Purposefully Sleepless Nights

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  I sit rather calmly as I watch a friend livestream some Minecraft. He's playing with a new variation that's due out sometime after New Year's Day. He's fiddling with some design that I'm sure will be added to my own Minecraft world at some point. 

  "Those lanterns look like the ones we use in Ludum." Amethyst comments as she brings me over another cup of tea. The liquid swirls gracefully in its container as it gives off a perfume of tea and raspberries. I inhale two sips before I respond with a sigh and a glance around my desk. My notebook is bookmarked by a pen. Electronics and yarn clutter the rest of my desk where paper or writing utensils aren't claiming space. It is hard for me not to chuckle at the organized mess. Amethyst raises one eyebrow as she takes in  her own mindful drink of tea. The pot of tea sits between us as she clears a space to plot herself on my desk like some mockery of a femme fatale. "So, remind me why you forced yourself to stay up all night?" Amethyst asks. 

  I take a deep breath. "Honestly, I have no idea." I watch the stream as I continue my train of thought. "At first, I was just up from playing games with everyone. Now I don't even know why I'm up. I just know I have to feed the animals in a bit, and I don't want to forget about that."

  "But don't you have other stuff you want to do too?" 

  "Yes, of course. I need to get Christmas presents crocheted, pound cake made, cookies baked, and make sure I take care of myself somewhere in that mess. It is my Christmas Break."

  Amethyst stares at me for a moment. "I have a feeling your priorities are messed up in that list of yours."

  "Yeah, well, it is what it is." I make the excuse even though I know she won't believe me. Amethyst is one of a handful of people who see past my lies and my excuses. At the very least, they understand that it is a lie or an excuse. 

  "Whatever. Just don't forget to take care of yourself. I don't want to see you dragging yourself through Christmas." She gets off my desk and walks away from me. She walks into her bedroom and closes her door. 

  I glance up at my computer clock. It's already past six in the morning. I can see the sky changing colors. Might as well get something done today.

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