A consistent clapping noise woke her up. Foggy eyes opened slowly and Mariam stretched her aching limbs. She covered her mouth as a soft yawn left her lips. "Is it morning already?" She mumbled, rubbing her eyes.
"I guess," a familiar voice answered her. "It's barely three in the morning."
Mariam blinked once, twice - only to see her neighbor crouched in front of her, blue eyes regarding her curiously. Her heart jumped in her throat at his proximity. She hit her head on the door as a result. "Oh... ow," she nursed her aching head.
"You were asleep," he deadpanned.
Mariam nodded, as if it hadn't been obvious. She wished he'd give her some space, he was too close for comfort. "I... Uh," She pushed herself up and he followed suit. Mariam yawned again. "I'm sorry," she said for no particular reason. Then realizing she was wearing his hoodie, the sleeves far too long for her arms, "I'm sorry!"
"Why are you apologizing?" He said, curious.
"I - uh, your..."
"Come in," he interrupted and motioned to his door.
"No!" Mariam pushed at his chest. "I d-don't want you! You can have your stupid man jacket back."
His cheek twitched. "I was going to give you my phone."
She felt the embarrassment creep on her face. "Oh..."
"Or you can sleep in the hall?" He mused as he pulled out his keys. "For the record, I don't want you either."
Mariam looked down at her bare toes. She'd much rather sleep in the hall, if she was going to be honest. "I'll just uh... Wait out here."
Mariam slid back down against her door and into the floor. She wasn't going to fall for it, the dubiousness of a mere act of kindness. He was still a stranger to her.
He shrugged and left her out in the hall way.
Mariam thought she'd have her pathetic one-man slumber party in the hall, but the door opened again after several minutes or so. Her neighbor closed his door and sat against it without glancing her way. He was wearing a loose gray long-sleeved shirt and sweat pants.
Mariam watched him from the corner of eye. Surely he wasn't staying out here with her? She bit her lip and looked down the hall opposite from him. What was his plan? Now she definitely wouldn't fall asleep!
Against her better judgement, Mariam did fall asleep.
