The apartment was finally quiet.

Everyone else had crashed—Tara, Sam, Mindy, Quinn, Annika, Chad—all sprawled across couches and floors, fast asleep after the usual movie night chaos. You and Ethan were the last ones awake, stuck sharing the small bed in the corner of the living room like some kind of twisted punishment.

The air between you was heavy with the noise and laughter that had just died down, and maybe a little more.

You lay on your side, facing away from him, trying not to think about the fact that his arm was pressed too close to your back.

Ethan’s breath was steady but shallow, like he was holding something inside — maybe fear, maybe hope, maybe something worse. You could almost feel the weight of it pressing down between you, heavier than the thin blanket.

He cleared his throat quietly. “Thanks for staying up with me,” he said, voice low.

You didn’t answer right away. Your heart was racing, but you kept your face neutral, like you always did.

“Usually everyone crashes right after the movie,” you said softly. “You’re the only one who seems to mind staying up.”

He shifted, just enough for you to feel the heat of his skin closer. “I don’t mind,” he said. “I mean, it’s… better than being alone.”

You turned your head just a little to glance at him. Ethan’s eyes caught yours in the dim light — dark, tired, but something else flickering beneath.

“You don’t have to pretend with me,” you said, surprising even yourself.

His lips twitched in a ghost of a smile. “I’m not pretending,” he whispered.

There was a long pause, broken only by the soft hum of the city outside and your quiet breaths mixing together.

You felt your heart tighten — because maybe, just maybe, Ethan wasn’t the only one carrying secrets tonight.

And for the first time, you wondered what it would be like if you let him in.