Flatmates

12

'Alex? Whats wrong?' It barely comes out as a whisper as I try to wake up.

'I.. I don't know..' he whispers back.

I drag myself into a sitting position and pat the bed beside me, motioning for his to come and sit down. When I glance at my alarm clock I see that it is four in the morning, too early to be awake.

'I.. I can't sleep.. and when I try.. I just..' Alex's voice breaks as he tries to speak. I can barely see him in the darkness, but I see him wipe his arm across his eyes. 'I don't want to be alone' he finally manages.

'Hey, come here' I open my arms and pull him against me, feeling his wet cheeks on my neck as I do so. 'You don't need to talk if you don't want to' I whisper, one hand on the back of his head, the other gently rubbing his back. I could feel his body shake as he cried into my shoulder, his grip getting tighter. I have no clue what is going on, I just know I want to make this better for him. I would do anything to make him feel better.

After about twenty minutes the shaking stops, and his breathing begins to slow. I adjust him slightly so I can slide back down onto the bed, pulling him gently with me. Not wanting to let him go. He slides down too, and I just lay there on my side, Alex's face tucked into neck, both arms wrapped tightly around him.

***

'Jess, you coming to Will's?' I wake up suddenly to see George stood in my doorway. 'Oh.. never mind' he winks, turning and walking straight back out of the door. I grab my phone from the bedside table and text him, letting him know it is not what he thinks.

I feel Alex begin to stir, probably a mixture of George's brief visit and me moving to get my phone.

'Hey Mr, you feeling any better?' I ask, still in the same position we were in when we fell asleep.

He pulled away from my neck slowly, resting his head on the pillow before speaking. 'I'm sorry Jess' he whispered, his eyes still red.

'You have nothing to be sorry for, you hear me?' I ask before adding 'I am always here Alex, anytime you need me. I promise.'

Alex didn't say a word, just wrapped his arm back around me and pulling me close, burying his face back into my neck. I wrapped my arm back over him and held him tight too, never wanting to let go.

***

'We should probably get up and shower and stuff' Alex mumbled into my neck a few hours later. 'I have been in these clothes a solid twenty-four hours now' he adds, making no attempt to move.

'Can't we just stay here and pretend we aren't adults?' I groan, not wanting to move.

'You need to get those orders packaged Mrs' Alex whispers, pushing me slightly to try and get me move. 'And I need to go shower. I can help if you want?' he asks as he pulls himself up from the bed.

Damn he looked good with morning hair.

'Okay okay, I am getting up' I laugh, throwing the duvet back and trying to stand. 'But I will take you up on the help' I laugh, throwing a pillow in Alex's direction as he leaves my room.