As I’m about to turn over to face away from Jude, they lean in and reach out a hand to cup my cheek. I freeze as my brain tries to process what’s happening.
Then Jude presses their lips to mine, and the world around me melts away. Their lips are soft, warm, and gentle. They smell like strawberries, soap, and serenity. Their touch feels like home. It’s everything.Theyare everything.
Jude slowly pulls away, sighs contentedly, and rests their head against the pillow. I stare at them in disbelief, my mind racing and my heart pounding.
“Night-night,” Jude whispers, eyes already shut.
“Night-night,” I echo weakly.
As I lie beside my beloved best friend, a war of emotions rages within me. Adoration clashes with anxiety. Longing wrestles with regret. These strange new feelings battle it out as I stand by, watching helplessly.
Well, so much for sleeping tonight.
Sunday, October 26, 2025
“Oliver? Yo, Oliver, wake up, dude. You alive over there?”
I groan, the pain in my skull roaring to life with my consciousness.
Why is my head throbbing?
“Oliver, come on, man. We’ve got to get going.”
I let out a grunt, my throat parched. Hearing Theo’s voice is unexpected. Why is Theo in my room?
As I slowly open my eyes, I’m startled by my unfamiliar surroundings. This isn’t my room. Where the fuck?—
Then it all comes back. The party. My Count Orlok costume. Alcohol and snacks. My friends. Jude.
Jude.
I reach out to where Jude is supposed to be beside me, but they’re gone. Their side of the mattress is cold. I glance around the room as my friends deflate their air mattresses, fold sheets, and snack on party leftovers. Celeste and Max are also missing.
Oh, fuck. Is Jude okay? Are they spiraling over what happened last night? The cuddling? The kiss? Sharing a bed with me? Do they hate me? Do they believe I took advantage of them? Have I lost their trust forever?
“Hey, sleepyhead,” Wren says, tossing a throw pillow at me. “Looks like we’ve got a lot to talk about before I head back to Savannah, huh?”
I don’t answer. Instead, I rub my eyes and temples, desperate to ease the splitting pain in my skull.
“There’s coffee in the kitchen,” Caleb declares. “And Chloe made waffles.”
Waffles do sound amazing. With enormous effort, I drag myself off the futon, snatch my backpack, and stumble into the bathroom. With an emptied bladder, a washed face, and brushed hair, I make my way into the kitchen.
“Morning, Oliver,” Harrison announces from the kitchen table. “Guess you found different sleeping arrangements last night?”
I want to ignore him, but that’s not really my style. “Aww, you missed me?” I tease, my voice scratchy.
“Yeah, what happened last night?” Wren asks, suddenly behind me at the coffee maker.
I jump, almost dropping my mug. “What do you mean?”
“How’d you end up sharing a bed with Jude?”
Sensing everyone’s eyes on me, I shrug. “Jude didn’t want to sleep alone, and a futon mattress sounded a lot comfier to my drunk brain than an air mattress or the floor. So I crashed in their bed with them. It’s not a big deal.”
“And that’s all that happened?” Theo asks.
I roll my eyes but focus on pouring my coffee. “Seriously? Are you really asking me that?”
