Pure | Cate Blanchett

Chapter 23

Amanda

I jolt awake when I feel the bed move. I sit up and look next to me. A person with bright orange hair quickly helps me remember the events of the night before.

"I didn't wake you, did I?" They sit up next to me. I smile and shake my head.

"It's fine." I look over at them, "I haven't been in this bed in a couple weeks so I guess I'm just a little jumpy," I slowly get out of bed, picking up the clothes on the floor. I throw mine in the dirty clothes bin and theirs back on the bed.

The conversation lulls for a bit while we both end up getting dressed. I could feel them staring at me, not in a pervy way, but I'm a way that made me stop. They take that chance to voice their thoughts.

"What happened?" I pull a shirt over my head and adjust it. I give them a look of confusion, which they quickly try to clear up.

"Why are you avoiding your bed?" I figured that is what they meant. I stop what I'm doing anyway, looking over at them sitting on the edge of my bed with everything but their shirt on.

"Let's just say I recently went through a breakup..." I throw my messy hair up and out of the way. I look around the room real quick to try and find something to do. I see my black nail polish on my window ledge and decide to paint my nails for once.

I sit on the floor and open the bottle and start the process. They join me on the floor not even a second later. Adjusting so they are sitting, legs crossed, across from me, they sigh.

"I'm guessing it was an important person?" They motion towards the nail polish and I hand it to them. They start to paint their nails with me without hesitation.

"The world," I spit out before I realize it.

"I'm assuming you didn't realize how important they were to you till it was too late?" I nod, blowing on my nails to help them dry faster. I could tell that now that I've started talking, I probably won't stop.

"We were just fuck buddies, nothing more. Then it became more, and she ran away..." I drop my hands in my lap and take a deep breath. I look up and see they are blowing and inspecting their nails now.

"Look, I don't know all the details, but from what you've told me it sounds like she has feelings for you too," they close the polish and place it between us. I feel my head spinning and my thoughts coming together at a million miles an hour.

"How?" I feel stupid for asking honestly.

"You said as soon as it became more, she ran away right?" I nod. "So that means she feels the same way about you and felt the vibe shift. So most likely because of external reasons, she decided to break it off,"

I fall onto my back and place my hands over my face. I hear Royal doing the same thing, but adjusting so they are next to me.

"Does that make sense?" I flub my lips while dragging my hands down my face.

"Too much sense," I answer matter of factly with a tinge of annoyance. "She is married. So it could be her husband... I don't know what else it could be..." it's silent for a second before I hear Royal stifling a chuckle.

"What's so funny?" I question, almost hurt that my problems are funny, they look over at me and I can tell on their face there is a good reason.

"Of course she's married," they slap their hand over their mouth and start laughing. It must be contagious cause I can't help but do the same.

"She's older than me too, by like 22 years," that sends them over the edge with me immediately following.

"I'm sorry," they try and recover, but ultimately fail. "That's just so predictable!"

We end up laughing and venting to each other basically all day. I never thought a one night stand would turn out this way offer then fact, but I am oddly grateful for it.

"Can I ask you a question?" Royal turns to me from looking through my clothes.

"Of course,"

"How would you feel if I asked for your number? Like in a totally non romantic way?" I smiled and stood up. Walking to the bedside table, I take their phone and put my number in.

"I would give it to you," I answer as I sit back down on the bed. They smile and look down towards their feet.

"Honestly, you're the first person who has respected me as an individual. Even after sleeping together and shit," I can't help but want to hug them. Standing up and walking over to them, I stand next to them, but refrain from touching them.

"May I give you a hug?" They nod. I can tell they really just need a friend who will respect them like they deserve. Even in the short time I've known them, I want to befriend them. Show them the world can be kind sometimes.

"Who knew I could gain a friend from a one night stand," I burst out laughing from their comment.

But they're right... I honestly needed a friend too...
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Authors Note:

I kinda like Royal... considering I'm Non-binary too soooo....

Also, how would you guys feel if I was also on ao3? I'm considering being on there too...

Thank you so much for reading!!! Please consider voting and commenting anything...

Love You!!!
-B