His eyes were so strained. So exhausted, that his nightly blank stare at
the ceiling now had a sort of soft fuzzy edge around it. "I should get
some of those glow in the dark stars"

On the other end of the phone was soft, deep breathing

"Of course.You don't snore.Deb?"

"I'm awake, I'm awake" she muttered,"Sorry John"

He was ashamed of the goosebumps her hoarse, smokey, still sleepy voice
gave him."Go back to sleep.Talk to you tomorrow"

"You sure?"

Carter was quiet.

"I'm coming over" there was a rustling of blankets.

"So I can watch you sleep?" Carter chuckled

Jing Mei gave an embarrassed laugh. "You won't do anything stupid with me
there" she hung up the phone.

Carter held the phone in front of his face, looking at it with disbelief.
Shaking his head, he set his jelly for legs down on the icy cold floor
and made his way downstairs to wait for her.
*****************************
Hold on
Hold on to yourself
for this is gonna hurt like hell.
******************************
Jing Mei sat in her car, outside the large iron gate. "He's got everything
I ran away from" she muttered.

"Hello?" the distorted voice called over the intercom.

"John?"

"Hey Deb" Carter ran a quick hand through his hair.

The gate creaked, and slowly slid open

"Come on in"

She shook her head."Alright" Jing Mei started the car, listening to the intercom
click off. For the first time in a long time, she felt the butterflies.
"What the hell am I doing?"


Carter hugged his knees to his chest, wincing at the slight pain in his
back.

The night was opaque, an opaque black. He smiled and strecthed as he saw
the two headlights coming towards the house.

"I'm pushing for a sleeping pill addiction" she slipped an arm through
Carter's waiting arm."It's been a long night.Seems I fell asleep on a needy
friend"

He cocked his head to the side,"And?"

"He guilted me into coming over to his house. Seems his grandparents
aren't home" Jing Mei winked,"I'm doubting his intentions"

Carter followed her eyes. He looked down at his pajama pants."Oh man"

Jing Mei laughed

"It's cold out!"

"Sure John.You're not happy to see me?"

"Deb!" Carter called,"Deb!"

Jing Mei laughed harder, disappearing into the Carter mansion.
****************************
Hold on
Hold on to yourself.
You know that only time can tell
****************************
"Living room" he pointed into a dark room,"Guest sitting room"

Jing Mei raised an eyebrow,"My parents have three"

"The tv slash entertainment slash sitting room" Carter laughed,"We
won't be outdone by the Chens"

"I had a pony" she replied

"So, the Carter's are outdone by the Chens" Carter laughed. He choked
when she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Just don't tell the Chens" Jing Mei pulled away from Carter,"And the end, here?"

"The kitchen" Carter replied as she disappeared into the dark room,"Deb?"

The neon light flickered on at the sound of his voice

"The lay out is just like the old house." Jing Mei replied,"That would mean"
she pointed up at the ceiling."That's your room"

Carter's eyes got wide.

"If I really wanted you" she brushed a hand over his chest,"I would have had
you along time ago"

"I...."

"I'm tired" she yawned,"What does a girl have to do to get some food around here?"
************************************