I need your help.

The second movie ended up with the victory of the gray mouse's childhood friend. How in the seven hells did it happen? The answer was simple, the stupidity of the plot.

The person who wrote it, completely forgot, or maybe ignored instead, the ending of the first one, where the guy number one, modern prince archetype, handsome CEO, and our wholesale Cinderella exchanged vows of eternal love. And, with the inclusion of the second guy, the FML suddenly realized that her prince is a 'huge jerk'™, and decided to be with her kind and handsome childhood friend instead.

Yes, this movie was an absolute torture to watch for me. The girls were having their fun watching it, though, so I could only grit my teeth and endure. Or, more accurately, off my brain almost completely and relax into Olivia's warmth. The fact that shy-looking Claire threw occasional glances toward here, as if wanting but hesitating to join our cuddle herself, also lessened the burden significantly.

***

Oh Heavens, the third one managed to one up the first two. The film opened with a shocking revelation: the heroine was pregnant. And judging by her mortified expression, it wasn't her childhood friend's efforts that led to this outcome. I had so many questions right now.

Somehow, the rich jerk learned about this development faster than the guy who lived together with the main character. Once again, choosing to ignore the plot of the previous movie, the supposed rich jerk proposed to the main hoe on the spot. And the round two of struggles for the attention of this completely average girl started. Two main guys did their best to win her with their love, while this icon of adultery once more was sitting on the fence.

The movie ended with another, most likely temporary, victory for the first guy, since there were two more sequels after that. That is, if you ignore that FML befriended another guy at her workplace, who, in the post-credit scene, was revealed as the scion of a prominent family.

Since I refused to even try and wrap my head around the logic of this story anymore, I came to a conclusion. No matter how I spun the thoughts about the heroine's actions, only one thing was clear as day. She belongs to the streets.

The opinions of the rest of the audience differed, or so it seemed to me. The two girls were discussing the story, characters, and plot twists with enthusiasm, and even managed to make me question whether we had seen the same movie at all.

Well, the best thing that came out of the third film was Counter Girl finally finding it in herself to join into our cuddle pile. Does it mean I will need an extra girl to power through the fourth one? The picture of Yin, looking completely lost and done at the same time, with both the movie and trying to discern the nonexistent deeper motives of my actions, was truly hilarious. I shook my head, chasing away weird thoughts.

***

We decided to take a short break. The three hours spent in the cuddle pile were pleasant, but I felt a bit numb and wanted to stretch my limbs a bit. Meanwhile, girls left towards the kitchen, to refill snacks and drinks.

The fourth one was the longest movie in the series, so I decided to check what time it was right now. Sleep was important. The result managed to surprise me a bit, since it was a bit past eleven. I guess Counter Girl decided to stay for the night. Maybe she just forgot, but the result would be the same. I wasn't against this in the slightest, but…

As I was contemplating whether it was better to leave it alone or risk the development and ask Claire for a direct confirmation, the girls returned with a tray. Their discussion still pertained to the ending of the third film, and it seems like they just started speculating about the role of the new guy in the fourth movie.

"Hey, Claire." I called out, opting to address the elephant in the room. "I guess you decided to stay for the night?"

My words caught her off guard, judging by the way she stopped in the middle of a phrase. An instant that took her to process my question later, Counter Girl blushed and responded with a silent shy nod. Oh. Huh. I guess it was my turn to feel surprised.

Since it was late, and the movie was two and a half hours long, we decided to make the bed first, in case Morpheus would sneak on us mid-way again. Then we re-assembled our cuddle pile and my pleasant movie night continued. Only we didn't even make it through the quarter of the movie before succumbing to the sneak attack.

The last thing I remembered before falling asleep was the koala girl assuming her position on top of me, as my silly girl once more stole my blanket.

***

And my collection of ways to wake up just got expanded. And I can't say it was the most pleasant awakening I've ever had.

Around three in the morning, someone rang the doorbell. It woke not only me, but Claire as well, who decided to roll to the wrong side of the bed again. Another mental note, buy a bigger bed. Or at least set something soft on the floor to this side of the bed.

I caught the not-so-flying koala girl, sadly not having time to enjoy her rolled-up shirt look. If someone rings your doorbell at three in the morning, and you have no idea who it is, it's most likely an emergency. Well, or someone wants to rob you, but, honestly, I was too drowsy to think about this possibility at the moment.

So, without bothering to even check who it could be, I opened the door. Huh, this was one hell of a surprise. There stood Nicole Roah, her usual flamboyant and arrogant demeanor completely gone. She looked distressed, exhausted, and, speaking frankly, she looked like the sky was about to crash.

"Michael." I heard her voice, dry and exhausted. Almost desperate. Yet, there was a bit of relief as she called out my name. "I… I need your help."

Nicole sounded as a drowning woman, who just spotted a piece of dry wood. Or a pillar to grab onto. Hearing her tone, not even her words, made my mind go blank.

"Come in." I let her inside, and closed the apartment door. "Do you want coffee?"

"I… Yes. That would be nice." Nicole responded.

"Honey, who is it at this hour? Bella again?" I heard Olivia's drowsy question.

"I will explain later, go and sleep for now." I replied.

"Sure." A lot less drowsy confirmation followed.

Nicole didn't even react to this little exchange, dragging herself to the kitchen. She grabbed a cup and operated the coffee machine. Oh, right, this thing was her gift, and mostly used by her as well. On those rare occasions when she came to visit me in person.

I went to the bedroom to dress myself a bit and to take my smartphone. After gesturing to both girls in the bed that everything is fine, I left to the kitchen, closing both doors behind myself.

My late night guest was sitting on one of the chairs, hunched over the cup of coffee she held with two hands. A cold wave overcame my overheated brain, leaving only the professional, and a bit of the animal, left at the scene.

Whatever happened to her was serious enough to completely break her composure. And, this close to the point I got sent back to, it was something that, most likely, happened in the first life as well. Only fucking animal, Michael Roah, me, was nowhere to be found to help her, at least in some way.

"Nicole," I called for her attention. "What happened?"