struggling with work and school and stuff.' Even she didn't believe what was spilling out of her mouth right now. But Dan seemed to swallow it.

'Good. Cool. Cos you know, we were both drunk, tired and cold, that's all. I hope I didn't...' He trailed off. She could see his cheeks turn ever so slightly crimson.

'Its fine, promise.' She half patted, rubbed his shoulder. 'Cheese on toast then?'

'Yes please chef.'