I couldn't.

I seriously couldn't last here in this room any longer. I've had nightmares, coldness, sweat and everything like that disturb my sleep for the past few hours. At first, it was just the intense cold - and a while later, I started to have a continuous string of the worst nightmares ever. Random men trying to kill me, some of them trying to kidnap me in a van, and some of the dreams being completely stupid - like seeing a spider in my drink and throwing it only for it to hit my head and die like that. The dreams made me sweat in fear while the cold made me shake and tremble all over. It was such a bad night here.

I mean, not that I've never had a sleepover here before. But when I do, I usually sleep in Karly's and Klaus' room, hugging Karly on her bunk and warmed under their nice blanket. By midnight, I and Klaus sneak out together to have some night snacks while Karly's still deep in sleep. That room is pretty nice, warm and comfortable. But I've never stayed in this room before, and now that I did, I realised that it's not so comfortable either. How do the twins' parents even sleep here in this refrigerator-like room? I can't imagine having to stay here for about three or four hours more.

I curled and uncurled my toes in an attempt to get rid of the cold, while tightly clenching my fists to get rid of the extreme weather. I rubbed my palms before placing them on both my cheeks.

They felt like stone.

Drops of sweat irritated my face and neck. I literally felt like being drowned in water. My eyes were shut tightly from the time I started having nightmares because I almost felt paralyzed and didn't have the guts to open them and see my surroundings. Right now, however, I slowly took the courage to open them with great effort and turn to my side. And I saw the most unexpected sight ever.

Jasper was seated right beside me on a chair, his head placed between his arms on my bed's side, sleeping peacefully.

I blinked, making sure that it wasn't just some random dream I was having again. Indeed, it wasn't. Slowly, careful not to wake him up, I sat up with both my hands and stared at him curiously. Had he come to my side when he saw me having nightmares? I guess I stirred a lot in my sleep again, like last time. And I was sweating a lot too. Being a light sleeper, he might've seen me stirring uncomfortably. Already knowing about my problem, Jasper knows that I can easily catch a fever or flu too, especially in such a harsh climate. For some reason I'm not sure of, I smiled to myself as I watched his smooth hair sway slightly to the cold wind from outside and thought about his will to protect me from anything, even the littlest things like nightmares. Again, I asked myself the same question as always - Why does he care about me so much?

I can understand him being careful about me because he's supposed to do that and because his boss, my father, is a person he respects a lot and wants to keep me safe in anyway possible just for dad. But taking care of my personal needs and problems doesn't add to any of this, especially when I disliked him and treated him rudely a lot of times, even mistaking his jokes for being serious and calling him names for those. I've never asked about his problems or cared about asking him anything about his life since an ambivert like me finds it pretty hard to cross such boundaries, then why does he? Taking care of one's emotional problems, according to me, isn't what's supposed to be a bodyguard's job.

I got out of bed with these thoughts still wandering at some part of my mind, again very careful not to make a sound, and started to creep up to the door - when I suddenly felt someone grab my hand. I jumped in surprise and turned around to see Jasper leaning his head on his hand and stare at me suspiciously while his other hand caught hold of mine. Even though he looked sleepy, his grip on my hand was tight and firm, almost as if he was waiting for me to creep outside, though I was sure that he wasn't. "Where are you off to?" he asked.

"I-I need some water," I lied. I really didn't have a reason - i just got sleepless and needed time to get rid of the effect of the nightmares, maybe walk around a bit. I pointed to my face, "As you can see, I'm boiling to death and freezing like ice at the same time."

"Oh, okay," he said, letting go of my hand, "I thought you were about to sneak out."

I narrowed my eyes at that. Really? Sneak out? Why would I sneak out when he literally agrees to whatever I ask for? He would mostly let me go outside at night too, if he accompanies me, that is. Besides, I'd already lost half of my sleep with nightmares - I need at least two hours more. I got up, but upon reaching the door, I turned to Jasper with an amused look as I remembered something, "Why were you sitting beside me, anyways? Is the couch too uncomfortable?"

Ha, now you get speechless!

However, he didn't seem to have any hesitance or awkwardness while answering, like I did, "You had called me."

Wait, me? I usually don't talk or make noises while having nightmares - then how could this happen?

"Really? I did?"

"Yeah, but you were asleep. So I figured that you were having a nightmare and decided to watch you for sometime, but I fell asleep in between. I had to make sure that you wouldn't fall off the bed or something while moving a lot."

Right, so I'm the one who called out to him and disturbed him too. Great work, June! I don't even remember anything I dreamed anymore either. If the dream had me calling for him, that means it was certainly something bad - like someone kidnapping me or trying to murder me - and I needed his help. Why on earth do I keep seeing such dreams? It's like I'm fated to keep having nightmares till I die. To add to that, I've now began to irritate my bodyguard about it too. But when I had bodyguards before, I never used to see even a glimpse of them in any of my nightmares. Maybe because they didn't stay with me as long as Jasper did.

I went to the door, still watching Jasper out of the corner of my eyes as I opened the door and rushed out to drink some water, suddenly thirsty. My throat had literally dried up by now, my face was drenched in sweat, but my feet and hands were still cold and shaky. It was a bit warmer and better out of the room. I approached the dinner table and took the large jug filled with warm water -

"Need a snack?" Someone's voice, unrecognizable in my dreamy state of mind.

I turned around immediately and was met with Klaus' grinning face and some cream stuck on the tip of his nose, making him look like a clown. Of course, I should've expected him here - I and him were the 'midnight-snack-buddies' whenever we had sleepovers before. Unfortunately, because of Jasper being with me, we couldn't sneak out together this time. Of course, he won't object to any of that, but I already lost half my sleep cycle and I couldn't risk it anymore since we had school tomorrow. Besides, I thought that Klaus would be too tired to come out for the midnight snack. "Santa-Klaus, why are you out here?" I asked stupidly, to which Klaus rolled his eyes and pointed to the piece of cake in his hand. It was his own birthday cake, of course.

"Got hungry," he licked his lips "But this cake is heavenly, July. Want some?"

Just as he asked that, hunger suddenly washed over me; the cake looked too inviting and delicious to be true and I nodded gladly. Why not? Midnight snacks are always undeniable. Klaus chuckled at my eagerness, took another piece of cake from the plate and handed it to me. I gulped it down in a minute while Klaus took his time, enjoying every bit of the small part. Different styles of eating, I guess.

"This is just too tasty, man, damnit! Why didn't I ever notice it before?" Klaus sighed dramatically, closing the plate. A large part of the cake was still left in there, untouched, though Klaus had all the time to have it too.

"I wasn't hungry until you asked me. Guess it tastes better at night," I giggled.

"Well, everything tastes heavenly at midnight," Klaus shrugged, turning back to me with a more serious face, "Why did you wake up if you weren't hungry?"

I went silent. I didn't have an exact answer to that. Was I thirsty at first? No. Was I hungry before? Nope. Then, did you lose your sleep? A definite yes.

"I just...couldn't sleep much."

"Why? Is it any problem with that room?"

"No, nothing like that," I lied, not wanting him to feel bad about giving me that room, "Just nightmares and stuff."

"Oh, damn, so that's why you're sweating a lot, huh?" he asked, pointing to my face, "No wonder. I wondered why on earth you were sweating in such a chilly weather."

I chuckled, "I know, I'm weird. But maybe some water and midnight snack is exactly what I needed. I'll go now, and hope to not have nightmares again."

"Sure, you won't, you're actually more prone to nightmares when you're extremely hungry. That was probably why. Night, June, I need some sleep too," He waved a goodbye and went back to his room. I sighed, washed my face in the restroom and wiped it with a clean towel, feeling satisfied and refreshed afterwards, then went back to my room. Just as expected, Jasper was still leaning boredly on my bed, having lost his sleep because of me. Upon seeing me, he sat up straight and moved a bit so that I can get back on the bed.

"You're still going to sit here?" I asked, wondering why on earth he would want to sit on a chair all night instead of the large couch given to him. Seems like he's okay with any type of environment. He shrugged, "Yeah, I guess."

I nodded slowly and got back on the bed, facing sideways at Jasper who stared back at me for sometime before taking out his phone. Well, that's fortunate - I obviously didn't want him watching me all night. God knows how ugly I look while sleeping, unlike him, who looks just as fine - or even more - while asleep. I mean, how does he even do that? Even the most prettiest girl and the hottest guy in my class look ugly while sleeping, mostly because they end up snoring or drooling or leaving their mouth half open. But not Jasper - whatever pose he takes, however funny faces he makes, and whichever situation he's in, he still looks as good-looking as ever in all of them. Not that I care, though, it's just that his looks are quite noticeable. Modelling would be more fit for him than a bodyguard's job.

"Don't you have class tomorrow? Or is it a holiday?" he asked, noticing that I'm still awake. I shook my head, "I have class tomorrow. It's from Tuesday when the holidays start."

"Then why are you still awake? I bet you didn't have even an hour of sleep till now."

I rolled my eyes "That's fine, Jasper, I think I lost my sleep. There are a lot of kids who sleep at about four or five in the morning and still come to school all fine."

"I know, June, there are people who do," he said, leaning forward a bit, "But you aren't like that. You're already pretty prone to sickness because of how you used to skip food and sleep very late. Until you get completely better, you should try to maintain a balanced routine."

Oh, right, I forgot that. But comparatively, I've got a lot better than before - even though I had nightmares today and sweated a lot, I could stay up till midnight without a tint of tiredness and be actively involved in work and play all day long. On usual days, I would be dead tired by about six or seven in the evening and go to sleep by nine, but still stir in bed uncomfortably instead of being able to sleep properly. That's how bad it was. This change occurred only after Jasper came, and found out this problem.

"That's true... I guess," I murmured, "Good night again, then. When are you going to sleep, though?"

He smiled before turning off the dim light and leaning back on the chair again, "Until I make sure you're asleep."

Oh, crap. So he's going to watch me for a while. I just hope I'll not look like a monkey while asleep.

⨅⨆⨅⨆⨅⨆⨅⨆⨅⨆⨅⨆⨅⨆⨅⨆

"Wake up, wake up, wake up!"

A voice rang throughout my head as someone shook my arms harshly. Groaning, I sat up straight to meet a familiar pair of dark brown eyes in front of me. "Hey June, rise and shineeee!" Karly sang, pulling my arms while I kept groaning and pulling back tiredly.

"Shut up," I sighed, "Is it already seven?"

"Of course! In fact, we gave you fifteen minutes after seven because when we came to call you then, Jasper told us to give you fifteen minute more since you'd a tough sleep yesterday. Klaus too agreed."

How can Klaus not agree? He did see me sneak out yesterday and I told him that I didn't get a tint of sleep.

I glanced at her immediately, "Where's Jasper though?"

"He left right then."

"Are you alright now, June?" Klaus came in and jumped on the bed, pinching my cheeks and then ruffling my already messed up hair. I groaned but smiled underneath at his silliness and nodded, "I'm alright, Klaus, it was just a bit of sleeplessness."

"Anyways, anyways!" Karly said, rubbing her hands excitedly, "You got plans for the holidays, June?"

"Not much. Do you?"

"Yes!" she squealed, "Dad and mom may go out again soon and Klaus and I are planning on a lot of outings! You'll definitely be there, right? Dorian has agreed to, too. We'll totally love it!"

I feel so bad for Klaus - he'll definitely be the one third wheeling there. Had I been there, he could've had at least a partner for third wheeling with. But unfortunately...

"Sadly, no, Karly," I sighed, "Jasper and I have to go somewhere on Tuesday. It's part of the job, and he can't leave me alone at home."

I felt really bad about not being able to go with my friends. Karly looked so excited to spend time with me, Klaus and her favourite little Doritos. But maybe Dorian can just fill my spot for the time being and make them feel happier there. The idea was very exciting for me too, lots of plans with my best friends and our newest best friend. But maybe I'd have to wait a bit more for that.

Karly pouted at that, "So you won't be there. When will you be back? Not having you with us would be like a body without a soul."

"Aw, Karly," I said, touched by her words, "I'll be back only a week later."

"Can we go anywhere after that, then?" she asked, hope filling her eyes again. I nodded eagerly this time, to which she cheered and hugged me tightly, "Hurray! The fantastic four forever!"

I grinned and Klaus grinned back at me for no reason at all. Karly just kept laughing. She crossed her arms afterwards, "Anyways, get up! We'll be late if you don't get up soon, sleepyhead."

She pulled my arms again and this time, I dragged myself out of bed with much hesitation and finished all my routinely stuff before exiting the room with a refreshed look. Karly and Dorian were there, waiting for me. Dorian wished me a formal 'good morning' and Karly gave me a fresh cup of coffee. But Klaus was nowhere to be seen now. "Where Klaus?" I asked, to which Karly rolled her eyes and replied, "Still dressing up. He takes more time than I do, you know that."

"I know, of course."

Even during parties where the girls are the ones who have to bear all the stupid large gowns and makeup, Klaus takes much more time than us. He's very conscious about his looks and that's something else I like about him. Guys don't have to be ashamed about wanting to care about their looks and do skincare. Klaus is such a guy who never cares about the society's opinion and does whatever he likes. And Karly and I are exactly like him.

"You usually go to school by walking, right?" Dorian asked Karly, just as Klaus appeared from his bedroom. He dramatically saluted at all of us while I just stuck my tongue out at him for delaying us by about ten minutes.

"We do. Why?"

"Can I join you guys?" Dorian asked, to which Klaus and Karly glanced at each other with amused faces and then turned back to him. "Sure, why would you even ask that, dude?" Klaus sighed, "You and your formality, geez."

"Oh, uh, sorry," Dorian chuckled sheepishly. Formality again.

I suddenly thought about my way to school too. Jasper was waiting outside for me in the car, but now that the three others had decided to walk to school together, should I join them? Or should I just choose the easier option and drive to school like usual? I mean, I still was tired - I'm better than before, but walking to school didn't seem like something I needed right now. Besides, we had some sports events at school today and I was participating in some of them - like a basketball match, marathon and shot-put. The former was chosen by me so that I can increase my height, but unfortunately, it's working pretty slowly. I'd better be ready for these events and not tire myself out at first itself.

"I'd have joined too, but I'm not in the mood to walk," I giggled.

"Wait, your bodyguard is waiting outside, isn't he?" Karly asked, "Why on earth would you walk when you've someone waiting outside for you with a damn car, hon?"

"Exactly. I agree with my sis for once."

Dorian, however, stood pretty silent. Either he was too shy to tell his opinion out loud or he just wasn't interested in telling anything right now. His face held a bit of disappointment though. Maybe he wanted me to walk with them, since the last day had been so fun with all of us together.

"Alright," I said and was about to start leaving when I suddenly remembered something. Dorian's gift!

Yesterday, I'd given my gifts to the both of them and Klaus had opened it immediately, Karly opted to wait to open it later on - and she did, yesterday at night - while Dorian promised to hand over his gifts by the end of the party. And this was the end! I've to remind him before all of us forget it completely. As the twins returned to bickering and taking their things for school, I crept towards Dorian and whispered to him about the gift. He clapped his forehead in realisation, "Damn! Almost the end of the party and I still forgot it. Thanks for reminding me, June."

"It's fine. But hurry! You've got to hand it to them before you leave."

"Okay, okay -"

I gave him a gentle push and he quickly hurried towards the room he'd slept in yesterday. When he returned, he had a blue coloured gift in his hand while the other hand was wrapped behind his back. The twins frowned at my grin and Dorian just standing there confusedly. They didn't notice the gift in his hand and asked in unison, "What?"

Suddenly pumping the gift up in the air, he squealed and jumped, "Happy birthday - again!"

His other hand was still wrapped around his back, bringing up a sense of suspense in me. Huh? Why would he hide the second gift? Did he not have another gift, or was it more 'surprising' than one was?

At first, the two of them stood still, not able to process what the heck had happened in that one second. Then, the twins too joined our cheers while Dorian approached the three of us and handed the gift in his hand to Klaus with the most widest smile ever, "Birthday to you, Santa-Klaus!"

Klaus laughed at that and quickly opened his gift, like always. He stopped for a moment, then cheered at his gift, "Whoa! I wished for just one watch and got two, ha!"

It was a watch. Again.

Well, not our fault that we bought the same gift for him - Klaus expressed his wish of wanting a new watch just days ago, which is why the idea of a watch as birthday gift was instilled in us when we went to buy the gifts. Fortunately, Dorian's gift was a little different from mine - it was a black Titan dial watch. At least it's not a digital watch like mine had been. Klaus can wear different ones each day. I wonder what he bought for Karly though - I bought the dress for her by my own choice and not because she said anything about it beforehand. Dorian might definitely have bought something different for her. The look of curiosity and excitement at Dorian's gift for her was very evident on her face, but unfortunately, Dorian didn't notice it and only the other two of us did.

Dorian then turned to Karly with a sort of unhappy face and sighed, "Hey, Karly, I'm sorry."

Her face immediately drooped, but she hid it effortlessly with a smile, knowing that Dorian might not exactly know her choices like I do and that he might have feared if she might not like what he buys for her. She was about to respond, but Dorian continued, "I didn't know what you liked and I couldn't get you something as good as June did. I know you might not like this, but here you go. Next year, I'll get you something you love."

Oh, so he did have something. Well, who cares if it's like mine or not? I chose the dress for her by my own choice and not on the complete guarantee that she might like it. I bet that she will like his gift - whatever it is - better than mine, because when someone you like a lot gives you a gift, it'll be better than anyone else's. Not that she doesn't like me as much as she does to Dorian, but it was evident from the past few days that she had a different liking to that guy. He was the first guy to treat her right and be nice to her besides her brother. Trent and everyone else she had met in life before had only broken her without even her realizing it. And without realising it much, she was falling for Dorian too. Being her friend of years, I could identify her easily, just like they identified whenever I was unhappy.

But not as much as Jasper does, of course. He discovered my secrets in the first few days itself. He should become a psychologist, honestly.

"Dorian, you don't have to worry about that. What matters is that you had the time and thought to buy them something, though you had joined us only a few days ago," I smiled at him and pushed him gently by his shoulders, "Go on, give her your gift."

He sighed a little and smiled slightly before handing over another flower-printed packet to them, "Before I reveal that - this is for the two of you."

He then opened it for them and showed them what was inside it. Six cupcakes, each of different flavours and different kinds of sprinkles on top of it. Though Karly still stood silently, Klaus cheered again and took one of the vanilla cupcakes. I and Dorian were about to groan at his thirst of gifts and food - before he suddenly held the cupcake out in front of his sister. She frowned, then shrugged and bit into it before sighing heavily, "Tastes like heaven, it's great. Thanks, Dorian."

She took it from Klaus and then offered the rest to all of us, which we decided to save for later, except Klaus of course. He took the only rainbow-sprinkled cupcake from between and had it, since it was the 'special' one out of all. I turned to Dorian again, and realizing what my glance meant, he sighed heavily before taking out something from behind him.

All of us stared at him in curiosity and excitement, especially Karly, whose face was filled with a mix of both suspense and disappointment altogether. I guess the disappointment was because of how she thought he wouldn't have brought anything for her. I'm glad he did, even though he didn't know what.

Come on Dorian, where's your gift for Karly? I thought eagerly, somehow being more excited than even Karly was. Klaus held the same look on his face.

As we watched impatiently, Dorian took out a bouquet full of colorful flowers and handed it to her dramatically, bowing while doing so. Karly let out an audible gasp at this gesture as her hands slowly took the flowers from his.

On the other hand, my mind took a minute to process what just happened. Was this a dream, or real? Fortunately, it's real, and that makes this even better. My best friend's overjoyed face was all I needed to make my day. It was adorable - Dorian handing the flowers to Karly like that in an 'asking-out' way while the latter had the happiest look on her face. I felt like watching a cute, romantic movie in front of my eyes.

He may not have bought the best gift for her or known what her choices are, but unbeknownst to him, he just gave her the best birthday gift ever. I bet this gift is much more valuable to her than mine was. She'll definitely have this as a memory forever. I just know it. It's almost like, I can feel what she thinks. A sort of 'best friend' telepathy.

"Oh wow!" she squealed happily, smelling the flowers and then keeping them close to her chest, "This is just..."

"I know, it isn't what you wanted. I'm sorry," Dorian bent his head sheepishly, "I apologise again, Karly, I -"

His words were drowned to nothing as Karly suddenly pulled him into a hug. The flowers were still in her tight grip while tears of joy welled up in her bright, chocolate eyes.

That was unexpected!

I nearly wanted to scream and jump around in happiness, though it was obviously Karly who looked much more happier than I would ever be. Klaus was holding in his emotions just for the sake of not revealing the fact that we shipped them both, but I could see him slightly grin at the sight. I suddenly felt really happy for my best friend.

All this time with Trent, she never experienced genuine care, help or support that a partner gives. He was just a boss to her, bossing her around and keeping her from having guy friends and leaving her right when she needed him by her side. He never even cared to wish her on her birthday. In fact, he fought with her even on her birthday, made her feel like shit and was the exact opposite of a good boyfriend. The worst choice Karly has made in life is accidentally agreeing to Trent's proposal, even though she was actually hesitant then and grew closer to him only after he pretended to be really nice and genuine, then changed back to his real self again.

But right now, she finally found something that she deserved but didn't have until the day she met Dorian. I don't know about Dorian, but Karly definitely liked him a lot and that started from just a tint of sympathy. Maybe I sound like I'm jumping to conclusions and they're just friends, but believe me when I say that no one knows Karly better than I and her brother do. After having seen her for five whole years, I know how she's like when she likes someone very much - especially in the 'romantic' way. It takes a lot of time for someone like Karly to trust and care about a person, but she already likes Dorian so much. She has been deceived by a lot of friends so she doesn't trust easily, just like me.

I and Klaus ship them, and they'll one day be a great, perfect couple - that is a universal truth, whether they like it or not.

"Thank you, thank you so much!" she cried, her hands tightly wrapped around his back while he still stood surprised.

Finally, after moments of waiting - by me and Klaus, of course - he wrapped an arm around her too, smiling at her and shaking his head, "I never thought you'd like it."

"I love it!" Karly exclaimed, both of them pulling away and glancing at each other. Dorian's face showcased a mixed look of surprise and happiness while Karly's eyes were still teary and sparkling, her face having a tint of red blush and her lips held in the widest smile ever. I glanced at Klaus, who was equally as delighted as I was. These two are definitely a great match.

Honestly, I kind of wished that someone gave me flowers on my birthday too. You know I don't like to date, and yes, that's true, but I did wish to have such sort of cute memories in my life - at least with someone completely random. Maybe I'm a bit jealous of how they match so well, but that was because I felt so happy for both of them.