He had five days left. Then it was back to 

Westcity

. Back to the eternal nothing. The dark version of happily ever after. Alan didn't want to think about that right now though. He was in his old bedroom at his mom's. She was watching TV in the living room on her iMac. It was almost 12.

His sleep schedule had been shifted later and later during his stay. Now it was not uncommon to go to bed after midnight. He'd have to change that quick once back in Westcity. In fact he'd prefer to get a jump on it. Decided not to watch a TV show and instead go directly to sleep. Or try to.

He sat there as distant sounds murmured in the living room. The shaded lamp filtered light around the bedside. He checked his phone once more to see if Imogen had sent anything. Nothing. She was probably getting ready for bed. What more did he want from her? They had hung out for hours this day. They had plans to hang out again the next day. Thus was the torture of infatuation. A relentless addiction for contact. Texts constantly that didn't say anything new. But rather repeated the same message. Essentially: "i'm thinking about you."

This weekend he'd still be here. Friday was an event at the cafe. A "first friday" that Imogen liked to host. Ashley would be there too. Imogen was excited for them to meet, which was confusing. Because he was thinking that Imogen liked him. So why would she want him to meet her friend?

He pressed the string to turn off the lamp. Then he laid back and tried to sleep.