Emily stepped back to admire me, her cheeks turning pink. "They're a little small," she admitted, giggling. "But you look really cute!"

I stretched my arms, marveling at the tiny golden stars decorating my pajamas. "They're wonderful! It's like wearing a cloud that's decided to hug me!"

Emily laughed, then yawned so widely I wondered if she was trying to swallow the moon. "I have class tomorrow. We should get some sleep."

"Of course!" I chirped. I hadn't the faintest idea how.

Soon the lights winked out. Emily curled beneath her blanket, her breathing growing soft and steady. I lay beneath my own, staring expectantly at the ceiling.

So. Sleeping.

I closed my eyes.

Nothing.

I turned left. Then right. I buried my face in the pillow, pulled the blanket over my head, and even whispered, "Sleep, please," as politely as I could.

Apparently, sleep had no manners.

Then a dreadful realization dawned on me. Celestial beings didn't need sleep!

Oh, what a nuisance! I'd spent centuries watching humans tumble into dreams, and now the one miracle I wished to experience refused to happen!

Beyond the curtains, the moon watched me with a familiar, knowing glow. "Don't you dare laugh," I whispered.

Emily stirred, murmuring something unintelligible before snuggling deeper into her pillow.

I smiled. Perhaps I couldn't dream tonight. But I was here, beneath a warm blanket, with my very first friend sleeping nearby. That was rather lovely, wasn't it?

Still...

I squeezed my eyes shut again. Honestly, humans made this look so easy!

Author: @sharx_hanai