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It had been my favorite ever since the day she’d kissed me for the first time. She’d had this hair then too.

Despite the fact that she had walked out of her home, Jade wasn’t awake. Ever since I’d known her, she had a terrible habit of sleepwalking. We’d had many conversations to try to figure out how to stop it.

But I secretly enjoyed it.

Over the years, we had developed a pattern. Jade always had trouble sleeping, but in middle school, I caught her walking through the fields. I hadn’t known she was asleep and foolishly woke her up. She’d been confused and angry. Afterward, I’d read countless books on what to do.

Taking care of her was instinctive.

“Come on,” I said as she leaned her weight onto me. “Let’s get you to bed.”

Jade was never this pliable during the day. Normally, she was a tornado, tearing through the town like it was second nature. Her dad thought her medicine stopped her sleepwalking, but it only made her drowsy during the day. She’d managed to convince him she was fine.

Only I knew the truth.

Jade muttered something under her breath as I moved her. It would be far easier to put her in her own bed, but I knew it was no use.

There was only one place she’d want to go. If we got caught by either of our parents, we’d be in massive trouble.

But if she wanted to cuddle with me each night, I’d keep the secret.

Her softness was something she kept to herself. And in moments like this, I got to see it.

This week had been the longest stint of sleepwalking I’d ever seen from her. It had been getting worse lately, and I knew what it was leading up to.

We were at a crossroads. I wanted to leave. She wanted to stay. The conflict was making her lose sleep at night. Every time I thought about it, my heart clenched. I avoided it when I could, and so did she.

Both of us were paying the price.

We stumbled through the trees and the grass, making it to my house. My window was still open, and I guided her in first. By the time I was inside too, she was snuggled in my bed.

“I knew it. You’re just with me for my bed.”

If she were awake, she’d throw something at me.

Laughing at my own joke, I climbed into bed with her.

I used to try to sleep on the floor, but I quickly realized that she wasn’t going to let that happen. If I were on the floor, she would follow. After too many nights of both of us complaining about sore backs, I got the message.

She was reaching out the second I lay down.

She curled into me, hands tight in my shirt as if I would float away at any moment. I let her cling, knowing I wouldn’t mention it in the morning. Anytime I did, she would go red in the face and insist she take her medicine.

“I’ll take care of you,” I whispered. “I’ll always take care of you.”

She didn’t respond, but I didn’t need her to. Words didn’t matter. Actions did, and even if she didn’t need me, I was here.

Placing one kiss on her head, I closed my eyes and let sleep take me too.

The door to my room opened.

“Rise and shine,” Atticus said.

I groaned and slowly opened my eyes.

Out of habit, I checked next to me. Jade must’ve woken up early and snuck out. Thank God. We’d been caught too many times together.

“It’s way too early.”