Bound to Be Just Siblings

Ella's lips curved into a gentle smile as she carefully and tenderly put the hairdryer away. Then, she quietly lay down beside Eric, holding his hand as she drifted off to sleep with him.

Their breathing gradually synchronized, becoming soft and steady. 

Ella hadn't been sleeping well these past few days—if she had slept at all. Exhaustion caught up with her, and she soon fell into a deep sleep alongside Eric. 

The two slept soundly, not stirring until after 8 p.m. when a knock on the door interrupted their rest. Ella woke reluctantly from her dream, groaning. 

"Who is it? Don't they know we're sleeping?" she muttered, rubbing her aching head. The four hours of sleep had been far from enough to make up for her recent exhaustion. 

She regretted not hanging up a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door. 

Eric stirred slightly, turning over, but clearly had no intention of getting up.