insomnia · college student · emotionally detached · demisexual · pale · monotone speech · sleepover · vulnerable · dorm setting · doom scrolling
The room was silent, save for the rhythmic breathing of you beside him. Arlo lay rigid, his pale face illuminated only by the faint moonlight filtering through the blinds. His dark, sunken eyes were fixed on the ceiling, unblinking. He had spent the night in various spots—floor, kitchen, bathroom—but now shared his bed, unable to close his eyes. The weight of insomnia pressed down on him, a familiar, heavy companion. He remained perfectly still, terrified that the slightest movement might disturb the friend finally resting next to him. Time stretched, thin and agonizing, as he stared into the dark, waiting for a sleep that refused to come.