A Friends Trust

After fifteen minutes or so of scrolling, we finally settled on a movie that would end in time for us to watch it all before Kate left. I clicked "play" and the movie started up, we each took turns munching on popcorn, I would probably have to change my sheets tomorrow, I hated crumbs in my bed.

The movie started and I put it in the background as I thought in my head. I couldn't just ignore the girl next to me, I… I wanted to hug her. Holding her hand at the movie was so comforting, but imagining holding her in my arms as we watched a movie would be like heaven. Thus, my next mission had begun: Hug/Cuddle Kate by the end of the night.

With that decided, I put my focus back on the movie while I glanced over at Kate occasionally.

"Hey…" I said, causing her to turn with curiosity in her eyes. The last thing I wanted was to force her into something or do something without consent, so I simply asked.

"Do you want to…" The word "cuddle" choked me up, but I swallowed and continued speaking, "Cuddle?"

The second in which she heard, digested, and processed what I was saying felt like eternity. I almost followed up with some words like "its okay if you don't" and "only if you want." But before I could, Kate answered me with a smile.

"Sure." She said with a slow nod. Dopamine filled my brain as I nodded back.

"Alright." I smiled as I wrapped one arm around her, just below her chest. There was a slight jump, but as I started to pull away, she grabbed my hand and placed it on herself. With that, I pulled her closer to me, until my chest touched her back.

I pulled my legs in closer, and my nose was filled with the scent of her hair, it was enough to bring me to tears. What I thought was a difficult mission was completed just like that, with one simple question.

Over the next few minutes, we adjusted and asked if each other were comfortable, once we were, we shared our warmth with each other as the movie ran long…

I heard some loud music and immediately opened my eyes; it was the credits of the movie. What? I'd heard a study that said when individuals are around someone they like, they become more tired, it must have been true.

I grabbed the remote and paused the loud credits scene leaving the dark room only illuminated by the TV in complete silence.

"Kate." I whispered, when I heard no response, I tried again. "Kate." When I heard nothing again, I peered over and was met with hair covering her face, assuming she was asleep, I reached my hand out to her.

Pulled her silky black hair behind her ear revealed a sleeping Kate, it was the most relaxed I'd seen her in, probably forever. With the lack of light, I couldn't make out many features even though I desperately wanted to.

I was a bad guy, even now, after hearing everything, I wanted to touch her. It made me sad with myself and so, I pulled away and checked the time.

11:30? I stared in shock at the time the read on my phone. We had school the next day, Amber was probably terrified. I jumped out of bed and moved over to Kate's side quietly and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Kate." I whispered softly as I gently rocked her back and forth, building up my force ever so slightly until her eyes pried open.

"Good morning sleepy head." I teased, Kate squinted back and stretched.

"Who are you calling sleepy head? You fell asleep first." I didn't doubt what she said, when my head hit the pillow and I smelt her shampooed hair, it felt like I was asleep in an instant.

"That doesn't matter, it is 11:30, shouldn't you be getting home?" Kate quickly arose at the mention of the time.

"I told my mom 10…" Kate said as if she were about to cry. I tried to console her, but she quickly fell apart, tears freely streamed from her. Being abruptly awoken from a nap, being emotional in general, and unintentionally lying to your mom was not a good combination.

"But what if she doesn't let us be together anymore?" She said, thankfully, at a whisper.

I simply sat next to her on the bed and patted her back as I repeated, "It will be okay." And "I will walk you over there so we can apologize."

Eventually, her little episode was reduced to the occasional sniffle, and we walked in toe to out of the house. I carried her stuff, insistent on walking her over to her house. My mom was waiting in the kitchen, sitting at the table in her pajamas.

Before she could open her mouth, I lowered my head, "I am sorry, we fell asleep." I said, to which my mom just nodded.

"Don't worry youngin's, I went to check on you an hour ago. I knocked on the door and after no one said anything, I cracked it and saw the two of you spooning together." My mom was giddy, it kind of creeped me out. "So, I decided to text Amber and asked if it would be okay for Kate to stay a little longer." My feelings oozed away as I thanked my mom repeatedly. Kate got in on the action too, bowing her head a few times.

My mom waved us off and said goodbye to the two of us, "Lock the door when you come back." My mom asked me as she herself, retreated to her bedroom.

Me and Kate crossed the street together and stopped at her front door. "Well, I will see you tomorrow." I said with a toothy grin as I scratched the back of my head.

"That was really relaxing…" Kate responded, ignoring my previous statement, "I hadn't slept like that in so long…" Her words came out slowly and her eyes drooped, it seemed she wanted to stay curled up next to me and I would be lying if I said I didn't want to do that.

"Let's get you inside sleepy." I said, trying the handle which opened revealing a smiling Amber on the other side. It's here were Kate was transferred from me to Amber.

"I hope you had a good night of studying; I am glad she's opening up to you so well." Amber whispered in my ear as the two of them waved goodbye and shut the door on me. What an odd thing to hear from a parent… I thought as I too returned home and collapsed into bed.