No Matter What
Leighton and Alicia, like all couples, have fights. Usually they fight about housework or lack of seeing each other during their busier weeks, but they always make up in the end. They have the same rule that all couples do: never go to bed angry. And every time, they talk it out and reach peace. But this isn’t one of those times.
“Oh come on Alicia, you’re being unreasonable!” Leighton says as she follows Alicia into their apartment.
“Oh I’m unreasonable? You were just letting that girl grind on you, Leighton!”
“Baby, I wasn’t just letting her, she was just there!”
“Right, sure, Leight. Whatever you need to tell yourself to justify your actions.” Alicia snaps. Leighton’s had it by this point!
“Jesus Alicia, are you so self-conscious that everybody is a threat to you?!” Leighton snaps back. Immediately she regrets it. Alicia turns to look at her, a sad look on her face.
“Wow.” Alicia laughs bitterly.
“Shit, Alicia I am so sorry, I didn’t mean it-” Leighton starts but Alicia shakes her head.
“Yes. Yes you did.” Alicia says, tears stinging her eyes. Leighton can feel her eyes welling up with tears.
“Alicia-”
“I’m uh… I’m gonna sleep on the couch tonight.” Alicia says as she walks past Leighton and into their bedroom. Leighton wants to go after her but she can’t move! Minutes later, Alicia comes out in sweatpants and her pajama shirt and a pillow.
“Alicia… please. Come on, you know us, you know our rule: never go to bed angry.” Leighton pleads through tears. Alicia wipes tears from her own eyes.
“I’m not angry, Leighton. I’m hurt.” Alicia walks past Leighton and turns off the lamp in their living room before laying down on the couch, leaving a crying Leighton to walk their bedroom alone in the dark.
It’s been almost a week since the fight and there’s still no improvement. To Leighton, it feels like Alicia is going out of her way to avoid her. Getting up early and staying late to put in more hours at the women’s center so that by the time she leaves in the morning and is asleep when she gets home at night. Quite frankly, it’s a miserable way to live. For both of them. They miss each other… but too much pain remains for both of them.
Leighton is in class when she gets the call. It’s been a stressful week for her, with the fight with Alicia and starting the second semester. Her professor is going on about the financial aspects of politics when her phone rings. Professor Tocchini stops, which draws everyone’s attention to Leighton.
“Sorry, Professor, I just need to step out and take this.” Leighton says as she hurries out of the room. Hoping it’s Alicia, Leighton finally looks at her phone. But she’s disappointed when she sees it’s an unknown number.
“Hello?” she says when she answers.
“Is this Leighton Murray?” A woman's voice asks on the other end.
“Yes. Why?” Leighton asks impatiently.
“This is Lily from Oakdale General Hospital.” She says. “I’m calling about your brother, Nico Murray.”
“Oh my god.” Leighton gasps, tears forming in her eyes. “What’s happened?”
“He’s been in a car accident and we need a family member to come in.”
“I’ll be right there! Thank you for calling!” Leighton says through her slowly falling tears. After hanging up, she quickly walks back into the room, tells her professor what's happening, then quickly gathers her belongings and walks out the door. Luckily, the hospital is a short walk away from Essex! On her walk, Leighton shoots Alicia a quick text.
LEIGHTON: I know we’re not talking right now, but come to the hospital.
I need you.
When Alicia finds Nico’s hospital room, she knocks softly.
“Come in.” Leighton says. Alicia walks in and her attention is immediately drawn to Leighton, who is a sobbing, shaking mess next to her brother’s bed. Alicia quickly moves to sit next to her and wraps her arm around her. Leighton begins to sob and wraps her arms around Alicia.
“Some drunk driver hit him and just left him there! Like he wasn’t worthy of being helped.” Leighton sobs into Alicia’s chest. ALicia strokes her hair and kisses her face.
“He’s still knocked out from the surgery, but he’s going to be in a lot of pain when he wakes up.” Leighton continues. Alicia rests her chin on Leighton’s head and kisses the top of her head.
“God… Leighton I’m so sorry.” Alicia soothes. “Are you parents coming?”
“Their flight from Japan got delayed so they won’t make it in until tomorrow.” Leighton sniffs. “Thank you for coming.”
“You said you needed me. What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn’t show up for you?”
“Considering how awful I was to you, I’d say it would be completely within your right not to do so.”
“Leighton-”
“I’m so fucking sorry, Alicia. I never meant any of the things I said and I never meant to hurt you. And if you want to break up with me I wouldn’t blame you! I will move out, just say the word and I’ll-” Alicia cuts Leighton off by kissing her.
“I’m not breaking up with you. That’s the last thing I want, Leight. But I think that we need to be more patient with each other. I’m so sorry for what I said, I should’ve believed you. And I’m working on not letting my insecurities play such a major role in our relationship and I’m sorry for taking it out on you.” Alicia says.
“And I’m sorry for bringing up your insecurities. It was wrong and hurtful and I shouldn’t have said it, and I’ll never say it again. I’m so incredibly sorry.” Leighton replies. Alicia kisses her softly and Leighton rests her head on her shoulder and together, they wait for Nico to wake up.