The soft glow of the moonlight crept its way into Michael's and Y/N's room. The windows were open and because of that, a soft breeze was able to dance its way around the room. Michael had been fast asleep for a couple of hours now, but Y/N still hadn't been able to close her eyes. Her mind was racing. And so was her heartbeat.
Her usually bright eyes were staring dimly at the ceiling. Her chest rose and fell after each shaky breath. Y/N could feel the hot tears slowly sliding down her cheeks. The feelings that were taken a hold of her body were overwhelming.
She slowly turned her heads towards Michael. He was still fast asleep. His peaceful face expression brought a small smile onto Y/N's lips. If she could only feel this calm... Y/N turned her head back towards the ceiling and let out a deep sigh.
Suddenly she could feel Michael stirring beside her. He carefully turned himself on his side and rested his head on his hands. "What's going on baby?" he whispered softly. Y/N opened her mouth but nothing came out. A shaky breath released itself.
Michael lifted himself up and made eye contact with Y/N. "Take it easy there," he said as he softly wiped off her tears with his thumb. "I take it that you haven't closed your eyes for a second yet?" he asked. "I blinked, so I've closed my eyes for a few seconds," Y/N said in a serious tone. Michael chuckled at her remark. "You just made a joke, so that means that you're not that far gone".
Y/N let another sigh escape and she turned herself a bit more towards Michael. "I-I just feel so... so overwhelmed with everything" she started. "School, work, my friends, my family. All of these things require so much attention and effort. It's almost unacceptable to let a few things drop here and there. You have to keep moving, give all of it your undivided attention, no mistakes allowed" Y/N explained.
"Y/N, finish this homework assignment on time otherwise I won't allow you to make your test". "Y/N we're meeting up for a night out, you have to come because that's what good friends do". "Y/N we need you to work this extra shift, otherwise you will be fired". Y/N this! Y/N that!. I just can't take it anymore".
Michael smiled softly. "Come here," he said as he laid down and opened his arms. Y/N scooted over to him and rested her head on his chest. "I probably sound ridiculous," she said. "These aren't even real problems". Michael raised his eyebrows. "That's not true Y/N, I mean, yes there could be worse things, but what you're feeling right now is valid".
It stayed silent for a couple of seconds.
"The pressure that is put on the youth is out of control. There are so much expectations to live up to. Expectations from your peers, your parents, your family, your teachers and your co-workers. But most of all, there are your own expectations. You form high expectations of yourself to live up to the expectations of others because they make you. They give you no choice whatsoever. And if you aren't able to live up to their expectations, and therefore your own, you put yourself down" Michael explained as he softly rubbed Y/N's back with his warm hand.
" You feel stupid, incompetent, not worthy. You say these things to yourself that harm you and make you feel even worse".
"I'm a bad friend because I won't go on that night out"
"I'm a worthless student because I couldn't finish my homework assignments in time"
"I still don't remember how to fix that problem with the registers at my work, I'm so dumb"
"Why can't I keep up with everything like everyone else?"
"I let everyone down, I am a disappointment"
Y/N chuckled sarcastically. "Yeah, that sounds like me," she said. Michael turned his head towards Y/N. "We're going to work on that love because those thoughts inside that pretty head of yours are making you believe things that aren't true". Y/N just stared at his chest. Since she didn't really respond, Michael decided to grab her attention a bit more. He softly pushed himself up and laid Y/N on the bed. Now he was able to hover above her and make direct eye contact.
"Listen carefully Y/N. You're a good friend. You're a good daughter. You're a good employee. You're a good student. You're a good girlfriend. But most of all, you're a good person. You work hard. You study hard. You are doing the best you can. Trust me okay?". Michael smiled softly at Y/N after he finished.
"Come here," he said as he leaned in for a kiss. He pressed his lips lovingly on hers and the two of them shared a loving kiss. Suddenly Y/N yawned and therefore the kiss got interrupted.
"Am I that boring??" Michael exclaimed. Y/N started to laugh. "No, no, no, no, I guess my body is ready to finally fall asleep," she said. "Yeah, sure" Michael laughed as he laid down again. Y/N crawled against him and placed her head on his chest. Michael wrapped his arms around her and held her in his warm embrace. "Thank you Michael" Y/N whispered. Michael pressed a soft kiss on the top of her head. "Don't worry about it love".
