If I don't remember, it didn't happen. Right?

Alec's POV.

I remember the endless bottles of booze I drank along with the greasy meat next to the station. I also remember Deacon puking halfway to the base. Also, when I smashed into Bianca as we walked back to the base. But that was basically all. I must have probably pass out there and then, because nothing came to mind.

Glaring at Deacon, I pointed my spoon his way. "Stop trying to confuse me."

He opened his mouth to speak, but got interrupted as he dodged a piece of bread coming his way.

"Enough." Bianca ordered, retreating her arm back next to her. "You think because I picked you both from the streets and dragged you here myself, we're friends? Or that I like, or will just tolerate, your annoying attitude?"

Then, she looked at me. Her dark green eyes made my stomach turn in a way they had never done before. But I shook the feeling off; the hangover was killing.

I find it funny, though, that I relate her with such an unpleasant feeling.

"Just forget this all ever happened." Even though her eyes were detached and cold, the way they flickered around my face fazed me. She averted her gaze to her breakfast. "And take your friend with you after you're done."

"Hell, you speak like I'm not even here." Deacon protested.

"Because you're not... In my mind, you're not." She dully noted, more like a mantra to herself.

That was the last time she ever spoke to either of us. Not even when we finally took our leave and thanked her for taking us to her place. As rude as always, but at least predictable.

We took our last day of festivities, returning to base to freshen up and go out once more for the rest of the day and evening. We watched a movie, intoxicated with sweets and junk food, walked around the Great Central Underwater Park, and even ended up taking the train just to get a view of the whole city.

And it sucked to some extent.

It was like a fucking date. And with my best friend.

As he flirted viciously with the girl sitting next to him in the train, I felt my miserable loneliness hitting me.

It has been a while since I have last been with someone. Not for sex, that's easier to find, but for something more meaningful. Maybe my lack of interest in meeting new people is the responsible for that, but I guess having clear goals and unbreakable motivation comes with a price.

Besides, what woman in their right mind want to seriously date someone that could possibly be killed in action any moment? Called for duty whenever his superiors need him? 

Someone that will be, most of the time, unavailable.

I never asked about the marriage thing after turning into a pilot. If there was any kind of advantage or just possibility.

I didn't care about it in the first place. But now, sitting along with my best friend in what could have been a meaningful trip with a female, I cannot help but wonder...

That sigh came out louder than expected, dragging Deacon and the girl's attentions to me.

Deacon looked at me, and then to her. "Do you have a friend, sister, cousin, or whatever you can introduce to my friend here?" He patted my shoulder.

I rolled my eyes, but didn't say anything. Maybe it was not such a bad idea after all.

Deacon clicked his tongue, grabbing his head with a troubled expression. "Oh, sorry. He already has a girlfriend."

My dumbfounded expression made him burst into laughter, and the girl just smiled awkwardly. I took the opportunity at hand, just piss Deacon off.

"You have to excuse him. He has some... Y'know? Mental issues." I smiled apologetically.

"Don't listen to him." He shook his head, pointing at me with his thumb. "He's just having trouble remembering he got himself a girlfriend last night."

Trouble remembering?

Turning my body to him, I leaned forward. "Talking about it... What the hell was all that about this morning?"

He chuckled. "See?" He asked the girl, but turned to me as he wanted to delicately rub in my face he knew something I didn't. "She was so stunned, she didn't even move for like five straight minutes, dude."

"What are you talking about." I was starting to lose my patience.

"I'll walk you through it." He offered, enjoying big time how clueless I felt. "So we were walking back to the base."

"Right."

"Then we happened to cross paths with the witch—I mean, your girlfriend." I grunted at the nickname, something he took as a keep going. "Then, she obviously said something mean as always. And you cornered her against a wall."

I—What?

"I didn't..." I blurted out, but the moment I started imagining doing it, the moment of images from that day came to me. 

I remember walking towards her, and how her round eyes looked up towards me. A sudden rush of embarrassment washed over me as I remember the words that came out of my mouth.

I called her cruel, rude, cold-hearted, dull, not feminine... Why did telling her how unbearable I thought she was, turned into something so personal as not consider her my type?

"I told her she was not my type." I mumbled, drawing a smile in his lips, followed by an acknowledging nod.

"What came up next, though... Bro, you have some talent!" He exclaimed excitedly.

I didn't want to think about it any longer, but the flooding memories kept coming at me. 

My left hand felt itchy when I remembered grabbing her face and forcing her to look at me. The way her face contorted and watched me in confusion. I've never seen her make such an expression.

Again, I felt my stomach turn. 

"Lonely... and... incredibly... beautiful." I mumbled, shaking my head and closing my eyes. "There's no way I hell I was in my right mind."

"People say you're your true self while drunk, though." Deacon teased me. "But that's not even the best part."

His ill-intentioned tone dragged my eyes back to him.

"What do you mean it's not the best part? What could be worst than telling that—woman, what I just said?" I asked, irritated, embarrassed, and already pissed off by his amusement.

"Then you really can't remember it... No wonder she felt so embarrassed during breakfast. You couldn't even remember such a moment." 

His eyes squinted, a smirk growing slowly.

"You kissed her, dude."

Blood drained from my face, my mouth hanging open. I started to feel the lack of air because of how long I restrained from breathing.

Only to feel my chest burn after he finished what he wanted to say.

"And she fucking liked it."