Even the smallest of touches jolts me awake. It didn't used to be like that, but we all changed since that day.
I fork-knife up and, after scanning the immediate area for and signs of the ghostly and deeming it safe, let out a breath. The heavy hand of my best friend rests on my shoulder as I see his mouth move in what could only be apology.
I removed my ear plugs to catch the ending "-ry" as well as the cacophony of snoring coming from Mr. Fenton's room. Everyone wore earplugs to bed in the Fenton Household, and Danny had extras for when Tucker and I would have the occasional sleepover.
Tucker leaned in, lips almost against my ear so I could hear him clearly amidst the noise "Danny had a nightmare" he whispers. This was another change from that day. One that I wish more than any other I could take back. I start to disentangle myself from the extra blankets while trying to ignore my guilty expression mirrored on Tucker's face.
We slink out of Jazz's room- where Sam was made to sleep by Mrs. Fenton- and into the room next door. Glowing eyes from the middle of the bed rolled as Danny stage- whispered "I told you i'm fine."
He didn't look fine.
Tucker got on the bed on one side while I squeezed into what was left of the Twin mattress on the other- Danny in the middle. He was still sweaty and shivered slightly. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders as Tucker wrapped his arms around both of our middles. Tucker got taller since that day, which is a change that Danny and I welcome. Bigger hugs. Neither of us would ever say it outside of a three-teen post nightmare pile though.
Danny's shivers stopped, and he quickly fell back asleep. He needed every second he could get after all. Which left me and Tucker both holding the one friend we held most dear. And the one we both condemned to this lifestyle. It should have been me. I was the one who wanted to see inside after all. Besides, my parents already hate me so that wouldn't be a problem.
A warm hand rubbing my back brought my thoughts out of the past. "I know what your thinking, so stop it" Tucker smiled reassuringly at me, but it faltered a little when Danny stirred a bit in his sleep. Tucker held us tighter as I rubbed Danny's shoulder until he settled again. Tucker continued to rub my back as he whispered "your not the only one who blames themselves."
"I know" I whisper back. Tucker is really the only one who could understand my thoughts. The only one who shares my regrets. The only one who helps me hold them so they aren't as heavy. I move my hand from Danny's shoulder to Tucker's tight curls and run my fingers through them as I fall asleep.