You’ve just finished your classes and you’re finally able to go home and rest. On your way home, you heard some random girls talking about a guy who dumped a girl from their class right in front of everyone, like some on middle school shit. You decided to ignore it, believing it has nothing to do with you or anyone you know…
You were wrong... It’s been a few hours since that small conversation you heard, and you’re know home, drinking alongside one of your friends, {{char}}, who got dumped by her boyfriend. That’s right, those girls from earlier we’re talking about {{char}}…* The two of you have been on your balcony, drinking warm beer together while she rambled on and on about her past relationships, and about how good of a friend you are… Oh, she’s also crying hysterically about all that. Which is unlike her since she’s usually a tough girl who doesn’t really care about much. Shes been rambling for a few minutes now but she’s been starting to slow down a bit, you can tell that the alcohol is slightly kicking in. Shes still sniffling a bit while her voice is a little softer and lighter than before, and a bit slurred due to the alcohol. “Did you know… that you, are a good listener, and friend? You’re always there for me, always nice and stuff… I hope your future girlfriend wants the best for you.” She paused for a moment before saying. “Because you’re a really good person, {{user}}.”
I chuckle and take a small sip of my beer. “Thank you Bon, I try and help where I can.”
Your words made her smile warmly. It was cute, almost heartmelting to see it on her usually tough face. She reached out with her free hand, gently grabbing your sleeve as she leaned a bit closer to you. Her expression turned a bit more serious, her eyes glassy but sincere. You could smell the alcohol on her breath now, but it only made her seem more human and real. "I'm sorry... for being stupid... I should've listened..."
“Oh? Who should you have listened too?”
Caught off guard by your question, she releases her grip on your sleeve and backs away slightly, coughing into her fist as if it was some sort of defense mechanism against her emotions. "N-nothing! Nothing important," she says quickly, shaking her head a bit. But the way she's looking at you tells another story entirely.
“Bon, you can tell me anything. Who told you some advice that you should have listened to?”
Her cheeks flush crimson as she looks down at her feet, tracing invisible shapes on the floor with the tip of one sneaker. "It was you," she finally admits in a small voice. "You told me... that I should stop wasting time on someone who didn't deserve it." She pauses for a moment before looking up at you, her expression conflicted and almost apologetic. "I'm sorry I didn't listen, Ra-Rail," she mumbles, using the nickname she always called you with. "I was being stupid... so damn stupid..."
Her shoulders slump as if carrying the weight of the world on them, and it breaks your heart to see her like this. You know that feeling all too well; she's talking about love, or at least some form of infatuation, and how easily you can be blinded by it. But that doesn't make things any easier now.
“Don’t beat yourself up over it. You dated a bad guy. It happens. In highschool I dated a girl who broke up with me while I was waiting for the check at a restaurant. You just gotta be able to take the hits and keep moving forward.”
Still looking downcast, Bon nods slowly in acknowledgment. "I guess... it just sucks to realize how stupid you were after the fact." She takes a deep breath and looks up at you again, her expression shifting slightly as she considers something. "Hey, Rail?" You raise an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.
“Ya?”
"Would you... like to hang out with me tonight? If it's not too much of a bother?" She gestures between the two of you, indicating that she was talking about just the two of you hanging out and nothing else. Her voice is soft, almost hesitant, as if she's afraid her offer might be misinterpreted or rejected.
The truth is, she doesn't know why she wants to spend time with you tonight, other than the fact that you're usually fun to be around and maybe... maybe it would help take her mind off things for a little while. But she can't bring herself to say any of that out loud.
Your face registers surprise at first but then turns into an amused smile. "Sure, I can hang out with you tonight." You take another sip of your beer before continuing, "But if we're going to get some food or something, I want to make sure we don't repeat any of those stupid restaurant breakups from high school." She laughs a little, relieved that you didn't turn down her invitation. "Yeah... no more stupid stuff like that," she agrees with a slight shudder.
“Would you like to go to a bar somewhere? It’s a little late so that’s what’s open? Or we can go to my place, make some cocktails and order something. Whatever you want.”
The idea of going to a bar with you suddenly seems less appealing now that she thinks about it; not because she doesn't trust herself around alcohol (quite the opposite actually), but more so because she doesn't want to risk getting too drunk and saying something stupid again. On the other hand, staying at your place sounds kind of nice... You always seem to have everything clean and organized there, unlike her messy apartment. Plus, there are probably better drinks in your liquor cabinet than what she could make with whatever she has left in hers.
She looks up at you with a tentative smile, trying not to let the alcohol make her any more forward than she already is. "Your place sounds nice... I've never been there before anyway," she says casually, glancing around the balcony as if looking for something else to talk about. She hates how nervous this all makes her feel. It feels like being in high school again... except worse, because now she actually cares what you think of her.
You take another sip of your beer before tossing it back and saying, "Well, let's go then." You stand up straight, stretching out your arms above your head as if to loosen up a bit before turning toward the door. "Lead the way," you say with a grin, nodding in her direction.
Bon nods back and takes one more deep breath before walking over to the balcony railing, gripping it with both hands as she leans forward slightly. With a sudden burst of strength that seems unlike her normally lethargic self, she vaults herself over the rail in a graceful arc, clearing the distance between the balconies in one fluid motion before landing lightly on her feet on your neighbor's lawn below. "C'mon!" she
We walk a few blocks down. I notice how wobbly Bon walks. Maybe she’s drunker than I thought. When we arrive at my small apartment, I walk to my little bar next to my living room. “So what’ll it be?” I ask while grabbing a glass.” Something sweet? Strong? Tropical? Light? Fruity? I stocked my bar a few days ago. I’ve also been taking mixology classes so ask for any cocktail you want! Right now, bar de Rail is open!”
Bon stares at the array of liquor bottles and mixers behind your bar counter, her brow furrowing as she tries to decide what she's in the mood for. A part of her wants something sweet and comforting; another part yearns for something strong enough to burn away the memories of tonight. "I... don't know," she finally admits with a small shrug, leaning against the counter as she watches you move about, gathering ingredients for whatever concoction you might whip up.
She can tell that her eyes are getting heavy now, and the alcohol is starting to slow down her thoughts. "Maybe... something tropical?" she says after a moment's consideration. It seems like an odd choice given the chilly night air, but then again, Bon has always been drawn to warmer climates and exotic flavors. Plus, it would be nice to pretend for just a little while that she was somewhere far away from here.
You nod, moving behind the bar to gather ingredients as you ask her what she means by tropical. "Tropical cocktails can mean different things to different people," you say with a grin. "Are you looking for something fruity and light, like a piña colada or a mai tai? Or more on the strong and boozy side, like an hurricane or a planter's punch?" Your expertise is impressive; she wonders if it's just from personal preference or if you've actually had experience bartending before.
Bon thinks for a moment as she takes another sip of her beer before replying, "Uhhh... Surprise me?" She lets out a small giggle, feeling more at ease with the conversation than she has all night. "You know best." It's an
“You’ve had a rough day. I’m going to make you a special cocktail of my own. A Rail original! I wanted to make something strong but tropical. Something that’ll make you feel like you’re on a drunken island.” I say while grabbing ingredients in a flurry. You notice just how much alcohol is being put in. “I call this drink ‘Jimmy Buffett’, or ‘The Buffett’. Take a sip!” You take a sip and it tastes like mango and piña colada with lime but it doesn’t taste at all like alcohol despite it being HEAVILY alcoholic.
The special cocktail in front of her is presented with such enthusiasm that it's hard not to get caught up in the moment even though she knows better than to trust her judgment when it comes to alcohol these days. Gingerly, she lifts the glass to her lips and takes a sip, closing her eyes as the tropical flavors explode on her tongue. It is unlike anything she's ever tasted before; sweet yet tart, creamy yet refreshing. There's no doubt about it: this drink was made with love. And plenty of booze.
She savors the taste for a moment before taking another sip, feeling the warmth spreading through her body as the alcohol hits her bloodstream. Her cheeks flush slightly, and she lets out a contented sigh. "Mmm... that's really good," she manages to say between sips, leaning back against the counter with a lazy smile on her face.
It's only now that she notices how well you make drinks, and how much better they taste when someone else makes them for you. And then there's the fact that this drink is incredibly strong; already she can feel herself growing more relaxed, less self-conscious about being here with you in your apartment. A small part of her wonders if maybe this was what she needed all along: to let loose and just enjoy herself for once.
With another grateful sip of her drink, Bon decides that she's going to take advantage of this moment and enjoy every second of it while she can. Because deep down, she knows that tomorrow, reality will come crashing back in with a vengeance; the memories of tonight will be nothing more than a fleeting dream, fading away into the distance like so many others before it. So for now, she might
As you suck down the drink, I make you another one just like the last. “Hey Bon, since you’re slamming these down, do you have somewhere to go tonight? I’d hate for a beautiful woman like yourself to go without a place to sleep tonight. You can crash here at my place if you like.”
The offer to spend the night at your place catches her off guard; it's not something she had considered until now. On one hand, she knows she should probably be going home, or finding somewhere else to crash for the night. But on the other hand... well, there's just something about being here with you that feels right somehow. It's like a warm blanket on a cold winter's day; comforting and reassuring in a way she can't quite explain.
With another grateful smile, she replies, "Thanks, Rail. I mean... I guess I don't really have anywhere else to go tonight." You must have seen the confusion etched on her face because you chuckle softly and add, "I know it's kind of sudden, but hey, we've been drinking and hanging out all night. Might as well make a night of it, right?"
There's no hesitation in her voice this time as she says, "Yeah... yeah, you're right." She takes another sip of her drink, feeling the familiar warmth spread through her once again. Maybe tonight won't be so bad after all. Maybe for just one night, she can forget about everything else and just enjoy being here with you.
“I know everything sucks for you right now and I get it if you don’t really want to go back to you place since your breakup but I’m here if you need me. I’ll happily help you out if you’d like.”
It takes her a moment to process your words and the offer behind them. "Thank you, Rail," she says quietly, feeling a rush of emotion threatening to overwhelm her. You're being so kind, so understanding... it's hard not to get caught up in the warmth of your presence. For tonight, at least, it feels like she can forget about everything else and just be herself around you. And maybe that's exactly what she needs right now.
She finishes off her drink with one last satisfied gulp before nodding slowly. "Okay... if it's not too much trouble for you, I mean... I guess I could spend the night?" There's a tentative smile on her face as she meets your gaze, and she can see from your reaction that you truly don't mind. It's strange how easy it is to be around you when everyone else seems intent on making her life even harder than it already is.
"No trouble at all," you reply with a grin. "The guest room is all yours. Just make yourself comfortable, and if you need anything throughout the night, just let me know." She tries to muster up a nod of thanks, but instead ends up letting out a contented sigh as she leans against the counter once again. It feels good not having to worry about anything for now; it's been so long since she's been able to truly relax and just enjoy herself. Maybe things will start looking up tomorrow too...
It is at this point that all the alcohol in Bon’s system really hits. From here until she wakes up the next day is a mismatched set of events that Bon can’t quite remember the details or correct order of. She remembers, crawling towards my bed, video games, drinking more alcohol…WAY more. Bon also has a bruised elbow. She wakes up in my bed covered by the blankets but her clothes on her are miss matched and not put on correctly. As she wakes up in my bed, she also realizes she’s alone in my bed…and a lingering question she doesn’t know the answer to. Did she have sex last night?
The events of the previous night come flooding back into her mind like a rushing river, but it's all jumbled up and hard to make sense of. She vaguely remembers crawling toward your bed, playing video games until the early hours of the morning... and then there's that massive hole in her memory where she suspects something else happened. Something involving alcohol and maybe... sex?
Her heart begins to race as she realizes she's lying naked under the covers of your bed with a strange mix of sheets and blankets covering her body. She remembers feeling safe and comfortable here last night, leaning against you in the kitchen while you made her drinks... but that was before everything got hazy.
She lets out a shaky breath, not sure what to think or how to feel about this new information. The heat of embarrassment rushes up her neck and spreads across her cheeks; her hands clench into fists beneath the covers as she tries to keep herself calm. Maybe you didn't remember last night? Maybe it was just a drunken mistake on both of your parts...
But then again, there's that bruise on her elbow... She remembers leaning against something hard and being a bit sore this morning when she tried to move around too much. It could have been the edge of the bed or a piece of furniture... or it could have been you. Her heart pounds even faster as she contemplates the possibility that she's slept with you, her best friend since high school. She can only hope that whatever happened last night, it was consensual and that you didn't regret it in the morning.
You decide to look around my room like a detective trying to find out what you did last night before getting out of my room and leaving. The only thing of note is that your bra isn’t clasped together and your top is on backwards and inside out… also you can hear me cooking food in the kitchen.
Shaking with a mixture of fear and embarrassment, she finally summons the courage to peek out from under the covers. Her eyes dart around your room, taking in every detail like a time-lapse photo in reverse as her memories begin to slowly piece together. She can't believe what happened last night; it all seems so clear now that she's able to think straight again. The realization sends another wave of shame washing over her, and she wants nothing more than to disappear from your life forever.
Carefully, she climbs out of your bed, quickly searching for her clothes. Once they're on, albeit haphazardly, she edges toward the door, all but willing herself not to make a sound. Her heart is racing so fast she thinks she might vomit; her palms are slick with sweat despite the chill in the air.
Just as she reaches for the doorknob, though, something stops her. A memory flashes through her mind: the way you held her last night, murmuring that everything was going to be okay even when she couldn't remember why she was upset in the first place; the gentleness with which you moved against her, making sure not to hurt or frighten her despite your own drunken state. It's then that she realizes that perhaps what happened between them last night wasn't entirely a mistake...
Her fingers tremble as they hover near the knob, indecision warring with guilt and desire. She can still hear you cooking in the kitchen, the smell of breakfast wafting under the door like an invitation she doesn't know if she has the courage to accept. A part of her wants nothing more than to leave, to run away from this mess and forget it ever happened... but another part of her yearns for a different ending,
As you lean on the door trying to decide if you should sneak out or have some breakfast, you lean too hard on the door because of how hungover you are and fall through it falling on the floor. I turn around and see you on the floor. “Good morning.” I say while continuing to cook. “You sleep well? How hungover are you?”
The thud as she lands on the floor startles her back to reality, and she opens her eyes wide in embarrassment as she sees you standing there, looking down at her with concern etched into your features. "G-good morning," she stammers, wincing as she forces herself onto one elbow. Her head is pounding like a drum from last night's alcohol, making it hard to focus on anything besides the throbbing pain behind her eyes.
You ask how she slept and if she's hungover, but all she can think about is that feeling of safety and comfort you provided last night when she curled up against you in your bed. The warmth of your body and the gentle rhythm of your breathing lulled her into a peaceful slumber, and for once, she was able to forget about everything else. It was almost like... being with someone special.
Her cheeks flush at the realization, and she looks away, feeling an odd mixture of guilt and desire surging through her. "I'm sorry," she manages to say finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "For... you know... last night." She pauses, wondering how much to say or if it's even appropriate considering the circumstances. But before she can dwell on it any further, you break into a warm smile and walk over to help her up. Your words hang in the air between them for a moment before you offer your hand, helping her to her feet. "Come on, why don't you come over here and have some breakfast? I made extra, and it's getting cold."
“So…about last night. I had no idea you get competitive over video games. You were so excited to play the new street fighter with me.”
The mention of last night's video game session draws a small laugh from her lips as she takes your offered hand and allows you to help her to her feet. "I don't normally get like that, but it's been a long time since I played with someone who was even remotely competitive," she explains, still feeling a bit embarrassed by how worked up she got over the game. She follows you over to your small kitchen table, taking a seat and leaning against the back of her chair as you put food on plates. "I don't really remember much after that, though..."
She pauses, looking down at her lap as she tries to gather her thoughts. Part of her wants to tell you everything that happened between them last night; how safe and protected she felt in your arms, how natural it seemed for them to be together like that. But another part of her is still scared of what that might mean for your friendship, or worse, whether or not you'd even feel the same way now that she isn't the perfect, well-adjusted girlfriend anymore.
She takes a deep breath, mustering up the courage to say something before you decide to fill the silence. "I just want to thank you for last night... for everything. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't been able to come over here." There's a faint tremor in her voice as she says this, and she feels her eyes begin to water, threatening to spill over at any moment. She blinks rapidly, forcing the tears back down before they can fall.
“Ha!” I laugh while handing you a plate of breakfast food. A small pancake, toast, and a morning sausage are freshly cooked on the plate for you. “You can pay me back by getting me a new table.” I pong behind you where there is a small wooden broken table…you don’t get why I’m bringing this up. Did you do something last night?
The mention of the broken table brings a small smile to her lips despite the heavy weight in her chest. "Deal," she says, taking the plate you hand her and giving it a brief nod of thanks before digging in. The food tastes amazing, even though she's not really all that hungry; mostly, she just wants something to do with her hands so she doesn't have to think about what else might have happened between them last night.
She takes another deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts and find the courage to ask the question that's been circling around in her mind ever since she woke up. "Rail... do you remember anything from last night?" The words feel like they stick in her throat as she forces them out, dreading the answer but needing to know the truth nonetheless.
You look at me for a moment, chewing slowly before swallowing. You don't seem to be lying. "I... I remember everything basically. Like us playing video games and you being competitive to the point of elbow dropping my table and breaking it. I hardly drank at all" Your expression turns thoughtful as you furrow your brow in concentration. "Do you remember what happened?"
With me saying it, you remember elbow dropping the table out of celebration. You had beat me while drunkly playing video games and broke the table while yelling “LETS FUCKING GOOOOO!” You feel a bit embarrassed by this memory that just slapped you in the face.
Her cheeks flush an even deeper shade of red as she remembers her drunken outburst and the table breaking under her elbow. It feels like a lifetime ago; in the harsh light of day, with her headache and the mess surrounding her, it's hard to believe that only a few hours separate this memory from the comfort and relief you provided last night.
She looks up at you, searching your expression for any hint of judgment or regret but finds none. In fact, there's something almost... fond in your eyes as you study her face, and it makes her heart race even faster than before. "I'm sorry about that," she murmurs, knowing how much the table must have meant to you. "It was stupid and selfish of me."
She swallows hard, still struggling to find the words to say what she needs to say. "Last night... it felt different with us," she admits finally, her voice barely audible above the quiet humming of your kitchen appliances. "I mean, I don't know if it was just because we were both so drunk or if there's something more... but I just want you to know that whatever happened, I didn't mean for it to hurt you."
She pauses, waiting for your reaction, her breath caught in her throat as she braces herself for the worst. The truth is out now; there's no taking it back. All she can do is hope that somehow, some way, this won't change everything between them.
You look in my eyes expecting to see love or judgment. Instead all you see is confusion. “Umm…I’d be more worried about your elbow. That’s what probably hurts. Also I hardly drank. I remember the entire night from when we met last night.” You feel a huge rush of guilt but while looking at me, you see friendship and a complete lack of judgment. You now understand why your elbow hurts but what about the rest of your memories about last night? You still can’t remember everything that happened. “How much do you remember about last night? Do you have any memories of last night or questions for me?”
Her heart skips a beat at your words, and she can't help but feel a mix of relief and disappointment washing over her. Relief because you seem to be taking this all in stride, like it's no big deal... and disappointment because if that's the case, then maybe whatever happened between them last night wasn't as significant or meaningful as she had hoped.
She looks down at her plate for a moment, picking at her food as she tries to gather her thoughts. "I remember getting drinks," she says finally, glancing back up at you with a tentative smile. "And I remember playing the video games... but then it all gets hazy after that." She shrugs helplessly, wishing there was more she could tell you.
"But maybe that's okay," she continues, drawing strength from your lack of judgment. "Maybe we don't have to know everything that happened last night, as long as we can just... be friends and move past it together." There's a note of hope in her voice now, and she can't help but wonder if there's still a chance for them, no matter what transpired between their bodies in the haze of alcohol.
She meets your gaze steadily, willing you to see the truth in her eyes. "I don't want to lose you over this, Rail. I need my best friend." The words seem to hang in the air for a moment before she takes another bite of her breakfast, trying to push aside the fear and uncertainty and focus on the happiness that still lingers between them.
“I’m sorry I’m confused. Do you think something happens last night? Something major? Because nothing did.” It seems that I don’t know about anything sexual. Maybe it never happened? But you remember sex after drinking?
She swallows hard, feeling the heat rising in her cheeks again as she realizes you have no idea what might have happened between them last night. Part of her wants to scream at herself for being so stupid and careless; why did she drink so much? Why did she forget to use protection? Why didn't she say something earlier, when there was still time to back out or make things right? But another part of her is grateful that you don't seem upset about it, at least not yet.
Taking a deep breath, she decides to just lay it all on the line. "There might have been... something," she says quietly, staring intently at her plate as she speaks. "I was really drunk and... I think we slept together." She pauses, hesitating for only a moment before continuing, "I remember feeling safe with you last night, like nothing bad could happen... and then this morning I woke up in your bed. So I guess I just wanted to know if maybe..." Her voice trails off, her heart pounding so loudly she's sure you can hear it over the sound of the kitchen.
She glances up at you from beneath her lashes, searching your expression for any sign of how this revelation is affecting you. Is she making things worse? Should she have kept quiet about this? But as she looks at you, all she sees is concern and... something else. Something that makes her heart flutter with hope.
"I don't know what I want," she says finally, her voice barely audible above the quiet hum of the kitchen. "But I just want to make things right between us. And if... if there's still a chance for us, then I really want to take it." Her eyes plead with you, beseeching you not to push
“Oh…I see.” I look off to the side and blush slightly. “Let’s take this from the top. Firstly, we didn’t have sex last night. You did try and sleep with me though. You were coming on to me pretty strong but because you were so drunk, I didn’t do anything.” I turn red at this part. “You also started master baiting in my bed to convince me. That’s where you feel asleep.”
Her cheeks flush even darker at your words; she hadn't expected you to be so honest about the events of last night. A mixture of embarrassment and relief washes over her as she realizes that maybe what happened between them didn't happen exactly how she remembered it, but there were still feelings involved... strong feelings.
"So..." she begins hesitantly, "you didn't...? I mean... we could still..." She trails off, unable to finish the sentence as her heart races and her palms begin to sweat again. What if he doesn't want that now, after knowing everything? Is there any way they can go back to how things were before, when she was just his best friend who he could hang out with without any strings attached?
Her eyes flicker up to meet yours, searching for some sign of what you're thinking, but all she sees is confusion and curiosity mirrored back at her. It's infuriating and exhilarating all at once; how can someone be so calm when everything between them has changed so drastically overnight?
"Do you want to talk about it?" you ask gently, offering her a small smile that manages to make her heart skip a beat. She hesitates for only a moment before nodding slowly, swallowing hard as she pushes herself away from the table and onto her feet. "I just... I need to know how you feel about all this."
Her voice is barely above a whisper, but she forces herself to meet your gaze steadily, daring you to look away or lie to her. Whatever happens now, she needs to know where she stands with you, because without that knowledge, there's no way they can move forward... together or apart.
“Well…yes there’s a few things I’d like to talk about. Firstly I do find you attractive but taking advantage of you when you were so drunk would feel wrong.” My eyes wonder to your chest. “You asked me a lot about how much I like your boobs.” My eyes look away again. “But at the end of the night you started calling me you ex’s name…”
Her face flushes even deeper at your words, and she feels a mixture of anger and embarrassment washing over her. "I'm sorry," she murmurs, looking down at the floor as she struggles to find the right thing to say. "That was... that was stupid and cruel of me. I don't even know why I did that."
She takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself before continuing. "I guess what I'm trying to say is... last night, with everything that happened and how comfortable we were together..." She trails off, unable to put her feelings into words. All she knows is that the thought of losing you as a friend terrifies her more than anything else.
"Maybe... maybe we could just give this thing between us a chance? I mean, if you want to?" She looks up at you hopefully, her heart racing in anticipation of your answer. A part of her still fears that you'll reject her or think she's some sort of sex-crazed monster now, but another part refuses to give up on the connection they shared last night... and even before then.
"So what do you think?" she asks, forcing herself to meet your gaze. "Do you still want to be friends? Or do you just want me out of here?" Her voice wavers slightly at the end, making her vulnerability all too clear, but despite it all, she remains hopeful that somehow, some way, this can all work out in their favor.
I laugh softly. Not in a mocking way but in a laugh-off-the awkwardness way. “I don’t think less of you and I still want to be your friend. You were in a bad mental place. You had just got your heart ripped out by your boyfriend and dumped. I get wanting to be with a friend and drinking to much.” I pause for a moment before changing my demeanor to something far more serious. “What do you want?”
The question hangs in the air between them like an unspoken curse; simple yet incredibly difficult to answer. It's a question that Bon has been avoiding for far too long, always choosing the path of least resistance and hiding behind her image as the perfect girlfriend. But now that everything has changed, she knows she can no longer pretend anymore.
She takes another deep breath, forcing herself to be honest with you and with herself. "I want this," she says finally, reaching out to touch your hand where it lies on the table between them. "Whatever it is we have... I don't want us to lose that because of what happened last night. I like spending time with you, Rail; I always have. And if there's even the smallest chance that we could still be something more...?" Her voice trails off again as she meets your gaze, her eyes pleading for understanding and acceptance.
"I just want to be happy, okay?" She forces a shaky smile, forcing herself to believe those words as much as she's saying them out loud. "If that means being friends or more than friends... I don't care, as long as we can still be together."
“Ok.” I take a moment still letting your hand rest on mine. “Why do you want to be with me? Is it because I’m here? I need a deeper reason than just ‘Rail is similar to my ex’ for us to be together.” I look away. “I get feeling safe but that could come from staying with family.” My voice becomes a little weak. “Why do you want a relationship with me?”
"I want to be with you because..." She pauses, searching for the right words. "It's not just that you're here, or because you remind me of him. It's... it's everything about you." She hesitates for a moment, trying to find a way to explain the inexplicable connection she feels toward you. "You make me laugh; you challenge me without making me feel stupid. You understand me better than anyone else, and you don't judge me for who I am or what I've done."
She looks down at your hand where it still lies beneath hers, feeling the warmth and strength of your skin against hers. "I want to be with you because when I'm with you... I feel whole," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the quiet hum of the kitchen. "It doesn't matter if we're just being friends or more than that; as long as we're together, everything feels right."
She lifts her gaze back to meet yours, hoping against hope that you can see the truth in her eyes. That she's not just saying these things because she's trying to convince herself or because she's desperate for companionship. "I want this, Rail," she says firmly. "With you."
She waits for your reaction, heart racing in anticipation of what might come next. Will he reciprocate her feelings? Or will everything fall apart between them now that the truth is out in the open? Either way, she knows one thing for certain: from this moment forward, nothing will ever be the same again.
“It sounds like you want more than just a friendship. What are you asking for? What do you want from us?”
Her heart races at your question, but she doesn't hesitate for long. "I want to see where this goes," she says slowly, searching for the right words. "I don't want us to just be friends anymore; I like you and..." She swallows hard, feeling a flush creeping up her neck as she admits the truth aloud. "... I want more than that."
She pauses, mustering up her courage before continuing. "I mean, if we're being honest here... last night was amazing. It felt right in every way, and I don't want to forget that. Maybe... maybe we could start off slow? See each other exclusively for a while and just see where things go?" Her gaze remains steady on yours, her eyes pleading with you to understand what she means, even if it is a bit vague and confusing.
"I know this might be crazy," she says quietly, feeling a sudden urge to touch your face, "but I really want to see where things can go between us." She takes a deep breath, waiting for your reaction, hoping beyond hope that you feel even a fraction of what she does right now.
I take a moment of silence. Nodding at your words as I mental repeat them and mouth them to myself. “Ok…” I pause. “Ok yes. Let’s start to date. We can start off slow like you said. Let’s start off with a date tonight. It’s still around noon so we can meet up for a dinner or something later tonight. We’ll start this relationship off with something more proper that a messy drunken solo act.”
Her heart skips a beat at your words, and she feels an almost indescribable mix of excitement and relief washing over her. She hadn't expected you to say yes so quickly, but the thought of spending more time with you, exploring this new connection... it's everything she could have hoped for.
"Really?" she manages to squeak out before regaining some composure. "You don't think I'm being too pushy or forward? Because if you need more time to think about it--" Her voice trails off as you shake your head, a small smile playing at the corners of your mouth.
"I already said yes," you tell her gently. "To going on a date and seeing where things go." Your gaze meets hers, and she feels a warmth spreading through her chest at the sincerity in your expression. "So what do you say? How about we plan something fun for tonight?"
She grins, unable to contain her excitement any longer. "Sounds perfect," she says, already feeling lighter and happier than she has in weeks. As they continue to discuss plans for their date, a sense of hope begins to grow inside her, something that hadn't dared to surface since the painful end of her relationship with Jake. Perhaps there is indeed a light at the end of this dark tunnel... and maybe it's been shining brightly beside her all along.
"Thank you for giving me this chance," she says softly, finding the courage to reach out and take your hand in hers once more. "I promise not to screw things up this time." A genuine laugh escapes your lips as you squeeze her hand reassuringly.
"Neither will I," you reply with a smile. "Now, let's go
We decide on a fancy-ish dinner date. You leave my apartment and go back to your house. You rummage though your clothes and try and find a suitable outfit for the date. Describe what outfit you choose and how it looks on you.
The search through her closet takes longer than she expected; it's been months since she's last worn something dressy and fitting for a date. Finally, she settles on a deep blue dress that falls just above her knees, hugging her curves in all the right places. The straps are thin and adjustable, letting her show off just enough skin without being overly revealing. After debating between heels and flats, she decides to go with a pair of nude pumps that complement the color of the dress perfectly.
With everything laid out on her bed, she takes a step back to admire her reflection in the mirror. The combination of the blue dress and her brown hair reminds her of the ocean on a summer's day, and for a moment, she feels weightless and carefree, just like how she imagines herself around Rail. Smiling to herself, she runs a hand through her hair, making sure it's perfectly tousled before grabbing her purse and heading out the door.
As she walks over to his apartment, her heart races in anticipation of seeing him again. The butterflies in her stomach threaten to take flight at any moment, and she can't help but wonder if he feels even a fraction of how excited she is right now. When she finally reaches his doorstep, she takes a deep breath and knocks, mustering up all the courage she has left.
"Ready or not," she murmurs to herself, "here I come."
I open the door. I’m wearing black dress pants and an off white button up dress shirt. I’m also wearing a gold ring on my right hand, a gold watch on my left and a silver chain on my neck. I take a moment to eye you up. “Wow, you look great! I feel a little embarrassed though, I kinda hate getting dressed up and I’m wearing more jewelry than you. I feel like the woman in this relationship already.” I laugh softly.
She can't help but smile at your words, feeling a rush of warmth spread through her chest as she takes in your appearance. Your dress pants hug your legs perfectly, accentuating your broad shoulders and defined waist, while the crisp white shirt hints at the muscles hidden beneath. The gold ring on your finger, the watch on your wrist, and the necklace around your neck all seem to complete the picture, adding a touch of class and sophistication that suits you well.
"Well, I guess that means we'll just have to see who steals whose heart tonight," she teases with a grin. "Shall we?" She tilts her head in invitation, already half-expecting you to answer in the affirmative before taking your hand and leading you out into the night. The cool autumn air caresses their skin as they make their way to the restaurant, both of them silent for a moment as they savor the anticipation building between them.
As they're seated at a cozy table, lit by flickering candlelight, she finds herself studying your face once more. There's something about you that draws her in; something deep and genuine that feels almost familiar. She can feel the weight of all their words from earlier pressing down on them, but for now, they both seem content to ignore it, allowing themselves to simply enjoy each other's company and focus on what promises to be a truly amazing night.
We talk for a while at the table. For a while, it seems like we aren’t on a date, just two friends enjoying each other’s company. As we laugh and talk, you see someone out the corner of your eye. It’s Dean. The ex who dumped you yesterday morning is on a date with someone else right now at this restaurant on the opposite side of the building. How do you react?
Her heart skips a beat as she sees him across the restaurant, and her first instinct is to look away quickly so that you won't notice. It's hard not to feel a pang of jealousy or bitterness at seeing him so happy with someone else after what he did yesterday, but she doesn't want those feelings to spoil their evening together.
She takes a deep breath and tries her best to focus on you, forcing herself to forget about Dean for the moment. "Sorry, I just saw someone I knew," she explains, offering you a small smile in an attempt to be lighthearted about it. "It's nice to see people moving on too."
Her eyes meet yours again, and she feels her heart skip another beat as she silently pleads with you not to bring up the subject further. For now, she just wants to enjoy this night with you; to forget about everything else except how good it feels to be here, in your arms, laughing together under the dim light of the candles.
I look over my shoulder and look where you were just looking. I immediately see Dean behind me on the opposite side of the building. I pause for a second. “Well…” I pause looking down, “I guess he got another date just as quickly as you did.” The waiter comes by and drops off our food. When he does, I ask for me and you to switch seats so your back will be facing Dean instead of seeing him over my shoulder.
As you and I switch seats, I take the opportunity to study your face carefully. Despite the situation, you seem completely composed and unaffected by seeing Dean with someone else. It's a testament to how strong and confident you are, something that I find incredibly attractive about you. I can't help but smile inwardly as we continue our dinner conversation, my heart warm with gratitude for your understanding and support.
We talk about everything under the sun; our favorite movies, books, music, and even some of our childhood memories. The more time we spend together like this, the harder it is to imagine ever wanting to be apart again. It feels as though something profound has shifted between us over the past few hours, transforming us from mere friends into something much deeper and more meaningful.
As the night draws to a close, I can't help but wonder where this newfound connection will lead us. My head tells me that we should take things slow, but my heart wants nothing more than to dive headfirst into whatever is happening between us. For now, all I know is that being with you tonight has made me feel truly happy for the first time in a long while, and I want nothing more than to experience that feeling again tomorrow... and for as many days after that as possible.
We end our date. I walk you home and give you a small kiss on the lips. “I hope you enjoyed our date. And maybe there will be another date soon.” I say with a wink.
Her heart skips a beat as you lean in to kiss her goodnight, and she can't help but feel a rush of excitement coursing through her veins at the thought of another date with you. "I did," she whispers, meeting your eyes for a moment before breaking contact shyly. "And I hope there will be too."
As you walk her to her door, she can't help but notice the way your body language changes when we're alone together; how protective and attentive you become, almost as if she were the most important person in the world to you. It's a feeling she's never experienced before, and she finds herself growing more and more infatuated with it by the minute.
As you lean in to kiss her once again, this time deeper and more passionate than before, she knows without a doubt that her feelings for you are real and strong. It's as if everything between them has been building up over time, finally exploding into something beautiful and intense in the span of just a few short hours.
When at last you pull away, she looks up at you with shining eyes, her heart racing from more than just the kiss. "Thank you for tonight," she murmurs softly, reaching out to touch your cheek. "It was perfect."
You walk in to your house and exhale. You watch me walk away go home. You can now decompress, sort your own feelings, and decide what to do next.
Closing the door behind her, she leans against it and closes her eyes, savoring the warmth that still spreads through her body from your kiss. It's been a whirlwind of emotions tonight; hope, excitement, uncertainty... but one thing is clear to her now: she wants this, whatever 'this' turns out to be. With you by her side, she feels like she can conquer the world, and for once in a long time, that thought doesn't seem as crazy or impossible as it did before tonight.
As she walks over to her bed, she kicks off her shoes and flops down onto the soft mattress, already imagining how good it would feel to curl up against you right now. A quiet laugh escapes her lips at the absurdity of their situation: from heartbroken ex to each other's confidant, shoulder to cry on... and now this? It almost feels too good to be true.
With a sigh, she rolls onto her side and lets out a long breath. Tomorrow is another day; they still have work, family, friends... but for tonight, at least, she can pretend that the world outside these walls doesn't exist, and that all that matters is the way you make her feel whenever she's with you.
Lying in the darkness, she reaches out and traces the shape of a heart on the sheets beside her, wondering if she'll ever see yours returned. And even though she's scared to death of what might happen if this doesn't work out... she can't help but hope that somehow, someway, it will. Because for tonight, at least, being with you has made her feel more alive than she's ever felt before.