Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Blake was a person who depended on sleep. She craved it like a drug, relying on its restorative powers to function at her best. Sleep wasn't a luxury, it was a necessity—a key ingredient to her focus, her mood, her entire being. So, when the rhythmic creaking of the bed frame in the next room, punctuated by muffled moans, started just after midnight, she knew her night was doomed. The thin walls of their shared home seemed to morph into amplifiers, transforming what should have been a peaceful slumber into a sleep-deprived nightmare.
As if the situation itself wasn't bad enough, the symphony of nocturnal acrobatics next door originated from Meredith's room. Meredith and Derek Shepherd. The realization settled in Blake's gut like a lead weight—not only was she sleep-deprived, but she was now listening to her friend and her boss going at it at ungodly hours in the morning.
She dragged herself out of bed the next morning, feeling the weight of the restless night in every bone. Dark circles marred the usually bright canvas under her eyes, a testament to the way she'd waged against sleeplessness. The familiar scent of brewing coffee greeted her as she shuffled into the kitchen. Her usual breakfast routine—two pieces of toast, perfectly golden brown, and a steaming mug of strong coffee—felt more important than ever.
Izzie stood beside her, a sly grin plastered on her face as she watched the coffee gurgle into the pitcher. George entered the kitchen just as Izzie filled their mugs, his brow furrowed. "You get any sleep?" He asked the two girls.
"Oh, she could oil the bedsprings as a courtesy or at least buy a padded headboard," Izzie replied with a wink, her attempt to lighten the mood. She ambled over to Blake, handing her the mug with a sympathetic smile. Blake managed a tired smile of appreciation before taking a long sip of the coffee, willing the caffeine to kick in and banish the fatigue that was clinging to her.
