aura

Chapter 14

"Hello? This is the Germanotta residence? Who's speaking?"
"This is Indie's parents. We think Indie might be staying with you. Can you truthfully tell me if Indie's living with you?" I could hear Mom's voice over the phone. Gaga looked worried.
"Indie, what do you want me to tell them?" she whispered, putting her hand over the receiver to block out my concerned mom.
"Umm, I guess you'd better tell her I'm living with you. And that I'm completely fine here." I moved away from the phone and backed onto the couch. Gaga's on-and-off dog Fozzi was sat on the couch snoozing, his caramel curls bouncing when he breathed. "Come on Fozzi, cuddle time." I heaved him up onto my lap and he rested his curly head on my knee. He seemed to be saying, "Everything's gonna be alright."

"Stef! Stef, are you there? Don't leave me! Stef!" I struggled under the weight of the duvet as the dream cascaded over my thoughts like a tidal wave. My mind went black.
"Indie! I'm here." Her voice was soothing. Gaga stroked my hair, whispering calming things in my ear. "Nobody's going anywhere. Can I get you anything?" I panicked and then calmed again because I was safe.
"Can Taylor get it please? I want you to stay." Fozzi bounded into the room and leaped onto the bed. "Calm down Fozzi." He slumped by my feet and tickled my toes with his soft nose. He could be so cute at times.

Taylor walked over with a glass of water. "Thank you Tay." Taylor smiled at me.
"You're welcome. Need anything else?" I contemplated whether to ask for a smoothie. I decided against it, I already had enough liquid in my system. And fruit sugars probably wouldn't help me sleep better anyway.
"No thanks. I'm fine." I smiled at Taylor as he walked off into his bedroom. "Thanks for staying with me Gaga. I needed this." She stroked Fozzi's tiny head.
"It's okay. Glad I could help darling. I'm just worried about your parents. Are you sure you'll be fine here?" Gaga's delicate face was crinkled with worry.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Go back to bed." I drifted off as soon as she had gone back to her bed.