C8 Him

By the time the wedding celebration began to settle down, the house had grown quieter.

The music was still playing somewhere in the background, but it was softer now. People had spread out across the living room, some talking in small groups while others rested after the long day.

Sierra sat with Elizabeth and Samantha, listening to them talk.

She was tired.

Not just tired enough to want sleep, but tired enough that everything seemed a little funnier than it should.

Samantha said something about one of the guests, and Sierra laughed.

Elizabeth looked at her.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You're laughing.”

“I know.”

Samantha glanced at her.

“You're getting tired.”

“I've been tired since the ceremony.”

“And yet you're still here.”

“Unfortunately.”

Elizabeth laughed.

Across the room, Chris was talking with Peter.

Alex sat with them, listening more than speaking.

Peter seemed incapable of letting a conversation die. Chris wasn't much different.

Alex, on the other hand, seemed completely comfortable sitting quietly while everyone else talked.

Sierra found herself looking at him.

She had noticed it earlier.

There was something calm about him.

He wasn't distant. He simply didn't seem to feel the need to fill every silence.

Alex looked up.

Their eyes met.

Sierra smiled slightly.

He returned it.

She turned back to Samantha.

A few minutes later, Sierra stood and walked across the room.

She stopped beside Alex.

“You're quiet.”

Alex looked up at her.

“You've mentioned that.”

“I know.”

A faint smile crossed his face.

Sierra glanced toward the hallway.

“Come with me.”

Peter looked over.

Alex ignored him and stood.

They walked toward the quieter side of the house.

The noise from the living room faded behind them.

Sierra leaned against the wall.

Alex stood across from her.

For a moment, neither said anything.

Then Sierra looked at him.

“I don't think you're shy.”

“I'm not.”

“So why don't you talk much?”

“I talk when I have something to say.”

She smiled.

“That sounds like something a quiet person would say.”

“Probably.”

She laughed softly.

Alex watched her.

She seemed different away from everyone else.

Less concerned with keeping the conversation going. Less aware of how she came across.

Just Sierra.

She looked at him with open curiosity.

Alex found himself staring for a moment longer than he intended.

The soft light caught the side of her face.

She was beautiful.

He had noticed it before.

He just hadn't allowed himself to think about it.

Now, alone with her, the thought was harder to ignore.

She's really beautiful.

Sierra tilted her head.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You were staring.”

Alex smiled slightly.

“Maybe.”

“Why?”

He paused.

“You look tired.”

“That wasn't my question.”

“I know.”

She smiled.

“You're good at avoiding questions.”

“Maybe.”

They stood quietly for another moment.

Sierra looked at him.

“You're different from what I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

“I don't know.”

She thought about it.

“Someone louder, maybe.”

“Because of Peter?”

“Probably.”

Alex smiled.

“That would be unfortunate.”

She laughed.

“You and Peter are very different.”

“We've been friends for a long time.”

“I can tell.”

“How?”

“You don't seem bothered by him.”

“I've had years to get used to it.”

Sierra smiled.

Then she looked away for a moment.

“I think I like talking to you.”

Alex's expression softened.

“I didn't expect that.”

“Why?”

“You talk enough for both of us.”

She stared at him.

Then laughed.

“You're actually funny.”

“Sometimes.”

“See? You do talk.”

“Occasionally.”

She smiled.

For a while, neither of them said anything.

The silence wasn't uncomfortable.

Sierra shifted her weight and took a step.

Her balance suddenly wavered.

Alex moved before she could fall.

He caught her.

Sierra blinked and looked up at him.

For a second, neither of them moved.

Alex was caught off guard by how close she suddenly was.

Sierra gave a tired little laugh.

“You caught me.”

“You almost fell.”

“But you caught me.”

“Yes.”

She stayed there for a moment, too tired to immediately straighten herself.

Alex looked down at her.

He didn't know what to do with the strange feeling that had settled in his chest.

Sierra murmured,

“You're actually nice.”

He smiled.

“I'll take that as a compliment.”

“It is.”

He helped her straighten.

“Come on.”

“Where?”

“Back to your sister.”

Sierra looked at him.

“You're very bossy for someone who barely talks.”

Alex laughed quietly.

“Come on.”

They walked back into the living room.

Elizabeth looked up when she saw them.

“What happened?”

“She almost fell,” Alex said.

Sierra frowned.

“I did not.”

Elizabeth gave her a look.

Samantha stood.

“She's done for tonight.”

“I can hear you.”

“I know.”

Sierra looked at Alex.

“You agree with her?”

“I think you should sit down.”

She sighed.

“Fine.”

Elizabeth guided her toward the couch.

Sierra sat down.

Before Alex walked away, she looked up at him.

“Goodnight, Alex.”

“Goodnight, Sierra.”

He turned toward Peter.

Peter was already gathering his things.

“You ready?”

Alex nodded.

“Yeah.”

They said their goodbyes and left for the hotel.

---

The next morning, Sierra woke up with a heavy head.

She lay there for a while, staring at the ceiling before finally sitting up.

The night before came back in pieces—the wedding, the music, everyone gathered at the house.

She stretched and rubbed her face.

All she wanted was water.

After getting ready, she went downstairs and walked straight into the kitchen.

“Morning.”

Elizabeth looked over from the counter.

“Morning.”

Samantha was sitting at the table with a cup in her hand.

Sierra poured herself a glass of water and drank it slowly.

She poured another.

Samantha watched her for a moment.

Then she smiled.

“You were interesting last night.”

Sierra glanced at her.

“I was?”

“Very.”

Sierra took another drink.

“I don't remember much.”

“I know.”

There was a short silence.

Then Samantha said casually,

“You confessed something.”

Sierra lowered her glass.

“To who?”

Samantha smiled.

“That's the part you definitely won't remember.”

Sierra stared at her.

Samantha took another sip.

“You told someone you liked them.”

Sierra looked genuinely confused.

“I did?”

“Mhm.”

She thought for a moment.

Then she shook her head.

“That doesn't sound like me.”

“It sounded exactly like you last night.”

Sierra sighed and leaned against the counter.

“I don't even know who you're talking about.”

Samantha smiled.

“You'll figure it out.”

Before Sierra could ask anything else, the front door opened.

Peter's voice carried into the house.

“Good morning!”

He walked into the kitchen, followed by Alex.

They had just returned from the hotel.

Elizabeth greeted them, and Peter immediately joined the conversation.

Alex gave everyone a quiet greeting before taking a seat.

Sierra glanced at him.

Nothing clicked.

She simply looked away and continued drinking her water.

Samantha, however, looked between the two of them and quietly smiled to herself.

Sierra noticed.

She didn't ask.

She wasn't sure she wanted to know anymore.

For now, she was more concerned with getting through the morning without her head falling off.

Across the room, Alex watched her quietly.

He remembered the night before.

Every word.

But he said nothing.