insomnia - hemmings au

Chapter 10.

10.

L U K E

Does tomorrow even really exist? I mean, really? And what's in between tomorrow and today? That little span of time when your eyes are closed and you see nothing but darkness, isn't it?

You go somewhere where you can be anything. You could dream.

You could dream about being the first man on Mars or you could dream about a murderer chasing you.

Dreams seem like some fantastical alternate universe where everything's right. But that's not always true.

But most nights you just close your eyes and before you know it, they're open again. Like right now.

The sunlight from my living room window shone through my eyes. I squinted at the brightness. I sighed to myself and got up slowly. I jerked my neck side to side, cracked my joints, each with a satisfying pop.

I reached for my phone on the coffee table and turned it on. 1 new message.

I hastily opened it but was disappointed at who it was from.

M =): happy sunday sunshine, starlight.

I quickly typed a reply.

L =P: That doesnt even rhyme man. What do you want?

M =): whatever, lucas. im on my way there. whats for breakfast?

L =P: Cereal and bananas.

L =P: And oreos.

M =): sounds exquisite. c ya in 5.

L =P: K just let yourself in.

I clicked my phone off and set it back on the table.

I yawned and raised my arms up to stretch them. I stood up from the couch and made a beeline for the kitchen. I stumbled in, still half-asleep. The digital clock on the microwave said it was 7:30.

"And how's your night been?" My mum said, making me jump. "Jesus Christ, mum. You scared me half to death." I replied. She was sitting by the kitchen island with a mug of tea in her hands. "Good morning to you too, Luke." She greeted. I walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek. "Hiya."

"So, how was your night?" She asked again. "It was alright, we had pizza. I watched a movie, finished most our projects." I told her.

"Mhmm, and that girl in your bed?" She sipped her tea slowly.

Fuck.

"Mum, I can explain." I quickly said. "Her dinner thing got cancelled and since we were gonna have pizza, she wanted to stay for some. Then she fell asleep and she was feeling sick so I let her stay in and I didn't do anything, I swear." I mumbled.

She took a deep breath. "Okay."

"What?" I looked at her, confused. "Granted, I was a bit surprised when I saw a girl in your bed instead of you but there weren't any clothes strewn on the floor or any broken headboards or any beer bottles on the floor so seems like nothing happened." I had no idea what to say.

"Mum, I'd never--"

"I know. I trust you. I trust you a lot. And I know you wouldn't do anything. I know you aren't him." She said simply. I was in the cool, but why did I still feel so uneasy? "It's alright, Luke."

"Okay." I said slowly. "Mum, are you sure it's okay?" I asked again. "She seems like a nice girl Luke. A good friend." She said, emphasis on friend.