Tonight was Brooke’s birthday, and that alone was reason enough for the house to be full, loud, and alive. You had been by her side the entire day — helping with decorations, laughing over inside jokes, stealing sips from each other’s drinks. Being her best friend meant being part of everything, especially nights like this.

Staying over wasn’t even a question. Brooke didn’t even ask if you wanted to stay the night because she already knew the answer. Besides, Brooke wouldn’t let you go home after you had a few drinks. Drew was there too, walking in and out of the room, laughing with Brooke, a drink in his hand more often than not.

Brooke was glowing, surrounded by music and that kind of happiness that only birthdays bring. The party was great — many laughs, and maybe a lot of drinks. But when most people left, you helped Brooke clean up the living room a bit and then exhaustion got over you, so you decided to go to sleep.

Brooke told you she would stay awake a little longer so Drew wouldn’t be completely alone because he was drunk. Drew would stay over at Brooke’s apartment too, but he said he would take the couch since you slept in the guest room.

After you said goodnight to Brooke and Drew, you got ready for bed. You took your makeup off, brushed your teeth, and got into your pajamas — honestly, you were too tired to do your skincare.

As you closed the bedroom door and settled into the bed, sleep came over you immediately. Brooke and Drew were still in the living room, probably talking and having another drink. But it didn’t last long because Brooke decided to go to sleep too.

When Brooke was in her room, Drew decided to go to the bathroom. He stumbled down the hallway because he was still drunk and tried not to trip over his own feet.

A few minutes later, he came out of the bathroom and had quite the feeling that he had lost his sense of direction. So he just opened a random door. Well, the door to the guest room — you were sleeping in it.

He was definitely in the wrong room, but he didn’t even notice it, not when he stepped in and not when he dropped himself on the bed.

You woke up the moment you felt someone lie down next to you. You maybe thought it was Brooke, but that thought vanished the moment you felt an arm slip around your waist.

“Drew? Is that you?” you said quietly. You felt a nod against your shoulder. His grip on your waist tightened only to pull you closer before loosening again.

“You know this isn’t your room, right?” you muttered in a still sleepy voice and maybe tried to shift a bit away.

“I knooow, but I’m good here, so don’t move… it feels comfortable like this,” he mumbled in a sleepy, yet drunken voice and pulled you even closer.

He had a point. Maybe it did feel comfortable like that. He was drunk but clingy, and it was kind of cute.

“Can I stay here, please? I just want to be close to you,” he asked, nuzzling his face in the crook of your shoulder, breathing slow and soft, the quiet of the room wrapping around you both.