Casper & Rosie

Casper

•••••

Casper

The next stop came along, and I immediately left my seat.

If I stayed any longer, I think I would've lost it.

My bag slowed me down as I tried to get out of the train, for I had to guide it to go around other people and step off the metro train before I did. While getting situated with my belongings, and rubbing my hands with a few drops of hand sanitizer, a high-pitched voice roamed through the lower floor.

"Uncle Casper!"

Her curly, yet slightly frizzy, hair was bobbing crazily as she ran closer to me. She wobbled side to side when she ran, which made my smile grow wider. Kneeling down to be eye-level with my 6 year old niece, Katherine, I greeted with a simple, "Hey." Once she approached me, she took a couple of breaths before looking at me in the eye, a small smile playing on her pink lips.

"Hi," she said shyly, her hands behind her back as she swayed side to side. I guess my sister told her about my.. problem-since she hasn't tried to hug me vigorously like the last few visits.

"Casper, Honey!"

I was the first to break eye contact with baby Kate. Before I even had the chance to acknowledge her, my mother engulfed me into a bear hug.

It, however, happened all too quickly.

Each finger on my hands separated as my breath hitched quietly, like I was silently hyperventilating at least. I suddenly felt light-headed and weak. I groaned as my upper body leaned backwards, attempting to prevent myself from physically contacting with my mother's.

So close, I thought, Too close. Don't touch me, please.

My mother knew about my problem with physical contact--was she trying to purposely aggravate my disability? "M-mom, that's enough," I stuttered, my hands not wanting to push her away, let alone touch her.

Call me a jerk, but I don't let anyone touch me, nor visa versa, and that includes family.

"I'm so sorry, baby," she apologizes, releasing me from her hold, "I thought I could control myself but it seems that I couldn't." She laughed hoarsely and wiped under her eye with a finger.

"So I see you came in one piece. No harm done with taking the metro, right?" She asked, taking no time in changing the subject."

"You could say that," I shrugged. I saw a small smile form on her lips, but disappeared once I continued with, "if the scenery didn't have a malodorous odor, metro riders had a beating heart, and if I weren't around contagious individuals."

My mother rolled her eyes. "Always the dramatic one."

"There you are, Katie, I was looking everywhere for you," a voice sighed, "Don't just up and run again, okay? Nearly had a heart attack.. Casper!"

I turned to see Brinley, my older sister. Grinning, I gave a quick wave before grabbing my belongings and beginning a conversation with the family up the escalator.

•••••

A/N: Yay! Chapter 3!

~Recap:
•You've seen some of Casper's family
•You've witnessed how Casper deals with germs (aka hugging his mother)
•You've seen more family, lol
•You're ready for Chapter Four

*** Not really edited over ***

~Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Marc, A.K.A the ticket holder and close friend of Rosana's

~I just took my DMV Driver's Test...I passed!😀

~To make me feel 100 times happier, I would like to see MORE than 10 reads by the next chapter. Think you can handle it?

See ya later, alligators!