Cursed

Chapter Thirty

Three nights after Elora's confrontation with Leif, she was still sulking in her room. She knew that there wasn't anything between her and Leif. That he wasn't hers to be sulking over. So why did it feel like a breakup?

The embarrassment was the worst part of the whole thing. Lex had heard the whole thing. He heard Leif say that all he wanted from Elora was sex. It was humiliating to say the least.

But, she wouldn't deny that she was lonely. She needed a friend now more than ever. And after the short time in isolation, Lex had become the closest thing to a friend she'd find in this situation.

Shuffling outside of Elora's bedroom door caused her to sit up in bed, she thought everyone had gone to bed by now. She hesitated for a few moments before getting out of bed and opening her bedroom door just wide enough to see who was out there.

She was met by Lex, who appeared to be raising his hand to knock on the door.

"Hey," he said, a faint smile on his lips. He leaned against her door frame as he spoke. "Just wanted to check in on you. I haven't heard much from you these past few days."

Elora wouldn't deny that the sincerity in his tone warmed her heart. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just worried about Cale and Rosalie." It wasn't a lie, thoughts of what could be happening to them consumed her all day.

"Are you sure? I'm here if you want to talk."

"Really, I'm fine. Thanks, though." She forced a smile.

"Well you know where to find me if you change your mind." Despite Lex's normal flirtatious attitude, she sensed that he was genuinely trying to be there for her. To be a friend. She appreciated that, especially after being alone with Leif and her confusing feelings for so long.

She turned to go back to her bed after he'd closed her door, but stopped in her tracks. Making a split decision, she marched across the hall to Lex's room, pulling the door open, only to find Lex stepping out of his sweatpants. Elora quickly turned away, shielding her eyes.

"Fuck! I'm sorry, I- I didn't realise- how did you manage to strip down that fast?" Elora's eyes were still covered as she spoke, but she knew Lex was amused by the laughter that came afterwards.

"It's safe to look now, I'm clothed."

Elora's cheeks were bright red as she turned to look at him. He was only partially clothed, in a pair of grey sweatpants that hung low on his waist. Her eyes trailed up, taking in the muscled planes of his abs and chest. Damn.

"I just... I wanted to talk." Elora was still in his doorway, feeling too embarrassed to venture any further.

"Come in, then. I don't bite. Unless you ask me to," Lex winked and took a seat on his bed.

Elora stepped in and shut the door behind her, taking in his room as she crossed the room to sit on Lex's bed. The room was immaculate, and his bed was massive, swathed in luxurious looking sheets.

"I can't sleep," Elora sighed, pulling her knees to her chest and leaning against the headboard.

"I can help you relax, if that's what you came in here for."

Elora rolled her eyes, but deep down, she did come in here for a distraction. Lex didn't let Elora get through an entire day without some sort of compliment or flirty remark. That was exactly what she needed to get out of this funk.

"I know you heard me and Leif the other day. You know what he said, right?"

Lex stayed silent for a moment, considering his next words. "Yeah," he finally admitted. "He was out of line."