Bound to love |BxB|

Chapter 2

↑ Atticus ↑
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"Hi, little guy."

I chirped quietly, giving a tap to the tiny animal's head.

It was a beautiful, sunny day with not a single cloud shading the blue sky. The birds were singing their pretty songs, and the front yard of the Vierna's Castle was full of people on their way for a swim or a picnic.

I didn't pay much attention to them, the new company on my shoulder keeping me focused enough to forget the dozens of pupils around me. Usually, I'd be nervous and zoom past everyone, but the strange-coloured bird kept my pace slow, "Are you lost?"

I asked it, a gentle smile spreading to my lips.

It'd be crazy if it answered, but honestly, I kind of hoped for it.

To my disappointment it didn't peep out anything though, the bird cocking its head side to side while staring at me with those button-like eyes.

They seemed lifeless at first, but the way the animal fluttered its red wings and bounced up and down on my shoulder proved the opposite. Its coat was otherwise teel blue, with singular patches of orange here and there.

It seemed happy. Which made me happy.

"Hungry? I know I shouldn't feed you anything, but I wouldn't mind making a new friend..." keeping the chitty-chat going, I walked through the heavy wooden gates to a garden that surrounded the whole castle; the joyous buzzing of bees accompanying me.

The number of colours nearly blinded me every time, with bazillions of flowers, plants and trees keeping the castle's rocky entrance vibrant. It was so beautiful out here in the summer, and even I went out today to enjoy the weather.

"Should we name you? Something sexy and badass– like Brad? Or are you more of a... Oliver?"

I probably looked like a lunatic. But the bird was too cute, its black orbs still glued on me as if they were trying to desperately understand what I was saying.

"Oh, how about Rex? As in T-Rex? It would be really fitting, given they are practically your ancestors..."

I rose up the gigantic stairs, strolling inside the castle, my friend receiving the biggest smile you had ever seen on my face. A clean row of white teeth, and the small wrinkles in the corners of my eyes.

Animals had a special place in my heart.

I couldn't stand people, but dogs, cats, horses, rodents– I loved spending time with them. Most of the animals I was close with you could find from the horse table where I worked at. My absolute best friend was Sheba, a black cat with white and light brown spots. She was very shy, and she hated pretty much every other person but me.

I had found her injured in the forest, and I had treated her wounds, which is why she most likely had grown fond of me. I fed her every morning, and sometimes she would be brave enough to climb into my room.

Occasionally, I dreamt about going back to school and getting myself a degree to become a vet. But I hadn't been to school since it had happened.

And I don't know if I had enough energy to do it.

At least not right now.

"It's perfect, don't you think?"

I smiled at Rex, the bird reaching its neck toward my chin, giving it a soft tap with its beak.

It was such a good day.

With a long run behind me, I was sweating like a living hell. The white tank top was a blessing and a curse at the same time. It kept me cool, but it was way too revealing. Soaked in my sweat, sticky to my body, and not to even mention my bare arms.