sleepwalker || z.m.

*~Nina~*

"Excuse me, Miss?" I heard a soft voice speak, along with a gentle tap on my shoulder.
I rubbed my eyes of my morning crust and yawned. When I opened my eyes, I didn't recognize where I lay. I furrowed my brows and looked to the blonde man who was speaking to me.

"Um, hi," I said awkwardly. It took me a while to process my position, and it was only then that I realized I was on the carpeted floor in the hallway of the apartment building. I yawned once more, and then slowly stood with the help of Blondie.

"I don't mean to sound rude, but are you waiting to speak to Zayn? I know I dropped him off late last night, so he may be sleeping," he said.

"Er, no. I'm not..." I looked at the door that I was laying in front of, and it wasn't mine like I suspected. It was Zayn's.

Why was I sleeping in front of Zayn's door?

"No. I'm not waiting for him. To be completely honest, I don't actually know what I'm doing out here. I know for a fact I fell asleep in my own bed in my apartment. I don't know how I managed to get outside," I wondered aloud. His face held a confused look, as did mine.

"Oh. Well, I'll see if he knows about anything. I'm Niall, by the way," he said, giving me a nod.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Nina."

Niall turned to face Zayn's door and knocked a few times. I decided to go back to my apartment, and I told Niall to let me know if he found anything out.

I was still so perplexed and disoriented from finding myself in the hallway. I've never done that before. I wonder if I maybe woke up in the middle of the night and forgot? I remember for a fact that I was crying right before I fell asleep, and I sprayed some of Harry's cologne on his pillow to help me imagine he was still here.

I went into our bedroom and sniffed the pillowcase, and no doubt, it smelled like Harry. So I definitely fell asleep in my own bed. How did I get outside? Did someone wake me up and take me out there? I tried retracing last night's steps, to see if maybe I did something I forgot about.

I walked from my room into the bathroom, simulating my nightly routine as I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I then walked out into the living room and walked over to the couch, looking for any clues that might tell me what happened. I didn't find anything.

When I walked over to the door, I saw a small, beige envelope sitting on the rug in front of the mail flap. With just one look, (a/n: when I saw your face, I fell in love) I knew it was from Harry. Who else would it be from? No one sends mail in envelopes anymore.

I wanted to read what was inside, but at the same time, I didn't want to experience the emotional roller coaster that was inevitably going to be inside. And if he talks about how he left without me saying goodbye, I don't think I'd ever be able to forgive myself.

My lip started to tremble and my eyes were welling up. I didn't want to cry. I really didn't want to cry. Not right now.

I picked up the letter and took it back to our bedroom, tucking it inside his pillowcase.

I'll read it later tonight.

I took a few deep breaths, trying to regain my composure. I desperately needed a shower; both to relax myself and to freshen my body from the undeniable sweat-tears-carpet floor combination stench.

*~*~*~*

When I got out of the shower and was dressed in my lounging clothes, I heard knocking on my door. Opening it, I found Niall standing in the doorway.

"Hi. Come in," I said, gesturing inside. He nodded his head slightly and walked in. "Do you want any tea or coffee or anything?" He shook his head.

"Zayn didn't answer the door, so he's either still asleep, which is really unlikely because he has insomnia, or he's at work."

"He has insomnia?" That would explain why he always seems so tired.

"Uh, yeah. He does. But my guess is he's already at the retirement home," Niall shrugged, taking a seat on the dark brown couch.

"Does he work at the retirement home?" I asked, sitting in the single recliner across from him as I tucked my knees under my bottom.

"Yeah, he's been working there for a while. I guess he really likes it. He's pretty secluded from the people our own age," he said.

"Why is that?" my curious mind asked.

"Well..." he scratched the back of his neck.

"Oh, I apologize. It's not my place to ask," I said.

"It's not that. It's just... It isn't my place to say."

"I understand."

We sat in silence for a few moments.

"So how do you know each other?" he asked.

"We just met a few days ago, in the elevator," I said, taking a sip of my tea.

"Oh, okay. Yeah, I met him a few years back. He was spray painting a wall of a pizza parlor, and I started yelling at him, because you know, it's vandalism. Anyways, he just shrugged and went back to it, and I just watched. It was amazing what he could do with a can of paint," Niall shook his head in disbelief. "Well, I better get going now. Thanks for inviting me inside," he smiled.

"No problem. Hey, if you find out anything else, do let me know," I told him seriously.

"I will. See you," he said, letting himself out.

*~*~*~*

I spent the rest of the day wondering how I could've ended up sleeping in the hallway. Didn't anyone see me? I needed to relax. It was probably just because of the weird anxiety I've been feeling with Harry.

Harry. His letter.

Notes