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Katie opened her eyes to see a ceiling that wasn’t her own, but familiar all the same— although she’d slept over Alexa’s house countless times, it always took her a few seconds after waking up to process where she was.
When she turned her head and saw the person sleeping beside her, she smiled.
Alexa was home.
Katie had spent hours tidying up Alexa’s room the day before, ensuring she had everything she needed and that she’d come back to a comfortable place. She’d gone with the rest of her family to pick Alexa up at the hospital, helped pack up all Alexa’s belongings in her room there, and held her hand on the ride back. By the time they got to Alexa’s house, they were both sufficiently exhausted (albeit for very different reasons) and they’d passed out shortly after they climbed into bed.
Kate rolled over to grab her phone, careful not to shift the mattress too much. It was barely 7 AM, but her body was used to her school schedule; her mother had graciously allowed her a couple days off while Alexa got settled, and Katie wanted to take full advantage of the opportunity to sleep in. She answered a couple texts from Hannah and Reagan to let them know Alexa was home before she settled under the covers once again.
Alexa was… safe. For now, at least. Things had been touch and go for a while, but the doctors declared her well enough to leave the hospital, and that was a good sign. Even if she wasn’t cancer-free, she was stable.
Katie took a deep breath, watching Alexa in her peaceful sleep. She was alive, she was breathing, and that was all that truly mattered.
Katie was just beginning to drift off again when she saw Alexa’s eyes flutter open.
“Mm… morning,” Alexa mumbled. “Is it…?”
“It’s seven,” Katie answered with a soft laugh. “Still on school time?”
“More like nurse time.” Alexa sighed. “They’d wake me up every few hours. It was so annoying.”
“Sorry if I woke you up,” Katie said through a yawn. “Hannah and Reagan were asking about you.”
“Nah, you’re fine.” Alexa rubbed her eyes and pulled the covers up closer to her chin. “I wanna go back to sleep, though.”
“Me too. Your mom said she’d make breakfast… but it could be lunch if you wanna sleep in.”
Alexa hummed. “Lunch sounds good. I’m sleeping.”
Katie nodded in agreement before she let her eyes close again. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to fall asleep again right away, but she could at least try—
“Katie?”
“Yeah?” Katie opened her eyes, watching carefully for any sign that Alexa needed something from her.
But Alexa was smiling.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
Katie found herself mirroring Alexa’s smile, a warm feeling rising in her chest. “I’m glad you’re here,” she echoed. Without much thought, she moved closer and pulled Alexa into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here, Alexa.”
Alexa didn’t speak, but she didn’t have to respond out loud. Her arms wrapped tightly around Katie said more than enough.