I groaned, laying my head on top of my math book. Why did it need to be so frustrating? I paid attention in class. Well, I did more than most anyway. I think. I don't know, I didn't pay attention.

"Sissy?"

I turned in my chair, putting on a smile, "Yes deary?"

"I can't sleep," she hugged her teddy bear tighter and kissed his brown fluffy head that had a green mohawk, "he can't either," I swear Jamie was my biggest weakness.

"Why don't I tuck you in and play you a song then?"

Her face lit up from the smile to her eyes to the way she sang and ran in circles around the living room "Yay!"

"Okay, okay," I chuckled, "come on deary."

I grabbed her hand. Even with her arm completely outstretched I had to lean over. I wish that would never change, but I knew better.

"What song would you like tonight?" I asked as I grabbed my guitar.

"The one you wrote for me," she giggled.

I dramatically dropped my shoulders and sighed, "Again?"

"Yes Jay Jay," she pulled the blanket up to her face, holding onto the arm of her bear. Her rosy cheeks could convince me to do anything.

"Fine, fine," I can't count how many times she's had me play this song, even so, I'd play it a million times more for that smile.

I started off quietly, my guitar filling the room, the beat was soothing, quiet, reminding me of the lullabies Roberts mom would sing.

"It's night time, time for bed. I can't seem to sleep, all these thoughts are crowding my head," I hummed, moving my head along, "Sing me a lullaby, so I can go to sleep and don't have to worry about a thing. So I can go to sleep, don't have to worry about a thing," she smiled at me, watching me intently.

"Sing me a lullaby, till I close my eyes and go into sweet sweet sleep.

"Into my endless dreams, where I can fly as high as a bird, or swim into the deep, beautiful, blue seas. In my dreams there's no rules, just endless possibilities," she yawned, curling up in her blanket. She closed her eyes and looked so peaceful, as if nothing was ever going to harm her; and I'd make sure nothing would.

"Sing me a lullaby, with the moon up high and the stars shining bright. When some creatures go to bed, and prowl through the night.

You can hear the owl up in the tree. You can hear the wolves howling. You can hear the frogs and crickets in the creek. I just can't seem to sleep"

I paused before continuing, letting my guitar do all the talking, "I can't seem to sleep," I played softer, "So sing me a lullaby and give me a kiss goodnight..."

She curled up in her pillows, the blanket pulled over her shoulders and tucked under her neck. I couldn't help but smile. And still, she held her teddy bear.

"Goodnight deary," I kissed her head and tucked her hair behind her ear. I had written the song a few years ago, I offered to write another for her, but she refused to replace this one, so I haven't told her about the collection I had written for her.

I closed her door softly and went to my room, falling into the same twin bed with navy blue comforter I have for years. I arched my back slightly, my shoulders and back cracking. I tried to not think about the times Alice laid in this bed with me, she always liked to be the big spoon. She didn't really like to be held, or cuddled, or touched much in general. There I go. Thinking about it. I sighed, pulling the blanket over my head, disappearing into the depths of the cotton filled comforter, my mind shutting up. Temporarily.

Two days have passed since the coffee meet, she didn't approach me and I tried to stay away from her, nothing seemed to change.

"That's looking wonderful Jaylen," Mrs. Hendreway said, peering over my shoulder at the rough sketch for my painting before moving to the next person.

"That's looking wonderful Jaylen," Natalia mocked from her seat across from me.

I clenched my jaw, and put my earbud back in. I wasn't going to show her how much she annoyed me. Even though I could easily go for slapping a bitch. I turned from her and looked out at the rest of the class. It was louder than normal; you'd think for a dumb private school that they'd be more strict. I think after they had to change the dress code, amongst many things, because of so many complaints they've been a lot more lenient. Too lenient. Well, of course, I was thankful they stopped chewing me out for being late and not focusing in class. Wasn't my fault I was here, I tried to leave.

First and second period, aka history and art, passed in a breeze. It was time for the class I dreaded most. The classroom was crowded with students from other classes having nowhere better to be during passing, their voices louder than the music blasting in my ears and their body odor like pigs. Annoying ass students. I squeezed past a group of guys around Camille's desk. It wasn't her looking up at me that made me glance at her, but the vanilla perfume she wore that was strong enough I tasted it on my chapped lips.

"Couldn't wear something less strong?" I mumbled as I went to my seat. She straightened her posture, lifting her chin slightly. She continued her conversation as if I never passed her.

Only a few minutes after the bell rang my phone buzzed. Who in the hell is bugging me? I pulled it out and opened the pm.

See you tomorrow after school.

Camille