Knock knock knock knock knock.

Jennifer slightly opened her eyes, too drowsy to be able to tell the difference between reality and her dream. So she closed her eyes again, the darkness canceling out all the noise coming from outside. It got quiet once more.

A few minutes later - or maybe it was hours - there was more knocking. This time, it sounded more... eager. And sharp. Jennifer jolted up on her feet. She rushed out of her room and bumped into his brother in the dark hallway.

- Ow... Dem what's going on?

- Someone's knocking on the door but it's like 2:00 A.M!

- Okay you stay here. I'll go check it out.

"Wait!" Jennifer was on her way but Demetrius pulled her arm. "Shouldn't we tell mum? She's older than both of us and it might be safer for her to answer the door." Jennifer freed her arm from her brother's grip. "No, let her sleep. She's had a long day."

Downstairs the living room was dimly lit by a small floor lamp. "So you won't bump around in the dark if you need a drink or something", her mum would say.

She stepped up to the door, still sleepy. She pushed the handle down and opened the door. Alejandro was standing on the other side, hugging himself anxiously. His expression was screaming NERVOUS! But there was a hint of relief in his eyes when he saw Jennifer

"What are you doing here?" She whispered with a confronting tone. "It's two a.m!"

"I-I need help Ophelia!" For a moment, Jennifer didn't know what to say or do. She just stood there, looking at his tall figure. He sounded so desperate; she'd never heard him like that. Never thought she would. The feeling only lasted a second, but felt like longer .

"Who's at the door?" Demetrius's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. He was bending over the handrail of the staircase, trying to get a sneak peek. Quickly and instinctively, Jennifer closed the door enough to hide Alejandro behind it. "Uh... just a friend. Now go back to your room!" Demetrius paused for a moment, unsure, but then did as he was told.

Jennifer opened the door again. Alejandro was standing there silently. She looked at him with concern, then asked "You okay?" He slowly shook his head.

- Okay, stay right here, I'll be back.

She went back to her room and on the way picked up the car keys. Her brother followed her into her room. "Where are you going?"

"My friend needs help." She answered as she shoved her phone into the pocket of her jacket. "I should be back in at least an hour. If I'm late, I'll send you a message. If mum wakes up and asks where I am, try to get her back to sleep but if she really wants an answer, tell her my friend was sick and I had to visit. If she asks more, just tell her you don't know. Okay?" Demetrius seemed confused, but slowly nodded.

- Thanks! You're the best!

She went back down and led Alejandro into her - her family's - car. When he asked where they were going, she answered with "the walls have ears."

Neither of them said anything for a few minutes in the car, until Jennifer stopped near a park and faced Alejandro. "So, what's going on?"

"Okay so" Alejandro took a deep breath. "I was, I was feeling really sick and I couldn't sleep even though I really wanted to. It was like torture, I was going crazy! I didn't know what to do or where to go and... you were the only person I could think of." The whole time his gaze was at the plastic covers at the bottom of the car and he was holding onto himself like he was insecure. His voice went soft when he talked about Jennifer.

- Couldn't Camila help?

- No, she's out of town.

- Do you know anyone else who might be able to ...?

He shook his head again. "You're the only one." Jennifer didn't say anything but deep down she was worried. "The only one?"

"I'm sorry that I woke you up," he finally looked at Jennifer. "I didn't mean to disturb, I'm sorry!"

"Oh, no it's fine!" The last thing Alejandro had to do was apologize. "You did the right thing! My brother and mum can go back to sleep easily so..." she shrugged with a careless smile, but her eyes widened when she noticed what she just said. "I'm so sorry! I totally forgot you're here 'cause you can't sleep! I mean not that I forgot but like... i-it just slipped my mind you know? I'm sorry!"

For the first time in the past thirty minutes Alejandro smiled. "It's okay." Relief flooded back in Jennifer's mind when she saw him smile. She was so used to seeing him smile so often that it felt wrong to see him not do so for as long as thirty minutes. It sounded silly when she thought about it, but she couldn't help it.

For a moment, smiling made them feel like everything was right. But after the effect was gone, they were reminded that it wasn't.

- Look, I don't know any medicines that could help... or at least not yet. But maybe I can drive around the city until you feel better?

So that's what they did. It had been a long time since Jennifer was last driven around the city so late at night but she remembered how peaceful it felt. No cars honking at each other, no traffic, no people, nothing. Just you and your thoughts. This time, she was the driver and that made it feel even more special.

Jennifer was so caught up in the peace and quiet that she forgot about Alejandro. After around twenty minutes when she stopped at a red light, she turned her head to check on him. Once she did, her lips curled into a smile .

Alejandro was fast asleep, his head leaning against the window. He looked peaceful, unlike how he was earlier. She let out a content sigh and continued driving.

Alejandro slowly woke up as the car came to a stop in front of his house. He yawned and rubbed his eyes

"Feeling better?" Jennifer asked with a big smile. "Oh... oh, yeah actually I feel much better! Thank you!" He chuckled, happy to be okay again. "Sorry again for waking you and your family up."

"It's okay! Feel free to reach out again whenever you need me! But this time..." she pulled a piece of paper and pen out of the center console, wrote something down and gave it to Alejandro. "... it's easier if you give me a call or just send a message, yeah? You have a phone, right?"

"A phone?" He took the piece of paper with confusion. "A phone! Oh yes, of course I do! I mean who doesn't? It's 2019!" He laughed. "Sorry, I'm half awake right now. I should probably go to bed."

- Yep, definitely.

He opened the door and stepped out to leave, but was pulled back into his seat. "Oh, forgot the seat belt..." They both started laughing and he unbuckled the belt.

- Okay, bye now!

- Bye! And stay in touch okay?

- I will.

He smiled one last time and shut the door.