Unravel

It was one of those mornings when all Alex wanted was to retreat into the comfort of sleep, letting its embrace shield him from the ache gnawing inside. But hunger nudged at him, and thoughts of all he needed to say to Celeste tugged him awake. With a reluctant sigh, he blinked open his weary eyes, only to find Celeste already awake. Her gaze rested on him, distant yet intense, as if caught in some foggy reverie that held her somewhere far away.

Alex squinted, uncertain if his vision was playing tricks on him, blurred by exhaustion and the sting of sleeplessness. He tried to sit up, but a sharp jolt of pain shot through his shoulder, making him wince. The movement seemed to snap Celeste from her trance, and she quickly leaned forward, reaching out to help him.