So Long Soldier

He came back every day that week. He waited until I finished my shifts and had coffee with me. I didn't know what it was, but I didn't mind it.

"You're in a good mood again?" Mom said as I got home late after a Friday night shift.
"Yeah. I am," I said with a grin on my face.
"Would this have anything to do with that guy?"
"He's not just a guy, Mom, his name's Alex. But yeah, he's my friend. I like him... Now if you don't mind, I'm freaking tired. I don't have to work this weekend!" I fist pumped the air as I walked into my tiny bedroom and fell face down onto the bed.

-

I groaned as my phone woke me up. I grabbed it off the bedside table and answered it, not even bothering to check the caller ID. "Hello?"
"Nebraska, hey!"
"Alex?" I sat up and yawned. "Shit dude, what time is it?"
"Uh, like 1 in the afternoon... Did I wake you up?"
"Maybe..."
He laughed at me down the phone. "Sorry. Look, I was just wondering if you want to come a party with me tonight?"
"Uh... Yeah sure." I hadn't been to a party in ages.
"Cool. I'll pick you up at 9?"
"Sounds good. See you then."
I hung up and swore as I rolled out of bed.

-

"Nebraska?!" My Mom called from the kitchen.
"Yeah?!"
"I have an art exhibition tonight, I won't be home until tomorrow afternoon okay?"
"Okay Mom," I said as I walked out of the bathroom in a towel. "Have a good time."
"You too. Be safe at that party."
"I'm 21, I think I can take care of myself!"
"I know." She gave me a huge hug and kissed me on the cheek. "Love you."
"Love you too Ma," I said as she closed the door behind her, leaving me alone.

It was only 8pm so I made my way to my bedroom and inspected the final outfit I had decided on, laid out on my bed and changed around multiple times that afternoon. I slipped into the plain black pair of panties and bra and semi see-through black stockings. I put on the huge oversized grey singlet that fell mid thigh. I sat crossed legged on the floor and did my make-up carefully and let my long, brown hair fall lazily over my shoulders. By the time I looked at the clock again it was quarter to 9 so I put on my combat boots and a long denim shirt over the top of my singlet. There was a knock at the door and I rushed over, opening it to find Alex.
"Wow..." He bit his lip.
I blushed. "Is it cold outside?" He nodded. "I'll get another jacket then." I grabbed my heavy khaki parka off the hook and my phone off the bench and hurried back to the door, Alex still standing there shell shocked. "Alex? Are we going?"
"Um... Yeah. Yep, let's go." He snapped back into reality and lead me down the stairs, butterflies in my stomach.

-

By the time we got to the party, the music was pumping and people were already drunk, happily dancing and chatting. I bit my lip as Alex grabbed my hand and lead me through the crowd.
"Jack!" He yelled over the music. I recognised Jack Barakat as he bounced his way over from across the room.
"Alex!" He gave him a high-five. Alex was right, he was like a big kid.
"This is Nebraska," Alex shouted.
"Are y-"
"No, she's not from Nebraska!" He yelled at Jack before he could ask the question that everyone asked when they met me for the first time.
"Well, nice to finally meet you. Alex has been going on about you the whole week!" Jack blurted out. Alex punched him hard in the arm. Jack smirked at his efforts but rubbed his arm.
"I'm going to go and get drinks. Jack you can introduce Neb to Zack and Rian if you can find them."
"Neb?" I said slyly to Alex.
"Well..."
"I like it," I said. He half smiled at me then turned and disappeared into the crowd.
I turned to Jack. "Has he really been talking about me all week?" I said shyly.
"Why do you think he punched me?" He laughed and I followed him to wherever Zack and Rian were.

-

Alex's POV

It was 3 in the morning when Nebraska pulled me out of the steamy, crowded house into the cold air. I smiled as her laugh filled the night.
"Lets go back to mine, I have the apartment to myself tonight," she said to me quietly. She tried to drag me further but slipped on the icy ground, her footing already dodgy due to the amount of alcohol we'd consumed...
I caught her and held her tight, her face only centimetres from mine. I stared into her eyes for a moment, everything still, in slow motion. But a smile crept onto her face and she burst into a fit of giggles and broke away from me. We ran the few streets back to her apartment, our lungs burning from the cold air. We paused for a moment at the bottom of the stairwell that lead to her floor. Nebraska smiled a cheeky grin and took my hand, towing me up the stairs. I pinned her back to the door, our hot breath fogging up the air. My face was so close to hers yet again. I just wanted her. All of her. Yet she wasn't letting me, just teasing. She wriggled out of my grasp and unlocked the door. We burst in and I closed the door behind me. We took our jackets off, heat radiating from our bodies. Nebraska pulled me towards her bedroom where finally our lips met.

Notes