Sara Weaver
  Sandy Coves Inn, Salem, Massachusetts, night to morning



 As Celeste collapsed onto Sara her face immediately turned beat red. She was obviously surprised, but her embarrassment stemmed from the fact that she enjoyed Celeste's awkward pawing. Although with Celeste quickly falling asleep in her bed Sara wasn't sure how to proceed. She wanted to act on her feelings, at least touch Celeste for a brief moment, but she was too afraid.

 Sara thought it best to take a few moments to gather herself so she got up from her bed and made her way into the bathroom. Once inside the cool tile room Sara closed the toilet seat and sat down, head clasped in her hands as she trembled ever so slightly from her anxiety. Her head was racing with so many possibilities, ways she could proceed and their inevitable outcomes. She doubted herself, her chances of success with Celeste. Sara was generally a very confident woman, sure of herself in nearly every aspect of her life. Except now her confidence had withered away, and she quickly started to doubt herself. “I'm not attractive enough. She likes someone else. I'm not the right person for her….” All of these thoughts played havoc on Sara's confidence.

 She really liked Celeste, she made her feel emotions that she'd either never felt before, or hadn't felt for a very long time. As much as Sara doubted herself she wanted to try, but she still feared the rejection. She didn't open herself up to anyone, and the fear of getting hurt was part of the reason why. Still no closer to an answer Sara got up from her seat and headed back into the main room. Celeste must have fallen asleep by now, but the site of her laying in Sara's bed brought a warm, relaxing sensation throughout her body. Sara didn't want to do anything else but crawl in alongside Celeste and fall asleep with her warmth so close to her.

 Deciding what she was going to do next Sara headed over to her dresser, opening a drawer and fetching a pair of men's boxers. She peeked over her shoulder to make sure Celeste was definitely asleep, and then shut the door into her room. Keeping her eyes trained on Celeste in case she woke up, Sara unbuttoned her pants and dropped them down around her ankles, before kicking them off. Sara noticed that the excitement of this whole thing was getting to her again and with Celeste so close she felt even more embarrassed now than she did earlier. 

 Regardless with her parents removed she slid on the boxers and unbuttoned her flannel, hanging it on the doorknob, and that was it, she was ready for bed. Men's boxers and a tank top was all she needed considering she normally got too hot if she slept in anything else, although she was afraid of there being an accident considering how she never wore a bra, and her top might shift during the night, plus her boxers were worn out and had a tendency to slip. 

 Sara tried to work those thoughts out of her head and started to clean up the mess from a few minutes ago. Placing the plate of chicken and Celeste's jar of moonshine on top of the dresser. In the process Sara cracked the lid and finished it off with a large swig, elated by the fact that Celeste drank from it just a few minutes ago. It was that feeling and the potency of the alcohol that caused her whole body to tingle. It was a familiar sensation but Sara hadn't drank a sip since she found out she was pregnant with Eli. Which felt like forever ago, back then Sara could drink anyone under the table but now she wasn't sure so sure of herself so she left her jar alone, placing it on the dresser as well. 

 Satisfied with the cleanliness of the room Sara nervously crawled into her bed, her heart started racing as she felt Celeste's warmth radiating off of her. With the sheets pulled over them Sara tried to settle in but she was far too anxious to get comfortable. For years now she would cuddle a pillow to help herself fall asleep, accrediting it to the sensation of loneliness she felt every time she was alone, and especially when she was in bed. Sara was ashamed to do it now though. She thought it was childish in the presence of Celeste. After all she cuddled a pillow like a child cuddled a stuffed animal, but Sara was too afraid to cuddle with Celeste. She thought about doing it and blaming the alcohol but she didn't want the sentiment to be lost. As scared as she was of losing Celeste she still wanted her to know how she felt. 

 Unable to work up the courage Sara clasped her pillow and pulled it close to her chest. She buried her face into it as tears started to run down her face and pool onto the pillow. Sara cried herself to sleep with the thoughts of Celeste still racing through her head, and the guilt of not having the courage to do anything about them.