I woke up to a throbbing pain in my stomach. I looked to my left where Aiden sat poking me in the stomach in an attempt to wake me up. I slapped his hand away.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" I said holding my side as I shot a mean glance his way.
"You’re walking, I’m not carrying you all the way up those steps." he said pointing at a stairwell that lead to the second floor of an apartment complex. I forced a smile and opened the door, the cool air waking me up, and refreshing me. I stumbled a little, but collected myself as I stepped onto the sidewalk. I became lightheaded and I felt my stomach seize up. I ran over to a hedge and ducked my head inside, releasing the liquids that had been used to comfort me ealier that night. I stumbled back as I wiped my mouth with the sleeve of my jacket, but Aiden rushed behind me, keeping me from hitting the pavement. He followed me up the stairs making sure I didn’t fall and directed me to the door that belonged to his apartment. He swung it open, the bright lights from the room made me squint my eyes as I stumbled carelessly inside. He shut the door behind him throwing his keys onto the counter. He set me down onto the couch and walked off into another room. I could her another voice. A female voice. Aiden returned to the room with his female companion. A blond haired beauty, slender figure, decked out in a fitted tank and shorts. With her hands on her hips she smiled. It was unexpected considering she just walked into her living room to discover a drunken lesbian on her sofa. I tried to force a smile back, my eyes half closed, practically curled into a ball. Aiden attempted to make this encounter a little less awkward.
"Ash, this is Spencer. Spencer, Ashley." She walked forward her hand extended. I looked down at my vomit stained sleeve and looked back at her grinning. This time it wasn’t forced. "It’s alright. I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Spencer Carlin."
"Aiden’s new toy?" I asked sarcastically. Aiden smiled and corrected me. "My girlfriend."
"Ah. Well it’s nice to meet you."
"You too. I’ll go get you a glass of water and a towel." Spencer left the room. She was unusually chipper for it being so late.
"Appreciate it." I said. "Aiden, what.."
"It was ‘Boys Night Out’.. until I noticed that a certain someone had a few to many drinks." he said with that signature smirk on his face.
"You could’ve approached me, when I was a little more sober.." I suggested. Speaking of which, slowly but surely I was beginning to sober up a bit, despite my throbbing head and feeling of nausea.
"Haha I would’ve. I didn’t notice you until you were the last one at the bar."
"Just my luck." I said sarcastically. Just then, Spencer came back into the room, a glass of ice water in one hand and a wet rag in the other.
"I don’t mean to cause any trouble. I can just catch a cab home from here." I said, sitting up.
"I think you should stay the night. You’re welcome to stay until you feel better" she said, handing me the water and rag. "I don’t.." Aiden quickly interrupted.
"Ash, just stay. I’m sure you could use the company. You’re not bothering anyone."
"I really do appreciate it." I said. "It’s just been a rough night..and.."
"No worries." Spencer said. "It’s good to see you again, Ash." He walked over and hugged me. I hugged back, reminded of how good of a friend he was in high school, and how good of a friend he was being now.
"You too, Aiden."
"Well, I think I’m going to hit the showers ladies." Aiden said, planting a kiss on his girlfriend’s cheek. He left the room, leaving me alone with a total stranger. A pretty stranger, a very pretty one.
"Do you need anything else?"
"Aspirin would be nice.." I said smiling.
"No problem." She got up and walked over to her purse and rummaged around until she found a bottle of Advil.
"Good enough?" she asked showing me the bottle as she walked back over.
"Perfect." I said popping it open and downing two pills as soon as I could get them out.
"So what happened?" she asked. "I don’t mind you recovering from a wild night out on my couch, but it wouldn’t hurt knowing why.." she laughed.
"Well. My.. I got in a fight with my umm."
"Girlfriend?" she interjected."It’s alright, like I said, Aiden’s told me all about you. It’ ok." I sincerely appreciated her understanding and her attempt and getting to know me.
"Yes, Laura. I, ummm, I guess tonight just didn’t turn out to be my night." I said looking away. Not wanting to tear up in front of a total stranger.
"I’m really sorry to hear that. But I’m sure things will get better in the long run." she reassured me placing her hand on my shoulder.
"Is there anything else I can get for you?"
"If you don’t mind me crashing out here on the couch tonight, I’ll be out of your way in the morning."
"No rush. You can stay as long as you like. But I’m sure that you’d be more comfortable in something other than jeans.."
"..and a puke stained shirt? Haha.. no I’m alright, I don’t want to…"
"It’s no trouble at all. I’m sure I can find something." She left the room and came back carrying some gym shorts and a loose t-shirt.
"Thank you." I said smiling as she handed me the outfit. She left to let me change. I slipped on the clothes, they had a fruity smell to them which made me smile. I took a sip of the iced water and laid back on the couch. I closed my eyes and heard a laugh. I opened them to see Aiden standing shirtless with a pair of boxers on. He threw a blanket and a pillow at me. I smiled catching both. He turned off the light and and left the room.
"’Night!" I heard him shout.
"G’Night!" I shouted back turning over, climbing under the blanket and buring my head into the pillow.