“I know, I’m sorry. I just don’t have time to think anymore,” I said as tears started to well up. I didn’t know where this was coming from. I never cry in front of anyone. I hate the thought of someone seeing me this weak. But I just needed to be comforted right now.

            “No, no I didn’t mean it like that,” she said reassuringly. “I just feel bad is all. I wish I could do something to help.”

            I started letting the tears fall freely now, sobbing a little. “I’m just so confused and I don’t know what to do anymore. There’s too much pressure.”

Then she pulled me tight into her embrace and let me soak her night shirt with my salty tears. She didn’t say anything and I didn’t want her to. I just needed her to hold me. Somehow I just knew if she held me, everything was going to be okay. As long as I had her, I’d be okay. I fell asleep crying in her arms.

            I slept straight through the night and didn’t wake until the alarm the next day. I woke up with my front to Spencer’s back, holding her tightly with my head in the crook of her neck. I reached over her and shut off my alarm clock. Then, I pulled away a little to lie on my back so she could get up and sneak back into her room. Usually when I do this, she immediately gets up, gives me a quick kiss on the cheek, and leaves me to sleep since I don’t have class till later. But today she grabs my arm and pulls be back into her.

            “Babe, you have to go. Angela’s going to wake up.”

            “Mmmm, few more minutes,” she said sleepily.

            “I’m not the one who has to explain to her why I was out all night,” I said, as I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

            “It’s fine,” she said. “No worries.” I let her sleep a few more minutes before forcing her to wake up. Neither of us noticed my bedroom door was open for a few minutes. In our sleepy state, neither of us noticed someone else had been in the room watching us.