Habits Of My Heart

Part 7

We Get High

I stare at Alex with a grin on my face as I hold up the bag with molly in it. It's crazy how it's just passed around for free. I question his stance on drugs. Is he a rebel or does he follow in the footsteps of his dad and abide by the law?

Alex inhales deeply and stares at the bag questionably. I start to think its the second option.

"Only if you want to" I add.

"Ok. I'm down."

I'm slightly surprised but incredibly pleased at Alex's acceptance. He runs his palms on his jeans and I can tell he's nervous. I ask him again if he's sure and he nods. I wonder if this is his first time.

I pull out both of the white pills and place one in Alex's hand. He looks back up at me and grins.

"Someone's excited."

I give him a nod and we simultaneously tilt our heads back and take it.

As my head tilts back forward I catch Alex's eyes and we both giggle. 4 hours and were already doing drugs together. If that's not what a strong friendship is built on I dont what is.

The wind blows and sends a shiver down my spine, I did not realise how fucking cold it was until now. I guess staying out until gone 3am on an autumn night isn't that good of an idea. I seem to have a telepathic connection with Alex as he asks me,

"Are you cold?"

I look back towards him and nod whilst harshly breathing in through my teeth while rubbing my hands over my arms.

Without speaking, Alex stands as I push myself up on the ground. My jeans are still wet from laying on the freshly watered grass earlier which aids my low temperature.

Before we start to head to Alex's apartment, he gently pulls me towards him and hugs me from behind. In an effort to warm me up he rubs his hands on my arms which actually manages to work a little.

I still can't seem to explain the connection that I feel with Alex. Every time we make physical contact my entire body seems to focus on that one burning area where we're touching. It brings me some weird sort of satisfaction, like the fire inside of me is being lit up again.

We start to head back as Alex's arm is still around me, gripping lightly onto my shoulder. Around 5 minutes later we arrive at an apartment block.

As soon as we step through the automatic doors in greeted by a gust of warm air from above me, causing my goosebumps to partially fade.

Alex leads me through the lobby and into an elevator. Without thinking I turn to Alex and pull him into a tight hug. My heartbeat begins to quicken until Alex wraps his arms around me tightly.

I let out a sigh and lean on Alex's shoulder. Everything seems so surreal, I feel at peace, here in Alex's arms. I close my eyes for a moment as I feel Alex lean his head on mine.

I'm snapped out of my trance as I hear the elevator ding. I turn around and we stumble out together.

Alex takes about 4 tries to get his key into the door whilst I'm standing there, pissing my pants, trying to keep quiet and not set off Alex's neighbours.

After Alex finally gets the key into the door, he pulls me through and I immediately need to pee, trying to suppress my laughter has managed to make me really need to pee.

"Where's your bathroom?" I ask, panting after that fit of laughter.

"It's down there, the second door on the left."

I stand there confused for a second, Alex just spoke too many words and I don't know what any of them mean.

Alex chuckles at my stupidity and takes me down a corridor. I take a moment to turn around and look at how fucking massive this place is. The kitchen is the first thing you walk into, there's a marble counter and 4 stools next to another counter with a huge ass oven and a few cupboards and draws. The dishwasher, washing mashine and dryer are neatly tucked under the counter. Above the table there's 2 lamps emitting a low glow of light, it must be adjustable.

On the opposite side of the apartment, there's a sofa and a television with a recliner directly in front of it. The decoration here is aesthetically minimalistic and tidy and I love it.

Alex continues to lead me down the corridor and shows me the bathroom. I wonder what the other 4 are. I turn to see Alex go back to the kitchen as I walk into the bathroom.

Everything here is so large and extravagant. The sink is made out of marble and the shower head hangs off the middle of the shower cubicle, closed off with a sliding door. I sit down on the toilet as I hear quiet music start playing in the kitchen.

Now playing: Childs play by SZA and Chance The Rapper.

At least he's got good music taste. The soap in the bathroom has a rich scent of coconuts and I love it, it starts to sting on my knuckles as I realise they're bloody and bruised. I quickly rinse my shakey hands as I stare at my reflection in the mirror.

I'm surprised to see a smile of my face, how long has that been there for? As shocked as I am to see that smile I can't seem to get rid of it. Memories from earlier start to flood back into my head.

The garden, Alex carrying me away, waking up in the bathroom, hitting the creep, Alex falling over, the park, the molly, the elevator.

I remember Alex's bruised face so I grab a towel and head back to the kitchen, Alex is leaning against the sink with a glass of water in his hands. The dried blood on his face makes my chest hurt a little.

The tap begins to run as I place the towel in the cool water. Alex brings  one of the stools over to the sink after I tell him to sit.