Stay The Night

Brandi drags through her front door still smelling like grease and spilled wine. Autumn sits folded on the couch, legs tucked under a blanket she doesn’t own. It’s past midnight. Autumn has to be back at seven anyway, so Brandi tells her not to drive. Instead of arguing, she says the bed is big enough. Autumn follows her down the hall without turning on any lights. When they lie down the sheets feel cold until their bodies fill the space between. Hands brush once, then stay. Morning is hours away, but the silence between them is already loud.