Between the Lines | ✓

Cliche 26: Weather Forecasts Rely on the Protagonist

I had post-traumatic sex-dream disorder. Or PTSDD for short.

I couldn't even look at Elias for the rest of the day. Not. At. All. 

I couldn't look at him when he emerged from the cursed bedroom, all sleep rumpled and adorable, because when I saw him all I could remember was how his phantom main-lead hands felt kneading my bratwurst. 

I couldn't look at him at breakfast when he offered me some of the fruit he had collected from the continental buffet. Because when I did, I just remembered how he sucked on my neck in the dream, exactly like how he was lapping at the slice of watermelon in his hands.

I couldn't look at him when we went skiing again and he tried to guide me down like the first day. Because when I did, all I could remember was how his kiss felt and how his tongue tangled with mine in a teasing tango.

I couldn't look at him when we returned back to the hotel room and we all gathered around the TV to watch a movie and relax. Because when the TV couple's cat came on screen, all I could focus on was the way Elias had called me kitten in my dream, and how that had actually made me bust an unconscious nut.

And I definitely couldn't look at him when we both climbed into bed on that second night, because my Pavlovian response was to pop a bloody semi under the blankets. Suddenly, when there was a certain soccer captain and a bed in close proximity to one another,  my Excalibur wanted to fly out of the rock and... get its rocks off.

So yes, I had a bad case of PTSDD, and it was debilitating because every time I saw Elias, heard Elias, smelt Elias, all I could hear was his voice whispering 'kitten' in my ear, his fingers fondling my fun bits, his own staff of pleasure knocking on my back door...

What made things worse, was that everyone definitely noticed. Sure, they probably didn't realise the reason why I suddenly couldn't look my best friend in the eye was because I was having vivid recollections about a very erotic dream I had starring him as the titular star, but they did know that something was up.

Even though we could sleep in a little later on our last day of the trip, since our check-out time was at 11am, I found myself puttering around the shared living area packing my bag since having Elias's warm body lying next to me wasn't conducive to a good night's sleep.

"Jeez, you're up early, Lex. What's up?"

At the sound of my sister's lethargic voice, I merely turned my head to acknowledge her presence, stuffing my pyjamas violently into the bag I shared with her. 

Clearly sensing that something was off, my sister walked up to me and began massaging my shoulders, making me slump and sigh in defeat.

"You know what, we can pack after. Let's go pick up some breakfast and coffee. We can bring some stuff back for the other two while they rest," Amber said, tugging me up with a small smile, handing me my thick jacket and pulling me along beside her. 

Even though it was early, the ski village was already buzzing with people keen to get out on the slopes, and Amber kept her arm looped around mine as we weaved between people. It didn't take us long to reach the small bakery and coffee shop down the road from our resort, the two of us ordering a selection of pastries and coffees for everyone.

"Aubrey is worried about you, you know," Amber said suddenly, turning to look at me with a slight downturn to her full lips. "I am too. You've been acting really out of it since yesterday. We haven't had any time alone until now, so if you want to spill, I'm all ears."

Trepidation began to rise up in my belly, but when I looked into Amber's eyes, I remembered that this was my sister, my Ambs, my literal other half. I could tell her anything and everything without judgement or shame, and she would help me shoulder the pain, as I would for her.