Bright sunlight filtered in through my drawn blinds. I woke up groggily rolling over to see what time it was and almost hitting Jack, who was sleeping on an air mattress next to my bed, with my arm. The clock read 7:12. Knowing Jack, he wouldn't be awake for another three hours. He looked so peaceful, his mouth partly open and his soft curls hanging across his face. I slipped out of bed and walked quietly into the hallway, shutting my bedroom door behind me. I walked past my parents room. My mom was already awake, and she told me that dad had already left for work and I was free to do whatever I wanted to today. I crept into the kitchen, and took out two pans. Ever since we were little, Jack and I always had pancakes the morning after a sleepover. Usually our parents made them, but I felt as if I was old enough to do it now. I carefully took out all the ingredients and began cooking. Jack liked his with chocolate chips, and I liked mine plain, but I didn't feel like making two batters. I'd just have to suck it up. The things I did for this boy. I poured the batter into the pan, flipping the pancakes when they were a golden brown color. Cooking was a lot more fun than I thought. I decided I might as well make eggs and bacon too, because why the fuck not. The pancakes had finished, and I slid them onto a plate and got the syrup and whipped cream from the fridge. Jack and I always did this stupid thing where we drew faces on our pancakes with whipped cream. I drew a huge smile on Jack's pancake, and added extra chocolate chips for the nose. I had just finished assembling everything on two plates when Jack stomped downstairs. He was rubbing his eyes and yawning, but he smiled when he saw what I had done.

"I thought I smelled bacon," he said, sitting at the kitchen table. I slid his plate in front of him, placed mine next to his and sat down. "You put on the faces!" Jack grinned, appreciating my work.

"Of course, it's a tradition." We both ate in silence for a bit, then Jack spoke, his mouth full of pancake.

"You know what's weird?"

"What."

"We don't have the same bus stop but we're practically neighbors."

"What, what the fuck? I've never even thought about that," I said, surprised.

"I've thought about it a lot. It literally makes no sense. Like it would be nice to be able to sit together for a little longer," he sighed.

"Why don't you walk over on Monday morning and we can ride the bus together?" I suggested. Jack perked up at this suggestion.

"Sounds good!"

Monday morning, I rolled out of bed, got dressed, brushed my teeth, and ate a quick breakfast in record time. I was excited to ride the bus with Jack for ten whole extra minutes of alone time. I practically sprinted out my door and to the front of my house where the bus picked me up. Sure enough, Jack was already waiting for me, backpack thrown lazily over his shoulder. His hair looked messier than usual, and you could tell he was tired, his eyes had dark circles under them.

"Good morning," he grinned, running a hand through his hair.

"You look tired," I laughing, standing next to him.

"I had to wake up earlier to come over here. Plus, I was up late last night grinding on Fortnite," he yawned. "But I'd wake up at 2am for you if I had to," he added.

"Thanks," I smiled. The bus pulled up right on time, and we walked on together, waving at the bus driver. We walked to our usual seat as the bus began driving to the next stop.

"It's so much nicer when it's quiet," Jack commented, resting his head on my shoulder.

"Yeah, but usually it's lonely, being the only one. Thanks again for waking up early," I said, but Jack didn't respond. I glanced over to see he had fallen asleep on my shoulder, soft breaths escaping his mouth peacefully. He didn't wake up when we got to the next stop, or the next, or when Finn got on, or when Ellie got on, and I finally had to wake him when we reached the school.

"You don't have to wake up so early tomorrow, you know. I'm fine with taking the bus on my own," I told him as we entered the school.

"I know. But I want to be with you."

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