Chapter Forty-Two: Rooftops// Hers

She stayed for a week after that. I'd come outside and see her every night. If it was raining out, we'd climb back through the window and she'd stay the night. I'd wake up with her head on my shoulder or on my chest. Once I woke up with my head in her lap as she looked outside, absent-mindedly stroking my hair and running her fingers through it. She stopped when I took her hand and kissed her wrist.

"You have soft hair," she said simply.

Just when I started getting comfortable with our nighttime routine, she disappeared again. I climbed out of the window that day and waited a couple hours before coming back inside. I didn't know what she was doing this time, but I wouldn't wait all night. Locking my hands behind my head, I sat in bed and leaned against my bedroom wall.

This.

I looked around.

This used to be hers.

Her bedroom.

I stared at the door. Three people lived here, including me. There was one room open. We didn't have a roommate move in yet. What if...

I slid off the bed and opened my door, turning right immediately. The door next to mine was closed and I jiggled the doorknob. Locked. I pursed my lips and rubbed the back of my neck.

There was a clatter downstairs and I sighed. Might as well go downstairs.

The kitchen light was on when I dragged my feet inside, eyes settling on my roommate. His back was to me, leaning against the dining table as he looked out of the glass on the backdoor. A blue mug of steaming coffee sat next to him.

"You're up too?" he murmured.

I nodded. "It's been a long night, Drew."