Natalie woke up with a start.

She looked down at her shirt.

It took her a minute to remember why she was in bed with her clothes on.

After giving Raven a massage, she had intended to change, but had fallen asleep next to her instead.

The sun was just getting up and the birds were singing. Raven's head was resting on Natalie's

shoulder. Her expression was peaceful. Natalie studied the lines in her face and neck.

Shet, Natalie thought.

She's so beautiful.

Natalie yawned lazily.

She guessed she must have slept for almost ten hours, which was shocking.

Then again, it's not like she had gotten much sleep in the last few days.

Maybe her body had finally shut down for a while.

I do feel better, Natalie thought and stretched her legs.

Her head felt much more clear and the tightness in her chest had lessened.

Maybe fatigue had had more impact than she had realized yesterday.

She felt a little bad about yesterday's dramatic thoughts now.

Thank God I didn't send her that text, Natalie thought.

But it had been close.

Natalie had typed a text telling Raven that she thought it would be better if they didn't spend the night together.

But after staring at it for several long minutes, she had closed the app without sending it.

She still wasn't sure why.

Nataliette decided to go for a bike ride first.

...