Before you knew

81.

It would be better if he stops having those nightmares, yet, he seems to be doing better lately. He's back to his weird and goofy self. He does have nightmares, but I can ease them quickly.

We're watching a movie, Kim leaning against me as I have Clay on my other side. Mom sits in the chair.

'I still don't get it though.' Kim starts out of nowhere. 'Don't get what?' I ask as I keep looking at the tv. 'How are you two not together yet.' She asks. I nearly choke on my popcorn, coughing and flinching at the pain it causes. Clay stays quiet. 'Jesus, you're going to give me a heart attack.' I say as I cough more. It honestly is getting a little hard to breath, so I lean forward. Clay starts to pat my back to help out. After a second it's okay and I take a sip of my water. 'I don't know what you're talking about.' I say as I lean back into the couch again. 'Oh come onnnnn.' She says as she nudges my side. 'Careful.' Clay warns as she gets close to where I'm hurt. 'See that's what I mean!' She says as he plops down as well.

'Oh come on.' I say. 'I mean it though. His parents are even coming over to meet mom!' She says to support her statement. 'He's my roommate, I understand they would want to meet mom.' I say. 'You look like a couple.' She pouts because I keep disagreeing. 'I don't even know if mom is going to survive talking to his parents because it's all in English.' I say with a laugh. Kim laughs too. 'Not funny.' Mom says in defense. 'You're even changing the subject.' Kim says. 'No I'm not.'

The movie goes on and my medication makes me sleepy. The heavier my eyes, the heavier my head. I try laying my head on the back of the couch, but it's too low. After a second it drops to my right, hitting Clay's shoulder. It's a better hight. Before I know it my eyes shut and I'm off to sleep.

'Its alright, I got her.' I hear Clay says. I get lifted up off the couch and whine at the coldness. My heavy eyes refuse to open completely. 'Put me down im colddddd.' I whine, but he hoists me up. I'm in his arms against his chest, warm again. He chuckles as I stop my whining. 'Goodnight then.' I hear mom say.

'You should get ready for bed.' He says as he stops in front of the bathroom. 'I wanna sleep.' I mumble into his chest. 'I know, but you gotta brush your teeth and all that.' 'But it's coldddddddd.' He sighs but sets me down. 'I'll warm up the bed if you go get ready.' He says. 'Hm.' I take his offer and head into the bathroom, hearing the soft muffled laugh that comes from Clay in response.

When I'm done I find Clay on the side I sleep on. 'New bed warmer.' I say as he gets out. 'Funny.' He says sarcastically. He heads out as I head into the warm bed. I curl up into a ball and close my eyes.

By the time Clay comes back I'm too far gone to open my eyes, though I hear him get in. He kisses my temple 'night.'
I hum back to let him know I heard, but I don't want to open my mouth and speak.