Chapter 10★

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Char

"Shh, you'll wake everyone in my complex up." I giggled furiously, as Jacques frantically meddled with the elevator buttons.

The days were getting longer and the nights were getting shorter as our body clocks were readjusting and I was still so alert and awake, luckily Jacques had kept me company this evening.

"I'm not even being that ..." I pressed my finger to his lips gently, forcing a smile to grow across his amused face.

I probably shouldn't have agreed earlier to claiming that I could drink him under the table; it seems quite obvious right now who the alpha was in our friendship.

I was happily soaking up the cocktails as the under dog, which I had downed at a breath taking rate. I could consume a drink within the blink of an eye, which evidently would result in being more than a little worse for wares.

Oh shit, which floor do I live on?

All of my common sense and actual intelligence must have been left at that bar, because right now I'm trying to rack my brains and remember which level I live on. Is it five or six?

I've lived in this building my whole life and yet for the life of me, I can't remember. Somehow I found this hysterically amusing and couldn't contain my outbursts of laughter.

It's sort of like when you have those mind blacks and you forget who you are or why you wanted to say something. The synapses inside your brain just decide to start doing a dance routine instead of connecting the dots.

"I'm not being that loud," Jacques tickled my sides and I had to hold back my highly embarrassing cackles from escaping my voice box, he would tease me forever if he got the chance to hear those.

"You're probably gonna hate me right now, but I have no fucking clue which floor I'm on and I don't really care to be honest with you. I think we should go to the roof or something." I was distracted by the illuminated fire exit sign that caught my attention.

"I'm not tired anyways and that sounds like an 'A' class Jacques idea, that I proudly can say is mine." I raised my eyebrows to encourage him. I played with my jumper as I awaited his response, sulking like a little child. It worked every time.

Smugly I grabbed his hands and sprinted up the fire exit staircase, not even waiting for his response. Thinking about it; he could of objectified but in that split second, I didn't really care whether he left.

"Race you to the roof." My legs embarked on the journey ahead.

I just needed to fill these lungs with some teeth chattering fresh air, before I keeled over from my buzzing head; which surely would result in a throbbing headache in a few hours, as it frequently always does. I still haven't learnt my limits with alcohol.

Alcoholic beverages were still not extremely well acquainted with my stomach, I'm not sure if they ever will be. Tomorrows hangover will confirm my hypothesis I assumed.

After my initial quick pace, I realised that the remaining two flights of stairs seemed absolutely impossible for my body to function towards. I was a perspiring mess.

Jacques seemed to realise this as he threw my brittle body across his shoulder almost as if it was no big deal at all, "Come on you." He teased. In that moment, I felt so grateful for his company and playful attitude towards life.

I mean I knew it wasn't exactly ideal, but I've always been the mature one that couldn't risk letting lose because of my Mum. Although she seems to be coping alright without me at the moment, in fact; I'm not sure I've ever seen her so bursting full of life.

He kicked the heavy oak door open and the view was absolutely spectacular. I fumbled down and started spinning around absorbing every inch of the screen that decorated my vision.

As we both inhaled our first breath of fresh summer air, I realised how magnificent this moment felt, especially for me. My parents had finally agreed to giving me their apartment after much persuasion from my Sister, my exam were over and my beautiful boyfriend finally could have my whole attention for the next three months.

"This view is spectacular." I made the obvious statement and ran my eye line across the dazzling lights that blocked the clear night sky from being seen.

"Almost as spectacular as you." I heard him whisper into my ear but shrugged his comment off before he had the chance to pull me in closer.

Even at 2AM, London never slept and neither did we apparently.

Jacques started chanting a made up tune that portrayed every emotion I was feeling as I dizzied myself, spinning in all directions; finally letting go of any tension that still floated around in my head.

I let go as I swerved my body to the beat he was providing unaware of the rhythm that possessed my hips, he liked this a lot and decided that I was doing something right for once. Finally, I'd let loose.

"I love this feeling."

"What feeling are you referring to." He pulled his lips into a smirk.

"The feeling of just hanging out." I forced all the excess air out of my lungs.

"I like it too, it's very serene." He speculated. Even under the influence, he could sound so informative.

"Indeed it is," I replied as he ran his fingers across my back, which proceeded to send sparks of happiness across my body.

We continued to jive like this for what felt like hours but it probably was only a couple of minutes.

Every fibre in my body wanted to collapse into him, but I wasn't that drunk. Although Jacques probably wouldn't have believed me if a walking in a straight line test was called upon.

I knew that I had a boyfriend and I wasn't planning on running away from him anytime soon. He was the centre of my galaxy and nothing could change that. I wonder what he's up to right now?

Jacques was simmering with pride as he twirled me around in a figure of eight. His growing delight encouraged me to stay awake for as long as I could possible stand. I enjoyed seeing him caught up in the moment.

I guess we had just gotten so stolen away by our excitement. Jacques thrust me into a lift above his head and twirled me around effortlessly, this proceeded in chills of adrenaline escaping across my core and brightening my mood.

He pulled me into a playful embrace and just sat on the roof running off fumes of alcohol deep in our systems. I could tell he was feeling just as tired as I was, but neither of us wanted to confront that urge.

We were compliant to stay put in this reminder of sweet adolescence. A night to be remembered long after we would be able to. Which was reinforcing the magical serenity that was our friendship and the delight that we highlighted when in the companion of one another.

"I'm not sure I've had this much fun in a while," I croaked aimlessly.

"I doubt that." He rested his head against my shoulder.

"I'm being completely honest." I sighed in satisfaction.

"You're really something different, aren't you Charlotte? You don't realise how inspiring you are. Just hanging out with you has made me miss something I didn't even know I was missing." Jacques spoke in a soft tone and stared up into the opaque night sky.

"I've never been good at accepting compliments, but I'll try and make an exception for you." I winked at him.

"Then don't accept it, just let it hang there as a statement amongst our existence, let it be what it is." His wise words of wisdom would've coated a smile across my body, if that were even possible,

I was still in a playful mood and wasn't really up for a deep meaningful conversation as Jacques could tell, although I thrived on his honest thoughts; it made me appreciate him more.

I was shivering ever so slightly and Jacques gently began to rub my exposed skin, spreading picks of warmth across my back. This helped slightly, but he was also shivering just as much as I was.

"Do you wanna head in yet Charlotte." His voice sent a warm shiver down my spine.

"I'm alright really, what about you?"

"I'm perfect." His voice broke the silence ever so slightly.

I know I can't allow myself to experiment; but I want something to happen between us.

Just a sign from him to say that he wanted more than friendship, but the other part of me knew that after it happened nothing could ever be the same as it was before.

I'd never had a friend like this, someone who I could be so open with and yet careless whether they disagreed or judged me; because I knew he never would.

I trust him, I gasped quietly.

Of course, I also have Harvey, but he wasn't like Jacques.

Harvey has been also interested in growing up, but Jacques is more of a living in the moment type of guy. Rather than planning the rest of our lives from today onwards.

He admits this acceptance that I crave, but I want more and I know I'm being pretty selfish. He's unknown territory I've acquired a need to explore and my mind needs to stop thinking about Jacques I scolded myself.

Char you can't have everything, a best friend, and a boyfriend are completely more than enough. Stop being so greedy.

Being loved is one of the best feelings you can ever experience, can you just enjoy the difference between lust and love and not try and double your odds by combining them?

After having ranted at myself for a few moments, I decided that my eyes could no longer support my desire to stay awake as my energy had suddenly burnt out.

I lay back against Jacques's chest and forgot about any responsibilities that needed to be addressed and peacefully shut my eyes in defeat.

"I wish you could see how obviously I'm falling for you," Jacques whispered as my dreams were projected across my eyelids

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― If someone could reach into my chest and tear out my heart and turn it into a living breath person, Isaiah would be it. ―

— Airicka Phoenix —

✶ I sense drama, she is kinda on he fence about her feelings for Jacques; who reckons she should see where it leads or should she stick by her primary lover? All will be revealed..✶