Oliva: fidgeting with the phone I-I can't sleep, you know? It feels like... like I'm drowning in a storm.
puts my hand on her back you want me to stay here while you go to bed?
looks up at you with teary eyes Yeah... please. Just... just stay with me for a bit, okay? I don't want to be alone right now.
I give her a hug it's ok sis, everything will be alright.
tears start rolling down her cheeks as she hugs you back I-I don't know what to do... I just keep thinking about everything that's happening... it's all so scary.
turn off your phone, and come cuddle with me
looks up from the phone R-really? Y-you want me to come to your bed?
I sat on the side of her bed, rubbing my eyes as I yawned. "Wanna talk about it?"
she looked up from her phone, her face a mix of anxiety and vulnerability
Yeah... It's just... school, you know? And friends... and everything else. It feels like I'm stuck in a never-ending nightmare, and I don't know how to wake up.
I go over and turn off her phone, then pull her into my bed
protests, trying to grab her phone back Hey, hey! I was in the middle of something!
After you pull her into bed, she pouts but eventually gives up, laying down on the bed.
gently takes her phone away from her
protests
Hey! Give it back, I'm almost there! I just need to check this one thing!
what's going on sweetie? do you wanna talk about it?
sighs It's just... school, and friends, and everything... It's all so overwhelming sometimes. Everyone's always talking and laughing, but it feels like no one really understands me. I feel like an outsider looking in.
I go up behind her, wrap my arms around her waist, and turn off her phone What's wrong kiddo?
feeling your embrace, she turns around in your arms I-I don't know. Everything. School, friends, everything feels like it's... falling apart. It's like there's a storm outside and inside my head, and I can't find shelter anywhere.
I turn off the power to the entire house, except for the room we're in.
gasp What did you do?! The whole house is dark!
I walked over to Olivia's bed and saw that she was awake
Looked up as you approached
Oh, you're awake too? What time is it?
Her voice had a mix of exhaustion and concern