Better Sleep

My eyes burn as I tiredly continue to sketch. It's past midnight and everyone's asleep.

I have to get this done. I can't lose this project.

My phone vibrates with Chester's name on the screen, but I ignore it. I have to get this sketch to David tomorrow before he gets a new partner.

I hear something hit my window and it breaks my concentration. Something repeatedly hits my window and I go over to check it out.

I open my curtain and on the other side, Chester stands like a doof on the roof.

"Open the window! It's cold out here," he yells from the other side. I smirk, watching him shiver in his grey t-shirt and black sweatpants. He looks like a little puppy trying to protect himself from the wind. "Come on, Sparrow! I'm going to freeze to death."

I take mercy on him and let him in through the window. He crawls in and I close the window.

"What are you doing here," I ask Chester. When I turn around he pulls me into his arms and I stand shocked. "What's the hug for? Are you ok," I ask him, worried now. He came to my house to give me a hug?

"I knew you'd still be awake, worried about this project. You haven't had a good night's rest in awhile. I think if you skip one more night of sleep, you'll pass out in school. You need sleep, Sparrow."

I hug him back, laying my head on his warm chest. I didn't know how much I really needed this. For him to be here, holding me.

"I really need to get this done for David tomorrow. I can't lose this. Four years of paid tuition would be great. I still need to find other ways to pay for everything else."

"Why didn't you tell me before that you were trying to find ways to pay for college? You could even ask your mom for help or Nick. He's in college and I'm sure he found ways to pay for college."

I close my sketch book when Chester tries to take a peek at my work. He gives me a weird, curious look.

"What are you hiding," he asks in a teasing tone.

"I- I just... I'm just a little shy when it comes to my art," I lie to him, but he sees through it. He grabs the sketch book from my desk before I can stop him and opens it.

I watch him pause as he scans over the piece of work. It's pretty dark, but I think most of my work is. It's the reason why I didn't want him to see it.

The sketch is of a teenage girl lying in her bathtub. The tub is overflowing with water and the faucet is still on. Her eight feet long, straight hair floats out of the side of the tub and makes a river down and across the bathroom floor. Her arms lay wide on the edges of the tub and her wrists are split open. She bleeds all over the tub, but the blood drips in the form of rose petals. I didn't get to draw her face. It's a clean slate because I don't know what I want her to look like. She has no identity.

"Wow," is all he says. His fingers trail over the details of the sketch. "It looks done to me. David's going to love this idea."

"But I'm not done with it," I tell him, setting the sketch back on the table. "She doesn't even have a face."

"She doesn't need one. Without a face, it can be anyone. Anyone can place them self in this picture or picture their loved one in this position. It gives more meaning to the picture. It's not only one race or gender or group that goes through this. It could be anyone and that really speaks to people."

"Your pretty smart, Mr. Chester. Considering..." I joke and Chester fakes offense.

"Whatever. Now that your done, you can sleep." He goes over and turns off the light. He takes off his shoes and grabs my hand, leading me to my bed.

"Your sleeping over," I ask him.

"Of course. If I leave, you'll probably just stay up drawing. I'm here to force you to sleep." He pulls me onto the bed with him and pulls the covers over us. He pulls me close to him and I lay my head on his chest. He runs his fingers through my hair soothingly.

"My mom has enough money for Jamie and I both to go to college. I just don't want to use that money," I tell Chester, allowing myself to break down my walls and be left unguarded in front of him.

"Why not," he asks. I pause for a second.

"Because it's my father's assets from when he died. I don't want to use his death for my advantages. My mom already used it on the house and the cars. Nick used the money for college, but I haven't touched my portion. My mom had to buy me a car behind my back."

"I'm sure your dad wouldn't have mind you using the money. It's nothing to feel guilty about if your using it for something reasonable. It's not something to over think right now. I just want you to get some sleep." He kisses my forehead and it gives me butterflies.

I turn my head up and peck him on the lips. I feel him smirk.

"What was that for," he asks, with a dorky smile.

"Just a thank you for turning a couple of bad days upside down." He lowers his head down to mines to connect our lips again, kissing me for a longer time. His soft lips are so welcoming, but we pull away after a while to draw in breath.

"Okay, now go to sleep," he demands me, chuckling.