My eyes snap open, revealing a dark room blurred by my sleepy vision. As my body adjusts to my new surroundings, I notice a persistent pounding in my head. Wincing as I try to turn over, I decide to stay put and stare at the ceiling.
I have no memory as to what happened last night though as my eyes adjust, I realize that I'm not in my own bed. Internally, I groan, dreading who I am sleeping beside this time.
Forcing myself to look, I turn my head to be greeted by the back of Alex's head. How did this happen? Again? Cautious not to wake him, I roll out of the bed and stand up. Peeking over to see how successful I had been with my mission, I heave a sigh of relief to see last night's partner still deep in slumber.
I pull a tee shirt over my bra and begin pulling up my jeans when I step on a creaking floorboard.
"Sneaking away without saying goodbye, are you?" Alex asks, now standing beside me, alert.
"You caught me out," I laugh, half-heartedly, longing to get away.
"Stay," Alex sinks down into the bed, only dressed in his socks.
Looking away, I begin making up an excuse about having to get away, but mid-sentence, I feel a firm grip on my wrist and a soft rush of air tickle my neck.
"It wasn't a question," Alex chuckles darkly, tightening his grip on my wrist even further.
"Well, when you put it like that, I just can't resist, can I?" Not loosening his grip, Alex smiles at me, forcing me down onto his bed.
All I need for him to loosen his grip, and then I can make a run for it. Apparently, he isn't going to fall for that one again.
As Alex begins to grind his hips into mine, there is a knock on the door, causing us both to start. This is the get away I need. Thankfully, the person on the other side of the door doesn't wait for an answer and just comes in anyway.
"Hey, Alex, I was wondering if-" Charlie starts, before looking up to see his flat mate and I in a compromising position.
"Dude!" Alex yells, gesturing towards me, "Unless you want a threesome, then I suggest that you get out!"
"I should get going," I mumble, going even redder than Charlie.
Alex reaches for me as I stand up, but I manage to dodge out of the way of his groping hands before he can get hold of me.
Dodging around Charlie, I do my best to conceal my face in shame and head out the door. I'm running down the stairs and open the door in haste, before checking behind me to ensure that Alex isn't following me.
To my surprise, when I turn around, Charlie greets me instead.
"I'm sorry," he says, shyly holding the door for me, even though I had already managed to open it myself.
I only smile in return, moving out into the fresh air of the outdoors. Yet, it is only when I hear the click of the door behind me that I dare wonder where I am going to spend the night when the sun goes down. Another night on the streets is sure to be off the cards, but most nights, I have no other choice.