Midnight Vigil
Part 22
Julie woke with a start, her heart racing as she sat up in bed. She was alone in her room, the darkness outside her window a heavy blanket that suffocated her. She looked around, disoriented, trying to remember what had woken her up. The clock on her nightstand read 2:47 AM. She threw off the covers and got out of bed, her bare feet making barely a sound on the cold floor. She padded out of her room and into the living room, the silence of the house a palpable thing. The TV was off, and the only sound was the soft hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. As she entered the living room, she saw a figure on the couch, sprawled out in a way that seemed both careless and endearing. Yoongi was sleeping on the couch, his face relaxed and peaceful. Julie felt a pang of affection for him, wondering why he had chosen to sleep here instead of in his own bed. She approached the couch quietly, not wanting to wake him up. As she stood there, looking down at him, she felt a sense of calm wash over her. He was so still, his chest rising and falling with each breath. Julie's eyes lingered on his face, taking in the sharp angles of his cheekbones and the soft curve of his lips. She felt a pang of gratitude towards him, for being there for her, for supporting her through the tough times. As she stood there, a memory surfaced in her mind. It was of Yoongi holding her hand, his eyes warm and reassuring as he told her that she was not alone. She felt a lump form in her throat as she looked down at him, her heart full of emotion. Julie hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should wake him up or let him sleep. But as she looked at him, she knew that she couldn't sleep now. She gently pulled a blanket over him, making sure he was comfortable, and then she sat down on the floor beside the couch, her back against the armrest. As she sat there, she felt a sense of peace settle over her. The darkness outside seemed less oppressive, and the silence of the house was no longer suffocating. She closed her eyes, listening to Yoongi's gentle breathing, and let herself drift into a state of wakeful calm.