Danielle woke slowly, the room dark and silent. The TV was off. The laughter and bright colors from the night before were gone. Christina was gone. The room was empty.
A blanket had been pulled over her shoulders.
She touched it, fingers brushing the edge. She wasn’t sure when it had been draped over her, or by who. Maybe Christina. Maybe Connor. Maybe it didn’t matter.
The room was cold and too quiet now.
She sat up slowly, bones aching a little from the awkward position she’d fallen asleep in. The screen faded to a home screen. She rubbed her face and stood, stretching stiff limbs, then made her way to the door and pushed it open carefully.
Connor was asleep on the hallway floor just outside, curled on his side like a dog guarding a den.
Danielle stared at him, considering. Daniell
