The Bed Was Too Cold

 

Alex and Lena

Alex and Lena had been roommates for three years—friends forged in the fire of shared rent and late-night laughs. No strings, no expectations. They cooked together, watched old movies on the sagging couch, and fell asleep on the same bed more nights than not, fully clothed, backs turned, comfortable in the silence.

It started small. A brush of hands reaching for the remote. Lingering looks over coffee. The way Alex’s heart stuttered when Lena laughed at his stupid jokes. The way Lena found herself tracing the line of his jaw when he slept.

They never named it. They just let it grow.

Until Marcus came back into her life.

Marcus—the man from her past, the one with ink-black eyes and a smile that promised ruin. The one the police never quite pinned down for the disappearances that followed him like smoke. He found her again, whispered threats wrapped in affection, and Lena, terrified and tangled in old feelings, let him pull her close.

Alex noticed the change immediately. The late nights out. The way she flinched at sudden noises. The bruises she hid under long sleeves.

One rainy evening, he couldn’t take it anymore.

“Lena,” he said quietly, standing in the kitchen doorway as she hung up her coat. “We need to talk.”

She froze. “About what?”

“About him. Marcus. You’ve been seeing him again.”

Her face hardened. “That’s none of your business.”

“It is when you come home smelling like his cigarettes and looking like you’re about to shatter.” His voice cracked. “I know who he is. What he is. He’s dangerous, Lena.”

“You don’t know anything!” she snapped, turning on him. “You think you’re some hero? You’re just jealous because someone actually wants me.”

Alex recoiled as if slapped. “Jealous? I’ve been here every day for three years. I’ve held your hair when you were sick, listened to you cry over every bad date, slept beside you without ever crossing the line because I respected you. And now you’re throwing yourself at a man who hurts people?”

“Don’t you dare judge me!” Tears welled in her eyes. “You don’t understand what it’s like to feel wanted—really wanted. Not this… safe, boring friendship we have.”

The words landed like knives.

“Safe?” Alex’s voice broke. “I thought that’s what we were. I thought I was your home.”

“You’re not!” she shouted, voice raw. “You’re just… convenient. Someone to split bills with. Someone who’s always there, like furniture.”

He stared at her, the color draining from his face. “Is that really what I am to you?”

Silence stretched, heavy and suffocating.

Lena’s lip trembled. “Maybe it is.”

Alex nodded slowly, eyes glassy. “Then go. Go be with him. But when he hurts you—and he will—don’t come crying back to the furniture.”

He walked past her, grabbed his jacket, and left without another word.

The door slammed like a gunshot.

They didn’t speak for seven days.

Seven days of empty apartments.

Seven days of staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m., remembering how the bed used to feel warm with two bodies.

Seven days of drafting texts—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. Come home.—and deleting them because pride tasted like ash.

On the eighth night, rain hammered the windows again.

Alex sat on the couch, nursing a beer he didn’t want, when the door opened slowly.

Lena stood there, soaked, hair plastered to her face, eyes red-rimmed.

They stared at each other across the room.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“Hi,” he said back, voice rough.

She closed the door softly. Neither moved.

“You’re dripping on the floor,” he said finally.

“I know.”

More silence.

“I saw Marcus today,” she said, barely audible. “He… he threatened you. Said if I didn’t leave you alone, he’d make sure you disappeared.”

Alex’s jaw tightened. “And you believed him?”

“I was scared.” Her voice cracked. “I’m still scared. But I’m more scared of losing you.”

He stood slowly. “You said I was furniture.”

“I lied,” she said, tears spilling over. “I lied because I was terrified of how much I love you. Because loving you means admitting I’ve been in love with you for years, and I didn’t know how to say it without ruining everything.”

Alex crossed the room in three strides.

“I was never safe with you,” he said, voice shaking. “I was home. And when you said those things… it felt like you burned the house down.”

“I know,” she sobbed. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean any of it. I was trying to push you away so Marcus wouldn’t hurt you. But all I did was hurt you myself.”

He reached out, hesitant, and brushed a wet strand of hair from her face.

“I missed you,” he whispered. “Every night. The bed’s too big. Too cold.”

“I missed you too,” she said. “I couldn’t sleep. I kept reaching for you and you weren’t there.”

They stood there, inches apart, breathing the same air like strangers who knew every inch of each other’s souls.

“Can we…” Alex started, then stopped. “Can we start over?”

Lena looked up at him, eyes shining. “Yes. Please.”

He took her hand, trembling. “Hi. I’m Alex. I’ve been in love with my best friend for three years and I’m terrified of messing this up.”

A broken laugh escaped her. “Hi, Alex. I’m Lena. I’ve been in love with my best friend for just as long, and I’m done being afraid.”

He pulled her close, and she came willingly, burying her face in his chest.

That night, they didn’t sleep on opposite sides of the bed.

They came together slowly—shy touches, whispered apologies, tears mixing with kisses. Every caress was a promise: I’m here. I’m staying. We’re real.

When they finally made love, it wasn’t rushed or desperate.

It was reverent. Like discovering each other for the first time.

Afterward, tangled in sheets and each other, Lena traced circles on his chest.

“I was so stupid,” she whispered.

“We both were,” he said, kissing her forehead. “But we’re here now.”

She looked up at him. “Marcus—”

“Will never touch you again,” Alex said firmly. “We’ll handle it together. You’re not alone anymore.”

Lena smiled through fresh tears. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he said, voice thick. “Always have.”

Outside, the rain softened to a lullaby.

Inside, two broken hearts had finally found their way home.