Dixison: Roommates

Under the Night Sky

Addison's POV

I sat on the back porch, gazing out at our backyard as the patio lights danced across the pool.

It was Friday—the first time I had gone outside this week.

The warm summer air felt good against my neck, all traces of last week wiped away with time passed.

I looked down at my cup. Chase had made me a screwdriver, filling up the red plastic with vodka and orange juice.

Well—technically he had made me three screwdrivers, and I was about to finish the remainder of the third.

It was 10 PM and all of my friends were inside, playing Never Have I Ever in the living room. I had passed them on the way out the door, Charli watching me closely and Dixie nowhere in sight.

I was drunk—really drunk. I hadn't consumed alcohol in over a year, but tonight was a special occasion. 

The occasion? It had been a week since I had last kissed Dixie. So cheers to drinking away my sorrows.

I heard the back door creak open and the screen swing closed.

"I'm ready for another one, Chase,"  I said, lifting my empty cup into the air.

"I thought you didn't drink,"  a voice behind me said—the voice I had been hearing in my dreams, one that I recognized instantly, despite my drunken state. 

"It's a special occasion," I stated, reiterating the thoughts that had wandered into my inebriated mind.

She sat down next to me on the porch, leaving a wide space between us.

I rested my chin on my shoulder, looking at her side profile.

Oh my God, I had missed her. Look how gorgeous she is. 

"Where have you been?"

"In my room," I laughed, lying back on the porch, my head feeling heavy.

She looked down at me, eyes scanning mine.

"I talked to Avani. She promised me she would never tell anyone."

"Tell anyone what?"  My brain had cleared itself of any thoughts, the alcohol numbing my fingers and face.

"About—the hickey, or about—I don't know," she tugged on her fingers, visibly uncomfortable.

I hiccupped. "About us being bestest friends," I laughed.

"I thought we coined best best friends, but okay," she watched me, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Oh yeah," I giggled. "I think I'm drunk."

"I think so too,"  her smile widened.

"So you're not mad at me anymore?"

The smile disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. "I was never mad at you, Adds,"  she said seriously.

Fuck, I had missed hearing her call me that.

"Then why did you leave me?" I slurred, heart beginning to beat uncomfortably in my chest.

Oh no, I thought. I knew that feeling. That feeling was the prequel to the waterworks.

"I think—I think you broke my heart," she choked out a humorless laugh.

My head pounded, eyes closing tight. 

Tears rolled out of the sides of my eyes, my chest rising and falling in quick movements.

"Please don't cry," she sighed, her hand reaching out to touch me, but retreating when she realized what she was doing.

But all I could do was cry. I had broken Dixie's heart and I had broken my own. There was nothing left to do but sob.

"I hate this,"  I cried. "I miss you."

Dixie's POV

I miss you too, I thought, terribly.

"Come on, don't cry," I said again wearily, wanting nothing more than to wipe the tears from her cheeks and pull her into a hug.

She sat up, chest heaving from the continued sobs.

"I want you to come back to our room. Please come back," she wailed, and I couldn't resist.

I stood up, pulling her up from the porch and letting her collapse into my arms. 

"Please,"  she cried. "Tonight."

"Okay,"  I said, knowing I was making a huge mistake.

We stood there, under the dark night sky, in the same spot we had been in before—nothing resolved, but the question remaining—How would we ever let each other go?