Xavier

73

I collapsed on the bed with a heavy sigh. Finally I was back in my own bed. I'd forgotten how comfortable it was. I'd been sleeping at Xavier's all week and I hadn't realized just how much I missed my own bed.

I rolled over and closed my eyes just as a knock sounded at my bedroom door. "Yes?"

Nadia pushed the door opened but I kept my back towards the door. "Oh you're about to go to sleep. Never mind."

I turned around as she was heading out of the door. "Wait."

"What did you need?" I stopped her.

"I just...I was going to ask if you wanted to go see a movie with me. But you're tired so I'm just gonna go by myself."

I let her walk away and close the door without saying anything. Something about her demeanor and the look in her eyes told me that something was wrong. She was still trying to reach out to me and she had been for weeks now. I know I shouldn't feel bad but in that moment I did.

I hated that even though i was committed to putting my foot down when it came to her, I still wanted to join her. I wanted to make the desolate expression on her face disappear and be replaced with laughter.

I hadn't really realized how much I missed her until now. I feel like there's so much time together that we missed and so many things we just kept to ourselves because we aren't speaking.

I just found out via Instagram that she had started interning for a law firm in the city. I'd been wondering why she was coming home late all the time but never felt it my place to ask.

It was sad to see how our relationship ended up. I told her she'd have to earn it to be my friend again but I never really gave her the opportunity. Maybe I should try.

With the thought in mind I went against my better judgement and grabbed my phone quickly. I shot her a short text asking what she'd planned on seeing.

I'm not sure I was gonna pick something random and see if I like it

I sighed as I reread the message and contemplated my response. I hit the inside of my cheek as I responded with, 'any Room for me to join?'

She replied saying one word.

Always.

I quickly got out of bed and made my self presentable before meeting her at her car in the garage. "You ready?"

"Yep."

We stayed silent as we drove over to the theater and all throughout the movie. I in truth hadn't paid much attention to the random selection of The 355 because I kept lifting my phone to text Xavier.

I kept my brightness on the lowest setting and reduced the white point to avoid distracting other movie goers and to keep prying eyes out of my business.

Nadia seemed a little too engrossed in her light nap than to concern herself with what I was texting. But because I was paranoid I still kept my brightness low, fearing that she was only faking so I wouldn't suspect her reading my texts.

When the movie ended I laughed as I nudged her awake.

"Damn that was good?"

"I Know you're not talking about the movie."

"Nah I meant the nap." She chuckled. I shook my head and we left the theater.

We made it back to her car quietly and not a word was spoken between us until we were halfway home. "How've you been?"

"Really good, you?"

"I've been okay. I started doing therapy. It's a slow start. I shockingly haven't solved all my life problems in two sessions but im working on myself." She shared.

"That's good im happy to hear it."

"Thanks."

Another silenced passed over us.

"So...I know I was joking around the other day but I'd love to hear about whoever it is that you're seeing."

"I mean there's not a whole lot to tell we met on campus. Started talking last semester and now we're official." I shrugged like it was no big deal. It was in fact an extremely big deal.

"What?! You have so much to tell. This is your first relationship since Quincy. I want all the details if you're willing to share. What's he like?"

"He's a sweetheart. Older than me. Gentle, kind, great in bed, good looking...basically everything you could want in a man." I blushed.

"Awww that's so cute."

"Yeah, you won't believe this but he actually taught me how to ride a bike a few weeks ago."

She gasped dramatically. "Shut up! No!"

"Yeah. He put training wheels on an adult bike for me first and then taught me how to ride without them."

"I can see why you're never home. Why don't you ever invite him over?" She asked. "He's umm, he has his own place and we just prefer the privacy."

"Makes sense. I'm going to be gone this weekend so if you want to have him over, you'll have the apartment to yourself from Friday night until Monday night."

"Cool. I might invite him over then." I smiled to myself.

She seemed content with the fact that she was able to get me to speak to her for longer than two minutes. But I hoped she knew it didn't mean we were back to where we started.

When we got home I retired to my room and texted Xavier.

Wanna spend the night at mine this weekend? 👀Roommates gonna be gone all weekend long

He liked my message and sent me a winking emoji. A few seconds later he followed up by saying, 'Sounds like fun.'