Fun fact:
Ancient Egyptians believed the most significant thing you could do in life was to die.
Maybe because they never found a reason to live.
But I did.
My Sophie.
It was an ordinary, boring morning.
Beans on toast. Black coffee.
I might not even need the coffee anymore — I'm getting some sleep these days.
Maybe that's the Sophie effect.
At work, people talk to me now.
They notice me. Smile at me.
Maybe they finally see me as human.
Life isn't what it used to be.
Everything's changed —
For the better.
All because of her.
The clock finally set me free, though I had to work a little overtime.
I ran to the metro.
Too late.
I missed the train.
I sat on the bench in sorrow.
Not because I missed it — but because I wouldn't see her today.
Then, someone tapped me on the shoulder.
I turned —
And there she was.
Smiling like she always does. Like it's easy. Like I deserve it.
"Idiot," she said calmly. "You missed the train. And I didn't want to travel alone, so I waited here for you."
I smiled like I never had before.
"Why are you so sweet to me?"
We both laughed.
We decided to walk home instead.
Hands glued together. Shoulders brushing with every step.
The stars forgot about the moon that night.
They were too busy looking at her.
The street was dark and empty.
But with her beside me, it felt full.
Filled with laughter. Footsteps.
And the scent of something I'd nearly forgotten —
Love.
The walk passed like a dream.
We talked, lost in each other, and suddenly we were at her doorstep.
As I turned to leave, she held my hand.
Tight. Reluctant.
"Is everything alright?" I asked.
She looked down, shy.
"It's pretty late... why don't you stay the night?"
I smiled and gently patted her head.
"I don't think that would be right."
She whispered,
"Idiot... I just meant it's late. So stay. That's it."
I laughed.
"True. But still…"
In the end, I lost to her persistence.
Of course I did.
She had a spare room, but it was clear no one had used it in a while — dust in the corners, silence on the walls.
So I stayed on the couch.
She went to her room.
We both slept.
Until I heard a scream.
I rushed to her door.
She was awake, sitting up, breathless.
"What happened, Sophie? Are you alright?"
"I had a nightmare," she whispered.
I couldn't help but laugh "That's it?"
"It's not funny," she pouted.
I walked over and gently patted her head.
"Sorry about that."
She whispered "Will you stay… just until I fall asleep?"
I hesitated.
"Why do you want me to stay?" I asked
"Just… please. Stay," she said, cheeks puffed like a stubborn child.
She curled up beside me, her head resting in my lap.
I stroked her hair gently.
She fell asleep like that.
And before I knew it…
So did I.
I am like a nightmare.
Scary.
Unwanted.
Everyone hates them.
But maybe the truth is —
Like nightmares, I'm not even real.
Yet tonight…
She asked me to stay.