It’s been 3 minutes. She’s not sure if she should do this, but it would only be for 5 minutes. Someone walks through the hallway. Her heart skips a beat. Heart racing, she quickly turns off her phone. The sound of footsteps fade. Although feeling a bit guilty, she turns her phone back on. 

It’s been half an hour. The room is filled with her sister’s soft snores. Click. The light coming from the ajar door vanishes. Dragging footsteps come from the hallway, the remnants of a long day. She hesitates for a moment, but keeps on scrolling. Her eyelids fluttered, she was drowsing off. She widened them resolutely. Just 5 more minutes, for real this time.

It’s been an hour. The house was filled with a deadly silence. The dim glow of the screen illuminates her face. She knew that she should not be awake at this hour, but the light was hypnotizing. Her eyes drooped, screaming at her to get some sleep. Staring dully at the screen, she kept going. Bouncing seals and dancing pickles were no longer interesting, but she couldn't stop the ceaseless scrolling. Just 5 more minutes, she promised to herself, even though she knew that this was another meaningless promise that she would soon break. 

She has completely lost track of time. The phone screen suddenly goes black. Her fingers work desperately to make the glow come back, but it is no use. She let out a silent sigh. Cautiously, she tiptoes into the living room, silently, careful not to make the slightest noise. She plugs her phone. The blue glow of the digital clock attracts her bloodshot gaze.

It is 4 AM.