"Yes, ma'am"

#3 - Sleepover

Carter's POV

I feel bad. She shouldn't be here making me tea. She shouldn't be making sure I'm ok. She should have left the second I freaked out over her touching me. Vivian doesn't even know me like that.

Yet here we were, me sitting at my kitchen table and her making me tea... I am extremely uncomfortable.

I should have waited for her to leave before I broke down. I had been on the verge of crying for a while anyway.

The kettle sat on the stove steaming, and Vivian was staring harshly at the ground in what looked like contemplation. I should get her to leave. She probably has more important things to do and worry about.

"Uhm, Vivian?" I called, softly. She hummed in response. "Shouldn't you be getting home soon? It's getting late, and it's already dark out; it probably isn't a good idea to go out too late."

She sighed and crossed her arms, I tense slightly, my eyes flickering back and forth between her and the floor. "I told you, Carter, I'm going to make sure you're ok before I go. I'm not going to leave you in a panicked state, I don't want you to break down again if someone isn't here to help you. And my parents know I won't be home until late, it's fine. I promise you that it's fine."

This time I sighed. "But don't you have more important things to do?"

"Not really," she muttered, shrugging. She turned back towards the kettle when it started whistling.
As she poured the hot water into two cups, she asked, "Where's your dad?"

I bit my lip. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Alright."

She took the seat in front of me and drank her tea. I picked the cup up and blew on it a little before taking a sip, not looking away from her for a second.

We sat in silence for a little while, not uncomfortable, but not the most comfortable either.

"How are you feeling now?" She asked in between her sips.

"Fine?"

She hummed again. "You sure?"

"Uhm. I guess so. I can breathe and see again, and the tea tastes good. Thank you for the tea by the way; I could have made it myself," I began mumbling towards the end.

Vivian huffed a small laugh, "I know you could. I just want to make sure you're alright. If you ever need to talk, Carter, just call me." I don't know if she actually meant that or not. "Oh. Lemme get your number before I go." She jumped out of her seat quickly making me jump in response. I stiffened a little more. "Shit, sorry," she said, looking at me apologetically.

"I don't actually have a phone." I bit the inside of my cheek and looked away from her.

"Oh." She sat back down, moving slower this time. "I'll figure it out then. You have my school email, right?" I nodded. "Ok, I can hook my e-mail up to my phone. You can try to email me on your laptop if you need me." I just nodded again. "Ok then, are you alright to be left alone?" Again, I simply nodded, I was tired. She laughed a little. "Alright. I'll get going then, I'll see you tomorrow."

As much as I don't want to make her stay here longer - and as much as I pestered her about leaving - I don't think it's a good idea for her to go out so late. It was past midnight "Are you sure? It's really late..."

She pulled out her phone to check the time, I'm guessing. "Oh. Gosh, it is late. Uhm."

"You can stay here tonight?" Shit.

She seemed surprised. "Are you sure?"

"No, but I don't think it's a good idea to drive home so late." I didn't really want her to sleep here. I won't be able to sleep if she's here, and I don't sleep a lot anyway...

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So that's how we got where we are now. Vivian assured me that she would be fine if she left this late, but her body language said otherwise. I told her she could stay the night, and we both knew I was uncomfortable with the idea, but I'd rather her be here—safe rather than be in possible danger in the early mornings.

The only issue was sleeping arrangements. The only furniture that was big enough to sleep comfortably in was my bed. And I let Vivian have it. There was no way I was going to be able to sleep well tonight anyway. After much protesting, Vivian eventually agreed to sleep in my bed while I worked on a review packet from our science class.

It was about 6 o'clock when the sun started peaking threw the windows and I figured I should wake Vivian up. I went to the bathroom to complete my morning routine and pulled a toothbrush out for Vivian.

Knocking on the door, I heard a groan from the other side. "Vivian?" I got a small hum in response. I don't know if I should open the door or not. Screw it. I peeked into the door and saw that Vivian had the blanket pulled over her head. I stepped into the room contemplating how to wake her up without touching her. "Vivian," I tried calling again. This time the only response was her rolling over. Maybe if I push the mattress up and down she'll wake up. And that's what I did.

The shaking of the bed was enough for her to groan and open her eyes a bit. "Vivian, get up." That woke her right up.

"What the fuck?" She jumped back and harshly rubbed her eyes. Her jumping back made me jump back. "Carter? Shit, I forgot I slept here. What time is it?"

"About six-fifteen maybe," I glanced at the clock sitting on the side table, "Yeah, six-fifteen."

"Mm, ok."

"There's a toothbrush in the bathroom if you want to brush your teeth. And I don't know what you can do about your clothes. I guess you can borrow some of mine if you want." She just nodded then got up and went into the bathroom.

I was no longer shaking, and even though I had no sleep I was feeling much better than I was yesterday. I figured I could make breakfast for both of us.

Chapter completed: 12/14/2022
Chapter edited: 12/26/2022
Chapter edited: 01/07/2024