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Pre-Author's Note:
Happy New month my guys, let's begin this new month with a bang! 10 chapter mass release commences now!
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Ethan's gaze fell on Lila, and for a moment, he just stood there, taking in the sight before him.
Her chestnut brown hair was damp, strands clinging to her skin as if she had just stepped out of the shower.
The bathrobe she wore was loosely tied, barely covering her as she swayed slightly on her feet.
Her cheeks were flushed a deep red, her hazel eyes glassy and unfocused.
Was she drunk?
She took a small, unsteady step back, nearly toppling over in response, and Ethan instinctively moved forward, catching her before she could stumble.
Her body felt warm against his as she leaned into him, her fingers gripping his shirt weakly.
"Ethan…" she mumbled, her voice hushed and slurred. He barely understood the rest of her words, just bits and pieces of gibberish that made no sense.
His arms wrapped around her to keep her from falling, and that was when he caught the scent — alcohol.
She smelled strongly of it, the sharp, unmistakable scent clinging to her like a second skin.
She let out a small, incoherent moan of his name, and the sound sent a shiver down his spine, making the hairs on his skin stand on end.
Ethan exhaled through his nose, trying to focus.
That was when his eyes flickered to the side, and he noticed the couch.
Her roommate was there, slouched in an awkward position, completely unconscious.
A half-empty bottle of alcohol was still clutched in her hand, tilted just enough that the remaining liquid dripped onto the floor in slow, steady drops.
A small puddle was already forming beneath it.
Ethan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
What the hell were they doing?
Lila wasn't a heavy drinker — or at least, not the kind to get wasted like this.
Something must've happened, but now wasn't the time to ask questions.
He adjusted his hold on her and carefully led her toward the couch, easing her down onto the cushions.
She clung to him tightly, reluctant to let go, and for a second, he thought she might just refuse to sit down at all.
But her body was weak, exhausted from whatever led to this drunken state, and she eventually slumped into the couch with a soft sigh.
Ethan glanced around, spotting her phone wedged between the couch cushions.
He pulled it out and placed it on the coffee table before turning his attention to the mess on the floor.
The last thing he wanted was the lingering smell of alcohol burning his nose all night.
With practiced efficiency, he grabbed a few paper towels from the kitchen, mopping up the spilled alcohol and tossing the soaked towels into the trash.
Once he was done, he washed his hands, letting out another slow breath.
He turned back to Lila.
Her head had tilted to the side, her damp hair sticking to her cheek, her breathing slow and steady. She was barely conscious, her lashes fluttering as she fought to keep her eyes open.
Ethan exhaled and ran a hand through his hair.
There was no way he was leaving her like this on the couch.
He stepped forward and carefully lifted her into his arms. She stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent against his chest, but she didn't resist.
Using his best guess, he navigated the apartment, eventually finding what he assumed to be her room. He nudged the door open with his foot and stepped inside.
The room was dimly lit, the air smelling faintly of lavender and something uniquely Lila.
He walked over to the bed, gently setting her down on the mattress.
She shifted, curling slightly toward the warmth he had just provided, but she didn't wake.
Ethan pulled the covers over her, brushing a damp strand of hair away from her face.
For a moment, he just stood there, watching her breathe.
What the hell had happened tonight?
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Lila stirred as consciousness crept in, but the moment she tried to move, a sharp, pulsing pain struck her skull.
She groaned softly, squeezing her eyes shut as the pounding in her head grew unbearable.
'God, what did I do last night?'
Her tongue felt dry, her throat parched, and every movement sent another jolt of pain through her skull.
'Ugh. Hangovers suck.'
As she lay there, trying to gather her bearings, something cool pressed into her hand.
A cup. She instinctively wrapped her fingers around it, too desperate for relief to question who had given it to her.
She brought the cup toward her lips, ready to take a sip, but then something else caught her attention.
A hand was extended toward her, palm open, holding two small pills.
Painkillers.
She didn't think twice.
She plucked them from the hand, tossed them into her mouth, and quickly chased them down with water, wincing at how dry her throat was.
The relief wouldn't come immediately, but at least she had something to help dull the throbbing in her head.
It wasn't until she had drained half the cup that she finally looked up at the person who had given her the medicine.
She expected to see her roommate, maybe standing there with a knowing smirk, ready to tease her about whatever had happened last night.
But it wasn't her roommate.
It was Ethan.
Lila froze.
The cup wobbled in her grip, and she barely managed to stop herself from dropping it.
Her breath hitched, her heart rate picking up, and suddenly, the headache wasn't the only thing making her feel lightheaded.
"Hey…" she said, her voice hoarse and uncertain.
It came out weaker than she intended, almost nervous.
And the worst part?
Ethan did not look happy.
His sharp blue eyes bore into her, filled with something unreadable — displeasure? Disappointment? Frustration?
Maybe all of the above.
He was standing at the edge of her bed, arms crossed over his chest, his jaw tight. He was wearing the same clothes from earlier, which meant he had been here the whole time.
Lila gulped.
Suddenly, a flood of hazy memories rushed in.
The alcohol.
Her roommate convincing her to drink a little more than she should have.
Ethan showing up.
Her… clinging to him.
'Oh, God.'
Her face burned, and she quickly averted her gaze, gripping the cup a little too tightly.
Ethan sighed, and the sound made her stomach twist.
"You want to tell me what the hell that was about?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.
Lila bit her lip, hesitating.
Did she even know how to answer that?