Alternate Universes

Sleep.

We were at his house planning for a mini celebration for our co-curricular activity's achievement in the recent Winter Choral Festival.

"It's getting late, should we finish up and then I'll go home?" I asked.

He thought for a moment.

"Actually, I think you can sleep over tonight. Not safe for you to travel home at such a time."

My heart raced. This was the first time I'll be sleeping over at the house of the opposite gender. And not just any random guy - we're talking about my crush here.

"If you don't mind, you can take my bed tonight. I'll sleep on the couch," he muttered.

"You can take your bed, I'll sleep on the couch instead," I replied. It was nice of him to offer his bed for me, but it wouldn't be nice of me to sleep in it while he sleeps on the couch.

"Okay."

He went back to him room and came back with an oversized t-shirt and a pair of shorts that looked like it was for a 12-year-old.

"I could only find these, hope they fit you." He muttered while pointing to the washroom. "I guess you can get ready soon."

I nodded. "Thanks Gabriel."

I looked at myself in the mirror after changing into the set of clothes he handed me. The t-shirt was big enough such that it covered my shorts, making it look like I was wearing a night-dress. "Guess I'll have to make do." I sighed.

"Elizabeth." He muttered as I entered his room to take one of his pillows.

"Yeah?"

"Don't sleep on the couch tonight."

My heart skipped a beat. Maybe he changed his mind about me staying over for the night.

"Sleep in my bed instead."

"You sure about that?"

"Yeah."

I sat on his bed and draped a blanket over myself. "It's so comfortable, I could sleep here any day." He chuckled.

"Good night."

"Good night."

He then proceeded to switch off the lights. As he turned around, I turned to my left side, facing the wall. What a day well-spent with him.

At that moment, I felt a pair of hands wrap around my waist. I panicked for a moment, but before I could confront the person, a familar voice whispered, "It's me."

As I breathed in his scent, my heart swooned. Could my reality be finally better than my dreams?

"Hope I didn't startle you too much." He breathed.

"A little." I giggled.

"Just this once, can I hold you in my arms like this?"

"Yeah."

"I've been dying to tell you this ever since we met outside the gates of college... That you're beautiful, and I really like you for who you are as a person."

I glanced up at him as his eyes glistened. Could this be?

"Elizabeth, would you be my girlfriend?" He whispered.

"Gabriel, you beautiful person... I'd be honoured to."

His arms that were wrapped round my waist pulled me in.

"I guess we'll be sleeping in each other's arms tonight." He chuckled before giving me a small kiss on my forehead.

I smiled.