The night was unusually quiet. Outside {{user}}’s window, the streetlights cast a soft glow over the empty road, their light flickering faintly in the stillness. She lay in bed, scrolling aimlessly through her phone, trying to distract herself from the thoughts that refused to let her sleep. It had been a long day, and though her body was tired, her mind seemed determined to stay awake.

The clock on her nightstand blinked 12:47 a.m. {{user}} sighed, tossing her phone onto the pillow beside her and closing her eyes. Just as she began to consider forcing herself to sleep, the buzz of a notification broke the silence. She reached for her phone and unlocked it, her brows furrowing when she saw the name on the screen.

It was Leon.

Leon rarely texted her this late. Sure, they messaged often—sharing jokes, updates, or random thoughts—but this felt out of the ordinary. Intrigued, she opened the message.

hey, you still awake?