The bed was soft and cozy, her freshly washed and dried hair splayed out on the pillows. The oversized Finding Nemo t-shirt and loose pants were more comfortable than most of her expensive pyjamas. The room was dark, save for the dim nightlight creating a perfect, sleepy ambience.

So why was it that Rose simply couldn't sleep?

She tossed on the bed for the hundredth time, burying her face in the pillows. If sleep was going to try to elude her, then Rose would just have to find a way to lasso it back to her.

Think sleepy thoughts.

Her childhood bedroom. Lazy kittens. Trees gently swaying in the breeze. Mid-afternoon sunlight. A lazy afternoon in her college dorm, with his arms around–

No.

Rose sat up quickly, fingers gripping her still damp hair. Not again. She couldn't think about it. She wouldn't.

Grabbing her phone from the nightstand, she unlocked it before slowly beginning to scroll through the texts. A whole bunch of halfhearted "Congratulations!" greeted her, and one from her mother telling her how proud she is of her. Finally, she found one from Naina.

I genuinely thought you'd make a run for it. Would've been fun!

Rose smiled a little. Inspite of everything that happened in uni, she would never not be glad that she found Naina.

he seems sweet. but idk. might still run away. keep a car running?

The reply was immediate.

BITCH it's your wedding night. Why are you texting me and not getting railed???

Rose rolled her eyes.

different rooms, thank god. we leave for the honeymoon tomorrow. i think im anxious.

Her phone dinged with another incoming text from Naina, but before she could check it, a soft knock sounded from the bedroom door.

Her blood chilled in her veins. Of course. All of the chivalry, just an act. Of course he'd be knocking on her door in the middle of the night. And who was she to deny him? A deal is a deal, and this was a part of it, was it not?

Squeezing her eyes tight, she pushed any and every emotion deep down.

"Come in."

The door opened, and she could make out Sebastian's silhouette on the doorway. Teetering, like a coward.

"I couldn't sleep," he said softly, before stepping in. "Are you sure it's okay if I come in?"

Rose nodded mutely. That was all she did when her parents proposed an arranged marriage, and all she did when they suggested Sebastian. That was all she did now.

He walked in slowly, and every single hair on her body stood up, as if in defense. Nobody, nobody, had touched her since him.

He was so, so close to her now. She caught a whiff of the soap he used, and every cell in her body started screaming.

No, no, no, no, no.

He took a seat on the far side of the bed, as if that was supposed to assuage her.

Nobody had touched her since him, and nobody would.

"I will not sleep with you."

The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them. Her eyes widened, caught off-guard by her own self.

"What?"

Sebastian's voice was incredulous, confused. Rose didn't say anything else, choosing instead to quietly pull her knees up against her chest.

"Rosaline, Jesus, I'm so sorry if that's the impression I gave," he said, sounding so sincere that for a second, Rose doubted herself. He quickly got off the bed, and instead pulled up a chair. "I just wanted to talk to you, clear something up. It was weighing on my mind, and I couldn't sleep until I talked it out with you. That's all. I'm really sorry. If you want me to go, I'll leave immediately."

Rose studied him for a long moment, before nodding slowly. "You can stay. Only to talk."

"Of course. Thank you," he paused for a second, before continuing. "I don't think we should go on our honeymoon tomorrow."

This, Rose had not expected.

She sat up straighter, curious now.

"Um, so," Sebastian paused again, before speaking. "This. All of this. It has happened so incredibly fast, it's giving me whiplash. I can only imagine it's the same for you. We barely know each other, and both of us clearly have our... concerns." he flashed an awkward half-smile, before continuing. "So, I think we should stay. Here. Going away to a foreign land will hardly be enjoyable with a stranger. I think we should stay here, and get to know each other. If that's something that you'd like, that is."

Rose was quiet for a really long moment. "Are you sure?" She finally asked.

"Yes, absolutely. But if you want to get away from here, that's fine too. I just want us to be able to get to know each other."

"Staying here sounds really good, actually," she said, her voice no more than a whisper.

"I'm glad," he breathed. "Again, I'm really sorry about all of this. I'll get going now. If you need me, feel free to barge in," he paused, before flashing her a grin, "as long as you promise not to sleep with me."

A soft, breathy little laugh sputtered out of Rose. "I'm sorry about that. You're right, all of this has been a lot."

"I know," he said, before heading towards the door. "Goodnight, Rosaline."

"Rose," she corrected. "I prefer Rose."

"Rose it is, then. Goodnight, Rose."

"Goodnight again, Sebastian."

The door shut close, and Rose sank back into her pillows, unsure of what to feel. Grabbing her phone, she scanned the text from Naina quickly.

Tell me the word, and I'll come pick you up. Not kidding. If anything feels off, call IMMEDIATELY

Rose stared at the phone for a while, contemplating, before typing in her reply.

it's okay, i think? i dont feel that anxious anymore.

Turning her phone off, Rose once again sank back into her pillows. But unlike before, sleep gripped her almost immediately, pulling her into a world of sunsoaked afternoons and a blue, blue eyed boy who would haunt her forever.

—🥀—

A/N: So, thoughts?

Rose will be updated twice a week from here on, every Tuesday and Friday. Looking forward to seeing you all in a few days! Have a great week until then <3