I wasn't sure if it was the major throbbing in my head or the bright sunlight coming in from the window that woke me up. Either way, I was now awake...with the knowing feeling I remember all too well. I was hungover.
Like majorly hungover.
I didn't dare even open my eyelids or move my body in any way. I was afraid the direct sunlight would have me acting like a vampire. The idea of moving or god forbid standing had me dry heaving.
That's what you get when you drink excessively and eat next to nothing, my past sober self reminded me.
I felt rougher than sandpaper.
"Jeeesssuss" a voice groaned from beside me.
Shit. I kept forgetting he was there.
Hopefully he was feeling as awful as i was. From the sound of it. My wish had came true.
Another sound effect came from Benjamin, sounding almost like he was trying to force himself to throw up.
If i didn't feel sick before, now i definitely did.
"Do you mind?" I tried to say harshly, but my voice was weak and i sounded uncharacteristically pathetic and whiney.
"My insides are pure acid, this poison needs to come out" he replied. I would have laughed but the shaking would probably make me barf.
"I need water... Lots of water" I announced before reaching to the bed side table and trying to blindly feel around for a glass a water. I could have sworn i put some water here last night before falling asleep.
"More to the left" Mr.Alcohol poisoning instructed, and Voilà my hand found the glass. Thank sweet baby Jesus.
I tried to balance the glass whilst retrieving it from the side table and carrying it over to my lips. My eyes still refusing to open.
"Your gonna need to sit up Homer" the annoying voice next to me ordered.
"Homer?" I questioned, wondering what about me reminded him of the famous yellow man. i probably damaged my liver so bad I was jaundiced.
Benjamin took in a shaky breath, if i had to guess it sounded like he was trying not to projectile vomit.
"The blind poet, not the dude that likes donuts" He confirmed.
Normally thinking about donuts would have had me salivating but thinking of any food or drink right now made me want to gag.
"Ahhh" was all the response i could muster up. Continuing with my previous plan of action, slowly bringing the full glass of water closer to my mouth. It felt almost inches away from my chapped lips when all of a sudden the glass fell on my head.
"OW! For fuck s-" I practically yelled. My eyes forced open from the sudden injury. It was so painful, I thought I might actually cry.
"Be careful Maeve for Christ sake!" Benjamin shouted practically jumping out of his bed.
The glass didn't break, but what it definitely did do was cause my throbbing headache to worsen by at least 99% and cover my entire face and top half of my body in water.
It was going to leave a bruise. That was for sure. I sat up holding my injured forehead with one hand and using the other to move the glass back to the side table.
That was when I noticed the glass get lighter in my hand as Benjamin grabbed it from me and placed it on the table far from my reach. That was probably a sensible idea.
I was so focused on not crying, I didn't realise Benjamin had crouched next to my bed, his eyes on me.
That was when my eyes noticed he wasn't wearing a shirt. Benjamin Lovat was crouching down next to my bed topless with his naked broad shoulders, toned abs and narrow waist all in view, whilst I was palming a bump on my forehead and trying not to cry.
Was I still dreaming? This all felt too ridiculous to be truly happening right now.
"You okay?" he asked, his dark brows knitted together and what looked like concern flashing across his face. Gosh i must have hit my head harder than i had thought.
"I-I'm fine." I wobbled out, hoping he couldn't tell how close I was to vomiting, crying and passing out.
"Lemme see" Benjamin brought his hand to mine, moving it away from my forehead.
He sucked in a quick breath. "Damn. That's gonna bruise. Let me get you a cold compress or something" he suggested, before gently swiping his thumb over the bump and standing up.
I felt my eyes bugging out of my head, my body in a state of shock. It was only when I turned my head slowly did I see Benjamin heading towards the ensuite bathroom, his perfect trapezius muscles and broad back on show.
As Benjamin entered the bathroom he flicked the light on and closed the door behind him. I decided to close my eyes again and lie back down. Sitting up made my stomach nauseous.
I wasn't sure how long had passed. It could have been twenty seconds or ten minutes but after the sound of drawers and cupboards being opened and closed and the flush of the toilet, the bathroom door opened and Benjamin walked out holding what looked like a wet hand towel.
"I didn't hear you wash your hands" I commented.
"I didn't use the bathroom" Benjamin moved closer to my bed.
"Hmmm"
"Well- I used the bathroom but just to throw up in. No genitals have been touched. I promise" he confirmed and despite my aching head his comment made me smile slightly.
"This might be a little cold," Benjamin uttered before placing the cold wet towel on my head.
Despite it being freezing cold and my head pounding, the cold towel made me feel a million times better.
"This is the best thing i've ever felt in my life" I choked out, meaning every word. Benjamin kept his hand on the wet towel, applying a gentle pressure. It felt really fucking good.
"I'd make a thats what she said joke here but I can't be arsed" he declared and again i felt myself about to smile up at him.
Oh god, did I have brain damage?
I looked up at Benjamin whilst he held the towel to my forehead. Despite knowing he had just thrown up in the bathroom and he probably felt like death he looked angelic.
It was unfair really. Benjamin had his eyes closed and I noticed his chest rising and falling slowly.
His lips looked slightly swollen and his skin tone was a little paler than normal but beside that he still looked... perfect. I hated to admit it but Benjamin always had and I presumed always will look perfect.
I chuckled slightly, realising how ridiculous this was. Benjamin slowly opened his eyes. The dark amber colour becomes visible.
He looked confused as he tilted his head. "What?" he questioned.
"Nothing."
He looked at me expectedly.
"What Maeve?"
"Nothing - it's just. Who would have thought that one day I would have the coolest guy in school acting as my own personal nurse?" I continued to laugh. Wiping away a tear of laughter from the corner of my eye.
Benjamin sucked his teeth, rolling his eyes. A small smirk visible on his face. "Yeah yeah... hilarious."
"Not sure a pair of boxers is an appropriate nurse uniform though" he retorted and the smile was wiped from my face.
What the hell, had I not realised he was only wearing his pants?
I suddenly lowered my eyes.
"Ha, made you look" he taunted and I growled. What an ass.
It was then the bedroom door opened. Bev's head peeking through.
"Ooopsy me. I'll come back at a more appropriate time" Bev squealed.
I rushed to let her know this was not what it looked like... but to be honest it was exactly what it looked like.
Before I could think of what to say, she shut the door.
I groaned, thinking of everything that Bev was probably assuming when Benjamin smiled down at me. For the first time ever, I didn't feel like I knew the person who was looking directly at me. My brain refused to believe this was the same person I had once known before.
And maybe my brain was right... Maybe this wasn't the same person I had known.
I took a deep breath before smiling back.