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"El, can you pass the remote?" Amelia asked, mouth full of popcorn.

Once we got to her house we began a movie marathon. She wanted to catch me up on all of the movies she watched over the summer. When I checked the time on my phone it was two in the morning and we were four movies deep.

"I think I've had enough." I said with a huge yawn. I took the remote from where it sat on the bed close to me, and I shut off the TV.

"Hey! We have so many left to watch! Why don't we pull an all-nighter?" She protested.

"I have a hard enough time trying to pull an all-dayer." I chuckled. "I'm ready to pass out at this point. It's four hours past my bedtime."

"You're such a grandma." Amelia sighed.

Suddenly, I could feel my phone vibrate text to me. When I opened it, I saw it was from an unknown number. Dominic? My chest tightened, and I dreaded opening the message.

"Who is that?" Amelia asked even though she took my phone to look for herself.

Of course Dominic would still be trying to reach out to me. He was delusional and seemed hellbent on telling me whatever fairytale he conjured up in his mind. I doubted that he would ever leave me alone. How long will I have to keep running from him?

"Oh how cute! Nick sent you a good night text." Amelia said sarcastically.

Oh. It was just Nick. Why did I feel so much disappointment over that? Was it that I enjoyed the thrill of being chased down by someone? I didn't think I enjoyed it. The anxiety that Dominic brought to my life definitely did not feel like a thrill.

"What does it say?" I asked Amelia.

She gave me back my phone so I could look for myself.

(Hi Elaine, this is Nick. I got a new phone number over the break. I really enjoyed talking to you at dinner and I hope to see you again soon. Good night ??.)

Upon reading his text, butterflies danced in my stomach.

I forgot what it felt like to be admired.

It was like a high I never wanted to come down from.

My heart fluttered at Nick's message, a welcome change from the incessant dread that accompanied any communication from Dominic.

It was refreshing to have someone interested in me who didn't come with a complicated backstory.

"Seems like Nick is making a move," Amelia teased, nudging me playfully.

"He's just being nice," I replied, trying to downplay the giddy feeling bubbling up inside me.

It seemed as if he didn't want to take things slow. Even though I knew we shouldn't, I wanted the comfort of being in a relationship. I didn't want to feel alone anymore, and Nick would help to keep me out of the house more. Out of the chaos that had become my home.

"Well, Elaine Hayes, the mysterious lady of Oakwood, finally has admirers lined up at her doorstep. First Dominic, now Nick. Who's next?" She wiggled her eyebrows mischievously.

I rolled my eyes at her antics but couldn't shake off the warmth spreading through me.

Maybe it was time to give normalcy a chance.

Nick seemed like he was genuine with his apology, no hidden agendas or otherworldly secrets.

It wouldn't be bad to give him a chance.

Even though he was my Ex, he was a comfortable and safe option.

We never fought when we were together, and he was always sweet and loving.

I replied to his text with a simple "good night" since I was so exhausted from the day. Powering off my phone to give me some peace of mind, I pulled my blanket over my head and fell asleep with a warm heart.