There was a light tapping on the door, followed by the sound of my name coming from my mother's soft voice.

I mumbled something back, hoping she'd leave. I hadn't gotten enough sleep. My mind was slowly trying to retrieve the information I'd read in my class syllabus on how many periods I'd be able to miss in the semester without being dropped. I hadn't ditched a class yet, I'm sure my professors wouldn't mind.

I was too comfortable to get up. My bed was a warm alternative from the cold breeze that came from the open window.

"Evan, did you lock the door?"

I sighed, feeling around for my discarded pillow before pulling it over my eyes to cover the sunlight that was seeping through them.

One class won't kill me. I'll have Erik bring me notes and pay for him to get an Uber...

"Evan, why is the door locked?" Her voice had raised slightly in worry and I frowned to myself.

I locked the door?

I forced my eyes open, my sight slow to adjust to the morning light. There was a movement next to me, and I spotted Rowan right as the memories from the night before came flooding back to me.

He was propped up against the pillow, his arms were crossed and his eyes flickering between the door and me, looking like he wanted to say something. I stared at him stupidly, before realizing my mom was still on the other side of the door.

"Uh- I'm just changing mom I'm awake!"

"Okay, I left your breakfast on the table, I'm running late so see you on campus."

I thanked her and waited to hear the footsteps leaving my door before turning back to Rowan.

His dark hair was tousled from sleep, and I felt my gaze fall on a few strands that were covering his eye. I had an urge to brush it aside, see if it felt as soft as it looked. But I kept my hands to myself. The realization that I'd slept in the same bed with Rowan was setting in, and I felt my face slowly warm as I remembered we hadn't only cuddled, but I was the one who initiated it.

I quickly looked away from him again as my humiliating thoughts grew, ignoring the small smile on his face that sent a warmth through my chest. I heard a light chuckle.

"Good morning." His voice was friendly but slightly deeper than usual, and while I attributed that to the fact that he'd woken up recently, it didn't stop my stomach from squirming. I cleared my throat, trying to replace my flustered expression with a friendly one.

"You too. Thanks for staying, I hope I didn't fuck up your plans?"

"No, my mom sleeps in late so I have plenty of time."

I wondered if he was lying, trying to make sure I didn't feel guilty. I felt guilty anyway.

"Do you want some breakfast? I can make some eggs." I spoke to the wall, not feeling confident enough to turn back quite yet.

"No," he sounded entertained, maybe I was being too awkward. I'd never slept in the same bed as someone I felt attraction for. My face reddened further as I realized he'd probably done it more than enough times to notice that I was out of my element. "I usually just have some coffee until I get hungry."

"Oh- cool I'll make you coffee then," I tried acting casual as I pulled the rest of the blanket off of me to get up.

"You don't have to-"

"No, we have great coffee here; it only takes a few minutes."

I grabbed a grey t-shirt from my closet and quickly changed it from the basketball one I'd slept in. I needed to shower, but I'd wait until he left.

I frowned to myself as I remembered I never actually drank the coffee my parents made.

"I actually can't say if the coffee is good or not," I blabbed from the closet as I grabbed a pair of jeans, "but my parents keep buying it so I guess they like it. I usually get espresso drinks not coffee- so I'm pretty unqualified to say whether or not you'll like it."

Why the fuck do you keep talking?

"I'm sure it's great," he said behind a stifled laugh, and I cursed myself silently for my word vomit.

Rowan was out of bed, folding up the unused mattress I'd set down for him the night before.

"Oh- you don't need to do that I'll deal with it later," I rushed over and grabbed the clean sheet, tossing it in my laundry basket.

He only shrugged and picked it up, placing it back in the closet.

My dad wasn't in the dining room, and I released a small breath knowing I wouldn't have to explain why Rowan was there. My parents wouldn't have cared, but I didn't want them thinking I was hiding anything. Which you are.

With Rowan there, I'd successfully avoided thinking about the paper sitting on my desk in the other room. I didn't want to think about it. I wondered what would happen if I just ignored it, pretended I'd never seen it in the first place. What could I even do? I didn't know the sender, I couldn't respond.

"Thank you," Rowan said as I handed him the coffee. The plate my mom had left me was on the counter next to him, but I'd lost my appetite again.

"Of course," I smiled in what I hoped was my best casual expression, but I wasn't sure it was convincing.

"So," Rowan ran his hand through his hair, a small frown appearing across his features. "I'll see what I can do with the envelope, but call me if you think somethings wrong again." His voice was lowered and his eyes watched me intensely. I nodded, my fingers nervously picking at a nail as I watched the counter top. "Evan," my eyes snapped to his, "anything at all you find weird, tell me. If you see a stranger twice, or hear anything in the house, or think someone's following you, tell me okay?"

"Yeah... okay." I said, finding myself wondering how many connections Rowan actually had in this city. "I will."

My phone buzzed and he took a small sip of the coffee.

Eriks message gave me a slight relief, I'd already forgotten I was supposed to pick him up at all. My phone buzzed again.

Shit. My mom's message was nothing but curious, but my mind was already making it something it wasn't. With that, the show I'd put on for her the night before, and the door I never locked, I hoped she wouldn't jump to any conclusions. I hated lying to her, I never used to lie to her.

I stared at the screen, waiting for a response. It was only a small lie...

She sent the message with a smiling emoji and I turned my attention back to him. His coffee was almost finished and he was looking down at the newspaper my dad had left out with a small frown.

"Did something happen?" I asked, and his eyes lifted back to mine. They looked distracted, irritated.

"No, just reading." He nudged the paper away and my eyes fell to it, my interest spiking. "Anyway, I'm gonna head home, you'll let me know if anything happens?" I nodded, my mind distracted.

"Will do."

Rowan stood before flashing me a smile, his relaxed expression seeming forced.

"Thanks for the coffee."

I nodded quickly, returning his smile.

"Yeah, I mean thanks for coming over, you know."

"Of course," his tone was light as he walked to the door, and I wondered what was going on in his mind. I didn't think I'd ever know. He turned the knob before looking back, our eyes meeting again. "Anytime, Evan."

I stared at the door for a minute after it'd shut, finally deciding that I'd imagined the suggestive hint in his tone.

I shook my head before walking over to the paper he'd been reading.

As most of us know, winter is upon us. The snow is coming soon this year, and while many Omaha residents are excited to get their Christmas decorations up and their peppermint hot-chocolates brewing, environmental scientists are warning this to be the cause of global warming...

My eyes traveled to a different story, nearing the bottom of the page.

Creighton started their season off strong with a buzzer-beating win against Stanford last Friday. Coach Anderson's predictions are not what you'd expect...

I heard my dad walking from his room to the bathroom, and quickly glanced at the time. I needed to leave if I wanted to get to class, which started in twenty minutes. After thinking over the pros and cons of ditching first period like Erik, I caved into the pressure of keeping my perfect attendance record.

I sped upstairs, taking a five minute shower before grabbing my school bag and keys. On my way out, I shoved the discarded paper in my bag.

***

The day had been long. I didn't know what to do with myself after tutoring, I was used to going directly to Erik's house. I found myself at a small coffee shop a mile from campus, dragging on the time before I'd have to go back home. My parents were probably waiting for me, sitting on the couch discussing my probable needs for a therapist after my freak-out before.

The music in the cafe was low but calming, and the warmth of the building and the soothing dim light made me want to sleep right there in the booth.

My thumb circled the edge of the cup containing my barely-drunk hot chocolate while my thoughts turned slowly. The newspaper lay forgotten in my bag as the dread of talking to my parents was setting in.

I felt my eyes drooping and jerked myself back up, wondering how I'd drive home if I was half asleep. I should've ditched first period.

I glanced around the cafe, before noticing a pair of eyes that were on me. The man looked away quickly when he saw me looking, and I felt my stomach twist. He seemed to be a year or two older than me, and he looked so, so familiar.

I stared at him, my mind reminding me of the blank mystery that was probably laying on my desk at that very moment. Had I been less tired I would've looked away, left, done anything other than stare. He glanced back at me after a minute, his expression looking nervous.

He didn't look threatening, but my mind was in a frenzy as it tried placing him in my memories... I'd never talked to him, that was certain.

Why is he looking at me?!

I felt myself start to panic and sent a glare in his direction. He just looked away again, sipping his drink.

I turned my gaze back to my hot chocolate, but I was more alert. I sensed him watching me, and after a few minutes he stood up, grabbed his drink, and walked towards the exit.

Is he the one who sent the letter? No. He wouldn't be acting so uncomfortable. I'm the uncomfortable one.

I found myself standing too, quickly shoving the exit door open and following him out.

***