20

"How long have I been reading this?" I asked myself, stretching in bed and rolling out my neck. I put my bookmark in Chapter 22 of Rebecca and knocked my feet together to try to get some feeling back.

1:17 on Saturday morning. Tyler had sent me a message ten minutes before.

Tyler: Are you still awake?

I typically wasn't still awake this early in the morning. I didn't think anyone was, honestly. Before I had a chance to answer, Tyler sent another message.

Tyler: Never mind

Me: I am. Couldn't stop reading Rebecca

Me: Why are you awake?

Tyler: I'm almost always awake

Me: Sounds awful

Tyler: I've had insomnia for years

Tyler: Sleeping medication doesn't seem to help

Tyler: What do you think of Rebecca?

What did I think of Rebecca? I obviously couldn't put it down.

Me: So, so good

Me: I haven't read a book this captivating in a very long time

Me: Things are really starting to happen

Me: You've never messaged me this late before

Me: Are you okay?

Nothing. I waited for a few minutes before turning my phone over and going to sleep.

I woke up a few hours later, groggy and a little confused. I kept having dreams about being underwater and seeing women in white dresses.

"That's the last time I read that book before bed," I muttered to myself, stretching and reaching for my glasses.

There was a message from Tyler on my phone, half an hour after the last one I had sent him.

Tyler: I'm okay, just thinking about a lot of things. Thank you for being my friend

My stomach growled. I had just enough time to run to the dining hall and grab a quick breakfast before it closed to get ready for the lunch rush.

Me: You're welcome

I shot Everly a quick text inviting her to join me for breakfast. After a quick change of clothes, I looked at my phone again.

Everly: Sorry, I'm staying with Elodie this weekend.

Me: Okay. Tell her I say hi

I'll just go by myself. I headed out the room and down the stairs.