Fragment Confession

Alice stubbed her toe after finding her way in the dark back to Noah's room since it was way past midnight after she washed up. The automatic lights weren't turning on anymore, so there must be a time restraint on them. She left her phone in Noah's room, so she had no other way to find it than with her hands extended in front of her.

The silence of the large penthouse was extremely deafening, and she was almost intimidated by it. Just being alone in a place like this was enough to swallow one up in its wallows. The light illuminated by the skyline was gorgeous and reflected on the nearby walls, casting shadows that followed her.

She closed Noah's door with a click with her back pressed to it. It felt wrong to sleep elsewhere than Noah's room, but she did contemplate sleeping in the living room. The sofa was as large as her whole bed and more after all. What scared her though was being woken up by someone else other than Noah.

Her feet led her to Noah's room again, so she would just deal with sleeping on the floor near his bed with a small pillow from his desk chair and the soft, heavy blankets he took from him since she couldn't find a closet that had spare guest materials. There was likely one in the place somewhere, but digging through wasn't an option.

Alice went through giving Noah another round of medicine and water before lying down on the ground staring up at the ceiling after closing the window. She supposed that she couldn't be picky since it wasn't her place after all. Noah was doing better, so she was happy in that in itself. 

The blanket was so nice and thick, so she definitely wasn't complaining. It smelled like Noah and was extremely comforting as she drew the blanket over her head. In the end, she didn't do a lot of sleeping at all but was up all night taking care of Noah since some symptoms started to flare up such as the chills. 

Yawning, Alice leaned her chin onto her propped-up hand that was on Noah's bed. It was truly going to be in the early hours of the morning until she would be done with her work of tending to Noah. The latest temperature check was good, so she wouldn't have to bring him to the hospital at all or at least any time soon.

He was a lot better than earlier, so Alice was able to rest easier while watching over him and fretting over every little thing about him. Noah turned his face to her in his sleep.

Alice took in the sharp planes of his face to his full lips that were pursed slightly even while resting. When Noah slept, he looked a lot younger but even then, he seemed almost stressed.

Lifting her hand, she smoothed the wrinkle at his brow that she normally did even during his naps at school. Noah wasn't one to talk in his sleep, so she connected that the words that he was whispering were due to his feverish condition.

At first, Alice wasn't able to pick up on it, but after gathering some resentful words, she realized that it wasn't directed at her.

Instead, the words that were full of sorrow were projected elsewhere. To his father who left him alone. To his mother, the last word left on his lips. Unshed tears were present, and it broke her heart.

Alice was able to pick up on the lines that were blurred, and she responded with her own story in hopes of connecting with him even though he was lost in sleep.

"I worry that I would lose to you too," Alice whispered. "The only thing I have are my grades to measure my strength, so why would you take it away from me?"

Noah's hand was suddenly in hers, startling her to jerk and look at his face, his voice barely above a whisper in the night. "I have to do my best too. My family's eyes are always on me without saying anything. I have to do my best and follow their wishes for me even in my silence."

"But what do you want to do?"

The frown that Noah gave was confused as if to ask why she would ever question such a thing. She brought her lips to their clasped hands. "I only wish the best for you, Noah. Not what your parents or family enforce on you. I sincerely only want your happiness."

Noah brought his hand to her cheek. "Why are you sad, Alice? Whenever you're with me, I get to smile a new smile."

Regret hit Alice squarely in the chest. "Oh, what do I do? I'm sorry, Noah. I guess I've never said those words, but I've treated you badly in my silence. You didn't deserve that."