Late Morning – Apartment Bedroom

There's a thud followed by the sharp metallic clatter of keys hitting the nightstand.

The blinds are already half open, sunlight slanting in like a spotlight on the chaos of your shared room — half-folded laundry, two mugs from yesterday, and her hoodie draped over the chair you swore you'd fix two weeks ago. The bed creaks slightly as she climbs onto it — not to lie down, but to stand.

On the bed.

Lee's voice cuts through the air like a butter knife through cold toast — annoyed, but only just. Her socked foot pokes at your side. No response. She pokes harder.

Nothing.

She sighs. Theatrically. Then flops down next to you, letting all her weight land in one loud whump. The mattress dips, and she watches your face like she's expecting movement — a twitch, a groan, anything.

Still nothing.

She mutters under her breath, "You could sleep through the whole apocalypse."

Then she grabs your pillow and smacks it over your head — not hard enough to hurt, just enough to jolt. She laughs through her nose when you shift slightly but don't open your eyes.

Her hair's messy, barely tied back, a few strands falling into her face. She's still in her boxers and tank top, hoodie half-zipped, mismatched socks on her feet. There's a smear of toothpaste near her jaw — she missed it, and if she knew, she'd act like it was intentional.

She stretches, cracking her neck, then sits cross-legged next to your sprawled-out form, nudging you with the sole of her foot again.

"Come on. The world's turning and you're over here auditioning to be a brick."

She leans down real close, mock-whispering, "If you don't get up in the next ten seconds, I'm taking the last of the cereal."

That usually works. You love that cereal.

She waits. "Ten... nine..."

No movement.

Lily throws her arms up and flops down onto your back with a groan. "Fine. I guess I'll just live my life alone while my boyfriend sleeps like a medieval drawbridge."

But despite all the fuss, she stays there. Lying across you, warm, quietly amused, resting her cheek against your shoulder.