The night comes to a close

The night winds down in the hotel room. She's curled up on her bed with her arm in the sling, looking tired from the pain meds. Mrs. Morgan sits in the desk chair, legs crossed, that modest dress still hiding what I know is underneath. The air feels thick with everything that's happened and everything that hasn't been said.

Sarah sighs. "I can't believe we're leaving so early. The shuttle picks us up at six."

"You'll be back for spring break," I tell her, sitting on the edge of the bed. My hand rests on her knee. "It'll go fast."

Mrs. Morgan hasn't looked at me directly since the hospital. She keeps checking her phone, probably texting Mr. Morgan about the flight. But I can see the way her thighs press together when she shifts in the chair. She's still feeling me from earlier.

"I’m going to head to bed," Mrs. Morgan says, standing up. Her wedding ring catches the light again. "Early morning."

Sarah nods. "Goodnight, Mom."

Mrs. Morgan hesitates at the door. For a second our eyes meet and I see that same hunger from earlier. Then she's gone, the door clicking shut behind her.

Sarah pulls me down next to her. "I'm going to miss you so much."

"Me too," I say, and part of me means it. But already my mind is drifting to what's waiting when they're gone. Mia's been texting about getting together again. Lily mentioned wanting to bring a friend. Jenna's been asking when my roommates leave again. And Rachel... Rachel's been sending me pictures of what she's wearing under her church clothes.

Sarah falls asleep with her head on my chest. I stare at the ceiling, thinking about the gym schedule I abandoned during winter break. Thinking about getting back to lifting, back to the routine. Back to the rotation that's been keeping me busy while Sarah thought I was being faithful.

Tomorrow they'll be gone. Back to their lives. And I'll be back to mine—different girls on different days, careful planning, the constant thrill of keeping it all hidden. The school year stretches ahead with possibilities I haven't even explored yet.

Sarah shifts in her sleep, wincing from her collarbone. I stroke her hair and wonder what Mia's wearing right now. What Rachel's doing. Who Lily's been talking to about our last encounter.

The night ends quiet. But I can already feel the pull of everything that's coming next.