It was Monday morning and I was still in bed when I heard noises from the kitchen. It was probably my Aunt Linda who just got back. I opened my eyes and looked at the time on my clock. It's 7 AM. I don't have a class until 9 AM so I planned on sleeping in late. But with my condition, I can't really do so.

Saturday night and even last night was okay for me, I guess. Without me calling, Noah came over and found me sitting on the floor so he brought me to my room and tucked me to bed. It was a normal Saturday night with him doing his usual routines to put me to sleep. But when Sunday came, it was different. The first three hours were fine but then I woke up-all sweaty and crying. I looked around and noticed that I was alone so I thought that Noah left already but my door opened and I saw him with a cup of coffee in his hands. He was shocked when he saw my state and that I was up but then he didn't say anything. He just walked towards me, set down his cup then climbed on my bed. He would gently paT my head or my shoulder and then he would whisper soothing words to me until I fall asleep. And then, right before he was about to leave, I woke up again in the same state. It was embarrassing for me that time because he had to do his routines all over again. I don't know if he started to become irritated but he wasn't saying anything and the look on his face was actually really gentle. Eventually, I was able to sleep even if it wasn't for straight hours.

I cringed at the thought of what I did to Noah that night. He must be very tired and sleepy after that session. And I will not be surprised anymore if he will not come tonight because I am such a difficult customer. He's probably dropping me as his client. I just sighed and got out of my bed and was about to get out when I saw something in my nightstand. I walked toward it and I saw a neatly folded paper. I was about to read when my aunt called out for breakfast.

Oh, well. Might as well read it later on.

And so much for sleeping in.

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I went to the kitchen and found Aunt Linda preparing the table for breakfast and when she saw me, she immediately stopped what she was doing to give me a hug. I hugged her back.

"When did you get back?" I asked her. She didn't see Noah, did she?

"I just got back today. I haven't had any sleep but preparing your breakfast is more important so my sleep can wait," she told me which made me sigh in assurance. I don't know what I would be telling her if ever she caught Noah creeping in my room in the middle of the night.

“I’m glad you’re back, Auntie,”I told her as I began eating.

She smiled at me then she settled down and began to eat. “By the way, how have you been these past few days?”

I looked at her from my plate and I can really see that she was worried about me. Ever since she left, she had been calling me non-stop to check how I have been doing which was really sweet of her. She has been very protective of me ever since that accident happened. In fact, she planned to not go on that business trip but I insisted her in going because I knew it was very important for her. I just told her that I can take care of myself and that I would tend the house for her.

“I have been fine,”I told her. “Emily was always with me to accompany me here and at school.”I just wish she wouldn’t ask about my sleep while she was gone. I wouldn’t know what to tell her if she ever asked me that.

She smiled upon hearing that. We were still eating when she asked me that dreaded question which I have been avoiding. I almost choked on my food because of that.

“How was your sleep?”she asked while looking at me expectantly.

I just stared at her unable to say anything. What would I tell her? Auntie, a guy has been coming over to our house to put me to sleep. No, I can’t just drop the bomb like that. I know I’m going to have to tell her eventually but I guess now is not the right time. Believe me, she will freak out. Really, really freak out.

“It’s fine, though I still get nightmares. But not as frequent as before,”I just told her and left the part about Noah.

Her face lit up even more when I told her about that. “Really? That’s good to know then. I was really worried about leaving you all alone because I knew you couldn’t sleep at all without anyone by your side. Now, I’m relieved.”

I smiled at her as I finished my breakfast. “You can go to sleep now, Auntie. I know you’re tired. I’ll wash the dishes for you.”

“Don’t you have a class?”

“Yes, I do. But it starts at 9 AM. I still have time to clean the house and water your flowers,”I told her. “You should sleep.”

She stood up from her chair and came to me. Then, she patted my head. “Thank you, dear. Be careful when you go to school later on.”

“I will,”I nodded as I told her. I went to the sink to put all the used dishes there so I can wash them all. While I was doing so, my mind went back to those nights where I gave Noah a really hard time. I really feel guilty that I can’t stop thinking about it. He’s been anything but helpful to me in my sleep and what I should do at least is to cooperate with him and be a good client. I’m really trying but I can’t really control my nightmares, can I?

I sighed as I tuck in the remaining plate in the cabinet. I looked at the time and it was already 8 AM. I have to get ready for school now.

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I arrived at school earlier than I had anticipated. My first instinct was to look for Emily but she’s not yet around so I guess I’ll just have to wait. And knowing her, she’ll only arrive ten minutes before the time.

I’m currently sitting on my chair, reading a book, when I heard someone call me. I looked up and saw that it was one of my classmates. She asked me to come closer so I stood up from my chair and went to her.

“Uh..yes? What is it?”I asked her. This does not happen every day so I’m kind of suspicious but I didn’t show it.

“Mrs. Sheffield told me that she will be out for today so she asked me to specifically give this to you,”she told me and before I even have a chance to say anything, she handed me over a thick pile of paper. “I can’t really remember everything that she said other than,‘Bring it to the library’.”

And then she left just like that. I looked at her retreating back and wondered what just happened.

Okay.

I looked at the thick pile I’m holding and just shrugged my shoulders. I might as well do something while I wait for Emily. I went out of the classroom and walked to where the library is. As I was passing by some classrooms, I noticed one that is open so I stopped for a moment and got a glimpse of Noah and his friends. Their chairs were arranged in a circular manner and they were very noisy. Well, not all of them because Noah was just there, sitting in all his poker face. They were playing a game. It’s kind of like Truth or Dare but with a twist. Some of their classmates were gathered around them out of curiosity or just to have fun as well.

And then all of a sudden, Noah’s eyes shifted towards me. My eyes widened when our gazes met. He said something to one of his friends and then he stood up. I immediately averted my gaze and quickly walk to where the library is. I turned three rights and climbed two flights of stairs before arriving. I stopped for a moment to catch my breath before walking inside. My arms are killing me that I can barely keep these piles from dropping on the floor. When I got inside, I went straight to the librarian to deliver the papers. She looked up from her desktop and smiled when she saw me approaching.

“Hello, Meredith. What do you have for me today?” she asked me as she helped me put down the papers. Finally.

“Some papers from Mrs. Sheffield. She’s out for today,”I told her. “I don’t know about them because I was just told by one of my classmates to bring them here.”

She nodded her head in understanding. And then she told me to get something from one of the shelves at the back.

“Okay, I got it,”I told her then went to search for the back shelves. When I arrived at the shelves, I looked at the paper that she gave me. She scribbled three book titles that I knew too well. And when I say I knew too well, I also meant where they are located. They are located at the very top of the shelf in front of me. Although the shelf is not that tall, well, the same goes for me. I looked up and saw the books sitting comfortably there why I contemplate how to get them. I tried to tiptoe to get the book which is closest but it didn’t do anything. My fingertips didn’t even graze the spine of the book. I looked around to find the ladder which I usually use but sadly, it wasn’t there.

I sighed in resignation and tried to reach for it again but then a hand effortlessly grabbed the book. I turned around and nearly jumped when I saw who it was.

“N-Noah…” I trailed when I saw him holding the book that I was trying to reach. “W-What are you doing here?”

Instead of answering me, he placed the book on my hand and snatched the piece of paper that I was holding and read what was written very carefully. Then, he went to the shelves and skimmed his fingertips on the books until he found the two remaining books that I was looking for. I just stared at him with confusion. How did he found those books so fast?

When he found them all, he went back to me and handed me the other two. I stared at it for a moment before taking it reluctantly. “Thank you.”I told him, quietly.

I thought he was going to leave already but, he was just standing in front of me without saying anything so I looked at him and find him staring at me. Intensely.

This is making me feel awkward.

And to make things more awkward, he started walking towards me so my first reaction was to take a step back until I was trapped between him and the shelf.

What is he doing?

“How are you?”he suddenly asked which really startled me. Realizing what he just asked, he cleared his throat then tried again. “Shit! I mean, how was your sleep?”

Other than my aunt and Emily, I have never met anyone who asked me how I was doing or how was my sleep. And to hear it from Noah makes me feel things that I don’t understand.

But then again, I am his client so it’s his job to ask how I’m feeling. It’s just normal for him so I had to erase what I’m feeling.

“I didn’t wake up after you left,”I told him then I smiled a little. “Thank you for that and I’m really sorry for those troubles I made for you.”

He was just staring at me while talking which made me even more awkward about our current situation. Seriously, he needs to stop staring at me like that.

“Did you read my…note?”he suddenly asked me so I furrowed my eyebrows at him.

Note? What is he talking about?

I stared at him with confusion on my face. When he saw my reaction, creases formed on his forehead as he stepped back and turned around from me so I don’t see his face. I even heard him say something like “Damn it! “and “Unbelievable!”.

Is he upset that I don’t know what he’s talking about? What note?

I mustered all my courage and ask him.“W-what note are you talking about?”

I jumped when he faced me again. He had an unreadable expression now yet his eyes are saying something else. He was silent for a minute and he was just staring at me with those eyes.

“Fuck! Never mind!”he exclaimed then he turned his back on me and just walk away.

I stared at him dumbfounded. Is he mad?

What just happened? And what note was he talking about?