My heart races faster when the white sheets slip around me
I’m not sure how I got here. I remember the screaming pain, the blue carpeted hallway, and the click of an opening door. But I don’t remember how I got here, sitting under the same sheets as Celia.
“Soo… uhm…” I mutter.
“Just for tonight, okay?”
“What’s going on tonight?”
“Oh… I forgot to ask. Could you sleep with me tonight? It’s my first day awake after, you know, and I can’t seem to sleep. If you’re right here, maybe I’ll feel safer.” Heat rushes into my cheeks. I turn my head and see her the same way.
“I- guess… Bu-...” I stop midsentence. She’s your best friend, Tom. That’s all she wants to be. She feels safer around you because she knows you risked yourself to save her. My heart rate calms, but the heat in my cheeks stays. “Sure” I smile a little.
“Great!” She throws her arms around me. “Thanks, Tom” Her hand lies over my heart. I hold my breath. Can she feel my heartbeat? Please say she can’t. If she can, she doesn’t mention it. Her hands are cold.
“Hey… I was wondering something”
“Huh? What is it?”
“How did it feel, when you were, you know, dropping?” I ask.
“Well, my whole body was screaming with fear. I couldn’t breathe. The wind enveloped my body, and I felt weightless. Then I hit the ground. My weight returned. I couldn’t move. Every inch of my skin felt broken. I felt dead”
“Oh… I-” I have no clue what to say. She doesn’t say anything either. I relax. Celia’s arms never left my body, but if they did now, I’d feel uncomfortable. I slide an arm around her and slowly drift to sleep.
