Meet Me in the Bathroom

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After a lazy day of everyone just chilling in the small motel room, chatting and pigging out on takeaway food, Fab stands up on the bed and claps for attention.

"Right, sleeping arrangements," he speaks when he has all our attention. "We can do three on the bed, it'll be a tight fit, but it'll work. One on that sofa over there," he points to a small brown sofa in the corner of the room. "...and the other two will have to suck it up and settle for the floor."

"Are you sure we couldn't get another room?" I sigh at the thought of us all cramped in here for the night.

Albert shakes his head. "Not if we want dinner tomorrow night."

"We're not moving." say Nikolai, Nick and Fab who are already sprawled out on the double bed.

Albert zips over to the sofa and collapses. "Have fun on the floor, you two." he laughs at Julian and I.

"Are you serious? That's not fair!" I frown at him and cross my arms.

"Life ain't fair, babe." Albert lays down and closes his eyes.

"Unbelievable." I mutter.

"Hey, this is fine." Julian sits down on the dirty, stained carpeted floor. "It's not too bad."

"Dude, are you serious? I'm gonna wake up with a bad back and a disease!" I complain.

"Chuck me a blanket, Fab!" Julian says.

Fab pulls a blanket off the bed and throws it at Julian, who pats the floor beside him, motioning for me to come over.

I reluctantly sit beside him, a resting frown on my face. Julian lays down on his side, propped up on his elbow.

"I'm gonna sleep in the van." I stand up, dust myself off and walk over to the door. "Anyone who'd like to join me is welcome." I disappear through the door out into the hall.

It's really dark and windy outside, like something from a horror movie. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at all spooked by it.

I slide the door of the van open and jump inside, shutting it behind me. I crawl over to the backseat where I've slept the previous night and lay I down.

Just when I can finally feel myself drifting off, I hear a twig snap outside. I jerk up and look out the window, squinting. The silhouette of a tall figure comes into view and my eyes widen with fear. Just when I'm about to let out a cry for help, Julian comes into view and knocks on the window.

"Jesus christ, Julian! You fucking scared the hell out of me!" I say as I lean over the seats and open the door for him. "What do you want?"

"Figured I shouldn't leave you out here alone." he gets in and closes the door, joining me in the back seat.

I roll my eyes and lean against the window. Julian yawns, laying his head down on my lap.

"Is this gonna become a thing?" I look down at him with a smirk. "You using my lap as a pillow. My legs are gonna be numb soon, you know!"

"Oh, well." he closes his eyes and smiles. "Let's talk."

"About what?"

"I dunno," he stops to think. "How are you feeling about this whole situation?"

"Running away from home?"

"Yeah."

"Honestly, I'm glad I did it."

"Really? I didn't think you'd actually come with us."

"I didn't think I would either, but to be honest, you guys are the only good friends I've ever really had...as sad as that sounds."

"Woah, really?"

"Yeah..." I bite my lip and look away.

Julian gently cups my cheeks in his hands and makes me look down at him. "Hey, no need to be embarrassed. I'm not thinkin' any less of you!"

Now is not a good time to blush and almost have a heart attack, Jade.

"Thanks, Jules. You're really cool, you know that? Thanks for inviting me to ditch with you that one day, I wonder where I'd be now if I didn't go." I sigh and think to myself. "Probably still getting my head dunked in a fucking toilet."

"Oh, man I remember that. That was brutal. Did that shit always happens to you?"

"Everyday."

"Man, I'm sorry people were that horrible to you."

"It's cool. I'm used to it."

"Well, you shouldn't be. You're such a cool chick, Jade."

"I'm really not."

"Yes, you are. You're smart, funny, pretty and you put up with us. You're the fucking best."

My cheeks flush as red as a tomato and my heart starts racing. "Um, I...I, wait what?!"

"You heard me." he looks up at me with those eyes that I've grown to adore so much, and I just can't help myself, he looks so good with the subtle moonlight, shining through the window, illuminating his face.

"Julian," I chew on my bottom lip. "I think I like you." Flattery has taken over me and I can't think straight.

"I like you too, Jade." Julian closes his eyes again and sinks deeper into my lap.

"No, like... Like, like." I whisper and start to hear heavy breathing. "Oh, you're asleep." I mumble to myself and I lean my head against the window again. "Cool."

I'm starting to feel stuff for Julian again, am I? Probably not...I'm just tired. Yeah, that's it.