It was a night like any other. Well, for the most part. The girls had a long day at the school, just needed the rest and the sleep. Wednesday was sleeping peacefully in her signature position, arms crossed on her chest, while Enid was moving around in her sleep, mumbling some words over and over again. Until suddenly, Enid yelled for a second and then went back to mumbling.
The scream woke Wednesday up. She sat up with her arms still crossed, looking over at Enid seemed like she was fighting her blanket. Wednesday had heard of the concept of nightmares. She didn’t have them. Unless the time she dreamed about having to go a tea party, having to dress up like a princess with so many colors. God. Awful. She shook her head, focusing back on Enid. The girl seemed tense, her eyebrow furrowed and her hands clenched around the blanket as she kept moving.
Wednesday got up, wanting to observe the girl, going up to the bed and looking down at Enid. She listened to the mumbling, tilting her head in slight confusion. She could see that Enid’s facial expression was filled with fear. Wednesday was not enjoying seeing Enid like that, although she would probably enjoy it if it were anyone else, like her brother or Bianca. Seeing Enid like that made her feel things that she couldn’t or wouldn’t even try to describe, since it was so unusual and unfamiliar to her. Without giving it a second thought, her hand was moving down to Enid’s arm. ‘Wake her up.’
And so she did. She poked Enid’s arm and then shook it lightly when she got impatient as Enid wasn’t waking up from being poked. She didn’t like touching people. Most people. With Enid, it was different. It was easy.
Enid woke up, her claws coming out, being ready to fight off whoever woke her up. As her hand was about to reach Wednesday’s throat, she recognized the girl and sighed. She was relieved that it was in fact only her roommate. Her colorful claws turned back into her usual nails.
-I could have hurt you. Or even killed you., sighed Enid as she looked at Wednesday who seemed unfazed by that.
-I know. But you didn’t., replied the other girl, not moving.
-Why did you wake me?, asked the blonde girl.
-You were having a-, tried Wednesday but she got interrupted.
-A nightmare?, said Enid.
-Yes., nodded Wednesday, seeing that Enid’s expression not changing though.
-I’m used to them. No need to wake me up., said the younger girl, shrugging.
-You were talking. You seemed scared., frowned Wednesday, not understanding why she shouldn’t have woken her up.
-You woke me up because you worried?, asked Enid, somewhat being surprised.
-Yes. I suppose I did., admitted Wednesday, watching her.
-Hm. Interesting. Weird but okay. Did I wake you up?, replied Enid, sitting up now.
-No. I was already awake., lied Wednesday, unsure of why she was lying.
-Oh. Okay., nodded Enid, being used to simply believing whatever Wednesday.
-Tell me about your nightmares., said Wednesday, more demanding it than asking for Enid to talk.
-What?, said Enid surprised, not being used to Wednesday actually caring about it.
-Tell me about your nightmare., repeated the other girl who was just standing there.
-Why?, wondered Enid, frowning.
-I would like to know what troubles you so much that you dream about it constantly., replied Wednesday, not giving in.
-How do you know that it’s always the same?, frowned the roommate, not understanding.
-You always say the same thing., explained Wednesday.
-What do I say?, wondered Enid, now suddenly curious but also afraid.
-Well, you say: I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to. Please don’t leave me., replied the other girl, with no emotion whatsoever.
-I don’t want to talk about it., said Enid, laying down again.
-You also call for me. You say my name repeatedly after that sentence., continued Wednesday.
-I said I don’t want to talk about it. Please let it go., pleaded Enid, just sighing.
-Why am I in your dream?, asked the older girl.
-Not everything is about you! Now shut up!, yelled Enid now, getting worked and sitting back up.
-I have never seen you behave like this. But you’re not angry at me. You’re afraid. But of what?, asked Wednesday, not letting it go.
-I am not. Just go back to sleep., sighed Enid, trying to calm down.
-You’re scared of hurting me., stated Wednesday, slowly understanding.
-Just shut up! Go to sleep!, yelled Enid once again, not wanting to do this.
-So it’s correct. Why are you scared of hurting me?, wondered Wednesday, just watching the girl and not caring about her tone.
-I’m not!, replied Enid angrily.
-You are. Why?, said Wednesday, standing her ground.
-Because, Wednesday. Because I can’t always control it when I wolf out. I can’t control myself. I can easily lose control and therefore it’s a roll of me hurting you., explained Enid, having somewhat calmed down.
-There’s a risk of you hurting anyone., replied Wednesday with a shrug.
-You’re my roommate. I could wolf out at night and you’d be the first one to cross my path., said Enid, trying to justify her fear somehow.
-So you always wolf out in our room in your dreams., stated Wednesday, looking at Enid.
-Can we not do this please? I’m tired., sighed Enid, being too tired to talk about it right now.
-Ok., nodded Wednesday.
-Really?, asked Enid, being surprised by Wednesday letting it go.
-Yes. You need rest., nodded the other girl, shrugging.
-Yeah, I do., agreed Enid.
-Will you have another nightmare if you fall asleep now?, wondered the pale girl.
-Probably. But it’s okay. I’m used to them., sighed Enid, not really caring at that point.
-Okay, I will leave you alone now., replied Wednesday, about to walk away.
-Wait- Can you…please stay?, asked Enid, now not looking at Wednesday anymore and her tone suddenly all shy.
-What do you mean?, asked Wednesday, unsure of what Enid was asking.
-Stay with me?, replied the younger girl, now hesitantly looking at the other girl.
-As much as I’ve tried in the past, I can not seem to fall asleep while standing., answered Wednesday.
-I can make some space next to me?, suggested Enid, looking at her bed.
-You are suggesting for me to sleep with you? In your bed?, wondered Wednesday, looking at Enid’s bed as well.
The way that Wednesday formed that sentence made Enid blush.
-Well yeah. You know what? I’m sorry. It was stupid. Forget about it., replied Enid, regretting having suggested that in the first place.
-No. I was not stupid. Move aside., said Wednesday, motioning for Enid to move.
-You don’t like being close to people. It’s okay. I understand., tried Enid, wanting to get out of this situation now.
-You said: Please stay., So I’m staying. So, now you can either move aside or I will have to stand here and I will stare at you sleeping., replied Wednesday seriously.
-Okay. Fine. But the second you don’t feel comfortable, you just go to your bed. Okay?, asked Enid, looking at Wednesday now as she move to one side of the bed.
Wednesday got on the bed next to her, not crossing her arms though. She was just laying there, her arms glued to her sides, while Enid’s back was facing to her direction. She looked at the back. She had seen some people doing this to comfort each other. She was hesitant at first but then started moving her arm. She slowly wrapped it around Enid, not saying a word. Enid’s face was red. She didn’t dare to move or to say anything.
-Is this…Is this okay?, asked Wednesday unsure.
-Yeah. It is., nodded Enid, speaking with a fast pace.
Wednesday relaxed into it after a few minutes, not finding it as uncomfortable as she thought it would feel. It actually felt…pleasant? She didn’t know what this meant but she didn’t mean it. Enid moved into the touch slowly. Wednesday let her, not saying another word. And that night, or the rest of the night, was spent without another nightmare. Enid actually got some decent sleep and so did Wednesday, even if she was not used to sleeping in that position or sharing a bed with someone, let alone her personal space. But it was Enid, so it felt okay. It felt…right.