"Actually... everyone's asleep." I say into my cell phone.

"So why are you still up?" Her voice echoes from the other line.

"I don't know..lately sleep just hasn't been on my 'To Do List'... I just been having trouble.. it sucks." I'm in my bed, with nothing on but the light of my cell phone reflecting off of the walls. I look at my clock radio. Dammit! It's already 2 in the morning. I have to be at work tomorrow at 12, so at least that's not too bad.

"Why don't you come over?" She asks for the third time since she called me at 1:45. Vanessa. I don't know...she is a nice girl..way cute...but, from what Hunter was saying...

"See I'm trying to sleep. Not looking for something to do other than sleep." I say, listening to Shane snore. Man, he is crazy loud sometimes! Dude...

"I can help you sleep.." Vanessa giggles.

"I'm way too comfortable in my own bed right now, Nessa." I'm making so many excuses right now.

"Then I'll come over."

"No!" I bark "Um.. I mean, I don't want to wake Shane and Tori, you know."

"You're afraid of girls, aren't you, Dustin?" Vanessa asks.

"What? Nah..no way." I lie. I mean, I'm not afraid of girls themselves....just all the crap that comes along with being with one.

"I think you are. Or you're just really insecure." Vanessa could be right. She most likely is. Sometimes I just don't even know anymore.

"I've been hurt..really bad.. I just don't trust.." I say.

"Awe..what happened?" Vanessa's voice is similar to that of a bad acting porn star.

"Don't wanna talk about it." I say, not really up to telling the story. "Hey, I'm gonna really try to get to sleep now, ok? I'll talk to you tomorrow." I cut our conversation short due to the direction it was going...not good...

"Awe..well..ok cutie...goodnight." Nessa says.

"Sweet dreams."

-click-

Sighing, I put my cell phone to charge next to my clock radio and pull the sheets over me as I get comfy. Just as I close my eyes, I swear I hear footsteps in the living room, over Shane's snoring, stopping in front of my door. The door knob turns and a figure slides into my room, closing the door slowly, not to make noise.

"Tori?" I say, hitting my touch lamp once, just enough dimmed light to see her.

"Hey." She says, sitting next to me on my bed. I sit up, my heart pounding like it always does when I see her.

"Hey...Tori...are you ok?" I hope she's ok..it's real late.

"I heard you talking and I just wanted to make sure you were ok." She says. Her voice so breathy and soft. The light in my room is just enough so I can see her perfectly. The balance of the light and shadow hitting her curves just right. Her eyes are glassy.. God, she's gorgeous..

"I'm fine," I smile , "just can't sleep..as usual."

"Awe... I figured that." Tori brushes her hair behind her ears.

"You been awake this whole time?" I ask, concerned.

"On and off... I got a lot on my mind." Tori seems troubled. Something is bothering her. Almost kinda like when we had that whole 'gay' conversation in front of her old house..This could be interesting..

"Wanna talk about it?" I ask, wishing she would just spill her love for me.

"Nah.. I wouldn't know where to start. And it's something I have to figure out on my own anyway."

"You sure?" I ask.

"Positive. But thanks." She smiles at me. We lock eyes again. The same as in the living room. The same as three days ago. Her eyes are trying to tell me something. And maybe I'm just dumb, but I wish I knew what it was.

"You know, Dustin.." Tori lets out a slight giggle, her head down, "I'm really, really sorry for grabbing your...um...yeah."

"Oh..um..." What do I say to that? I mean I'm not sorry she did. I kinda wish it lasted longer..

"Yeah.. I'm really sorry.. I just kinda panicked.." She says, avoiding direct eye contact.

"It's ok, Tor.. it's fine.. you made it feel better, I swear." What a doofus! Don't say that! Awe...dude....

Tori giggles and smacks my leg, "You're crazy!" She says.

"Yeah, I guess." I feel embarrassed now...way embarrassed.

We sit in silence..and with Tori, it's never felt this awkward. We sit nodding at each other. What should I say? What's on her mind? I wish I knew... Oh, man..just to kiss her right now would be perfect. If Shane woke up and walked in he'd be buggin' out. What to do..what to do...

"Tori.." I blurt.. it just came out..and I don't know what to say now..

"Yeah, Dustin?" She glances at me. I'm thinking hard on what I should say. I can't tell her anything. As much as I want to and wish I could.. I just can't.

"Shane is so loud right now!" I break the ice.

Tori sighs, "Yeah..Ha! He is." She looks at the time on my clock radio. "Wow, it's late huh?" She yawns.

"Yeah...you should get some rest," I say , "We both got work tomorrow."

"Ok then..." She smiles "...Scoot over."

"Huh?"

"Yeah.. gimme some room." Tori nudges me. Oh... she wants to sleep next to me again...dude... I'll never get to sleep tonight! But I wouldn't change this for anything...

I move over so that Tori can stretch out right next to me on my bed. Here we are, Me and Tori laying down facing each other. Tori turns over onto her side, her back to me now, and moves in closer. Oh man, she is directly up against me and this can't be good. The more I try not to think about her, the more I can't help it. My manhood starts to rise, slightly poking Tori on her bottom. I want to drop dead right now.. this is so bad..ssooo bad... Maybe she doesn't even notice..or, yeah, right!

"Um...Dustin...is that..um...is that your..." Tori quietly asks, still facing away from me.

"I'm sorry.. I-I'm s-so sorry." I stutter, quickly jumping out of my bed, "Um..I'm sorry Tori I didn't mean for that to happen... it just does it on its own... I.." I panic, trying to explain myself.

"Dustin, I know.. It's not a big deal.."

"It's not?" I ask, half reassured and half kinda insulted. No big deal? Ouch! That's harsh!

"Well.. it's not..um..exactly..a little deal..a-hem...um...but...this situation...isn't really a big..issue..um...I'm not mad..or anything...it's cool...yeah.." Tori stutters and nervously speaks. She slightly smirks. My face is boiling. I know I must be beet red right now.

"Um...ok..really?" I ask..so..that means she's impressed?? Nice!

"Really." Tori smiles, uneasily "Come back and lay down. We gotta get to sleep." She says.

"Oh..right." I slowly climb back into bed with her, making sure to leave plenty of room between us this time.

"Goodnight, Dustin" Tori smiles.

"Goodnight."