Hybrid

NINE

⫷ ARIA ⫸

I wake with a scream burning my throat and the image of those blood red eyes implanted in my mind. A few seconds later, someone rushes in, just as I manage to blot the sweat above my brow. Gem rushes to my side, nearly throwing herself on the bed.

The first few nights since I woke, it was James who barged into my room. He would stay with me until I fell asleep again; lying next to me. No touching, just the comfort of his presence. I frown at Gem's arrival, then quickly shake myself. He can't always come running to my rescue. He needs his sleep, too.

I blink up at her to expel the tears. She must have noticed my frown, because she perches on the end of the bed and offers me a gentle smile. "James away on business," Gem explains with a shrug. That's when I notice something in her hand; Gem places a cold cloth on my forehead. "I don't have a lot of memory of when I was younger, but I do remember my mother always putting a cold cloth on my head when I got scared."

The cold touch strangely helps even out my erratic heart rate. I struggle to smile. "Thanks," I croak.

Gem fiddles with the edge of the comforter. "Want to talk about it? Talking usually helps. Well, at least, I think it does. I'm no doctor or anything... but...

James asked me what I dreamt about. Gem, too, bugged me about it. I swallow the lump in my throat and turn away from her prying gaze. "I'll be fine. No need to worry about me. You don't have to come to my rescue."

"What are friends for? I don't mind. I'm kind of an insomniac anyway. Finn says that makes me psychotic, but that's obviously not true because I'm not psychotic." Gem huffs. "Sorry. My problem. Not yours. You sure you want to be alone? I can sleep in here. If you hate sleeping in the same bed as people, then I can crash on the couch."

I bit into my bottom lip. "Yes," I blurt. "I'd really liked it if you stayed. You can sleep on the bed."

Gem lights up like a Christmas tree. With the grace of a tiger, she pounces over my body and lands with an ouf. Curling to her side, Gem nestles into the bed and flashes me a smile brighter than the sun. "Awesome! I've always wanted to have a sleepover."

I gape at her. "You've never had a sleepover?"

"Nope. Never!"

"Wow." I spring up and start rummaging through my stuff.

"What are you doing?"

"If this is your first sleepover, we need to do it right." A scatter of movies bounce onto her lap after I toss them, one at a time. I wiggle my eyebrows at her confusion. "We need food. Lots of it. Preferably the 'bad for you' kind."

Gem shifts from side to side, a frown erasing the smile from before. "Um. I... okay, please don't think I'm lame, but I don't eat junk food. I'm strictly a health freak."

I shrug. "No worries. You eat the carrot sticks and I'll eat the chocolate bards. Deal?"

There's that smile. "Yes! Deal! I'll go get the food. Mind if I invite Bree?"

My hesitation nearly gives me away, but I manage a smile. "The more, the merrier."

Gem skips out of the bathroom in lightning speed. With the moment alone, I settle back down on the bed and wipe off more of the sweat that coats my skin. This is a good thing; distractions that will keep me up until I'm so tired, I'll pass out and not have any dreams at all! Perfect! Makes sense! I'm such a genius!

As I wait for my guests, I pop in a movie that may or may not star Jason Momoa. Just as the beginning credits roll on the screen, a short and tall girl amble into the room, armfuls of food. There's a couch and round table in front of the TV, so they place all of their food there. I plop down on the other side of Gem, who holds a bowl of celery and carrots against her chest. Bree opts for the popcorn, and I quickly snatch the chocolate bars.