Just Friends - Short Story

5

My hands wrapped around your stick shift

Swerving on the 405, I can never keep my eyes off this

My neck, the feeling of your soft lips

Illuminated in the light, bouncing off the exit signs I missed

~ Drive

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{ N I K K I }

I wake up to the feeling of gravel under a car. My eyes slowly flutter as I take in my surroundings.

"Hey sleepyhead." Eric smiled at me and I looked to my left towards him, flipping him off. "Fuck off." I mumble, causing him to chuckle. "Shut the fuck up. Where are we?"

"Pulling up to the apartments. We left the party since you fell asleep." Eric shrugged.

Everything came back to me about the party that we had been at a half our before. "I was out that quick?" I sigh as I sit up and stretch. 

Eric pulled up and we both got out of the car, trudging up to the apartment. Eric opened the door, I walked to my room ready to sleep, but knew I had to take a shower first.

I turn on the water, then leave the bathroom to lay out my pajamas. I put a giant t-shirt that I had stole from Eric, and sweatpants that I also stole from him, but don't judge me because they are so fucking comfortable.

I walk back into my bathroom and undress myself before entering the shower. I run my hands over my body, the hot water dripping down it like a cleansing sweat. I use the body wash, then wash my hair. I stayed in the hot water for a few minutes before getting out of the shower.

I wrap the towel around my body, and exit my bathroom, heading to where I had my clothes laid out. I put on the t-shirt then let the towel drop from under it before putting on underwear and the sweatpants.

Before laying down, I decide to go over to Eric's room to say goodnight, well morning. I didn't see him so I went and laid down on his bed, then got under his covers, covering myself in his scent.

He came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, but my back was facing him so he thought I was asleep. He walked to his dresser which was the area where I would be able to see him. I watched his back muscles as he dropped his towel and put on boxers and sweatpants, not caring about putting a shirt on. Once he turned around he finally realized that I was there, and I tried to close my eyes acting asleep, but I was too late.

"I know you're awake Nik." Eric said as he turned off his light, then came into his bed. I sighed and opened my eyes as we both scooted closer to each other for warmth in his frozen room. "You caught me." I sigh, "but why aren't you wearing a shirt? It's freezing in here."

Eric shrugged and wrapped his arm around me to pull me closer as if I was his blanket. I happily moved closer, putting my head and hand on his chest, blush was creeping up on my cheeks so I was so glad he couldn't see me.

"Goodnight Nik." Eric mumbled, but he didn't have any tiredness in his voice.

"Night." I bite my lip. It wasn't the first time we had fallen asleep like this. "Wait, I have a question." I sigh and look up at him. He rose an eyebrow at me. "Which girl did you kiss tonight?" I noticed a hint of jealousy in my voice, but I tried to hide it.

"I didn't kiss anyone." Eric shrugged. "Everyone noticed that I should take you home before I could kiss anyone."

I bit lip and sat up, putting my head on his shoulder since it was easier to talk to him that way. "Who were you going to kiss?"

Eric sighed. "Don't get mad." I gave him a confused look, looking up at him. "Why would I get mad? We are friends with everyone there, and it was a dare anyways." I shrug. "Now who were you going to ki--" I got cut off my the feeling of his soft lips against mine. It took me a moment to register what was going on, but then I closed my eyes and kissed back.

We stayed there for a few seconds before pulling apart and looking at each other.

"That didn't seem like a friendly kiss." I bit my lip and looked down. "It felt more than friendly." I said quieter.

"That's cause it wasn't a friendly kiss. You said that 'in the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take.' and I knew that I would always regret it if I never did that. I mean, I actually fell for you before I even realized it.  I started realizing it when you had boyfriends over and were all flirty and kissy and I just wanted that to be the guy with you, and now I'm ranting so please do or say someth--" It was my turn to cut him off.

I latched my lips back onto his gently, one of my hands wrapping around the back of his neck, the other cupping his cheek. He kissed back just as gently, and our lips started to move against each other's in sync.

Eric moved his hands to my waist, and pulled me onto his lap, deepening the kiss a tiny bit.

I pulled away needing air, but our foreheads rested against each other's. "Don't worry." I smile sheepishly. "I feel the exact same way." I peck lips then get off of his lap to get back into the position with my head on his chest along with my hand. I closed my eyes.

"Goodnight." We whisper to each other at the same time as we fall into a peaceful sleep.

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(999 Words)