Stung (Now Published)

Chapter 08

Unlike last time, we settled into silence and went to sleep. I figured he was too tired to hold a conversation and I had a class the next morning that I didn't want to skip even though it was a Friday. I didn't want to be zombified. We had been up fairly late watching movies with Matthew which was why I was confused when I woke up about two hours earlier than I usually did.

I tried to get comfortable again and fall back asleep but it wasn't happening. I found myself focusing too much on Nate's leg thrown over one of my calves and watching him sleep. He was on his stomach with his arms buried under one of my pillows. Somehow, even while sleeping, he looked tired. My leg was starting to burn from the contact. I wanted to get closer and fold myself up against his side but I didn't want to wake him. So rather than tempt myself any longer, I got out of bed as quietly as I could and got ready for the day in my bathroom. I grabbed my laptop and books for class, and left my room, softly shutting my door. I dropped my stuff off in the living room on the coffee table and went to start the coffee. While that was brewing, I threw some yogurt and granola in a bowl and peeked at my phone.

I sent a quick good morning text in the group chat between me, Bailey, and Mason. I asked when Bailey was heading over. I still wasn't sure if she was driving over with Corey or meeting him here if he had to come with the team.

The coffee machine beeped and I poured some into a cup before carrying that and my yogurt over to the coffee table. I sat on the floor, resting my back against the bottom of the couch and pulled the table closer to my outstretched legs.

About thirty minutes into doing some homework, my phone buzzed with multiple incoming text messages.

Bailey: 8:24 a.m.
GOOD MORNING

I couldn't go and see him yesterday :(

I'm leaving in a few mins and I should be there around the time your class gets out I think???
Corey has to take the team bus but he's gonna catch a ride back to their campus with
Nate so Corey's staying the full weekend?
Idk he said he couldn't drive with me there but the rest of the weekend "was cool". Idk what that entails. I got minimal details.

Brooke: 8:26 a.m.
I can't wait to see you

Mason: 8:26 a.m.
My beautiful lovely best friends that I love

Go to sleep

Brooke: 8:26 a.m.
Wow, rude

Bailey: 8:27 a.m.

I know, right??

Mason: 8:27 a.m.

Some of us need sleep to look great, ok ok?

Brooke: 8:28 a.m.

It's called putting your phone on silent

Mason: 8:28 a.m.

I can't. I'm on duty this morning

Mason was a resident adviser which meant on certain weeks, he was on call. Which meant he was basically at the beck and call of troubled college kids getting locked out of their rooms. I didn't reply after that and I guess Bailey took pity on him too because she didn't either. I went back to working for about ten more minutes until Mason texted again.

Mason: 8:40 a.m.

Wait, where are you guys sleeping?

Bailey: 8:40 a.m.