The next morning. I find myself wrapped in sheets, hugging a cushion close to my chest. I was never fond of teddy bears, I suppose I was aiming at being different than the other girls but every night, I demanded my bed to be covered with pillows and cushions. I used to build myself a fort of pillows and blankets and spend my nights there. Since then, I've always had extra pillows and cushions on my bed; each morning, I wake up with a new one pressed against my belly, keeping me warm and safe.
I climb out of bed, rub my left eye, and head toward our shared bathroom. Normally, any girl would find it troubling to share a bathroom with a male roommate but I've come to believe that Derek has had more complaints about my cleanliness perks than I've ever had about the entire apartment; including, the surreal ritual of adjusting the radiator once a week—the dial can't cross 75, no matter what the havoc is going on outside. I accepted this quirk as he has accepted many of mine.
