Sleep? What's that? Who would've thought staying up all night reading forum posts about other people's experiences could actually help solve a problem? Right. No one ever.

But that's exactly how I've spent these past few nights.

It could've been worse, I suppose. I could've been up because of nightmares, but at least those haven't bothered me lately—especially the ones that include sleep paralysis. I've researched that too.

I gathered some information I really want to discuss with Faye. I even noted everything as neatly as I could in my old P.E. notebook. Why do we even have one? It's not like the class ever demands it.

I woke up to my alarm blaring right next to my ear, still at my desk, where I'd fallen asleep probably minutes before it went off. My eyes felt heavy, and my vision was irritated. I guess that's what I get. Hell, I don't even work this hard on homework.

I'm definitely sleeping through my classes today, no shame about it.

Grunting, I pushed myself out of the chair and made a half-hearted attempt to fix my hair before grabbing some clothes. As I opened my door, the smell of pancakes hit me from downstairs, which I would've loved if I weren't a literal mummy just risen from a tomb of exhaustion.

"Morning, sweethea—! Randy? Are you okay?" my mom asked, appearing from the other side of the floor, a mug already in hand, her face etched with concern.

Raspily, I replied, "delightful."

I made my way down the stairs, feeling her worried eyes following me before she trailed behind.

"How's my favorite nephew doing this morning?" Aunt Agathe greeted me cheerfully as I entered the kitchen to grab something munchable.

She moved in for a hug but stopped in her tracks when she saw my face. "Not so fine, I see."

I probably didn't have the friendliest expression. I would've tried to fake a smile, but I had no energy. Wait, weren't those lightbulbs shining too brightly?

"Argh!" I groaned again, pulling my undershirt's hood over my face.

"Rudolph!" Agathe greeted as more footsteps made their way into the kitchen.

"Well, morning, second-favorite aunt," he replied, probably hugging her.

"Aw, second? That hurts."

He smirked. "It does, doesn't it?"

She gasped, realizing he was throwing her earlier comment back at her.

"Very well, since we're playing like that, I'll offer juice to my first-favorite nepehew this fine morning." She huffed, walking back to the counter to pour some orange juice into a glass.

Rudolph glanced at me and didn't even bother with a "morning." He just raised an eyebrow.

"Orange juice? He'll need about a pot load of caffeine."

"That or a good kick up the backside," my mom added with intended humour, I hope.

"I only have tea," Agathe said with a hint of remorse as she scanned through the counters.

"Too bad. I would've gladly accepted the caffeine," I replied, taking a seat, not resisting more of being awake and alive.

Lea laughed. "I can buy you some on our way. Get up."

She motioned for me to move my backside to the car, and I groaned.

To think Nathan and Josiah have the jolly blessing of studying at home. It made me jealous just to think they didn't have to wake up this early every morning. How I wished we could trade places, even if it was just for a year.

"It's still a bit too early. You go ahead, Mom. I'll take him to school today," Rudolph said, and I really, really felt like hugging him. Only, if I tried, I knew I'd end up stumbling to the floor and managing nothing more than wrapping my arm around his toes. I'd rather stay seated.

"Fine then," she said, giving Rudolph and me a kiss on the cheek before leaving, shouting her goodbyes to us.

Agathe left with her, mimicking her farewell ritual.

Rudolph waved energetically as they departed, while I managed a wobbly flap of my hand.

"Just how long did you stay awake last night?"

"I didn't sleep at all," I replied, yawning.

He sighed and frowned. "You can't go to school like that."

"Exactly the words I wanted to hear. Thanks, my brother. I knew I could count on you!"

"But—"

He said, causing me to stop my efforts to stand up and head back upstairs.

"Your exams are coming up soon, aren't they? You might get important assignments around this time, and you should at least go take notes."

What a freaking nerd!

"Can't I just ask for them later?" I counter argued.

"Do you even have someone to ask for them?"

"I can ask anyone in class!"

"How confident."

"Don't make me go, I beg you!" This time I actually fell to my knees and hugged his legs.

"Trust me. I'm doing this for your own good. A rough day will remind you to get some sleep."

Devil! The devil himself!

⎯⎯⎯✧࿓☾⎯⎯⎯

And so I found myself at school, thanks to my brother's betrayal. I swear, I'd become richer than him one day, and when he comes begging for a job, I'll throw his own words back at him! "It's for your own good, my brother. If I gave you an easy way out, how would you learn to make something of yourself?" How's that sound, huh?

Of course, that probably wouldn't work out since he's the ambitious freak and degree seeker from the both of us.

I can't even think about revenge while being this tired. I'd downed at least two coffee drinks he bought me on the way, and I still hated him for dragging me here.

Now, I had to survive the day amid the chill of the outdoors, the watchful eyes in the hallways, and the scolds that lurked behind every corner.

The hours dragged on, each class blending into the next, until finally, I met Faye for lunch, as had become our routine.

"You look terrible," she greeted.

"Thanks. Hello to you too."

She sat down across from me and began digging into her lunch. I had mine in front of me as well, but the sight of it only made my exhaustion heavier. Instead of eating, I collapsed my head onto the table.

"Aren't you hungry today?" she asked, covering her mouth as she spoke.

"It's not that I'm not hungry. I'm just too tired to even try."

"Did you have nightmares last night?"

With monumental effort, I lifted my head to reply. "I'm starting to wish it were just that."

"Just that? What happened? Did you see something?"

I shook my head. Yawning, I explained, "I stayed up all night again doing research."

She kicked me under the table.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"One, to keep you awake. Two, because you're clearly a moron. You can't afford to be sleep-deprived when dealing with creatures of the night!"

"Weren't they shadow creatures of sleep?"

"Whatever. Don't take those kinds of risks."

Fine, first Rudolph and now Faye. I was lucky I had slipped under my teacher's radar today. Maybe they were too tired of calling my name or perhaps they felt pity for my sleepless efforts (which obviously hadn't worked).

"Anyway," I started, remembering I had something important to say, "I think I've gathered enough info you'd like to see. But it's in my notes."

"Oh, we can go to your house today then."

"Yeah, that sounds good to me." I fell back onto the table.

"Unless you want to go have some sleep instead?" she asked.

"No, no, I'm fine."

She shrugged. "Whatever."

She kept munching on her lunch while I drifted off into a short nap.

The bell rang, signaling it was time for our last block of classes. The sound gave me just enough energy to stand and head back to class.

Before I could fully leave, Faye pulled out a wristband from her pocket and handed it to me. It had emblazoned on it something that seemed familiar. "You'll need something to identify with, but keep its meaning secret, okay?"

I nodded, slipping the wristband on without giving it much thought. My mind was already half-asleep, and I would've welcomed any excuse to get back to that state. Sadly, we were still missing the final hours.

"I'll let my parents know I'm going to yours this afternoon," she said.

"Sure. See ya then."

⎯⎯⎯✧࿓☾⎯⎯⎯

It was finally the last period, and I was counting the sheep— I mean, the minutes to head back home, maybe sleep some, and share with Faye my notes.

I was already dreaming of how beautiful life is after school, when I regained consciousness on what Mr. Grey was saying.

"I want you to work in pairs for this assignment. I'll let you partner up by affinity this time. Due date is after exams, but you need to start thinking about what you'll do..."

What was the assignment again? Darn Rudolph. No teacher had ever left important assignments during these days. It's all his fault he gave out this bad premonition in the morning!

Mr. Grey finished explaining, and I watched as my classmates began moving around to choose their partners.

I don't have the energy for this. I'll just wait and see if someone is left without a partner or, if I am lucky, work alone.

But luck was clearly not on my side.

My back seat classmate and bedevilment poked at my back as he asked...

"Hey, wanna partner up?"

Good night! (Or day!) I hope you enjoyed the chapter <3

I'm a little sleepy rn, but found out this while editing, it's a language fun fact:

Bedevilment, n. is formed within English, by derivation.

Etymons: bedevil v., ‑ment suffix.

According to the Oxford dictionary, it's earliest known use was in the 1840s.

More specifically, OED's earliest evidence for bedevilment is from 1843, in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, nonetheless.

Everything is connected, my people! (I should really go to sleep).