text: Stella tossed and turned in bed, resisting a glance at the clock, knowing it would only wake her up further. Her hair was still partially damp from the shower, soaking through the memory foam of her pillow. She listened to the pitter patter of the rain, trying to pick out a rhythm that could lull her into a daze, but there were none to be found. Finally, the eighth or eleventh flail of an arm jolted her into a full state of consciousness, and she acquiesced to a quick glance at her phone. She caught a sliver of her reflection in the matte black screen. Her freckled face, round jaw, and tousled blonde hair were blurred into a smooth beige circle by her screen protector as she clicked the side button. 2:07am. She flipped through her home screen, considering her options. She still had half an hour left in her Netflix movie, but she could guess how it was going to end. Her best friend had taken a virtual semester, so was in a time zone three hours ahead. She was probably still awake. But, she had bigger problems than the election. She was waiting on her brother’s liver biopsy results. Stella didn’t want to bother her. She’s been kind of frustrated with Levi recently. She’d initiated 90% of their conversations the last few weeks, and when he did write her, it was usually to ask to borrow a phone charger or something equally banal and dispassionate. But, she needed to see him. She could feel the physical and psychological emptiness of this night beginning to envelope her, and he was the only person within walking distance who knew how to find her in that darkness. She took a hard swallow on the bitterness of her pride and texted him, “Awake?” Levi had lost track of time playing video games. He’d taken a “quick study break” almost two hours earlier. Stella’s text shocked him back to reality. She didn’t realize it, but “Awake?” Was her code word for, “I’m upset and I need you.” Sometimes she’d unwittingly send it at three in the afternoon. Levi was already up and moving in her direction before he’d replied, let alone before she’d suggested he come over. He didn’t have time to change or shave but he had recently developed the foresight to keep a bottle of mouthwash under his sink for just such “rushing out the door to his girlfriend’s house,” type occasions. Though he’d placed it there with much more fun scenarios in mind, it was useful for these moments as well. He couldn’t help but count the lawn signs on his walk-jog over. “Biden, Biden, Trump, Biden, ‘Any functional adult’, Trump, Trump, Biden...” He wasn’t sure when he’d picked up this habit but it had become almost compulsory now. He hated to see Stella upset, but he was almost glad for any distraction from politics at this point. He just couldn’t wait for tomorrow to be over. He let himself in with his spare key. He knew Stella didn’t like him knocking or ringing the bell past a certain hour, so he didn’t wake the neighbors. He cautiously clicked the door shut and looked around the living room. Dark, empty. He tip toed into the kitchen, half hopeful Stella was fixing him a snack. Nope, dark, empty. He texted her, worried if he proceeded further, he might intrude on her in some private moment. “In bed.” She replied. “Just come.” She added on. Maybe he was smart to grab that mouthwash after all. But, as he slid into her bedroom, he saw she was not in bed waiting for him to join her for a playful evening. She lay staring into space, tears flowing down her cheeks, scrolling through early poll results. She turned to gaze at him with a deep longing and all encompassing sense of dread. He shuddered at how familiar it was. Like looking in a mirror. He didn’t have to say anything. He understood. Unable to muster faux reassurances or forced optimism, he didn’t try to tell her things would be alright or not to worry. He just silently walked over and guided her phone back onto the end table. He turned the sound off and flipped it over, so she wouldn’t see any more notifications. As he did, the room went pitch black again, in contrast with the bright screen. He ran his hand down her arm until he locked fingers with hers. Their eyes met for a second before he shuffled around to the other side of the bed, sweeping his wavy elbow length hair behind his ears, and laying down beside her. He wasn’t sure what to tell her. He didn’t know what would happen and he had never known what she wanted to her. All he knew was the truth. He snuggled in close to Stella and wrapped an arm around her to feel her heartbeat against his. “Whatever happens tomorrow, I’ll have you, and you’ll have me, and that’s all I need to know right now.” He whispered. She got choked up as she laid her hand over his, resting on her torso. “But, but the world is falling apart.” He propped himself up on his elbow and, with a deep tone of concern inquired, “You’re falling apart?” “What do you mean?” She replied. “You said the world was falling apart. You’re my world, so, you said you’re falling apart?” She giggled. “You know what I mean. What happens if tomorrow is just history repeating itself. What about tomorrow?” Levi paused and ran his palms over her ribs. “Well, I can’t know about tomorrow. All I know is I’ll have you and you’ll have me and right now, that’s all I need.” ”Us is all we need. We’re enough.” He whispered again, drifting into a light sleep, nestling his face into her shoulder. “You’re more than I ever thought I’d have.” He mumbled as he fought to stay awake with her. But, he could surrender peacefully. The vortex of his touch kept the worry, the hurt, and the future away from Stella for the night. All she had was him. And all he had was her. And they were all they needed. That night and the next, every night, always.