Floor 6

...

Those fateful words pounded inside her head. This was it. He was dumping her, and dumping her good. I should've listened to Troy, Gabriella thought as her heart thumped inside her chest.

"Well, good-bye." Dave silently took his car keys from his pocket and slipped out the door.

Not being able to control herself any longer, Gabriella crawled up to her mattress and, burying her face in her pillow, began to sob, the bitter tears finally releasing the frustration she had been holding in since she had moved onto floor six. It was hard. She was in a new place, her family was no longer right down the hall, and she was experiencing meeting new people, living with someone who had been a stranger until moving day, and adjusting to college. On top of that, she had gone against her better judgement and added a boyfriend to the mess she called her life.

"Brie?"

She lifted her tear-stained face to see Troy kneeling beside her. Sitting up, she crawled into his lap and hugged his neck, her head burrowing into his shoulder.

He didn't say anything. All he did was wrap his arms securely around her waist as he rocked gently back and forth. But somehow, the knowledge of knowing he was there soothed her.

"I...I don't know what to do anymore," she eventually sniffled. "I'm a failure."

"No, you're not, Brie. Don't put yourself down like that." He played with her disheveled curls.

"But I am. I was a bitch to you after you saw my boobs, I was a bitch to Dave by lying to him, I was a bitch to my new friends by lying to them, and on top of that, I'm flunking my bio class."

"Life's an ass sometimes. But it's no reason to talk bad about yourself." Handing her the beloved bear that was beside him, he kissed her head.

"I just feel like crap."

"Well, don't." He held her tighter. "What do you say I get you some comfier clothes and we can eat junk food and watch a Zac Efron movie?"

"But I gotta go to work. I'm already running late."

"Call out. You're not in any shape to work right now. And with all your stress, I think it would be good to just take a breather and stay home."

She sighed. "But I have to go. My boss will kill me if I don't show up."

"Then at least let me drive you."

"Fine," she agreed, too shaken up to argue further. However, she made no move to detach herself from Troy's neck.

"You know, you really don't have to go if you don't want to." He pressed a kiss into her hair. "Life happens. Sometimes you just need a break from things."

"But-"

"But nothing. I still have to go to work for a few hours later, but besides that, I'll be here to give cuddles, hugs, and whatever else you need. It can be a lazy day."

"No. I really need to get my shit together and go." Releasing her grip on him, she rubbed her swollen eyes and mechanically climbed down the ladder. After taking a quick shower and throwing on a mini dress and leggings, she grabbed her purse and yanked on a pair of ankle boots.

"All ready?" Troy's voice sounded from behind her.

She nodded, her still sad eyes looking up at him.

"Could I hug you again before we head out?" He held his arms out toward her.

Slowly nodding, she nestled into his chest and allowed him to pull her close.

"You sure you're gonna be alright?"

"I'll be fine." She took a deep breath and backed away from him. Wiping her eyes, she swallowed hard and turned toward the door. She didn't have time to be weak. She had to put her brave face on and try to move on with life, however hard that might turn out to be.

...

Gabriella tossed and turned, her cluttered brain preventing her body from sleep. Cursing under her breath, she pulled the covers up further and buried her face in a fluffy pillow.

Still no result.

A sigh escaped her lips as she kicked her socks off and hugged her bear. That had, by far, been the worst day ever. All she wanted to do was slip into a slumber - one that would erase the pain and make her life easier, even if it were for just a few hours. But even that seemed beyond her power.

She checked her phone. It was two o' clock. Seeing that she'd gone to bed at ten, it was ridiculous that she was still awake. The only thing more she could think of was to sneak over to Troy's mattress and spend the remainder of the night with him. Yes, that's what she'd do; she just needed to be careful not to wake him.

Taking her duvet, a pair of pillows, and her bear, she crawled to her roommate and laid down beside him, her head nestling into his chest.

"Mmm." The groan came from Troy's lips.

Shit. She froze, not wanting to disrupt his sleep by fully waking him. However, it proved to be too late to prevent that, for he was already lifting his head and stretching.

"Hey, what's this little cupcake doing in my bed?" he asked, his arms winding around Gabriella's waist.

"I'm sorry to bother you. I really am." She chewed on her lip. "I didn't mean to wake you up, I just...I couldn't sleep, and-"

"And you needed a cuddle?"

She nodded, embarrassment washing over her at the seemingly needy confession.

"How long have you been awake?" He released his hold on her and motioned for her to abandon her own covers and climb under his.

"Since I went to bed. I couldn't sleep at all."

"Why didn't you tell me? I would've let you cuddle up here from the start if I'd known you were having that much of a hard time."

"I didn't wanna seem like a clingy bitch. I mean, I was practically attached to you all evening. I wanted to give you some space before I got on your nerves. Besides, aren't I a little old to have to be snuggled to sleep?"

"Listen. I'm here for you. You had a hard day and you need some extra hugs. There's nothing wrong with that. And no, you're not too old for it. Lots of girls - and guys for that matter - sleep better when they're cuddled with someone. Hell, I think I do, too, just as long as you're not hogging the covers and kicking me." He smiled and playfully tapped her nose.

She giggled. "By the way, do you mind putting a shirt on before we sleep? It's kind of weird lying under the covers in a camisole with a shirtless guy." She had removed her sweatshirt at some point during her attempt at falling asleep, leaving her in her thin top.

"But all my shirts are down there." He pointed to the floor beneath the loft.

"Come on. You're not my boyfriend."

"Brie, it's the middle of the night. I'm sleepy as hell, and I know you are, too. Let's just get some rest; we'll worry about clothes in the morning." Smiling, he hugged her and pressed his lips to her forehead.

"Fine, then." She let out a yawn as she snuggled into his chest and reciprocated his embrace. It was then that leftover sadness washed over her. A tear trickling down her cheek, she whispered, "Troy?"

"What's up now, Brie?"

"I...I don't wanna cry again." Her voice shook.

"It's okay. There's no shame in needing some time to just let it all out."

Before he was even finished speaking, Gabriella was shaking with sobs, her small hands gripping Troy's shoulders and her face buried in his bare chest.

"Take your time, cupcake. You can cry as long as you need to." He pulled up the covers and kissed her hair.

"I-I don't even know why I'm crying anymore. I just...I'm not okay. I just-"

"It's okay not to be okay. Just cry if you have to. I'm here for you."

Sniffling, she lifted her head. "I...I need a tissue."

"I'll go get the whole box...and also a shirt while I'm down there." He climbed down the loft, returning a minute later with a t-shirt on and a box of Kleenex in his hand.

"Thanks." She sat up and grabbed a tissue, tears still trickling down her cheeks. After Troy laid down, she copied him and snuggled into his chest. Relaxing, she felt him gently adjust the camisole strap that was falling down her shoulder.

"All good now, Brie?" he asked as he rubbed her back.

"I guess." She shrugged and wrapped her arms around him. It wasn't the complete truth that she was alright, but she didn't want to continue to worry him.

After drawing the duvet over them, he returned her embrace, his head falling on top of hers. "You have a good rest, okay cupcake?"

"I'll try." She let out a deep sigh and closed her eyes, silently willing herself to hold back the remainder of the tears that were threatening to flow.

...

The next day was spent very much like the previous one. Gabriella got a ride to work from Troy, then, after finishing her shift, got one of her co-workers to drop her off at home, where she curled up on the couch in her pajamas to watch movies. Once her roommate arrived back at the apartment as well, she laid down with her head in his lap and a blanket draped over her chilly body. Neither of them spoke. She was too disconcerted with the prospect of facing Dave at school the next day to comment on anything, and, as it seemed, he knew she was too upset to speak.

When nighttime came, she crawled into his bed and nestled against his side. "I don't wanna go to school tomorrow," she whispered, her pleading eyes gazing up at him.

"Do you need to call your dad?" he asked, pushing a strand of hair out of her face.

"No, no...I don't wanna worry him. Besides, I never told him about Dave, and he'd flip out if I said something now."

Troy let out a sigh and wrapped an arm around her waist. The room grew silent until Gabriella spoke.

"I want pizza."

"Damn, you're still on your period, aren't you?"

"Shut up." She kicked his shin, then crawled to the stairs, which she quickly descended. After grabbing pizza from the kitchen, she popped a movie into the DVD player and returned to her roommate.

"Could you turn that down a little?" asked Troy, drawing up the covers. "It's fine if you wanna watch it, but I'd really like to get some rest."

"Okay." After fulfilling his request, she turned the lights out and settled onto her bed to relax. Once she'd finished her pizza, she dragged her duvet and a few pillows over to his mattress and curled up beside him.

"Hey." Troy's eyes cracked open.

"Hey. I just thought I'd sleep here tonight if you don't mind."

"Of course not. Go for it." He yawned.

Shivering, she pulled her blanket closer about her and shifted over so she was against his side. "Troy?"

"What? I'm really tired now, Brie."

"Sorry. I was just wondering...did you feel crappy like this when you were a freshman?"

"Of course. It's hard to adjust to a new life away from your family and friends, especially when you're expected to be independent."

"I know." She sighed. "I just feel like maybe I should take next semester off or something. But at the same time, I don't wanna fall behind."

"I've felt like that a lot. Believe me. As I think you've just found out, college is not exactly easy. You'll get through it though. I did. And I'm a guy." He smirked.

Giggling, she laid her head against his chiseled chest. "I hope you're right."

Evidentially taking her cue, he secured his arms around her waist. "I know I'm right. Now get to sleep."

"You're not the boss of me."

"Well I'm your brother-kind of-and I care about you, so good-night."

"But I'm not sleepy."

"Well, I am. So I'm gonna sleep. If you don't want to take my awesome advice, then fine. Be that way." He leaned in to plant a kiss on her forehead.

"You know, even though you can be a jerk sometimes, I'm lucky to have you as my guy best friend and brother."

"Aww, I'm lucky to have you too." Giving her a small squeeze, he laid his head on top of hers. "Now let me sleep."