Ethereal Love

Just Add Alcohol (pt.2)

Nini woke up the next morning with a pounding headache and no memory of anything after about halfway through the party. She rolled over in bed, reaching out to grab her phone, and panicked when there was no table beside her bed. Eyes opening, she gasped and sat up in the bed, confused. She sighed in relief when she realised that she was alone in bed, and she was still wearing underwear and a top. And she still felt like a virgin, which is always a good sign.

Looking around, she noticed another bed opposite the one she was on. There was a human-shaped lump under the cover, but whoever it was, their head was covered so she had no idea who it was. Any normal person would look around, try to figure out who it was from their belongings. But no. Nini, being Nini, decided to get out of the bed, creep over to the other bed, and poke the lump. Whoever it was grunted, but didn't wake up. Frowning, she poked them again. A hand reached out to swat her away and she laughed, ducking. She then poked the form one final time, much harder, and Ricky shot up out of bed, eyes wide, making a strange sound halfway between a squeal and a shout. Nini stumbled back, surprised to see him, and almost fell over.

"Ricky?" she gasped, shocked. He smiled weakly, rubbing his face with his hands and reaching for a pair of glasses on his dresser.

"Hey Nini. You feeling okay?" he asked. She scowled.

"What the hell am I doing here? What did you do?" she asked. He rolled his eyes.

"Good to see you're back."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. Look, we all got drunk last night and I found you about to go for a swim in the lake." He said.

"Sharks." She muttered, flashes of memories coming back to her. He chuckled softly, and then cleared his throat.

"Yeah, and then you told me that there was Gina all over your bed and vomit on your floor."

"Oh God, don't tell Gina I confused her with vomit, she'll murder me." She groaned. He nodded in agreement, before continuing.

"Yeah... so anyway, you didn't wanna sleep on the porch so I said you could have the spare bed in my cabin." He finished his explanation. She looked suspicious for a second, searching his expression for any hint of a lie, but must have decided he was telling the truth because she smiled a little apologetically.

"So, completely innocent, yeah? You were simply being a gentleman?" she asked. He nodded, and she relaxed, looking down in embarrassment. Then she frowned.

"So why am I in my underwear?" she asked.

"Well, you took your sweats off to go for a swim and I guess I forgot to pick them up for you."

"Oh, okay. Um...how am I gonna get back to my cabin in just this without arousing suspicion?" she asked.

"Suspicion wouldn't be the only thing you 'aroused'." He said, without thinking. She laughed, rolling her eyes, but her cheeks were a little warm.

"God, you're such a guy." She muttered. He shrugged, face reddening slightly.

"Sorry, that just slipped out. Do you, uh... wanna borrow some sweats?" he offered. She shrugged.

"Wouldn't that look just as suspicious?" she asked. He nodded.

"Well yeah, but if it's a choice between doing the supposed 'walk of shame' in your underwear and doing it in my sweats..."

"Sweats, please." She said hurriedly. He nodded.

"Thought so."

"Look, thanks for everything, but this doesn't change anything. I still don't like you, and you still don't like me, right?" she asked as she pulled on his sweats, trying not to stare at him. He'd gotten out of bed and Nini had discovered that Ricky Bowen sleeps in tight black boxers. And he has a really nice body.

"Yeah, whatever." He dismissed it with a wave. She nodded, but couldn't help feeling a little disappointment at how easily he agreed with that.

"Okay, well...I guess I'm going. I'll give you these back at some point."

"Don't worry about it, they're too small anyway." He shrugged. She nodded, face twisted in a confused frown.

"Right...bye." She muttered, averting her eyes as he stretched.

"Bye."

And then she left.
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Sorry about the short chapter 😬