<pre>
"Dan, are you drunk?" I ask incredulously, watching my ex-boyfriend stumble into my house.
"No, not at all," he slurs, flopping himself on the sofa without permission while sipping on a bottle of beer.
I snatch the bottle out of his hand frustratedly, throwing it in the bin. "What are you doing here?" I ask, my voice stern.
"I don't know," he shrugs sluggishly.
"You're wasted..." I state the obvious, rolling my eyes. Why him? Why now? All this time I've tried to get over him, he's not making things easier by re-entering my life.
I sit in front of him observing him- his familiar alcohol consumed face and dark circles under his eyes from not sleeping well.
"Alexa, I never really got over you," he whispers. I roll my eyes again, it must be the alcohol talking. I head into the kitchen to make him a cup of tea to try sober him up.
I pass him his tea, hoping it will snap him out of his hysteria once and for all. It's heartbreaking, seeing him not being able to control his intake. It's what separated us both.
Soon enough he starts to brighten up.
"Thanks," he smiles at me.
I return a smile in appreciation, hoping he wouldn't make things even harder.
"I meant what I said though, I'm still not over you Alexa,"
His words hit me like a ton of bricks, leaving me stunned. I'm not over him either, but he can't know- we can't start over again, it just wouldn't work after all we've been through.
"Dan-" I start; his hands grab onto mine tightly, his eyes searching mine for what used to be.
"I'm sorry...I'll go now," he smiles sadly before turning away.
"Wait! Do you wanna stay the night? You're a bit far away from home," I stop him in his tracks, my eyes widen at the fact I couldn't control the words coming out of my mouth.
He hesitates and soon agrees, as I slowly regret asking.
"I'll go tidy the spare room," I say.
"It's fine, I'll just take the couch," he smiles, insisting. His familiar brown eyes look into mine, making my heart stop briefly.
I brush it off, "Alright, Night Dan," I say.
"Thanks, and goodnight Alexa," he shows a smile before I head for my room.
Lying down, I find tiredness run through me as I drift off soon after.
Shrieking, I jolt up from my bed, eyes wide open. Another returning nightmare. I start to sob quietly trying to get the piercing images out of my head.
"Alexa! What's wrong!" I hear Dan's voice not so far away, and soon he's sitting beside me. He pulls me in close to his chest and starts to rub my back to calm my sobs, then he starts to stroke my auburn hair gently, giving me a kiss on my hot forehead.
"I had a nightmare," I tell him, my voice quiet but calmer.
"You're okay now. I promise I won't ever let anything or anyone hurt you," he whispers against my hair, before lying me back down on my bed.
"Will you stay?" I ask full of hope.
"Of course," he nods before lying down next to me. He wraps his strong arm around me, pulling me close. His presence instantly calming to me.
Dan starts humming the tune to my favourite song, and soon I feel my muscles relax as we stare into each other's eyes even through dim moonlight.
"Alexa?" He asks gently. "I'm still in love with you."
I let out a sigh. "I'm still in love with you too Dan," I say, realising it's the truth. Before I manage to say anymore, his lips come crashing on mine with an undeniable force of love and desire. Our lips move in sync, sending re-ignited spark through my whole body.
"I'm never leaving again," he whispers.
"I'm never gonna let you leave again," I reply, smiling widely, knowing everything feels right and complete now.</pre>