"Yeah,” he said. He took one more drink and returned it to the table by the couch. His eyes were focused on the TV. If he wanted to avoid my questioning stares that was fine by me. I’d still get my answers.

I stared at the TV too and tried to remain casual, "Because you're just so tired when you come home or...?"

"Because Jen and I haven't slept in the same bed in over a month."

I was stunned. Firstly, because it was so easy to get that information out of him and secondly, because he had been sleeping on a couch for a whole month and hadn’t told me. I tried not to let my disbelief show. I busied myself by tucking the blanket around me.

"But I mean...It’s a big house, why not sleep in one of the other bedrooms?"

His scent slowly surrounded my senses, and I tried to resist inhaling deeply. I kept reminding myself it was because his scent was associated with so many memories, it had nothing to do with those old feelings I used to have for him.

"Because it doesn't feel right sleeping in a bed alone is all. I'd much rather crash the couch."

"It’s good to know you can sleep just about anywhere...except a—“

A gangly hand popped out unexpectedly, and I screamed, covering my face with the blanket. I heard him laugh at me and uncovered my face enough to glare at him.

”You scaredy cat." He casually put his arm around my shoulder and I felt my body tense. “Are you always gonna get scared at the wittle scawry movies?" He teased me as he turned his attention back to the TV.

"Um, yes...I have good survival instincts, that's all. I'll be right back."

I got up off the couch and went to the bathroom. I took the next few minutes to splash some water on my face and try to figure out why I was feeling so weird. It was Kent, he was just being Kent. He was being casual and friendly. There was nothing behind it, never would be.

I looked at myself in the mirror, pointed at my nose and whispered, “Stop being ridiculous! Stop conjuring up fiction in your silly head, Elly. Be. A. Good. Friend.”

I exhaled quickly, smoothed out my dress and then left the bathroom. I was only gone for a few minutes before coming back. I pulled the blanket around myself again and stared at the TV as the zombie with the gnarly hand chased a half-naked, big-boobed girl down the street.

The movie was half over and I whispered, pulling the blanket up to my nose, “They’re all gonna die…”

"You know how these movies generally work. Most of the time yes, they do." Kent covered a yawn with his fist.