Written - 08/04/18
The doorbell rang, sharp and clear. I was aware it was almost 2pm, aware that I should be up and showered and dressed by now.
I buried my head further into my pillow and hoped whoever it was would leave if I ignored them long enough.
I waited a moment and then, being optimistic, choose to believe they had left
Another crisp, shrill ring rang throughout my apartment.
I turned over in my bed, clutching my stomach and groaning.
My hair was a mess, in a low ponytail- if you can even call it that- and I was wearing some old Minnie Mouse pyjamas bottoms and a massive black Hollister hoodie.
I was in no state to see visitors.
Thankfully, from my bedroom window, I can see the front door. If it was someone i didn't like, I'd continue to ignore them and if it was someone I felt comfortable like this, like my mum or best friend, I'd let them in.
I padded across my bedroom and pulled back the curtain. Light filled the room, illuminating the neat, tidy space. I glanced down below, careful not to let the person catch me.
From above I saw a shock of dark, messy hair and skinny jeans.
A goofy smile filled my face.
Me and Blake had been best friends forever. Literally, our parents had been best friends since high school and my mum fell pregnant three months before Soulla did. Okay, so I spent three months without him, but they don't count because I can't remember anything.
I've had feelings for Blake for a while, about 3 years, but have never gotten up the courage to tell him in case I mess up our friendship.
I make my way across the tiny apartment to the front door (the only door but still)
I swing open the front door and moan as the cold air hits me.
"Y/n!!", Blake says, clearly shocked at my appearance.
"You've seen me like this before", I remind him, slightly annoyed.
"Umm yeah, but you were supposed to meet me at my house half an hour ago", he says.
"Ugh I completely forget", I sigh.
"Yeah clearly", he mutters which I choose to ignore.
He steps past me and into the small, narrow hallway. His body presses against mine for a moment and my heart misses a beat, then he moves past and it's gone.
I shut the door behind him and follow him to the kitchen/ living room area.
"I'm really sorry", I apologise, feeling bad for forgetting about him.
"It's fine", he huffs
"Blake please don't be in a mood with me, it just slipped my mind", I beg.
"I'm not mad", he says, though he clearly is.
A small groan escapes my lips and I clutch my stomach again.
"Y/n what's wrong?", Blake panics, his anger evaporating.
"It's just cramps", I say, waving off his panic.
His mouth forms an 'o' ,"sorry", he mumbles, "I didn't mean to get angry"
"It's okay. I'm sorry I forgot about today"
"It's understandable", he says, "how about we forget going out and just have a movie day?", he suggests.
"That sounds perfect"
I go upstairs and grab my duvet and a big, fluffy, grey blanket. Blake makes a massive bowl of salted popcorn and pours us some coke from the fridge.
He says he'll go to the shop and get some more snacks.
While he is gone I make myself a hot water bottle and sit cross legged on the floor in front of my DVD shelf.
When Blake comes back, carrying two big shopping bags, he finds me still sitting there.
"Y/n, what are you doing?", he questions, setting the bags on the floor beside me.
"Trying to pick a film, how much stuff did you buy?", I ask, getting distracted.
"A lot", he laughs, "I figured you could use the chocolate, it always cheers Abbie up"
I smile at his thoughtfulness.
I look back to the dvds, "what about Divergent, I could use some Theo James right now", I say.
"Umm, is that the one with Ansel Elgort in it?", he asks and I nod my head.
"Sure", he agrees.
He puts the DVD in and I rummage through the bags, looking at the mountain of snacks he bought.
"I'll pay you back for this", I promise but he shakes his head
"Don't be silly, I'm cheering you up, it doesn't count if you pay me back"
I pull Doritos, Oreos, Cadburys buttons, Haribo starmix, kit kats and Reeses pieces from the bags and sigh contentedly before sitting on the couch. Blake sits beside me and pulls a blanket over us before also pulling me down onto his chest.
"Thank you", I tell him, my voice only half audible.
"It's okay", he says.
I breathe in his scent and my head swims a little. I have to remind myself that our relationship is purely platonic.
"I love you", I whisper, hoping I mean it as a friend, but knowing I don't.
"I love you too"
I fall asleep before Theo James is even on screen.
Blake wakes me later, gently shaking my shoulders until I resurface into the room. I am instantly aware of his presence and of our close proximity.
"Sorry for waking you", he smiles apologetically, "I am putting on Toy Story and i didn't want you to miss it"
"it's fine, sorry for falling asleep", I say groggily.
"it's okay. I enjoyed the film, I also may or may not have eaten the popcorn, but i saved the rest for Toy Story, I know it's your favourite film"
We both know Blake is the one obsessed with Toy Story, but I pretend along with him that I'm the one who desperately wants to watch it.
I stand from the couch.
"y/n where are you going?", he asks, pulling my hand down in an attempt to reseat me.
I lose my balance and fall onto his chest, my face resting against his steady heartbeat.
"just refilling my hot water bottle", i mumble, breathless from how he makes me feel, "plus somebody ate all the pop corn so now I have to refill it", I tease him playfully.
He pouts, looking adorable.
"I'll do it, you rest", he insists, taking the empty bowl and bottle from my hands.
"You know, I'm not pregnant, or ill, you don't need to fuss", I tell him.
"I know, but I don't think it's fair that you have to go through all this pain, like every single month", he says.
"I wish you were around all the time to look after me", I joke.
"maybe I should move in", he teases back.
"where would you sleep?", i counter, laughing.
"In your bed", he winks.
I know he's only messing, but I go a little crazy all the same, the thought of Blake in my bed.
"While I'm bleeding my insides out", I snort "I don't think so"
Growing up with Blake, we told each other everything, so me talking about periods doesn't bother him, in the same way, he can tell me absolutely anything and I would never judge him.
"Yeah maybe not", he grimaces and we both laugh.
The popcorn dings in the microwave and I grab it and quickly throw the bag into the bowl so I don't burn myself.
I fill my hot water bottle from the kettle and rush over to Blake, he has opened the Oreos and hands me the packet, taking two for himself first.
I press play on the remote and fish an Oreo out of the packet, opening it and licking the middle out.
"You're such a child", Blake laughs.
"Says the one who wanted to watch Toy Story", I tease back.
"I just wanted to cheer you up", he pouts.
"Blake, you just being here cheers me up", I tell him honestly, "and you doing all this for me, it means the world"
"I love you y/n", he says, throwing the blanket around our shoulders before stealing the already licked Oreo and popping it into his mouth.
"I licked that", I point out.
"I love you", he says again, with a mouthful of Oreo.
"I love you too", I say, smiling and grateful to have a friend like Blake, who would do anything for me and is completely and utterly comfortable with me. If we never move further than just friends, maybe I wouldn't mind after all.
"Now be quiet I'm watching the film", he snaps, still smiling.
