Come Closer

9.

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NICOLETTE's P.O.V.

I am so stupid...

I just had to open my big mouth.

She is just so damn cute. I couldn't help myself but to try to get close really fast.

"You have only had 2 girlfriends, you know the drill..." I mumble to myself as I pace back and forth in my room. "Just do like they do in the movies and take things slow. She should get the hint on her own."

...but what if she doesn't?

Jules just seems so broken and maybe even more lonely than I proclaim to be. I see in her eyes that her brain has built some new walls with her so lonely on the other side. If she would give me a chance we can take them down brick by brick and start to feel together what it means to be a real friend.

   "Ugh.." I groan as I throw myself facedown on the bed.

Its a little after 10pm when I finally get into bed. Though I've spent the last hour overthinking and beating myself up, I can't seem to fall asleep. The excitement about having a guest in my home keeps my mind on high alert, worrying and daydreaming.

"I should probably check on her..." I say aloud as I move my covers away with one swoop and climb out of bed.

As soon as my hand touches my door handle, I stop.

"Nah, she's fine." I say to myself before walking back to my bed.

But she did nearly drown...

I jump off the bed again and go for the door a bit too quickly. I stop again after twisting the handle.

"She seemed uncomfortable with me during dinner, I shouldn't bother her anymore." I say aloud before releasing the handle and going back to bed.

But what if she has a dry drowning in her sleep...

I jump off the bed faster than ever and open my bedroom door. As soon as I enter the hall, I hear the muffled sound of strained yelping. I move towards the room next to mine and put an ear to the door. I can hear Jules crying out hoarsely; it's more of a mixture of moans and groans. I slowly turn the door handle and push. Her prolonged high-pitched cry's of pain become more clear and I call her name softly.

"Are you okay?" I ask after entering the room.

The lamp on the nightstand is still on but she is under the covers, tossing and turning in the half light. I approach the bed and hear her short breaths of distress. Her brows are knitted in a frown and a thin coat of sweat beads her forehead. I use a finger to push away the disheveled hair from her brow.

"Let me....die..." She whimpers.

"Jules." I whisper in sadness.

I gently shake her by the shoulder but it only seems to make her stir in her sleep harder. I take a seat at the edge of the bed and continue to shake her lightly.

"Wake up for me." I say a bit louder.

"No..." She groans before rolling away from me, showing me her back. "Go away."

She is more calm now. Quiet. I sigh in both relief and disappointment.

"...let me die." She cries lowly.

Hearing her sniffles makes me wonder if she is actually awake now.

"Jules?" I call to her softly again but she responds by pulling the covers over her head.