I woke up the next morning, knowing that I would've instantly run to tell Jade and Jaci everything that happened last night. Except this was all different. For one, Cayden is Sebastian's best friend, next, she's a woman and I haven't exactly come out, and lastly, we didn't necessarily have sex, it was kind of like... mutual masturbation? Ugh, I don't even know. Yet, somehow I still felt like I wanted to share it—I feel so good, almost like I'm on cloud nine. All I want to do is talk and talk about how great Cayden is, and how she makes me feel. I want to express all the giddy feelings building up inside of me due to this woman's existence. I'm probably moving at a quicker pace mentally than Cayden is, she always seems so calm and put together—meanwhile, I'm here wanting to scream from rooftops that we're...

Well, I don't know what we are. I don't think we have to be anything—I mean we could take it slow and keep it casual and I would still be more than content. I definitely wouldn't mind if we had more nights like this one—or not. We could literally just hang out with no sexual relations and I'd be all for it. Curling up on her couch with her warm body holding me firmly while we watch the newest movie on Netflix with popcorn and candy in our laps honestly sounds like my perfect night. I sound insane for even thinking all of this—for thinking so ahead, but it's something that Cayden has recently brought out of me.

I was still in Cayden's arms and under the large furry blanket covering both of us, everything around me smelt like her intoxicating scent. Even my own body smelt like hers since she gave me her white t-shirt last night, which left her in a black Calvin Klein sports bra. Just like in the hotel, I was the first to wake up while Cayden peacefully slept under me. The way we slept couldn't have been comfortable for her, me laying directly over her with her arms wrapped securely around me. I felt a rush of warmth knowing that there was plenty of room for me to sleep beside her, yet she chose this position. The only thing that could've made this better is if I had gotten an invitation to her room, but I probably shouldn't overthink the unspoken suggestion.

Cayden was just as attractive when she slept, her dark hair was spilling over the grey couch cushions while her pink plump lips were parted slightly. Her sharp cheeks were flushed and her dark long eyelashes fanned across her cheekbones. She looked so peaceful, but as much as I liked admiring Cayden, I couldn't lay there forever. The harsh morning light was spilling in through the sheer panel curtains, I could only imagine what I looked like and how Jade and Jaci are probably blowing my phone up by now wondering what I'm up to.

The thought of my phone caused my heavy pounding head to turn slightly as my chocolate eyes swept the room in search of it. With no luck of seeing it nearby, I decided it was time to stand up. I shifted my weight off of Cayden and gently stepped onto her paint-splattered area rug before walking toward the kitchen. My feet pattered against her chilly dark wood floors as I walked over to where I suddenly remembered us sitting our stuff down. My black iPhone thirteen lays on the counter along with Cayden's leather jacket and her similar black iPhone, except hers had a shiny red metallic case while mine has a clear one. As I tapped the lock screen on my phone, I noticed I had numerous texts and calls.

Where did you and Griffin run off to last night?

Did you guys end up doing anything interesting?

It's morning, and I want details, wake up pls.

I hope you used the 'I don't feel good' excuse to leave the club... If not I hope you feel better.

Omg I need the deets ASAP. Did Griffin take care of you or were you lying and you actually got laid?

I think Sebastian saw my snap story...

Oh and good morning:)

I didn't realize you were already moving on Vina?

Seriously?

We haven't even talked. Can we at least talk?

I didn't even know for sure if we were broken up Vina, do you realize how bad that is?

So it's really over between you and Sebastian?

I figured you guys were going to make up and get back together. Call me.

Hey sweetie, I was just checking in... Please answer your mother when you see this.

Glad to have been able to go to Midtown last night... but where did you sneak off to last night? More importantly, with who?

I shake my head as a stressful sigh leaves my lips. So many fucking questions to answer along with numerous people. I can easily tell Jaci and Jade that I just passed out at Griffin's and that he made me breakfast, as for Sebastian I probably should talk to him and clear the air, I'll also have to have a thorough and irritating conversation with my parents, and for Griffin—well, I'll need to decide on whether I should tell him about Cayden. For right now, I stick to texting both Jade and Jaci back by informing them that I just slept over and I'm going to chill and have breakfast over here. I also reply to Sebastian saying we could talk later today, and as for Griffin I decide to stall him with a text saying wouldn't you like to know. He'll definitely ask about it when I see him next, but this still gives me time to decide what I want to do. I made the hard decision of deciding that I'll talk to my parents tomorrow after I've talked with Sebastian.

God, I already feel guilty for lying to Jade and Jaci and even having a fake gay boyfriend on top of that... Now I need to decide if I'll lie to Griffin about Cayden. I mean there's no reason for me too, but then again, I don't know if she'd feel comfortable with me spreading information regarding us. I highly doubt Griffin would say anything, but she doesn't know him and she already feels weird about pursuing me in general due to Sebastian. And while I would love to talk to Griffin about Cayden and how she makes me feel, I also don't want to cross a privacy line with Cayden.

I groan noticing it's only half past eight in the morning, and here I am, already stressed out. Actually, I'm beyond stressed, there's already so much to keep up with, and on top of that I keep overthinking anything that regards Cayden—good or bad. I mean I'm mentally exhausted and I'm so ready to tap out. I let out a deep breath as I gently lay my phone back down on the counter and glance around for any doors that would lead to a bathroom. Luckily, I end up noticing a tall white door lining the wall of the entrance hall that I walked through the previous night.

Staring in the mirror, I concluded that I looked terrible. I fell asleep before I could wash my face, which was an unfortunate decision given that last night's makeup was smeared everywhere. I turned the gold faucet on and began washing the smeared makeup off, which easily helped me feel even more awake—if we don't consider the numerous texts I had to respond to prior to this. Oddly enough, this all reminded me of sleeping over at Sebastian's place, although his expensive studio apartment was much more minimalist and modern given that he had an interior designer. He never really offered for me to keep any of my things there so I never did—not even a toothbrush. I'd always bring my own bag or head home bright and early the next morning to freshen up.

Don't get me wrong though, I loved having an excuse to head home early in the morning which is why I sometimes would purposefully not bring my night bag. Thinking of staying at Sebastian's gives me an unsettling feeling, I mean he was such a good friend, but it's not that. It's that I'd have to somehow dodge the act of sex at least three times a week whenever I stayed there. I hated being there, but it only made my feelings and the relationship seem more believable to my friends, parents, and even Sebastian. Thinking back, I seriously don't know what I was thinking. I should've just stayed single, but the need for impressing my parents dug itself under my skin.

I liked Cayden's place—it gave the opposite effect of Sebastians. It was quiet, still, and comforting—also the spiced smell coating the air of the house only added to the effect. If Cayden and I ever did date, I could see myself here a lot—more than just three times a week. There I go again... skipping multiple chapters in my head. Who even knows if any of this could possibly work out, I mean there are numerous obstacles we'd have to pass over to even be together.

I shake my head as I flip off the light switch to the half bathroom, feeling appropriately freshened up, I walked back into the living room where Cayden was still sleeping, except this time she was rotated on her side with her back resting against the cushions lining the back of the large couch. My options seemed limited, wake her up or let her sleep—then leave or stay. My body was screaming at me to get back onto the couch with Cayden until we couldn't stay there any longer, but my brain was realistically telling me to say quiet goodbye, now that it was morning and the decision seemed pretty obvious. Even though I wanted to, I found it hard to justify laying with Cayden again due to our whole dynamic—if we even have one. It just felt serious to lay back down and cuddle with her again—it basically screamed 'not casual' and defeated the words she spoke yesterday regarding how weird she felt pursuing anything intimate with me.

Cayden did look comfortable and I could easily crawl back into her arms and get another two hours of sleep without it blocking off my day. Cayden might not have realized that I'd gotten up, so she probably wouldn't notice me laying back on the couch with her, but if she did then would I have to form an explanation?

I shook my head. I'm thinking about this way too much. I took a deep breath and decided to slowly crawl back into Cayden's arms. As if it were an instinct, she brought me closer to her and spooned me. My back pressed into the front of her warm body while her arms wrapped securely around me along with her familiar scent.

"Good morning," her raspy voice mumbled, sending a wave of shock mixed with warmth through me. She nuzzled deeper into me and I knew I had made the right decision. Laying back into Cayden's comforting arms surrounded by her warmth and scent, my overthinking ravenous thoughts fell to mush in my brain—mostly due to her comforting presence but also because of the tired state I was in. I easily dozed back into a deep sleep while Cayden's light peaceful breaths and comforting touch lingered around my senses.