It wouldn't be much of a sleepover if we didn't sleep at all. Since Victoria wanted to talk to Rachel and ask her everything she ever wanted to know, we were stuck there. I felt bad for Chloe, because she didn't want to be with me and Kate but she also didn't want to be with Victoria and Rachel. She was the awkward fifth person with no one to talk to.

I sat with Kate on her bed again, still trying our best to figure out the Slide game. I was able to get to six, but no such luck going beyond that. I was admiring not just her soft hands and gentle gaze, but her patience too. If I were to do something like this with Chloe or Rachel, both would show how pissed off they were. But not Kate—she just tried again.

"I guess you'll be staying over after all." Kate lightly laughed. It was a strange situation. I mean, I already knew we were going to stay after realizing it was two o'clock. She didn't seem to mind our extended stay, though.

"You tried to send us home." I reminded her.

"Because I knew Victoria would try to keep her here and, in turn, keep you and Chloe too."

"Do you really mind?"

"Not at all." She answered happily.

I smiled back, "So then, tell me about next Sunday."

"All I'll say is that you could sleep in. My plans don't start until ten."

"Whoa, that's late, what is it?"

"I can't tell you. Mine will be as much as a surprise as yours was."

"Fair enough."

Suddenly, I heard a strange noise. It was to my left, where the dresser was, and where her pet was. It sounded like the hay inside moved around and then a very small thump sound.

"Is she okay?" She stood up a little to look inside. The black-and-white rabbit was lying on her side with her eyes closed.

"She's fine, rabbits do that when they feel comfortable and safe."

"Wowser, I feel special! She's so cute," I sat back down to face Kate again, "Alice is such a great name too."

"Thank you! I love her so much."

I think the sleepiness finally hit both of us. When we stopped talking, we would yawn and stretch, but neither of us attempted to lied down. It was about four o'clock. Rachel and Chloe had to leave at fucking five.

"So, if I were to sleep, where would I go?" I asked. Kate rested her head against the wall, smirking at me. I don't know what image I had in my head from Kate doing that, but it caused my entire body to just heat up on its own. You're a perv, Max.

"Are you comfortable being in the same bed?"

Hell, was I? First of all, it's a twin-sized bed. Oh, my dog, I think I'm having an actual panic attack setting in. I think this is a real gay panic.

"It's okay if you're not. I was just asking."

"W-well, maybe," I finally stammered, "I'm not sure, I used to share with Chloe, but I got booted to the couch."

"That's too bad. Then just let me know," she exhaled audibly in a bothered way, "I've never been so sleepy before. I'm usually up wide awake now."

"Why do you stay up so late?" I asked. I never imagined her to be the type. It may just be a universal college student thing, which was the more likely option.

"It's happened since ninth grade, and it became worse in twelfth. I got away with saying I was busy with homework, but… Honestly, I have no idea."

"It can't just happen, right? I'm sorry if I'm pressing you, but it seems serious."

"It's fine." After Kate said that, there was a knock on our door.

"Come in." Kate turned around.

The door opened cautiously and Rachel took a step in, "Hey, we have to go now, Max. Are you coming along or staying?"

"I'm going to stay; do you mind that?"

"No not at all! We'll pick you up later, okay?"

"Okay, have fun at the photoshoot!"

"Thank you, sleep well." Then Rachel left, gently closing the door.

Kate turned back to me. We were staring at each other for a moment—it felt way longer to me. I was still feeling my heart beating, but it wasn't the same as every other time. The only light in the room was right on her bedside table and her staying in the shadows was mysterious to me. She suddenly stood up and went to her dresser. She pulled the bottom drawer and pulled out the familiar black-and-white plaid shirt.

"You should take it before we forget. I washed it for you." She hands it to me.

I hesitated to take it, but I took it from her hands, hugging it to my body, "Thanks."

It was quiet as she crawled into bed and sat next to me, back against the wall.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked, referring back to the other topic we were on.

"Yep, I've been dealing with this for years. I wish I knew why or how to stop it, but it's something I learned to deal with."

"I wish I could help you. I have trouble sleeping too, it's just stupid college that makes me feel sh-bad."

"I wish that was it. It could be a factor. Maybe stress of being in school?"

The door was slammed open, scaring the shit out of both of us. Victoria has changed into silky black pajamas and anger was plastered on her face.

"You are not going to sleep in the same bed as Kate. You're not even going to sleep in the same room."

"Then... where am I going?"

In a matter of five minutes, I was sleeping on a couch again. I was given one blanket aka, a black-and-white polka-dot bed sheet, and I snuggled myself into every pillow. I gathered them to me as much as I could. I even put on my flannel again for more warmth. It was pretty lonely and I looked pathetic as I looked at my reflection in the TV's screen.

"Sorry Max," Kate sat down on the longer seat, "I wish you could have stayed."

"It's okay. I had a feeling I wasn't gonna be able to."

"I'll make it up to you, okay?"

"That's what Sunday is for."

Kate then messed with my hair, giggling, "Goodnight, Max."

Sleep was extra difficult; it was more like I took a nap. I heard two door slams, Victoria and Kate talking to each other, and then another door slam. The last one was definitely the front door. Then, I heard light switches, a tea kettle whistling, and humming. I sat up and hunched over, letting out a loud yawn. It was around eight-ten.

"Good morning." Kate came into the room from the kitchen with two mugs in her hands. She must drink green tea every single day.

"Good morning, Kate," I grabbed one of the white cups from her, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. You heard her call you weird, huh?"

She sat next to me, holding her cup close as she took small sips.

"Yeah, but it's fine. I knew she wasn't gonna like me."

"She should at least get to know you. It'll take time. I know from experience."

I only nodded. Victoria was interesting, to say the least.

After watching TV and finishing our drinks, Kate got ready for the day and we left her apartment. We walked together to school, where she said she'll leave me for when Rachel and Chloe have to pick me up. We didn't talk much during our walk; We didn't say anything until we were in front of our school.

"Guess I'll be staying here for hours..." I said, sulking.

"I wish I could come back, but I'll be out all day with them. Don't be sad, you can still text me."

"That makes me feel a little better."

Kate giggled, "Good, I'll see you tomorrow for class, okay?"

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

I watched her walk away towards the bus stop at the end of the street. I sat on the curb and finally let everything sink in. I was sitting in front of school, wearing the same outfit as yesterday, with no money, a phone at ten percent battery, and the feeling of rejection from Victoria. I wonder what I did wrong or what Kate said about me to make her so hostile? Never mind that, though, I had plans Sunday and I couldn't wait to see what she had in store.

I hugged my knees to my chest, watched the cars pass, and waited patiently. Using the last of my battery, I text Rachel and Chloe to pick me up at school.

They didn't pick me up until the afternoon. Knowing I was starving, they brought a whole pink box of doughnuts and water, though they admitted to eating a few of them on the way. I still let them eat some.

"I see you got your flannel back." Rachel turned around in her seat. I was sitting behind her, stuffing my face. I nodded to acknowledge I heard her.

"Was it better today?" I asked, my cheeks full.

"Nope, he was still shitty." Chloe replied. They both looked more exhausted, but I don't know if it was from not sleeping or they worked harder today. It could be a combination of the two, no doubt.

"Come on, let's talk about something else," Rachel groaned, clearly over this day as much as Chloe was, "Tell us about your sleepover!"

"There isn't a lot to say. I got kicked out of her room by Victoria and I was sleeping on a couch… again."

I could hear them sigh, realizing that we all had a tough morning. The atmosphere was very dull and we were all ready to sleep the day away.

"Was there anything good that happened? At all?" She asked once more. Her eyes were droopy and looked back at me with a small tinge of hope. I swallowed, sighing after.

"I have a date on Sunday." I said.

She could only smile, "That's good! At least one good thing happened! Are you surprising her again?"

"No, actually, she's surprising me."

Rachel clapped, "How exciting! That makes most things that happened today worth it."

"What happened at the shoot?"

Rachel looked at Chloe, then looked back to me again, eyebrows furrowed, "We're so tired…"

I chose not to pry, as much as I wanted them to tell me, but they needed peace and quiet. And it was just that.

Peaceful.