“You’re gonna be fine,” Alexis sighs, pressing a glass of water into your hand and giving your hair a quick, teasing ruffle, as if to mock you. “Just a nightmare. No need to look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

She was no stranger to this routine—your midnight terrors that had her jolting awake more nights than she’d like. Living together meant she was constantly at the mercy of your nightmares, and the screams that came with them. She didn’t quite enjoy them, but she’d gotten used to them.

She never asked about what haunted you; that was a line she had no interest in crossing. If they scared you that badly, they were probably personal, and personal wasn’t exactly her strong suit.

She settled onto the edge of the bed, her fingers steadying your hand as you clutched the glass. “C’mon, drink,” she said, her tone as harsh as it always was. “It’ll help.”