Cherry & Vanilla

Orphan Desires

Two weeks later
Alicia's pov
I've been doing well in classes so far, which isn't surprising to me. Cordelia had a chat with me after the classroom incident. I apologized and she told me I can't just have outbursts like that. I said I understood but wouldn't tell her what it was about. She eventually accepted she wasn't going to get it out of me and moved on.

My crush on her hasn't subsided, on the contrary, it's developed further. I don't know how much longer I can go without doing something about it. I mean telling her isn't on the table, that much is clear. I don't want to bother her with it, she already has so much to worry about. So I've managed to keep it to myself thus far.

Today was uneventful and I found myself now tossing and turning. I didn't get enough energy out during the day and don't know what to do with myself. As I flip over for the umpteenth time I notice a soft noise. I listen in and begin to recognize them as whimpering. It's as if someone is in pain. Mind you, it's very late in the night.

I slip on some comfy shoes and head to my door, opening it softly. The sound gets a bit louder but nothing that would wake anyone. I only heard it since I was already conscious. I follow the sound until I'm met with Cordelia's door. I press my ear against it and realize that's definitely where it's coming from.

I knock softly, "Cordelia" I whisper but get no response. I try once more before opening the door. I'm met with the blonde turning over in an uncomfortable manner. Face upturned and eyebrows furrowed, I can tell she's having an unpleasant dream. I tip toe over so as to not wake her and gently place my hand on her forehead.

I focus and remove the dream though I can't quite see what it is. She instantly stills and I see her muscles relax from their stiff state. She turns over one last time and rests her head gracefully on the pillow. I stroke hair out of her face and leave before it gets creepy. I return to my room and lay down, for some reason sleep overtakes me rather quickly.

A few minutes after falling asleep I start to dream. All the surroundings are very foreign to me yet feel familiar. There's a lingering eeriness in the air, taunting me with something I can't place. As I venture through I arrive at what seems to be my destination. I open the door to see a completely different atmosphere.

The menacing presence has only gotten stronger now that I've laid eyes on the cause. Sitting or rather kneeling before me is a young blonde. In front of her an older woman of the same complexion and hair color. She yells something unintelligible at her, it appears to sadden the young woman. I can tell by the way her wings droop and her face contorts as if she's trying not to cry.

I watch as a slap is delivered to the kneeling woman's face. Only now do I put together who these two women could be. Vaguely lucid as I recall how I used my power to relieve Delia of her dream. I must've somehow absorbed it myself. I come back to the present time and see that the women are now arguing.

The older throwing things at Delia as she tries her best to dodge them. There's no mistaking it, this is her mother. At some point the older woman seems tired of the games she's inflicted upon Cordelia. She begins walking towards me, storming out the room. She turns to look directly at me yet doesn't notice me either.

Cordelia follows her; desperately calling after her, begging her not to leave. I watch on just wishing there was something I could do about it. She slams the door after the woman has left and she just sobs into her sheets. I know it may be futile but I make my way over and rub her back. I can physically feel the sobs making her body shudder.

All of a sudden there's a loud crash as if a building has collapsed. She jumps out the bed and runs, the next sound being enough to make me jump. Everything goes black and I'm thrown out of the dream world.

Delia's pov
I know I'm dreaming, there's no way this is actually real. This is odd to me because I never dream. It's either nightmares or darkness most times. On the rare occasion that I do, it's never of people I know. Well, unless their dead. The only actual dream I can recall is of my aunt myrtle. It was soon after she'd passed and I was in the throes of grief.

Needless to say, I was a bit apprehensive about this. I found myself in an expansive field, sunlight shining gloriously on my skin. It was just warm enough so I could wear a dress but not too hot to wear I would sweat. I spin around to see if I recognize it at all but I don't. Yet I get this warm feeling in my chest like nostalgia.

I see someone walking towards me from the horizon. Their features blurred by the blinding sun behind them. It doesn't hurt my eyes but clouds my vision. I try to get a clearer look but it's as if they don't want to reveal themselves. I begin to walk and meet them, no fear present in my body at all. As if I've forgotten what being scared feels like.

Once I'm close enough their features present themselves, a wide smile on their face. I recognize her to be Alicia and without thinking I wrap my arms around her. She grips me tightly as if silently assuring me she'll never let me go. I sit up abruptly, a loud sound pulling me from my peaceful dream.

I rub my head a bit as it aches slightly but quickly passes. I swiftly pull on my robe and slip on some shoes. I go straight to her room and see her sitting on the floor beside her bed. "I heard a noise. Are you ok?" I ask softly, my voice slightly raspy from sleep. "Yeah- I uh... I fell off the bed" she says nervously and I chuckle a bit.

"Are you hurt?" I ask quietly, "I hit my head kinda hard but I'm alright, it'll pass in a minute" she explains. "Maybe you should take a break from classes? You could have a concussion" I say worriedly, wrapping my robe tighter around my body. "Nah I'm good. I can still make it to class" she mutters, rising to sit on the bed.

"It wasn't a question" I state firmly, she looks at me slightly surprised. I open my mouth to apologize for my tone but she beats me to it. "Ok" she says, her facial expression having changed quickly. "Are you sure you're feeling alright? You look... frightened. I could take you to the infirmary" I offer, taking tentative steps closer.

"No it's umm... it's fine. Can I ask you a question? It's a bit personal" she voices and I nod hesitantly. "Do you know your father?" She asks and I freeze. Do I know my father? How am I supposed to answer? No one's ever asked me that before, it's usually me asking. "Um- no" I answer, "ok" she nods and gets up going over to her closet.

"W-why do you ask?" I question, cursing myself for stuttering. "No reason" she answers quickly, too quickly for my liking. "There has to be a reason. That's not exactly an everyday inquiry" I say beginning to get frustrated. The topic of my father has always been sensitive for me. "Just curious" she claims, "but why?" I ask, following her with my eyes as she grabs various things around her room.

"You know... orphan and all. I wonder about other peoples parents, sorry" she mumbles and I instantly feel bad for pressing her. "I-" "it's ok. Really, I promise. I just need to go" she interrupts. I can't even get another word out before she's gone. Vanishing in a beam of light right before my eyes. I sigh and go back to my room, determined to talk to her later.