The Boy Next Door

I've never had a boy up in my room before. Never in a million years I thought of seeing Alex in my room. At 3 in the morning. And him, drunk.

But it all seems real enough now, for now he is standing in the middle of my room, his eyes observing every corner.

I take a seat on the edge of my bed to hide my nervousness. A girl's room tells so much about the owner, and he is reading it. His hands slowly travel along the drawings I'd taped on the walls.

"Anger. Hatred and frustration." He says, breaking the awkward silence around us

I look at what he refers to, a painting I made a while ago. I try not to look surprised, how'd he know? Most people don't take a second look of my drawings and just go with it. Yet there he is now just casually translating my visual diary.

"They're nothing."

"And this one.. Joy? Happiness?" He continues

"Can we not focus on that, please?" I say

To my surprise, he stops looking around and leans against the desk. Not so typical of him to obey this time. He takes his suit off and rests it on the chair. And we're back to awkward silence.

"I didn't see you at Homecoming." I break the silence

"I know, we ditched it. Me and my friends."

"Why?"

"We're too cool for homecoming." He smirks. That annoying smirk of his.

Typical Alex.

"What was that about?" I ask

"What was what about?" He returns my question

I hesitate for a second, "You.. And your mom."

"I don't wanna talk about it." He says sharply

Okay, I basically just invited him to my room when he had nowhere to go. And all I get is 'I don't wanna talk about it.'

He lets out a huge sigh, "Well, I do actually want to talk about it."

"I came home drunk past my curfew, it wasn't the first time. They found out that I'd ditched homecoming and drank all night instead. I was just so pissed, they always treat me like I'm a baby." He admits

"Maybe they're just trying to protect you." I suggest

He mutters under his breath, "All of this wouldn't have happened if it hadn't been because of him.."

"If it hadn't been for what?"

Instead of answering, he moves towards me and reaches for my still wet hair. I flinch at how close he is to me, out face just inches apart. I could even smell his breath that reeks of alcohol he'd been drinking.

"You cut your hair. You look.. Different." He whispers in my ears

"I did," I manage to say calmly

"I've never realized how warm the colour of your eyes are."

I'm gripping the bed sheet to keep me from shaking vigorously, as his left hand gently caresses my cheek. His fingertips are calloused, it must be from playing guitar. It sends shiver down my spine, there's just something about his touch. But I don't stop him.

He suddenly blinks his eyes a couple of times and stands up straight.

"Hell, I didn't know what I was doing. I'm fucking drunk off my ass right now." He laughs

"Yeah, of course you are." I cover a laugh

Alex points over my shoulder, "Do you play?"

I turn to where he's pointing, at my father's guitar. He takes the guitar and strums the strings which make a raspy sound.

"No, it was a gift." I answer

"This is a really good guitar. A gibson. It shouldn't be laying around collecting dust in the corner. Only the strings need to be changed, otherwise it's perfect." He says

"I don't even know a single key." I admit

"I can ask Jack to teach you, he's a pro." He offers

"Thank you, but no. I'm not much of a musician." I say

"But you have to!" He says in a rather forcing tone

I flinch,"Damn, Alex! Why the hell does it matter so much to you?"

"You just.. You just have to!" He keeps on insisting

"Okay, okay! I'll think about it. Now stop shouting, you're gonna wake up my mom." I hush him

"I'm drunk, remember?" He says in defense

I roll my eyes, "Whatever. You're no better, drunk or not."

"You better get used to it, Gail."

Gail.

"Well, that's a first." I say

"What? Having a perfect view of a sex god right in front of your eyes?" He smirks

"I'm serious!"

"So, what's a first?" He asks

"That's the first time you called me by my actual name. Gail. Other than a thousand other nicknames you've given me."

"So you're just gonna keep a record for how many times I say your name? Don't feel so special." He snorts

"You know what? I don't know what the hell I've ever done to you to make you hate me, but just quit it. I'm starting to regret helping you in the first place."

"I didn't ask for your help." He growls

"Then why did you say yes?"

"Why did you help me?"

"You didn't answer my question!" I raise my voice higher

"Because I have nowhere to go! I don't want to bother my friends anymore with any of this shit, they've been dragged down into this matter too many times! There, happy?" He shouts

There's something in his voice. Anger. And desperation.

He closes his eyes and sighes, "Can I just please stay the night here? I really don't want to be around them, at least until I'm calmed down."

"There's a guest room at the end of the hallway." I say

"Guest room?" He asks

"Don't worry, I promise there's no monster under the bed." I smirk

"Did you know that before you moved in, a 17 years old ginger who used to live here hung herself in this very room? I heard that the curse goes on till now." He smirks back

"Spoooooky." I laugh

I lead him to the guest room which is just a few steps from my room.

"The bathroom's that way. If you need anything, just knock on my room. Anything else?" I explain

"Prove me there's no monster under the bed."

I let out a small laugh and lift the duvet cover so it shows under the bed. He ducks in to check it for himself before giving a nod of approval.

"Fair enough." He says

"Good night." I say, standing on the edge of the door

"Gail?"

"Yes, Alex?"

"What made you think that I hate you?"

"Like you're not making it obvious every single day."

"Well.. I just want you to know that I don't."

"Are you always like that to people?"

"I may not be the nicest person to you in this world, but I don't hate you."

I smile slyly, "Good night, Alex."

"But do you?" He asks

"Do you hate me? Despite all the things I've done to you?" He asks again

"Hate is such a strong word, isn't it?"

He stifles a laugh, "Yeah, it is."

"Good night, Alex."

"Good morning, Abigail." He answers as I close the door

----------
"Gail, wa
ke up!"
I slowly open my eyes, adjusting the sudden bright light coming from between the curtains.
"Mom?" I call, my mom is sitting on the edge of the bed

"Wake up, sleepy head. Are you just gonna sleep in all day?" She opens the curtains, allowing the sunlight to invade my room

"Five more minutes." I pull the blanket to cover my head

"That's what you said 3 hours ago. Come on, you promised to come with me to Jill's baby shower party." She pulls it back

"Doesn't it start at 5? I'm really exhausted." I groan

"It does, and if you don't get ready now we won't make it there on time! It's almost 4, wake up! Be ready in 30!" My mom says before leaving

It takes me a while to remember about Alex. How last night just happened and that he's spent the night in the guest room. Does my mom know he's here?

I quickly rush to the guest room and knock on the door. But all I get is silence.

"Alex?" I knock once again. But then again, no answer

I slowly open the door, "Alex?" I call out once again

I expect to see him there, still sleeping. But I see no sign of him. The bed is neatly made, the way it was yesterday. As if no one had just been here last night.

Then something unusual catches my eye.

It's a corsage. A red corsage, in the same exact colour of my dress. It lays by the nightstand, I pick it up to get a better look of it. There's also a note tucked underneath it.

In a scrawny hand writing it says,

Thank you,

Notes