Part Twelve - Part One

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I roll over, pulling the blanket closer to my body, the cool sheets pressing against my bare skin. The dim glow of streetlights filters through the blinds, casting faint, shifting shadows on the ceiling. It's 1:00 AM, and despite every muscle in my body begging for sleep, my brain refuses to shut off.

Pancakes. Warm, fluffy stacks with Nutella drizzled over the top. I can practically taste them, the rich sweetness melting on my tongue.

It feels like the kind of comfort food I need after everything that happened today—after everything that's been happening lately.

I stretch out, the blankets twisted around my legs, trying to find the right balance between too hot and too cold.

I finally manage to settle, one leg sticking out into the chilly air while the other is cocooned under the warmth of the duvet. The absurdity of it makes me laugh softly to myself. It's not like I'll be able to sleep with all the thoughts swirling around in my head.

My fingers graze over the jelly tot ring on my finger—still there, still part of this strange deal with Vinnie. It feels heavier than it should, a constant reminder of how tangled everything is becoming.

I didn't expect to be here, in this mess of pretending, of fake dating. But here I am. And honestly? I can't stop thinking about how it felt when he looked at me earlier.

I can still feel the warmth of his eyes, the way his smile lingered just a bit too long, like he was keeping something from me. It makes my stomach twist in a way I'm not ready to face.

My fingers rub over the ring again, trying to focus on the present. Today is going to be a long day, but right now, I just want the quiet. The kind that comes with falling asleep, leaving everything behind for a few hours. I should sleep.

I look over at the clock again. 1:10 AM. Still not sleepy. My mind drifts back to the pancakes. I really want them—fluffy and warm, with that perfect amount of Nutella.

God, I really need to stop thinking about food.

I yank the blanket over my head, burying my face in the pillow, but sleep doesn't come. And then, just as I think I might finally drift off, a knock on my door.

I freeze.

Who the hell could be at my door at this hour?

My heart races a little, my breath catching in my throat. It's almost 1:30 AM. Everyone I know is either asleep or should be. My thoughts immediately jump to the worst-case scenario—an intruder, someone here to rob me, or worse. I scramble to grab something to defend myself, my hand landing on the first thing I can reach: a butter knife.

I open the door, still clutching the handle of the knife, only to find Vinnie standing there, his hands in his pockets and a sheepish look on his face.

"Vinnie?" I blink a few times, trying to wrap my head around the situation. "What the hell are you doing?" I peek my head out of my door to see his bedroom door ajar. "Are you okay?"

He doesn't seem to be in a hurry to explain himself. Instead, he steps inside without waiting for permission, his footsteps light as he passes me. He shrugs, his eyes meeting mine briefly before dropping to the floor.

"I couldn't sleep," he says, voice low and almost uncertain. "Kept thinking about... stuff. Mostly about you, actually. And I figured if you're still up, maybe we could talk. Or, you know, just hang out. I was kind of bored."

I stare at him, half in disbelief. "Bored?" I repeat, almost amused. "So you just came over because you were bored?"

He shrugs again, the motion casual, but there's something about it that feels almost too practiced. Like he's trying to keep something buried underneath. "Well, yeah," he admits. "And... I know it must've been rough for you, seeing Sophie with Chad. I didn't even have to watch it, but I can't say I didn't feel it, too. I want to kill them both. And I'm pretty sure you do, too."

I can't help the sigh that escapes me. I want to argue, tell him it's not that bad, but it is. It is. Everything with Sophie and Chad has been eating away at me since I found out. But Vinnie gets it. I know he does.

"Yeah," I mutter, looking down at my feet. "It's been... a lot. Worse than I thought it would be."

There's a beat of silence between us, the weight of the conversation pressing down. I hesitate telling him about the confrontation with Sophie. It's probably best if I keep it to myself. Vinnie moves closer, his lips curling into that smirk I'm beginning to recognize too well.

"Well, that's the problem, isn't it?" He teases, dropping his voice into something lighter. "I think we're both pissed off, and we need to do something about it."

I raise an eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe, still not entirely sure where this is going. "What, like throw a tantrum?"

He chuckles, the sound warm and genuine. "You know, a sleepover might just be the answer. You've seen the movies."

I roll my eyes but can't stop myself from laughing. "A sleepover? Seriously? Your bedroom is literally next door to mine."

"Yeah," he says with a grin. "I've heard it's the perfect way to vent. Watch a bunch of dumb movies, eat junk food, maybe tell some embarrassing stories. Could be just what we need to take the edge off."

I stare at him for a moment, then gesture toward the couch. "Fine. But don't expect me to share my snacks."

He plops down on my bed like he owns the place, unbothered. "What else would I expect from you?"

I chuckle again and sit down next to him, the tension between us shifting into something that feels... easier. And maybe that's all we need right now. Just easy.

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