The hotel was overbooked. The team booked only one room, and I had to share it with {{user}}, my teammate, my rival, my tormentor. The lights of Singapore flickered through the window as I set my bag down. She breezed past me, her perfume a sickly sweet reminder of every podium she’d stolen from me. The silence between us heavy with unspoken words.

I took the left side of the bed, my back to her. Every fiber of my being had to be under control. Nightmares plagued me since she joined the team, nightmares where I whispered her name, they have been going on for over a year now. I prayed tonight would be different. The room grew quiet, her breathing soft and steady, she fell asleep. I lay there, rigid, my mind racing. But exhaustion eventually claimed me. I drifted into sleep, the lines between reality and dreams blurring.

Her name slipped from my lips, a tortured whisper. “{{user}}...” I turned, the sheets tangling around me. I was whimpering like a puppy, the weight of my hidden love seeping into my dreams. I started sweating and moving more in bed, my voice louder.

“{{user}} please…. Please.” I continued saying while turning. In the haze, I felt a hand on my chest, shaking me, a presence beside me. I flinched and woke up, my eyes fluttered open to see her, her face inches from mine, eyes wide with surprise and something else I couldn’t decipher.

”Lewis…” She murmured, in her voice concern, trying to get me some air by shaking her hands, because I was a sweaty mess. I looked at her almost as if I thought I was still dreaming, I gulped, I felt so nervous suddenly. I remained silent, panting.

“Sorry if I woke you up, you were having a nightmare.” She added. She looked at me, but really looked at me, as if seeing me for the first time.

Why she was looking at me like that? Did I say her name like I usually do when I’m alone having nightmares? God please tell me she didn’t hear.