one a.m.

i couldn't sleep. i was too busy tossing and turning and throwing my pillow at the shadows dancing in my room.

i tried counting sheep, but somehow, one became two became three became fifty became purple became what the hell is wrong with me?


two a.m.

i glanced at my phone and thought about calling you. and then i realized that you're never the one to call me, and that stung, and i decided to count the stains on my ceiling instead.

some idiot set his car alarm off, and the other cars answered, forming an odd sort of melody.

i wanted to answer with a scream of my own, but i forced it to stay in.


three a.m.

sleep was calling my phone, but i couldn't find it to answer. i wondered if i lost it.


four a.m.

i finished counting the stains, and there were twenty-six on my ceiling. the shadows were laughing at me - or maybe it was me, laughing at myself.

i stumbled through my closet to find my phone, finally answering to sleep.


six a.m.

'alyssa.' i didn't reply.

'alyssa.' louder, now.

'alyssa!' almost screaming.

'what?' i replied sleepily.

'wake up.'