I didn't mean to stay up all night. I meant it when I said I was going to read. Yet, there was a hint of fear. Fear they were waiting for me to sleep or they were going to fight the moment I was gone—which they did. I was feeling anxious, wanting the yelling to stop.

It took a long time for it to stop. It became quiet, which I should be grateful for, but at the same time, I didn't know what it meant. By the time it was morning, I was on chapter twenty-nine.

It was like an alternate universe.

Even though Chloe was still on the floor and Rachel took the couch, they were holding hands in their sleep. I would say "aw," but the circumstances were unpleasant. I walked in, setting up mugs of instant coffee for all of us. Everything felt a little off, but I knew today was gonna be better.

I heard Chloe yawn and stand up, hearing her back and knees crack too. She cursed to herself, whispering it under her breath.

"Morning, Chloe." I grabbed one mug and handed it to her.

"Hey," her voice was still raspy. She grabbed it from me, instantly taking a gulp, "Did you sleep at all?"

"Not really..." I shrugged, sipping from my own cup, "I was reading all night."

"Holy shit, how are you alive?"

"I don't think I've felt alive since graduation." I chuckled into my drink, but she didn't really laugh. "It's a good book."

"Whatever you say, Max. Are you sure it's just the book?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like, you were up for the book and just the book?"

I was really worried about you too. You're having a falling out right now over a beer bottle... And your obliviousness to your alcoholism.

"Yep," I nodded, forcing my smile, "Just for that."

Leaving Rachel to sleep, we left for our day. I had an actual class to go to, but because yesterday was a mess, I wanted nothing to do with work. Construction was finally gone and being six o'clock, there was not a lot of people outside. It was so calm,Chloe kept the radio off. It made us notice that the roads were clear, the birds were chirping, and the morning was comfortably warm. I even lowered the window and hung my hand out of it, surfing my hand through the air.

"Are you fucking delusional right now?" Chloe said with a huff at the end, "How are you hella awake right now?"

Am I? I mean, I guess it is weird, now that she told me. I'm still yawning, so I'm not confident about it. I could fall asleep at any time today.

"Watch me fall asleep in class today." I laughed at the thought.

"Wish I could, but I have a job to do." Chloe was irked about it, it showed through her face and her tone. For the rest of the drive, I continued to feel the wind through my fingers and she rhythmically tapped her fingers on the steering wheel.

At the school, there was no one in sight. In fact, it looked like school wasn't in session for the day. I wish that were the case, but the truth is no one in their right mind would go to school early. I knew the library would be open, but that was it.

"Have fun reading for two hours." Chloe set the car on park. I chuckled and hopped out of the car, going straight into my school. Like I said, the library only had one person in it and it was the student behind the counter.

"Damn, you're crazy coming in this early." He said to me, taking off his headphones.

"I should be saying that to you." I countered.

He had a hearty laugh and said, "Touché."

I took my usual seat near the entrance and decided to finish the last chapter of Kate's book. I saw it was lengthy and didn't want to read it at home, especially not after the shit I pulled. I wonder if Kate was the type to come early. She seems like she does, because she's always in the classroom when I get there. As I read the same paragraph repeatedly, trying to focus, tiredness hit me like a semi-truck. Through will and perseverance, I made it through one page. I was reading the next line when it started to all blur together. I squinted my eyes, but I started to feel lethargic, eventually falling asleep with my forehead smacking against the table.

I woke up, my body was shaking, and I heard a gentle, whispering voice. I felt a hand against my back, moving me just hard enough to wake me. Please leave me alone, call me when the week is over.

"Max, are you okay?" I heard. I let out a grumble; I didn't want to wake up, hell no. I moved my position to face away from the voice, ignoring the voice, even though it was an angelic sound.

"Max," the voice sang, "Wake up."

My eyebrows furrowed, annoyed and irritated, but I lifted my head up. My only reason for that being to make the person stop and possibly go away.

"What?" My throat was a little dry. I rubbed and blinked my eyes, only to see Kate looking down at me. She still smiled back, shocking me awake with her gentle stare. I noticed bags under her eyes and they were even a little puffy.

"Did you sleep last night?" She asked as she sat across. I want to lie. You know, just be "college made me this way, but I can't leave." I couldn't lie to her face, not with a face like that.

"Honestly, no," I yawned again, stretching my arms behind my back, "I spent all-night reading your book."

I checked my phone; only one hour had passed.

"You didn't have to do that."

"I know, but I wanted to."

I dunno why she was so worried about me. She had puffiness and eye bags, which told me she didn't sleep either. Crying, so it seemed. Kate had a messy hair bun, and her clothes looked slightly wrinkled and she was too covered for the weather. She was looking down at the table, rather than at me, and her smile had vanished. I don't want to bring it up… but she looks like she's been crying for hours.

"Do you like the book so far?"

I cleared my throat, "Yeah, it's really sad, but it's good."

I saw the corners of her mouth lift for a second, then fall again. It was making me anxious, almost. It was clear she was upset and have been for hours. I knew the feeling—wanting people to notice I wasn't feeling right. At the same time, I didn't want people to ask. It was a weird feeling, but I could tell that was how she was feeling. I could say something… I never know how to word it. I barely know her.

"How much did you sleep last night?"

"Only about four or five hours," she rested her arms on the table, crossing them, "That's normal for me."

I slouched more, trying to get her attention again. I thought she was an early sleeper. She made eye contact with me and then blinked a few times. She seemed lost today; it was like she was looking right through me.

"Do you really want to go to class today?" I pressed my hands on the table. I wouldn't mind missing class. I usually miss Nutrition, but missing Fundamental Design once wouldn't hurt.

She finally smiled and let out a giggle. She waited for me to say something, trying to hide her shy smile, maybe wanting to hear more.

Feeling somewhat confident, I wanted to persuade her, "I'm going to be honest here, I need to sleep. I'm down to miss if you are."

"I rarely miss anything," she lifted her arm up, resting her chin on her hand, "and I don't believe you've missed any sessions for this class either."

"You're very observant." I slid my hands down, sitting up straight again. She noticed me a lot more than I thought…

"Tell you what, I'll go to class and you can sleep in here. When it's done, I'll come back and tell you all about it. Does that sound good?"

I sighed with so much relief, slouching in my seat.

"You're a life saver, Kate," I folded my arms on the table and lied my head down onto them, "I owe you one."

"No need," she shook her head and stood up, "You need sleep more than I do. I have to go; see you when class is over."

I think I knocked out instantly once she said that.

Although I did that, I was in and out of it. I woke up after every hour had passed. At one point, I saw Evan walk by with a group of people, but I went out like a light once again. It was a weird feeling, because I wanted to, but then again, I was sleeping at school.

I had a strange dream and there was a lot of rain and bright lights. The lights blared into my eyes, making me sit up abruptly, looking around in complete confusion. My feet felt like a million pins were pricking into them. I didn't even realize that Kate was sitting across again, looking with wide eyes at me, clutching her sketchbook to her chest. That was weird… That dream made me feel like shit…

"Sorry, Kate, I hope I didn't scare you." I rubbed my forehead.

"It's fine," she set her book down, "Did something scare you?"

"Just a weird dream," I dismissed, "What time is it?"

She checked her watch, "It's five-thirty."

"Shit, you weren't sitting here the whole time, right?"

"I... I did sit here the whole time." She dipped her head down in shame.

My shoulders dropped and let out a groan, "Kate, you didn't have to sit here for six hours for me!"

Our voices were low, but even I heard the mild frustration in mine. The both of us had our arms on the table and leaning over closer.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't want you to wake up and think I just left you here!"

I can't be mad at her. I'm not mad at all. I feel grateful just hearing her say such a thing. I chuckled, shaking my head at her, "Thanks for that, Kate, but next time, I'll be okay here."

She smiled back, but replied, "I refuse to acknowledge the second half of your sentence."

I nodded, ultimately okay with that, "Then, how was class?"

She scooted her chair in and interlocked her fingers in front of her, "We started the final today. It has to do with a fortune cookie and we have to draw out our interpretations from the little fortune. Don't worry, I brought you one." She reached into her jacket pocket and took out a fortune cookie still in the plastic packet.

"Oh, thanks." I grabbed it from her. I started to pinch at it, hearing the plastic crinkle, realizing how bad of an idea that would be. I just left it on the table.

"You're welcome. Are you going to start when you get home?"

"No, will you?"

"I already finished," She now had a confident smile, "I will, however, draw different variations and pick one I like."

"Wowser, you're like a machine."

"You say wowser a lot?"

I could feel the teasing in her voice. Why did I become nervous from that? I always said that. "Yes, in fact, I do. Are you gonna laugh again?"

"No, it's cute. I like it."

I watched her as she looked down and pressed her lips together, as if she was holding something back.

I got a text on my phone.

Chloe: Max I'm outside. Made you coffee.

At least she got to leave work early. There were other texts like you sleep? And damn class hella boring? But I was asleep through both. She was right, but I missed out on going to class today.

I chewed on my cheek; I didn't want to leave yet, even with promised coffee.

"I gotta go." I said, disgruntled.

Even Kate looked a bit upset too, "Oh, really?"

"Hey, I don't want to leave either." I placed the book back in my bag and grabbed the fortune cookie. I slung my bag across my body, but I didn't leave yet. It was awkward as I stood up again.

Kate and I looked around awkwardly and waited silently.

"Well, I guess I'll go now." I took short and slow steps backwards.

"Yes, you wouldn't want to waste any more time to sleep." She somehow found something positive.

I was resisting, but I finally turn around and promptly left. I speed-walked out and went to the front immediately. I practically jumped into Chloe's car; I somehow scared her.

"Holy shit, Maxi pad, what happened? I was waiting for your text in the afternoon and never got one." She grabbed her phone.

"I fell asleep in the library. Kate was there and we just talked."

Chloe could only let out a scoff and pinched the bridge of her nose, "You're lucky I love you."

"Love you too."

When we went into our apartment, we were met with silence. I was worried, wondering where Rachel went off to without telling us about it. I shouldn't have felt that way, but it couldn't be helped.

"Oh, yeah, she had to leave again." Chloe mentioned, tossing her apron onto the couch. "Another stupid job shit thing. She texted me earlier."

That's a good sign! My mood was lifted immediately after hearing that, tossing my bag next to the couch, skipping into the kitchen for food.

"I'm hella fucking glad I worked half a day today." She said through a yawn. "Manager had a damn heart after all."

"That's good," I popped open a bag of chips, placing one on my tongue, "Can I… ask you something? I dunno if it's weird, but—"

"Dude, just ask."

I took a deep breath, it's okay, just ask. "What do I do now? Like, with Kate, I mean."

"That's all you, Max. Rache and I can help build your confidence or what and how to say things, but how slow and fast you want this to be is up to you."

"Up to me, huh?"

"Yeah, I mean, I didn't know what the hell I was doing with Rachel and, look... I hate us fighting too."

"Have you... you know? Today?"

She shook her head, brushing her hair back with her hand, "Drinking? Hell no. As much as I want to... Just one sip?"

"No, can't let you do that."

I did my homework outside on the coffee table, so I could watch Chloe. I was annoyed with my assignment, because my fortune was something stupid about life goals and following them. I was having a hard time focusing and coming up with good designs.

Before I knew it, Rachel came home. It was the same as yesterday: she was still wearing her nice outfit for her job and we looked like garbage. Chloe sat up immediately so she could sit down next to her, falling heavily into the seat.

"How was wor—"

"Fucking shit." She replied without making eye contact with me. I let silence fall on us, but it was tense. I felt like I couldn't breathe in that time or else it would interrupt. I'm losing my mind a little bit… This is really… something else.

She huffed, smacking her hands over her face, muffling, "I'm sorry. I'm just really tired."

"You should go inside then." Chloe stood up, lending her hand, "Come on, I'll even carry you."

Another tense silence. I watched behind me as Rachel's eyes looked at her hand, up to her face, and then back at her hand again.

"Let me watch a little bit, okay?" Her voice was gentle as she spoke to Chloe. Turns out, there was a movie playing on our TV. She sat down again and Rachel rested her head on the other's shoulder. "Thank you." I cracked a smile and went back to my work.

And we did just that. I was constantly looking up and down, with one earphone in, to watch along, and checking up on the two behind me. They stayed awake and were watching like I wasn't there. We finished the movie, which was called talhotblond and it had an insane plot twist. When I checked my phone to change the song, I noticed it was one AM.

"You sleepy now?" I heard Chloe ask. Rachel hummed, I assumed she meant yes.

"Okay, you head inside first."

Rachel left the room, trudging into the bathroom first. Shutting my notebook, I mustered enough energy to crawl onto the couch, sighing in relief as soon as I got comfortable.

"You know, there's some shit bothering me right now." Chloe placed her elbow on the armrest.

"W-what's wrong?"

"I know… I know I drank a lot before Rachel came. Like, a lot. There are so many bottles in the fridge. I always feel like complete shit the next day, now too and I'm not even drinking, but it's different from being hungover or whatever. Do I do something weird when I'm hella drunk?"

Chloe was clearly upset about it; I could see it in her eyes. Fuck… I… I can't say it. No, don't say it. But, they already fought about it…

"What makes you think that?"

"I hate fighting with her. I already said it, but it fucking sucks."

Only things like "um" or "I..." could only come out. This is a lot. I don't like this feeling. The bathroom door opening interrupted the tense atmosphere. Rachel saw Chloe right away and folded her arms.

"Chloe Price." She said.

"Rachel Amber." Chloe replied. There wasn't a reply after that. They simply left into the bedroom, leaving me alone.

A/N: Review and shit!