Sophia

The darkness of my room is not something that usually upsets me.

No. Usually, it's a sign of finally getting the rest I need. Of finally being earned with sleep because I made it through another day.

Now, I'm wide awake and alone in a dark dorm. I've slept here multiple times before, but never was I as restless as I am now.

Since Summer's at home, I have to be alert for myself. Any drunk guy, leaving any girl's dorm, can think this is his place to be and start kicking the door in. I don't want that.

With a sigh, I sit up straight in my bed. I'm in PJ's, ready to sleep, but I'm just not able to. What am I supposed to do now? I can't just not sleep!

I pick up my phone. A dumb move, I know, but what else can I do? At least the time will pass like this.

An idea pops in my head. Surely Jake is still awake. I can ask if he's seen the sunset and start a conversation like that.

Me: Sunset was beautiful. Did you see it from the rink?

I stare at our chat for five minutes, but he hasn't read it yet. Sure, it's 2 am, but aren't jocks always awake?

Now desperate for someone to talk to, I go to the chat with Mason. I haven't sent him anything yet, but his number is in my phone.

Me: Still awake?

Mason: Cara, I'm always awake for you

See. I was right about them being awake.

Me: Me too

Can someone please slap me? Of course I'm awake. I'm texting him.

Mason: As to what I'm reading, you're sleep deprived but not sleeping. What's up?

Christ. Why am I see-through?

Deciding it's been too long since I've answered, Mason calls me. Without a second thought, I hit the green button and hide underneath my blankets. "Hi."

"Hey, cara. Tell me, why aren't you sleeping?"

Should I be honest? Maybe that's best, yeah. Who knows if he has a solution?

"Summer's sick and at her parents'. Now I'm alone at the dorm. I don't feel safe enough to sleep," I admit, nibbling my lip.

"Ah, that does explain. What do you propose I do?"

"W-what? Nothing! I'm just explaining my situation!" I think?

"Oh, we're still in the denial phase, my bad. Look, Sophia, I have an idea. Are you open minded enough to let me explain it?"

"I'm very open minded," I shrug. Honestly, anything that serves as a solution would make me happy.

"Me and Adam are still awake. What about we come over to your dorm and keep you company? If you still can't sleep then, maybe we can keep you entertained with Uno?"

A little hesitation clouds my thoughts. "Why would you do that?"

"Because we're friends. Duh."

"Right. Duh," I snicker. "Okay, then I guess it's okay. How long till you're here?"

"Give me ten minutes, fifteen max. I'll hang up, but you can text me when something happens, okay? Bye."

Click.

"Okay, bye," I mumble, to no one in particular. He's already hung up, anyway. I switch on the light and look around the dorm. My heart nearly jumps out of my chest at the sight of the kitchen counter being splattered with dirty mugs and plates.

I can't invite people over in a dirty house!

So I quickly wash the dishes, in my PJ's and with the possibility of two jocks walking in any second. It's a little rushed, but at least there'll be place to play some games.

When a knock sounds on my door, halfway through the dishes, I call for them to wait. Two startled chuckles get to my hearing, but I ignore them and finish up rather fast.

Finally, and a little out of breath from frantically running around my dorm, I open the door and try to look casual. As if I just didn't clean everything I could see.

Mason and Adam seem amused it took me quite a while to open the door, but don't comment on any of it. I quickly go through my hair with my fingers, trying to discover if it's decent or not. Mason notices and smiles. "Come on, cara, it's just us. You don't have to be like that."

I flush, lowering my arms. "Like what?"

"Like you're about to go to the fashion week in Paris. We're going to play Uno, remember?" he winks. They walk into my dorm and with that, don't see my eyes widen as I close the door. Here I am wondering if I look homeless, while he thinks I'm at my most beautiful.

Kind of liking that, I brush a strand of hair behind my air and join them on the floor. Adam speaks up for the first time tonight. "We weren't sure where to sit, but the floor's comfortable too."

"Oh, no no," I immediately tell them. "We have chairs. And someone can sit on my bed. If you don't, I will." 

They decide it's the best if I sit on my own bed, so they scrape the chair all over the floor. I wince a little at the noise, not wanting to wake up others. No one has to be punished because I can't sleep. 

The little, annoying voice at the back of my head starts taunting at that statement. Then why did you text both Jake and Mason? 

I ignore it. 

"Okay, just for the record, I'm going to win this," Adam grins. "I've always won. Mason can't play for the life of him, and I don't reckon you're going risk my happiness, right?"

My eyes narrow with both playfulness and challenge. "Game on."

Mason nervously chuckles, but it's an act. "Woah, I didn't expect this much competition. Maybe I need to stay offside, just to be sure."

I sweetly smile at him. "I'll help you, as long as you don't give me any bad cards. Deal?"

Adam gasps in outrage. "Hey!"

Yet Mason is already in my team, grinning and nodding. "Deal."

Let's see who wins this.

*

Clearly, it won't be Adam. 

He plays the whole game wrong. You can't put a card when you take an extra? Bullshit. You can have pass (which turns into three when he doesn't want to take an extra card). What? You can steal cards from others? I'm certain he's making them up at the spot. 

Now he's glaring at the pile of laid cards. With fourteen cards in his own hand, while Mason has Uno and I have two more. "I don't like this game."

I lay a card which tells him he can't lay one and has to skip his turn. Dramatically, he falls on his back. "The universe hates me."

Instead of reacting on his melancholics, I watch Mason's giddiness as he lays his last card. "I won! What? Yes!"

Even though I'm second, I'm happy for Mason. This is the first time ever he's won a game of Uno, and I didn't even help that much!

"You couldn't have done it without Sophia, though," Adam pops through Mason's bubble of happiness. It doesn't have the effect he was hoping for, because his friend just points at Adam's hands. "Says the guy with fourteen cards."

Flipping him off, Adam sits up and looks around. "Do you have anything to eat, Soph? I get hungry when I lose."

I straighten my back a bit, pointing at the freezer with hesitance. "Uh, we have ice cream, but you don't have your toothbrush with you, right? Would you eat and then sleep without brushing your teeth?"

He points at his duffel bag, thrown on Summer's bed. "I think of everything. I even brought toilet paper! So, do you want some too?"

Rolling my eyes, I nod. While he goes to make three ice creams, I reach to shuffle the cards again. I plan on winning this time. 

When I start dividing the cards, I notice Mason staring at me. My fingers snap in front of his face, having him snap out of his trance. "What? Yeah, sure."

I laugh. "You were zoned out. Are you sure you're not too tired to play another game?"

He nods, rubbing his eyes. "Of course. I can stay awake the whole night."

Ah, yes. That's probably why, fifteen minutes and a bowl of ice cream later, he's asleep. His arm is resting on the table, his head on top of it. Even now, he still holds his cards tightly. 

I look at Adam, who has an adoring look on his face as he watches Mason. Quietly, I wonder if they're really just friends. 

"Should we put him to sleep?" I whisper. He nods, nudging Mason gently. His friend doesn't get the gentle hint, because Mason jumps up, eyes wide. "I'm awake!"

Deciding to not embarrass him any further, I smile and softly put my hand over his. His eyes cut towards it, but he doesn't say anything. Too sleepy, I guess. "We're going to bed. Let's go brush our teeth."

He frowns. "Oh, but—" "No buts," Adam shakes his head.

I let them occupy the bathroom first, while I make Summer's bed. They were okay with sharing a bed, which I'm glad with because otherwise, someone should've slept on the floor. It may be comfortable to sit on for a little while, sleeping on it is a whole other story.

When they finally leave the bathroom, and it's my turn, I hear them share some inside jokes. Adam has a lazy smile on his face, while Mason is snickering quietly. Almost as to hide it from me. 

After such a fun night, I feel kind of hurt they hide their jokes from me, but maybe I wouldn't get it anyway. They've been friends for so long.

I can finally climb into my bed peacefully, knowing I will get some sleep. Summer's bed is silent, aside from their breathing. I feel a little bad now. Were they really that tired?

Sleep pulls me rather quickly. Now I'm not alone anymore, and I know they can protect me if something happens, I feel safe enough to let myself dream.

The second I'm about to sleep deeply, I hear whispers and laughs. "Mason!" Adam whispers, trying to stay silent but obviously failing. Mason doesn't answer, but I hear a kiss being placed.

Still half out of it, I manage to smile. So I was right. 

"Sh, Sophia's asleep, sweetheart," Mason's voice sounds. "We don't want to wake her up, right? Now give me a goodnight kiss and I'll leave you alone."

"What if I don't want to be left alone, though?" I can imagine Adam's pout, playful and joyous. 

"I'm right here, baby," Mason tells him. "I'll always be."