The world suddenly came back into existence as I acknowledged the awful throbbing in my head and the nauseous feeling in my stomach. It was almost like I was back at home due to the nice comfy bed I was in, instead of that crummy bunk. I stretched and opened my eyes but gasped at what was in front of me.
Alex was still asleep, shirtless and snoring quality. I wiggled out of the blankets and fell on the floor with a loud thud, trying not to have a panic attack. I was still clothed, even dressed in what I wore at the bar last night, but I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Just how drunk did I get last night? I sat on the floor, hugging my knees for a moment and trying to process everything.
I heard a groan and the shuffling of the blankets before Alex looked over my side of the bed and grinned sleepily at me. “Morning Sunshine.”
“Alex, what’s going on? Did we-?” I asked, stuttering like an idiot.
“Have sex? No. You passed out at the bar last night, so Jack and I carried you back to the hotel, but we didn’t know your room number, so we just put you in here with me,” he explained.
I breathed a sigh of relief, but I still had many questions. “Why are you shirtless?”
“I like to sleep in just a pair of shorts, genius,” he replied jokingly.
“How much did I drink anyway?” I questioned.
“A shot of Jack, a White Russian, and three Cosmopolitans. That’s nothing compared to what Jack and I can put down,” he mentioned.
I put massaged my temples with my fingers, trying to nurse my hangover somehow. “This sucks.”
Alex hopped up from the bed and grabbed a pill bottle out of his suitcase, then went into the bathroom and filled a small paper cup with water. “Here, take this aspirin. It’ll help your head.”
“Thanks,” I said, taking both items graciously. There was a brief silence before anyone spoke. “I think you and I should talk, Alex.”
“Okay. Shoot,” he responded.
“Not now. I mean, we should go for a walk or something and get out of here. Besides, I need to take a shower because I feel disgusting,” I commented.
He laughed. “Fair enough. Go ahead and get in the shower. I’ll find Matt and get your stuff from him.”
“Thank you, Alex,” I replied, rushing to the bathroom. I started the water, undressing quickly and jumping. Warm water poured over me and I sighed with relief, thankful to get the strong smell of alcohol off of me. After a few minutes, I stepped out to find a towel and a change of clothes sitting on the counter, surprising me. I shrugged it off and dressed and headed out.
Alex was sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed in blue jeans, a Glamour Kills t-shirt, and a black beanie. He stood up once I emerged and smiled softly. “There’s a diner a few blocks away from here. I figured we could get breakfast.”
I nodded my head eagerly and we made our way downstairs and out of the hotel, surprisingly without being noticed by any Hustlers. It was silent again for a minute, but I broke it. “So...”
“Why did you drink so much last night?” Alex asked suddenly. “I could tell you didn’t like it.”
I deliberated whether or not to tell him, but I ultimately decided to. I was tired of hiding and pretending I didn’t like him. It was time he knew the truth. I sighed. “I did it for you, Alex.”
“For me? What do you mean?” he questioned.
I stopped walking and turned to face him. “I’m going to be honest; I really like you, okay? Despite the fact that you’ve been a jackass and even though I haven’t known you a week, I’ve managed to get a crush on you. And I don’t care if you don’t feel the same, but you needed to know.”
He looked at me in shock for a moment before a smile crossed his face. “I really like you too, Max. And since we’re being honest, I have something I need to tell you.”
“Then tell me!” I exclaimed.
He took a deep breath. “The other night when I was drunk, and I kissed you...I wasn’t really drunk. I faked it so I could test the waters and see what it would be like.”
I gaped at him, my happiness fading into boiling hot anger all too quickly. “WHAT THE FUCK? You tricked me?!”
He was taken aback by my response. “Yeah...but I did it because I like you!”
“You are fucking ridiculous. Is that what you do, fool girls into liking you?!” I questioned.
My words struck a chord with him, because he got mad too. “At least try to talk to people instead of keeping my nose in a book all the fucking time!”
“For your information, I do interact with people, and apparently in a better way than you do. Besides, I actually have some intellect,” I retorted.
“Oh yeah, because you’re such a genius. Just because you know the meaning of a few different words doesn’t mean you’re all that smart,” he shouted.
“Well now I’m not because you made drink all that stupid alcohol last night,” I mentioned.
“You brought that upon yourself, princess,” he responded, getting up in my face.
“Asshole,” I said.
“Bitch,” he stated.
Before I knew what I was doing I slammed my lips into his in a ferocious kiss. My anger melted away as he kissed me back, and I threw my arms around his neck while he pulled me closer. I could hear the sound of passing cars, but as far as I was concerned, time had completely stopped, leaving me and Alex intertwined. It would’ve lasted forever if we didn’t have to breathe.
I pulled away, pressing my forehead to his and grinning. “Alex gaskarth, will you be my boyfriend?”
“Even though I tricked you?” He asked, and I nodded. “I will be as long as you’ll be my girlfriend, Maxine.”
“Call me Max,” I replied, and we kissed again, but slower and sweeter this time.
We pulled away and finished walking to the diner, hand in hand. My heart would not stop fluttering, even after we had sat down. Just the thought of now being with Alex made me go all crazy. While eating, we decided not to tell anybody about our new relationship for the time being, making sure that we were going to work first. I wondered how we’d keep it a secret. I could see us sneaking kisses before going to sleep and winking at each other when no one else was looking. I smiled again, excited for all that was about to come, especially with Alex by my side.

Notes

This is easily the longest chapter yet! I hope you enjoyed and that you're as excited as I am! :D