Together

Chapter 3

I lay in my bed, the lights off and my blanket on the ground. I exhale slowly through my nose, rolling over onto my back. Opening my eyes, I sit up and ruffle my hair.

"Ugh.." I groan, slumping my shoulders. "Can't even sleep.."

I glance at the clock; it read '11:32 pm' in large, red letters. Suddenly, the 2 changes into a 3. I throw myself back into my pillow, tilting my body sideways. I reach over my bedside to grab my blanket when my fingers brush against a smooth object. It's the radio.

I pick it up, setting it on the bed in front of me. I sit upright again, my legs crossed. I press the start button, letting the tune fill the empty air. Slowly, I can feel my eyes become moist. I quickly shut off the radio, tossing it into my pile of clothes near my mirror. I fall back onto my pillow again— I can't fall asleep.

My eyes wander over to my phone, which is laying on my dresser. I wonder if I should call Dinah, but I decide I don't want to interrupt her if she is up to something— or, you know, sleeping. I grab my blanket off the ground, setting it on me.

Someone knocks on the door.

"What the hell?" I mumble to myself, sitting up and sliding on a gray sweatshirt. "Who in their right mind who be knocking on random peoples' door at night?"

I walk slowly down the hallway and to my front door. I open the door; a breeze of cold air hits me. No one stands on my doorstep. I grumble to myself, moping back to my bedroom. I pull of my sweatshirt, throwing it at my mirror. I slide back into bed, closing my eyes and wrapping my blanket around myself.

My phone beeps, indicating I have a message. I open my eyes, reaching blindly for my phone. My finger grasp around the cold object, bringing it close to my face. I tap my password in, revealing a picture of Camila and I six years ago— the second year we dated. I smile sadly at the photo, opening the message app.

Dinah at 11:34: Hey, you up? If you aren't, I just wanted you to know that I'm going to purpose to Normani. But I need your helping shopping for the ring. Can you pick me up after work tomorrow? Thank you!

I find myself smiling at the text. Knowing my friend is happy with someone she loves makes me happy. Even if I'm not happy about my personal relationship status.

Me at 11:38: Yeah, totally. I'll pick you up after my first shift.

Dinah replies also immediately: Sounds great. I'll see you tomorrow! And remember, don't dwell on her.

I toss my phone back onto the dresser after reading the text; it skids slightly but comes to a stop without falling off the wood.

I lean back into my bed, shutting my eyes and curling up into a ball. I occupy my mind with thoughts of Dinah and Normani's wedding; I can't wait. I've never been to a wedding before, so I feel honored that Dinah wants me to help out with it.

I flicker my eyes open, completely wide awake. They're so awake that they burn with awareness. So I flip my light switch on, grabbing a book from my small book shelf stuffed in the corner. I flip to the page my bookmark is— my eyes start to scan the words.

The sound of someone tapping on glass snaps me out of my reading.

I gaze at the clock. It reads '11:41'. I scoff, throwing my blanket off me and setting my book on my bed. There is only three windows in my house; one in the kitchen, one near the door, and one behind the curtain in my bedroom.

It makes the most sense for someone to be knocking on my front door window. I stand up from my bed, padding over to my door window. I peer out the glass to see no one. But the tapping becomes more insistent, so the person is obviously still here. I cast a gaze over to my kitchen window— no one would be back there.