After thinking about it for a while, the most intimate thing I could think of was sharing a bed together. I don't think Rhea left when I slept. I don't think she needs sleep, so I never thought of what she did while I slept. I asked her and she told me she would simply wait for me to wake up. I felt guilty thinking of how lonely she must have felt. It was late so I showered and changed into some shorts and a big comfortable t-shirt. I got into my bed and invited Rhea to join me. She jumped into my bed. She laughed and smiled, I guess she likes it here. I placed a blanket over us and put a body pillow between us. I may have created Rhea but she was still a girl. Rhea made herself comfortable and enjoyed the blanket. She said it made her feel all warm and toasty. I made myself comfortable too and then slowly started to drift off to sleep. I rested my eyes and relaxed my muscles. It was quiet so I could hear Rhea gently breathing beside me.
I woke up the next morning with something weighing on my torso. I opened my eyes and saw Rhea resting on my chest. She looked so peaceful sleeping there. I without thinking had placed my hand on her head. I ran my fingers through her silver hair. It felt very soft. The pillow separating us had been tossed across the room. She started to wake up. She woke up and gave me a gentle smile. Her head had been laying on my chest right where my heart was. She must have been listening to it. "Good morning." She had said as she rose from the bed. I'm not sure how I didn't wake up but she had stolen my shirt right off of me. Mom had always said I was a heavy sleeper. I just never believed her. Sorry mom.
"Good morning Rhea. May I ask why you're wearing my shirt?" I asked. I felt cold without it. Yadi and Luna had not mentioned her clothes vanishing as part of her becoming real. Maybe they had both been so embarrassed they wiped it from their minds. I wasn't sure if she had a physical form yet. She had been sleeping so that was a good sign. Luna had messaged me telling me Tulpas without a physical form didn't have reflections. I never noticed because I tended to avoid mirrors.
"It looked comfy and I was cold..." She couldn't meet my eyes. She was probably feeling guilty. "So I took it." She said in a small voice.
"It's okay. I should have been more considerate of you. I don't really have pajamas for you." I looked at the other closet that wasn't mine. It held all of Alma's clothes. I had been reluctant to throw them away. I know it wasn't healthy but I felt throwing them away would kind of be like throwing away the memory of her. I felt a sense of dread wash over me. Rhea seemed to pick up on it.
"What about that closet there? Does it have clothes you don't like in there? Are they cringey?" She smiled and giggled. I felt my dread ease up a bit.
"No um... They were my wife's..." I tried not to sound so sullen but it was difficult. Rhea embraced me. It took everything in me not to burst into tears. She felt so warm and comforting.
"You don't talk about your wife. It must be difficult to talk about. Just know if you ever decide to. I'm here for you. If you decide you never want to talk about her. That's also fine. I'm here for you and I love you Soledad." Rhea had said as she held onto me. I had no idea she was capable of being so mature. I couldn't fight the tears anymore. I'm not sure how long we were like that. It didn't matter. I felt and Rhea felt we could stay like that forever. "I have an idea. You have Yadi and Luna's number right. They seem to have a nice fashion sense. Maybe you could call them up and we could go shopping together?" I could practically see the excitement in her eyes.
"That's a great idea. I'll call them right now." I called them and set everything up for them. Rhea had wanted me to go with them but I had spent plenty of time with Rhea. It's only fair that if she doesn't have to be glued to my side that she gets to experience independence. I also figured I had another person living with me again. Rhea was new to the world so working was out of the question. I was responsible for her. I should probably message the dean about working again. He had wanted me to return after my appearance the other day.
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