I went inside and locked the door behind me, not bothering to turn on the lights as I walked over to my room. I lay down on my bed after putting my backpack down at the door and I pulled the cover over myself taking a deep breath as I tried to go to sleep. It didn’t take me long to fall asleep, I felt like I hadn't slept enough last night. It had felt like I had just closed my eyes when I started to hear knocking at the door. I turned over feeling groggy as I tried to wake up. I yawned as I stopped hearing the knocks when my phone ringing and I reached over to grab my phone to answer it.

“Hello?”

“Hey, why haven't you answered me?” I can hear Elliot ask with a distressed tone.

“Sorry, I was asleep. Are you outside?” I asked as I got up and made my way to the door.

“Yeah. I've been out here for like twenty minutes,” he said.

I unlocked the door and saw him standing in front of the door with a box in his hand. “Sorry,” I said as I stepped aside to let him in.

“It's fine. I was about to think that maybe you weren't even here…” he said as he put the box in the kitchen.

"What did you bring?” I asked following him.

“Pizza. Are you hungry? You're mom here?” he asked.

“She's still at work,” I said as I checked the time on my phone again then walked over to the kitchen to grab plates. “I am actually... I haven't eaten today.”

Elliot turned to me, “Like anything?” he asked.

I paused for a second realizing what I said and shrugged my shoulder. “Um, no,” I said.

“Michael…”

“It's fine. I'm eating now.” I said as I moved to the couch after I served myself.

Elliot came over to sit beside me and I reached for the remote to look through the channel to find a movie. “But your health needs to come first even if you feel fine.”

I sighed as I paused from eating. “Elliot, I really don't want to hear it,” I said. “I don't want to be mean, but I know. I'm not saying I have an eating problem, but I've had moments where I just don't feel hungry.”

Elliot didn't say anything and I put the plate down then shifted myself to face him properly.

“You're right. I am feeling depressed and I think that's why I was like that yesterday too, but it's not the first time I've felt depressed before so it’s not a new feeling. Earlier in the restroom, after I had time to myself I realized I didn't want to be alone because for a second I was worried about myself,, and honestly, I could have done something if I tried, but didn't.” I explain to him. “I don't think you understand that it's been worse but I already know what is right and what is wrong. It's just about what I decide that becomes the outcome.”

Elliot didn't say anything before nodding his head. “I said to care for yourself more because I didn't know what else to say... Sorry if that was bothering you…” he said.

“You don't have to apologize. I was rude to you when I was the one that called for your help. My actions can be a bit unsettling. I don't like it when I'm like this either. Sometimes I think of things that I shouldn't and I let it get to me.” I said. “And I'm trying to tell you this because I don't want you to think that it's your fault or to think that you could have done something. If you ever feel like that then that only means that I'm just messing you up like how I'm doing it to myself.”

Elliot slowly reached over to grab my arm and I almost pulled it away, but I stopped myself. “Even if I felt like that it could be my fault, I also don't want you to feel like it's also your fault or that you are alone. That you have to deal with it alone I want you to know you can come to me if you have nowhere else to go... I'm here for you.” he said.

I stared at him as I took in his words and I didn't have anything to say to him. Why do his words always have some sort of tug on me and after a long silence he slowly let go of my arm. We both turned away from each other and I reached to grab my plate again. I tried to pay attention to the movie while I thought about what he said and in the end, all I could only think about was him sitting beside me; that he was still beside me after everything I said to him. I got up and went to the kitchen to grab another slice and also grabbed sodas for each of us.

“What time are you heading back?” I asked.

“Actually... I was wondering if you don't mind me spending the night? It's Friday so I can just leave tomorrow morning if you want me to or we can do something.” he asked.

I paused, a little surprised, and I tried to figure out what to answer. “I... I wouldn't mind, but I still need to ask my mom.”

“That's fine. What time is she off work?”

“Six; sometimes at seven. So I have to text her.” I answered as I reached for my cell phone and sent her a message.

I thought about Elliot spending the night and I wasn't sure if I was worried about sharing a room with him or the fact I'm letting him spend the night after what happened today. I shifted slightly before I turned back to my phone to see my mom had messaged me back and I was surprised to read that she was fine with it. I put my phone down and continued to watch the movie while I glanced quietly at Elliot; who was completely into what he was watching.

“My mom said it's fine,” I said as I turned away to look at the television.

“Great!” he said with a smile.

I saw his smile and I felt myself blush so I got up, “Let me put it all this way.” I said as I grabbed our plates.

I went to the kitchen to start washing the dirty plates then went over to grab the cups we had used. I needed a distraction and I still wasn't sure how to feel about what happened today. What was I supposed to feel after hearing what Elliot said or about my behavior? He said I didn't have to be alone and I believed his words because he's been there when I needed help. Even when I wanted to be alone, he never wanted to leave my side. Why couldn't it have been like this before... I paused after I realized what I just thought about and closed my eyes. I finished washing the last of the dishes and dried my hands before returning to the living room.

“I'm gonna fix my room so there's room for you to sleep,” I said as I walked over to my door.

“Let me help you,” Elliot said as he got up.

“No, it's fine.”

“I'm just helping you clean. It's the least I can do for coming over unannounced,” he said as he began picking up some of the clothes I had left on the floor.

I quickly went over and took the clothes from him, “My room isn't that messy. I just... My room, my house, is usually my safe place to be comfortable and you're the first person aside from my mom who’s ever come in” I said as I blushed at how ridiculous it sounds now. “It's stupid.”

“It's fine. I get what you're saying,” he said.

“It's still fine for you to spend the night. I want you to.” I said as I turned away trying not to say anything more embarrassing.

Elliot smiled as he leaned against the doorway, “Okay.” he said. "Then I'll wait until you're done.”

I pressed my lips together and nodded as I continued cleaning my room then took out the air mattress we had in the hallway closet. Elliot had stood there the whole time watching as I tried to forget what I just said as I fixed his bed. It's going to be a long night. I had asked Elliot if he wanted to borrow some clothes to sleep in, but it seemed like he was prepared as he took out his own pair of clothes from his backpack and stepped into the restroom to change. I took this chance to change as well and once we're both done we stayed in my room even after my mom came home.

I let Elliot briefly introduce himself to my mom and it seemed like she remembered him from the first day of school. I pulled him back to my room soon after because I was still shy over having a friend spend the night and also my mom was weirdly excited for that same reason. I sighed quietly as I climbed onto my bed and moved the covers over my lap as I sat awkwardly. What else are you supposed to do in sleepovers? I paused for a second on my thoughts as I turned to him; watching him fix his covers to make himself comfortable.

“Are you okay?” I asked. “We can switch if you don't like the air mattress.”

“No, it's fine. Don't worry about it.” He said, shaking his head, reassuring me. “I'll knock out and you will be able to tell that I'll be sleeping comfortably.”

I nod as I looked down at my fingers, fidgeting a little, trying not to feel paranoid until I saw a hand reach out to cover my own. I looked up to see Elliot had gotten closer to me with his hand reaching over and slowly put his hand away after it caught my attention.

“Don't be so nervous. Let's just lay down and close our eyes,” he said.

I paused for a second before nodding and moved to lay down pulling the covers over my shoulder, “Okay.” I mumbled.

“Good night,” he said, reaching over to turn off the lights and the room is dark now.

“Night,” I said as I stared up at the dark ceiling before closing my eyes trying to fall asleep.