It is a bitter night, and it's a bitter morning, too. I hug onto a stuffed dog that Nora had got me and sob most of the night. By the time I get up for work at 7 am, I'm practically dead.

It's hard to go to work when you feel like this. It's so hard to plaster on a cute smile and help the stupid customers find end tables and sofas. I'm almost in tears by break time, but some how I manage to keep it together.

I step outside for my 30 minute break, which is pretty long, thankfully. I sit outside the backdoor, leaning against the brick wall, and smoke. And cry. Mostly the latter.

One of my coworkers steps outside. "Hey, Bir, how's it- Bir?"

I guess I was crying a little loudly. "What's wrong?!" He leans over beside me and studies my eyeliner-covered face.

"'s nothin'... don't worry, Ivan-" "Break is over soon! You have to cheer up a little, so tell me what's wrong! Maybe I can help!"

"'s Nora..." My voice cracks, just trying to spit out her name. "-fighting.."

Ivan hugs me and I start to sob again, hiding my face in his shoulder. He pats my back. "Hey, hey.. it's okay.. shhhh.."

My fingers dig into the fabric of his soft, fleecy coat and he strokes my hair. "It's okay.. Birgit.. listen to me, look up, da?"

I hiccup and look up at him like he says. "How'd you like to come to my place after work? J-Just as friends, I mean. You can tell me all about what happened and cry as much as you'd like."

I sniffle and nod, wiping off my cheeks with my shirt sleeve. "Sounds.. sounds good.."

Ivan smiles. "Okay. Ready to go back in?" I nod again.

"Oh, I'll go ahead and take your spot at front desk. Think you can handle cooking for a bit?"

"Ja, 'm good at cooking.." "Alright." He smiles. "Come on." He pulls me up by the hand and leads me back inside.

It's a lot easier to work in the kitchen. It keeps my mind off of things, plus it's pretty fun to cook.

I must have made at least 200 meatballs in a few hours. I make them a lot at home, so it's a breeze. I ought to switch stations with Ivan more. He's a good friend.

Soon Ivan comes into the kitchen, holding my coat. "Good job today!" He smiles and helps me put on my coat.

I nod. "Th'nks.. fer switchin' stations with me.. 'nd everything.." I give him a slight smile and he pats my back. "C'mon, let's go now!"

I trudge outside. It's raining. Perfectly reflecting my current mood. "Shoot.." Ivan pulls up the hood of my coat and covers my head, then runs to his car and opens the door for me. I give him a confused sort of look and get inside. "Th'nks."

He walks around, taking a seat and starting the car. "How'd you get here this morning? I thought you didn't have a car?"

"Bus.." I sigh. Nora is usually my ride to work.. "Oh, well, I'll pick you up tomorrow, if you need!"

I nod. "That'd be great." "What time?" "7."

It would be a silent ride if Ivan wasn't singing softly the whole time. His voice is very sweet, and he sings in Russian, along to some song I don't know. It's very calming, I almost fall asleep.

His house is surprisingly close to IKEA. About 15 minutes away, I'd guess. He opens the door for me again, and leads me inside. "My sisters are out right now.."

He takes my coat and sits with me on the sofa, sitting down with his legs crossed, and his head rested on his hand. "So, what troubles you?"

"Yesterday.." I sigh. "Yesterday I went t' a concert with Nora.. and.. we had backstage VIP passes.. 't was really nice.. well, t' lead singer of favorite band 's also her cousin..? I guess.. somethin' like that.."

Ivan doesn't notice that I'm doing, neither do I, really, but I'm falling over into his lap, slowly. "'s very cute.. his name 's Tino.. 'nd.. I met 'im.. he gave me his number.." "Da..?"

"'nd.. 'n the car... Nora.. Nora shouted 't me.. b-because.. I.. I guess she likes me.. a-and I like her cousin.." He holds my head in his lap and strokes my hair. "I'm sorry.."

"'nd then," I choke up, "when we got home, s-she was drunk.. o-or somethin'.. she kissed me.. she shouted more.. 'nd then she got 'n her car 'nd drove off-"

I'm in tears by the time I finish my stupid little story. Ivan pulls me up, and hugs me tightly, letting me cry into his shoulder again. "I'm sorry.. I really am.."

I can't even offer up an "it's not your fault". All I can do is sob, more and more.

"Princess.. are you tired?" It's been about 5 straight minutes of me crying. I nod, hugging him tighter. "Do you want to go to sleep?" I nod again.

He loops his arm under my legs, and scoops me up. I hold onto his shoulders, hiccuping as he carries me upstairs into the guest room. He lays me in the bed and covers me up, then starts to leave.

"Wait- don't go-" I reach out for him and he pauses. "Do you want me to stay with you until you fall asleep?" I nod and pull on his scarf.

Ivan lays beside me, staring at the wall uneasily. I pull him closer, and wrap my arms around him, hiccuping, yawning.

He looks down at me. "Please cuddle me.." I mutter. He pauses before pulling me closer, resting my head in the crook of his neck. "This okay?" I nod and breath in his scent, musky.

I slowly fall asleep, and I guess he slips out of the room.