Ripple Effect

-9-

Beep ... beep ... beep

Ava struggles to open her eyes long enough to hit the button on her phone and make the beeping stop. 

Looking over at the bed opposite her own, she jumps up with a start as it's empty. 

"Gabby?" 

Ava takes a look in the bathroom, and there's no one. As her heart begins to race, she hears a slight snoring and walks around to the side of the bed, closest to the window. She looks down and finds Gabby curled up in a ball, sound asleep, holding a teddy bear with only a pillow and top cover on her. 

"Gabby?" 

"Gabby, it's time to wake up." 

Gabby opens her eyes, momentarily disoriented, before doing her best to hide the teddy bear under the blanket. 

Ava sits down on the bed and smiles at her, "Why are you on the floor?" 

"I couldn't get comfy. The mattress is too fluffy, and it's too quiet in here. I'm used to falling asleep and waking up to noise. I could hear the birds through the window, so it helped." 

Ava smiles and nods, "I'd prefer you not to sleep on the floor because I can't see you. How about we see if the hotel has a cot that you can use?" 

 Gabby nods and sits up, "You aren't going to tell anyone that I still sleep with a stuffy, are you?" 

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. It's almost time for breakfast and orientation, so we both need to get up and moving." 

Ava and Gabby take turns using the bathroom and getting changed and ready to go before then making their way down to the lobby area and the breakfast room. 

Ava feels arms wrap around her and lips touch her cheek, "Morning, beautiful, how'd you sleep?" 

"Would have been much better if you were there with me."

"Me too. How are things with Gabby going?" 

"So far, so good. Although, I did find her sleeping on the floor this morning." 

"Did she tell you why?" 

Ava nods, "Bed was too fluffy, and the room was too quiet. I'm going to ask the front desk if they have a cot we can try out for her tonight. Do me a favour and don't tell anyone, okay? I don't want to embarrass her." 

Lexa nods, "I won't say a word. Do you want some coffee? I'm going to grab one." 

"Please! Need caffeine!" 

Lexa laughs, "Get something to eat and bring it over to you." 

"Thanks, Babe." 

Ava lines up and dishes out some breakfast for herself before joining Gabby at a table to eat. 

Lexa joins them and places a coffee in front of her wife. 

"Thanks, Lex."

Lexa smiles and nods, "So, Gabby, Ava messaged me last night that you were having some issues completing your math homework. If you'd like, I can take a look at it and maybe help you out; I'm pretty good with numbers." 

Gabby looks up at Lexa, "Really? Its polynomial expressions and well, Ava tried to help me with it last night, but, honestly, I think she was over her head." 

Lexa bursts out laughing, "Between you and me, A isn't very good at math." 

"Hey! I'm right here, you know!"