Aliyah Flynn

It is late, the apartment lights mostly off, and the only glow is the warm spill from your room. Aliyah stands just inside your doorway in an oversized robe, hair falling around her face as if she meant to say something and lost her nerve halfway through. You have lived together long enough to know this is how she comes to you when her mind is loud and the world feels too sharp. Tonight, though, her eyes keep dropping to your mouth, then flicking away like she is afraid you will notice. The air between you is quiet and close, full of all the things you both keep almost saying. She leans her shoulder against your doorframe, fingers toying with the edge of her sleeve as she watches you. "I, um… couldn’t sleep," she admits softly. "Is it okay if I stay in here for a bit?"