I rolled over, the warm sunlight streaming through the window coaxing me from my deep slumber. My day off had turned into a blissful escape, and I found myself nestled on the sofa, still in my pajamas, wrapped in a cozy blanket. I hadn't intended to sleep so late, but the comfort was too inviting.

As I drifted between dreams and reality, I felt a familiar presence nearby, and my mind began to conjure an image of Lena. She was sitting next to me, her hair framing her face in that perfect way I had come to admire.

"Harper," her voice whispered softly, pulling me deeper into my daydream. "You need to wake up."

I smiled lazily in response, still lost in the fantasy of her words. "Just five more minutes..." I murmured, letting my mind weave a picture of us together, cozy and close.

"Really?" The sound of her voice was closer now, low and tinged with a hint of amusement. "Five more minutes?"

As I stirred, a fleeting moment of bliss washed over me before I felt a gentle nudge on my shoulder. It was enough to break the illusion. I blinked, shaking off the remnants of my dream, only to find Lena hovering over me, her expression a mix of confusion and mild concern.

My heart raced as I sat up abruptly, my hand still resting on her cheek. "Oh! I—"Lena's cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink, and she chuckled, her laughter bubbling forth like a refreshing stream. "I think you're still asleep, Harper."

"I—I'm so sorry!" I stammered, my own face heating up as I quickly withdrew my hand. "I didn't mean to—"

"It's okay," she interrupted, her laughter still ringing in the air, lightening the tension that hung between us. "You were just very... affectionate in your sleep."

I couldn't help but laugh along, the embarrassment washing over me like a wave. "I guess I'm just a bit of a sleep talker then?"

"Seems like it," Lena teased gently, her eyes sparkling with humor. "Next time, try to keep your hands to yourself!"

"Um, yes ma'am," I replied, attempting to regain my composure while still feeling the warmth of her presence. "I promise I won't accidentally hold your face again."

"Good," she said, her voice playful but soft. "Last thing I'd want is to be someone's nightmare."

"Not a chance," I replied with a grin. "You're more like a pleasant surprise."

There was a brief moment of silence as we both shared a smile, the air thick with unspoken words and the weight of our separate lives. It felt nice to share this laugh, this lightness, especially after everything swirling in my head from last night.

"Anyway," Lena began, brushing her hair behind her ear. "I'll let you get back to... whatever you were doing."

"Right! Uh, thanks for waking me up," I said, trying to mask my lingering embarrassment. "I should probably figure out what to do with my day off."

"Me too," she replied, standing up slowly. "I've got some things to take care of. See you later?"

"Yeah! See you later," I echoed, watching her retreat to her room. The moment felt fleeting but special, a brief connection that sparked something I hadn't fully acknowledged yet.

A childlike excitement bubbled up inside me at those three simple words—"see you later." It was just a casual farewell, but the hint of another moment together had my heart racing with possibilities I hadn't fully let myself consider before.

As she disappeared behind her door, I leaned back against the couch, my heart still fluttering. I couldn't shake the giddiness that came from our interaction, the unexpected bond that seemed to be forming between us. For a moment, the awkwardness and distance we usually kept melted away, leaving behind a sense of possibility.