Chapter Text
Tonight was a special night.
Bottles and bottles of beer, liquor and strewn snack wrappers litter Alex’s domicile, painting the picture of a grandiose party. Throughout the night they had visitors saying their goodbyes to Steph Gingrich who was due to take off for Salem the very next morning. In hindsight, it may have not been a good idea to go this hard and risk waking up with a hangover coupled with a very long bus ride, but Steph didn’t mind at all. Little did everyone know, as much as she wanted to see her Haven family off, this was also a ticket to alleviate the pain. The cruel, agonizing pain of leaving this life behind. However, just this once, it wasn’t about to be doom and gloom. That can wait for tomorrow. Tonight, just to quell her troubled mind, she was going to get absolutely wasted.
It was a night of reminiscence. Tomfoolery. Loud music. Games. Gifts. One by one, everyone in the community that knew Steph had come to offer their love and appreciation. Eleanor had given her flowers Steph obviously couldn’t take care of, so Ryan took it upon himself to tend to himself in her stead. Ethan gave her an exclusive issue made only just for her, with a new character based solely on herself. Duckie offered her extra money for the road and a locket he found in the war coupled with a group photo of all of them together huddled up at a booth in the Black Lantern. Charlotte sculpted a miniature figure of her in her LARP costume and endlessly thanked Steph for everything she did for her and Ethan in her time at Haven. For Ryan, a multitude of presents including extra beanies, a very expensive pair of earbuds, and a photo he had taken of her and Gabe posing after a game of foosball. He figured since Gabe wasn’t around anymore, she could use a memento of him to take with her wherever she wanted. And Steph was grateful. So grateful that when Ryan offered her photo frame, she had shed a few tears as a tidal wave of memories came flooding back. Alex, who is sat beside her, rubs Steph's back to console her. It wasn’t just Steph, the room fell in silence to pay respects for Gabe Chen. Throughout the evening, the group share heartwarming stories of him to lift everyone’s spirits, until before long, the room gradually begins to clear. Before leaving, they make sure to take turns snapping a few pictures together to preserve and treasure the memory of each other and say their final farewells to Steph.
Needless to say, Steph was beyond touched at the amount of people she had impacted in her small time living in Haven. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t going to miss everyone. No one walked out that door without a hug goodbye from her, and a thank you for being there for her, even when she would shut herself out. They loved her. And she loved them from the bottom of her heart.
Once the crowd trickles down, it left only Alex, Ryan and Steph. The plans were that the three would spend some time together doing some drunken karaoke to end the night on. However, that was quickly cut short. Ryan’s phone goes off to a text message just as he starts to sit down with a cold beverage. He reaches for his pocket and is quick to read it, but draws a frown. It was his work that had given him a heads up on a trapped deer stuck in a chain-link fence and they could use his assistance. Feeling disappointed and let down, he slicks his hair back, not wanting to break the news to Steph who had been looking forward to this all week. “Guys, I wish I could stay with you guys a bit longer, but something came up.”
Fuck.
Even though it hurt, Steph understood and immediately jumped up to give him a powerful hug. Astounded by her strength, Ryan grunts and returns his arms around her. When they part, Ryan treads over to hug Alex goodbye before making his way to the exit. However, before he could leave, his peripheral vision catches a familiar sight: one of his many LARP masks sitting right on top of Alex’s dresser. To the girl’s confusion, he reverses his path to retrieve the mask, taking a gander at it’s condition. Once Alex realizes what’s going on, she grits her teeth in embarrassment. Ryan does a double take at the girls, now with the snake mask in his grasp. “Wow Alex. I didn’t know you kept this.”
Alex plays dumb. “I didn’t either. What’s that doing there.”
Then it clicks for Steph. Was she hoarding all those precious artifacts all this time? “Come to think of it, I am missing my hat. Looks like we have a thief in our midst.” She chimes in hoping to illicit a reaction. They both stare in silent judgement at Alex.
“I DID NO SUCH THING. Innocent until proven guilty.”
“You did didn’t you.” Ryan was stoic and deadpan in his expression causing uneasiness for Alex. Caught red handed and put right on the spot. She definitely should have asked to keep them during the clean up. Now she’s given Ryan and Steph more ammunition to use against her.
“Okay yeah,” Alex admitted. “I was going to give them back you know. Swear.”
“Tell you what. All is forgiven if you send me a selfie of you in my hat.” Steph compromises, albeit flirtatiously.
“Good idea. You can send me a video of you slithering around in this thing.”
“DID I MENTION I HATE YOU BOTH BECAUSE I STILL DO.” Alex crosses her arms with a sneer.
In an act of mercy, Ryan has another option, as much as seeing her being a goofball would have been a delightful sight to behold. “Alright, since I know Steph won’t, I’ll let you off easy. Mind if I take this with me?”
Alex turns to Steph as if silently asking for permission. After all, that mask was one of her props. When she gestures with a shrug, Alex threw her arms up. “Ah what the hell. It’s all yours. You pull it off better than I could.”
This excited Ryan enough to fist pump the air. “Yesss!” he exclaims in victory as he happily begins his trek out the door with his newly acquired mask. With one step out the door, Ryan halts, turns around, dons the mask and points out his finger, clearly aiming for Steph. “You there. Call me in the morning before you go. Or you’re hissssstory.”
The door slams shut and Alex and Steph stand in the kitchen beyond flabbergasted at what they just heard. “Oh my fucking god dude he’s a super dork,” Steph nudges Alex beside her and takes a swig of her ale, trying to suppress laughter so she won’t choke.
“Only the second best Haven has to offer.”
“Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“Fucker, I was talking about you.” Alex nudges back with her elbow in jest.
The room soon fell eerily quiet. With everyone gone, Steph took it as her cue to leave as well. Although she wasn’t as piss drunk as she wanted to be, she was exhausted from the night’s activities. Tomorrow was the big day, as much as she wanted this night to go on forever. Disappointingly, she’d have to head out now and make extra preparations. “Hey, uh, it’s pretty late, I should get going as well.”
Hearing this proved disheartening for Alex, to the point where she could feel what felt like a tight knot in her belly. Little did Steph know, she was hurting too. She really didn’t want to see her walk out that door just yet. Doing so would mean their night would be over, and she had no idea what the future held for the two despite the promises of texts, phone calls and frequent visitations. It took years for her to reconnect with her brother Gabe and to say she didn’t have those fears about Steph would be a giant fucking understatement. She was terrified. And it didn’t take long for Steph to take notice of this. “Alex? What’s up?”
Alex snapped out of her train of thought and eased a broken smile. “It’s nothing really.” She lied. She totally lied and knew that Steph saw right through it.
“You’re a terrible liar.”
Alex breathes a heavy sigh of defeat, “I don’t know, can you just like, stay a bit? Just a bit longer. I mean you don’t have to and I know you’re tired. And I don’t want to seem super selfish or anything but—”
“That’s no problem, Alex,” Steph was quick to reassure her. Deep down she was hoping Alex could convince her to stay awhile longer anyway. “truth be told I told myself I’d get absolutely blitzed tonight but I’m not quite there yet.”
That’s when a lightbulb goes off in Alex’s head. There was only way good way to rectify that. “That can be arranged. You up for a drinking game?”
I thought you’d never ask. Say less.
“Shit yes! Count me in. What do you have in mind? Arkanoid? Pool? Foosball? Don’t tell me it’s Mine Haunt, you know I kick ass at that.”
“Actually I was thinking two truths and a lie but make it into a drinking game.”
Steph was a bit perplexed at the suggestion. “Uh? You have superpowers. How do I know you won’t read my mind? I’m not playing a game against a walking cheat code for the human psyche. I’m offended you’d even suggest that.”
“Okay, fair enough to think that, but if I promise I won’t use my hocus pocus on you, will you stay and play?” Alex pouts her lip and gives her the best puppy dog eyes she can muster, hoping that it’ll be enough to coerce her friend. After all, who knows when it’ll be the next time they get to have this much fun together?
It was with some amusement that Steph realized Alex was obviously way drunker than she was. Taking that into account, and not to be one upped in the situation, Steph accepted the challenge knowing the outcome all too clear: Alex was going down and going down very quickly. Within two shots, tops. “As long as you keep your promise and not cheat, I of course, accept. It’ll be my utmost pleasure to have this victory over you.” Steph snidely remarks as she takes two shot glasses out of the cabinets.
Her plan worked. She knew Steph could never back down from a challenge especially against a Chen. And with this noted, Alex retrieves the vodka from the coffee table and hands it to Steph who proceeds to pour out each glass. “Still looking for something to prove after always getting shit on at Foosball eh?” Alex teases while grabbing her glass; leaning against the counter studying the expression on Steph’s face. As far as she was concerned, nothing in the world was as priceless as bringing out her sexy competitive edge. That, or maybe, perhaps, she just loved the way Steph stared at her in any form or fashion because of how it made her feel. There was genuine love behind her eyes and she felt it penetrate her heart every single time. Regardless, if this was to be her last day in Haven, Alex was going to take full advantage and get any of those trademark glances as she could. She’d be a fool not to.
Feeling her confidence rise, Steph could only grin as she motions her head for them to take it to the sofa. Once plopped down, Steph takes initiative and already has a set of questions lined up for her. “Let me start this off,” Steph clears her throat. “I taught Ryan's parrot to tell him to go fuck himself every time he walked in the door, I—”
“Wait Ryan has a parrot?!”
“Let me FINISH, it’s defeating the purpose of the game if I tell you if that is true or not!”
“Oh,” Alex almost whispers as if she’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
Smacking her lips, Steph continued on. “I got my tongue stuck on a metal pole reenacting the scene from Dumb and Dumber to see if it was scientifically accurate. And I also once stole Pike’s handcuffs to use on a date at the time.”
Now that caught her off guard. Alex couldn’t help but furrow her brow, before opening her mouth to speak. “I don’t know what to say to that last one. It almost sounds a little too outrageous but somehow I wouldn’t put it past you.”
Little do you know I’m full of surprises.
All Steph could do was maintain her wide grin and give her a devious, demented wink. And all the while, Alex carefully ponders her answer. All of them seemed really ridiculous but that last one took the cake. It had to be that one. There’s just no stinking way. Right? RIGHT?!
“I’m going to go ahead and assume the parrot and the pole were true. The handcuffs is false.” She guesses with some uncertainty in her voice which she hoped would go unnoticed.
It didn’t.
It didn’t go unnoticed.
Mmm. Steph bit her bottom lip then shook her head no. “Missy, I’m afraid you’re going to have to take a shot.”
“WHAT?!” Alex’s mouth just about dropped to the floor. “You’re actually fucking insane.”
“Now now, don’t kink shame me.” Steph barks back as she props her feet up on the coffee table. “Hi Alex my name is Steph. Don’t keep me waiting. This shot isn’t going to drink itself.”
Alex groans, shakes her head in frustration, and gulps down the vodka. Her throat burns but she manages to keep a straight face, wiping the corner of her mouth with the sleeve of her denim jacket. “You gotta tell me how you even managed to pull that off without getting caught. Or explain the situation with Ryan’s parrot because how am I just hearing about that? Actually, I have so many questions in general.”
“Sure. I’ll tell you. Only if you beat me.”
An ultimatum. Oh this was going to be more fun for her than she thought. Now Alex was the one on the ropes and Steph relished in it. Any prior loss she had suffered before at any point in time would be worth it if she would end up get the last laugh against the siblings.
“I wouldn’t worry too much about that, I’m not losing to you. Now here’s mine: I went to a moshpit and got dropped when I crowd surfed, I can burp the alphabet backwards, and I smeared shit in my bully’s sandwich.”
Steph blinks. “Whoa. I thought my questions were out there. Let me think about this for a minute.”
“Sure. Take your time. It won’t matter anyway.”
“You’re actually adorable when you shit talk, you know that right?” Steph cocks her head to the side.
“Sucking up to me are you?”
“Maaaybee?” Steph responds wryly before getting back to the questions. “Okay so, here’s what I gather. I think you definitely put shit in that kid’s sandwich. I mean, from what you told me, you had it rough in the foster care system. And I know you have a hidden mean streak underneath all that shy and awkward exterior you got going on. Knowing what I know of you now, I’m convinced you absolutely wouldn’t take the kid’s BS.”
“Pretty perceptive. Maybe you’re right. Then again maybe you aren’t.”
“No, I think I’m right. I’m gonna say that’s true. And I’m going to go out on a whim and say the moshpit story is true too because you’re totally the moshing type. I think I got to go with the whole alphabet one being the false one.”
“That’s like the most tamest one. How do you know it’s not true?”
“Prove it. Burp me the alphabet backwards.” Steph dared.
“I can’t officer, I’m drunk.”
“Or it’s false. Take. The. Shot.”
“Do I have to?” Alex rolls her eyes.
“Do it or I’ll go find Pike, grab those cuffs and put them on you.”
“You’re relentless, like, really relentless.” Alex slaps her palm over her head. Damn she was good. Too good. Two for one. She had the get the next one correct or she was never going to hear the end of it, even if this was, in fact, the end.
“That’s what I’ve been told. I guess it’s my turn. Again. You guess wrong, well then, I’m afraid I’ll win and end this little game of yours 3-0.” After finishing her sentence, Steph crosses her legs and pours another shot. “Here goes. I once met Phoebe Bridgers at one of my gigs, I’m a well known psychic, and I once got suspended from school kicking three boys in the nuts for calling me a queer.”
Rationally, Alex deduces at least one of them being true. She had heard some murmurs from Duckie that she used to tell fortunes over the radio and somehow, some way, guessed his future correctly. But one thing she didn’t quite understand, is how she did it. Maybe she too had some kind of ability she didn’t tell her about? That’s the only fucking way she’s getting all this right anyway. Now it was time to cross examine her. “So uh, how’d you do it?”
“Pardon?”
“I know you told other people’s fortunes so that kind of narrows it down.”
Steph shrugged. “Well shit. Who told you? Ryan? I can’t wait for tomorrow morning where I’m gonna kick his ass if he ends up costing me this game.”
“It wasn’t, actually. But that’s besides the point.”
“Have it your way. I’m a witch.”
“Is that so?”
“You do know that witch outfit wasn’t just for show. Why do you think I’m going to Salem? And why do you think I have a black cat?”
Fair play. “Alright Steph Gingwitch, I believe you.” For the sake of it, Alex bought into her story. She couldn’t deny she made a solid case for herself.
“That’s my story and I’m sticking with it. Come to think of it, that name might stick too. Got a nice ring to it.”
Well at least Alex was right about something. Now it’s down to the wire. And deciding which other one was true was going to be harder than she thought. Even though it was a 50/50 answer at this point, it was so tempting to go into her mind and figure it out herself, but to respect and honor her promise she decides not to. But that doesn’t mean she couldn’t have some fun with it. Alex extends her arm out and her body begins to tremble, causing Steph to react.
“HELLO?! You’re cheating!” Steph shrieks, quickly placing a pillow between her and Alex as a barrier as if that would ever work. In response Alex takes her hand down and chuckles. Steph peeks from above the pillow to see why she was cracking up.
“You should have seen yourself. So worth it.”
Steph whacks Alex with the pillow for tricking her. “Okay, so like, I’m gonna need that troll dust back too since you want to be a little troll tonight.”
As priceless as that was, Alex composes herself and begins to rationalize. “Right. You had to have met Phoebe Bridgers. For sure. I mean... you have been everywhere on tour with your band so I’d think you may have seen a few artists on the road. Maybe opened for them.”
“Is that your final answer?” Steph channels her inner Regis Philbin from ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'.
Alex just gulps and nods her head.
“That was a very good answer but no. I’ve never met Phoebe in particular. Too bad you’re going to have to hold this L.” Steph mimes passing the loser award to Alex.
“FUCK.” Alex shouts and hammer fists the cushions. Couldn’t get a single round. Not a one. Alex then goes dead silent. Instead of pouring herself the shot, she aggressively chugs it straight out of the bottle to Steph’s surprise. There’s no question she was definitely feeling it now. But despite her loss and feeling this plastered, she had other plans. No. Steph wasn’t getting away that easily. She wasn’t allowed to leave this place until Alex won at least one game.
“You.. you think you’re better than me? P..prove it.”
“I kind of already did.”
“We are going into round two. We watch an episode of Breaking Bad, take a shot every time ‘bitch’, ‘Jesse’ and ‘breakfast’ are said. First to.. tap out and pass out loses.”
“I don’t think you---” Reasoning wouldn’t work. Alex had already made up her mind.
“STEPH. Don’t make me fight you, you’ve seen what I did to Mac.”
Wow she’s gotten aggressive. And I thought I was a sore loser.
Surrendering and going along with it, she watches Alex fumble with the remote to open the Netflix app. With glasses replenished, they start their second game. Within 15 minutes of the episode, they take their first shot, and 10 minutes after, another round of shots in thanks to one Jesse Pinkman’s favorite word. When Steph notices that Alex hasn’t reached over for the bottle, she sees her slumped over, sound asleep.
Well that didn’t take long. Goodnight, sleeping beauty.
The least she could do right now was make Alex comfortable, so she grabs the pillow she tossed on the floor earlier and carefully lays Alex down. With that done, a tipsy Steph stands up to the best of her ability but stumbles over the sofa, causing a minor stir. Despite her clumsiness, the only thing on her mind was a cold, refreshing beer. Well hell, maybe two. Anything more to help her take her mind off of the fact that this night was going to be her final night in Haven Springs. She was going to miss this. Being the best damn radio DJ she could possibly be, having music parties with Ryan, going out for drinks at her favorite hang out, the cute and quaint town, but most important of all, was getting to know that very special girl sleeping soundly on the sofa just inches away. But she couldn’t think about that right now. She didn’t want to think about anything at all. Doing so would only make it worse. Tonight was a celebration. Not a mourning.
Once she retrieved a drink of choice from the fridge, she felt she could use a breath of fresh air to go along with it. She staggers along the way to go upstairs, being careful with her footsteps on her way up. The steps below her wasn’t so forgiving as they creaked and cracked from under her, causing her to wince at the commotion. But, once outside, she began to relax and took the time to look around at the view before taking her seat. There, she slumped pitifully, averting her eyes to her feet instead. It wasn’t just seeing Alex, the sight of Haven just made her hurt even more. With a bottle of booze squeezed tight in her hand, she downs a quarter of its contents and leans her head back to stargaze. But before she could take in the view, her immersion was broken when she heard the door beside her creak open. It was then that she saw the moonlight gleaming off a pair of glasses.
So much for being stealthy.
“Damn. I thought you were out cold.” Steph put on a grin and placed the bottle down beside her in such a matter to Alex it looked like she was hiding it from her.
“I was getting there. But that’s beside the point Ms Grinch. You could have woken up a Snorlax. Do you know how loud that bang was?”
“In my defense, I couldn’t see shit.” Steph shrugged.
“Or you were just really drunk.”
“…Yeah that too.” they both burst into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.
Even though the moment seemed jolly, as absolutely wasted as Alex was, she still couldn’t help but notice hints of blue in her aura and the sudden melancholic shift in Steph’s expression. Curiously, Alex reaches into the deepest thoughts of her friend hoping to have a better understanding of her thought process. It was there where she found the root of what ailed her. Steph was dreading tomorrow. All this time in the days leading up to now, she had played it cool to not draw too much attention to herself or specifically, to her empathic best friend. But there was no hiding it this time. So, in an attempt to comfort her, Alex hobbled over and took her seat at table; shifting the chair ever so close to Steph. Steph comes to the realization and lets out an semi annoyed moan and leaned her head back. “Oh fuck off. You read me again didn’t you.”
Alex couldn’t lie. “Duh. I could be way off in my assumption because I’m still like, really, really drunk but there’s no need to worry because you know we’ll still keep in touch right? And… you’ll visit me and I’ll visit you and you can show me around and I can make new friends because holy fuck I need more of those but everyone always hates me and---”
Steph quickly cuts her off. “Hey, girl, first off, I don’t know who couldn’t love you. You’re so gentle, sweet and badass and have the best taste in music. I don’t think I’ve met anyone as awesome as you. Actually, let me rephrase that, there’s no one I met as awesome as you and I’ve been around quite the cult of personalities.”
Creasing, Alex bashfully rests her elbows on the table and props her chin on her knuckles. “Aww you really think so?”
“Yeah. I guess you’re alright.” Steph teases back, using her index finger to give her a boop on the nose before going back to her bottle on the ground.
“Wanna know something?” Alex leans in.
“Sure?”
“You are the nicest person I’ve ever met. Check this out: when I met you, and we first locked eyes at the booth, I think I got butterflies in my stomach. You know that feeling? Like I just literally swallowed an entire jar of them. And Steph, bestie, baby, anyone ever told you just how FUCKING hot you are?”
Before she knew it, Steph could feel fire. Her face burned bright hot with this sudden confession and her eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. She hadn’t felt this since that time Alex offered her hand in marriage at Ethan’s LARP. And that wink. Holy shit that wink.
Wait what the shit?! Is this really happening right now?
“Could… could you repeat that?” an awestruck Steph couldn’t quite process all of it. Maybe she was drunk after all and hearing things?
“I’m saying you aren’t just a snack. You’re a buffet.” The glossy look in Alex’s eyes transformed to that of lust. She hovers over the table to pinch Steph’s crimson cheeks and squeals in delight. “See? Soooo cute. Cute wittle Stephy cheeks.”
“I think you’ve had a bit too much to drink.” Even after Alex lets go, Steph’s mouth stays gaped open from the absolute shock of this drunken unexpected revelation.
Oh but she wasn’t finished with her. “I never gave you my gift. Wanna.. wanna know what it is?” Feeling bolder in thanks to this newfound intoxication, Alex continues to lean over the table until she was just an inch from Steph’s face. The gay panic sets in. Steph doesn’t know whether to stop her or let her edge on closer, but she knew what was coming. It’s no secret how much she wanted this, but it felt wrong it was in this way and not how she imagined it would go. Debating the ethics and morals of kissing your drunk best friend aside, there was one conclusion she ultimately decided.
Fuck it. This might be the last time I see her.
Steph clenches her pants leg and leans in with her, closing her eyes shut to take in this moment, also puckering her lips. As this happens, she hears a loud burp which causes her eyes to bolt open in surprise. Liquid splashes across the steel table and before she knew it, chunks of whatever Alex had eaten earlier in the night, ended up getting on her too. Rather than being horrified, Steph jumps into full caregiver mode, and looks around to find something to help clean Alex’s mouth. Feeling the opposite; Alex falls back in her chair full of exhaustion, shame and embarrassment. “Maybeee I had too much to drink after all. I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah no shit,” Steph sarcastically replies as she improvises and takes off her beanie to wipe away Alex’s face. “You feel better?”
“No. I fucking suck. I really, really suck. I ruin everything.” Alex shoos Steph’s hand away and rises from the chair, however, is too drunk to stay up for long before her legs give out on her and she comes crashing back into her seat. Her now hatless friend rushes to her rescue in case she hurts herself on the way down.
“It might be a good idea to go lay back down.”
“Well… I.. don’t think I have my legs anymore.”
Well now there was no choice. The only way back down was helping her down herself. A difficult task, but not impossible. “If I carry you down will you promise not to throw up on me?”
“Don’t worry about me, you can let me wallow here in my self pity.”
“Not gonna happen,” Not giving up on her, Steph kneels with her back facing Alex. “Think you can hop on? I’ll give you a piggy back ride down.”
“Steph please you don’t have to.” Alex’s voice shakes, still unrelenting to accept help.
“Hey. Stop that. I want to. Now up you go,” Steph sternly insists. “Jump on and wrap your arms around my neck and we’re off to the races.”
It took Alex a minute before coming to her senses. Well. If you even call it 'senses'. “With all due respect, do you even lift bro?” she drunkenly quipped in her deepest voice she could muster. The joke was all that was needed to lighten up the night as it made Steph hunch over more in a giggle fit.
When she recovered, she made sure to lock her arms around Alex’s thighs securely. Steph makes the journey back downstairs, taking it slowly, one step at a time. It didn’t matter if she wasn’t strong enough for the job, all that mattered to her at this point was to get this girl to her bed safe and sound. Even as the muscles in her body began to strain, her willpower was as stern and steady as ever. Once she finally reaches the bottom, she turns around, backs up to the bed, and gently places Alex down. To make sure she was thorough, Steph scoots her under the covers and makes certain she stays laying on her side in case she felt sick and had to throw up again. As an extra precaution she takes a small garbage bin from Alex’s workspace and places it beside the bed should Alex need to get to it. With all that accomplished, she sits at the bedside, brushing Alex’s hair out of her eyes. “You feel any better?”
“Not really.”
This drew a concern. “What’s the matter? Can I get you anything else?”
Tiny droplets of tears stain Alex’s pillow. Little does Steph know, she was drowning. Drowning in her own sorrowful thoughts and emotions. This night had finally come to an end, and they would go their separate ways in just a few short hours. In this moment, Alex hated sleep. To her, it was some evil barricade preventing more time with the ones she loved. For a long time, she never understood that time was the biggest commodity of them all. Now she knew.
Now she knew.
“I’m really.. really gonna miss you. So fuck.. fucking much.”
It was quick and sudden but for the second time tonight, Steph’s breath was ripped away from her lungs. Just then, she felt a cold chill, and her heart thumping ferociously in her chest. There were no words to accurately describe this feeling that came over her. And even if she did, Alex wasn’t sober enough to remember it. But she had to show it. Steph takes her thumb and brushes the teardrops formed over her lightly freckled cheeks.
“In such little time you’ve been here, you’ve already became the highlight of my life. And I’m going to miss you too. More than anything. I’m not even out the door yet and I’m already missing you.” Steph nearly breaks but stops herself. “We had a plan to keep in touch and we’ll stick to it. And you better be ready for the day I come back for you.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” She reassures Alex with a warm smile. “Now that you’re taken care of, I’m going to go crash at my place and finish packing.”
“You’ll text or call me and Ryan before you go so we can walk you to the bus in the morning won’t you?” she responds, almost pleadingly.
“Yeah. I—of course.”
“Tonight was… like… one of the best nights of my life. And you’re like… the greatest friend I could ever want. You’re so fucking amazing and.. I want you to know how much I appreciate you and everything you’ve done for me,” Alex slurs. “I’m.. really sorry about how the night ended.”
“You didn’t ruin anything. I’ll remember this night until the day I die no matter what. But let’s save the rest of the sappy goodbye stuff for in the morning when we’ve both sobered up,” She stands up and blows her a kiss goodnight. “Now get some sleep. Love you.”
As Steph turns off the light and makes her way out, she’s met with more slurred words. Slurred but undoubtedly unmistakable. “Please don’t leave me.. I don’t want you to go. Please. I don’t think I just love you. I think.. I think I’ve really fallen in lo—”
Hearing this, Steph freezes in her tracks and looks back in bewilderment. Did she just… did she just confess? No. She’s drunk and she doesn’t mean any of it, right?
“Alex? I couldn’t hear you, did you just say what I think you said?” she tries to find some affirmation in the darkness but none comes. Alex was now soundly asleep. All Steph could do was stand there in the doorway, taking one last extended gaze at her before uttering the words: “Yeah. I really think I have too, Alex Chen.”
Steph leaves and softly closes the door behind her. Overwhelmed with emotion, her demeanor finally breaks down and she collapses to her knees, puts her hands over her face and sobs.
…And she cries the hardest she’s ever cried in her life.