My eyes flutter open to
the charcoal blackness
of my room.
Fear and
anxiety twist around
my lungs,
leap into my throat,
restrict my breathing.
Alone.
Dark.

But a small noise pulls me
from my inner struggle.
Ali, sleeping nearby,
softly mumbles in her slumber.
I’m comforted.
Not alone.

Michael, sleeping soundlessly behind me,
unknowingly nuzzles his face between my
shoulder blade and the cool, unlaid on
part of my pillow.
His arm loosely encircles my waist.
I sigh.

The darkness retreats.
My room is washed in light pinks
and brilliant oranges.
The vibrant hues dance across my canvas-like
wall.
A bird’s sweet song begins just outside,
my window.




On another mattress,
I find two bodies,
lying close
huddled to keep warm
under a mass of quilts.

I close my eyes.
Lean my body back against Michael’s,
and breathe in, deep.
But sleep never steals away my mind.
Instead I find my eyes searching.
The floor is littered with three other
blanket covered lumps, bodies, sleeping.
I watch the rise and fall of their
Rhythmic breaths.
I’m safe here.

Edie’s quiet, constant snoring
drones on.
Not in any way unsettling or irritating.
It is something I’ve grown used to
after fourteen years of friendship.
The sound is like home to me.

The sun is rising slowly this morning.
Knowing that we needn’t rise early.
That today, we can take our time.
I enjoy the peace of the stillness.
And the muffled sounds that frequently
escape my friends.

Rich stretches,
still far away in his dreams.
Morgan, lying at his side,
takes his blanket and wraps herself
in it.

Lexi whimpers,
likely having a nightmare.
Her beautiful face
twitches ever so slightly,
before she rolls into her pillow.
I’m happy in this moment.
I know that tonight
Michael will have to go home.
And it will hurt having him two hours too far
from me.
I know that there may be tears.

But for now,
with the sun drenched walls,
my friends surrounding me,
and Michael’s hand
resting idly on my stomach,
I’m safe.
For now,
I’m home.
And I am not alone.