Be A Pest

Chapter 17

Going to the beach was totaly different from before, and I was well aware of it. But no, mom said we hadn't gone there in two days, so Wakko and I had to listen to her, since it was "for our own good". As if. Maybe it was good for our health, but nothing other than that.

We didn't play tag there, we didn't trow eachother into the water, we did none of that. Instead, we made like a swimming competition until we got tired and layed down, keeping a good distance. The reasons were clear, yet I didn't like the idea. Hanging out with someone who ignored me only made me want to rather be alone. I guess mom didn't think that way. When it was time to go home, Wakko started practicaly running away from me, so I had to play one round of tag in the end.

Once we came home, he fell flat on his face so I picked him up and sat him on the couch. "Stay here", I told him, "Don't move".  I went to wash my hair, like any other time after beach. But when I came out, he was nowhere around. I opened the door to my room and saw him in front of me, looking like he didn't know what to do. I took his hand and lead him back to the living room, where we sat on the couch.

"You're such a pain", I said. "And why did you kiss me then?!", he suddenly exclaimed. I stared at him for a few seconds, thinking of a response. "To stop that pain", I finaly replied. "Has it worked?". I had to pause again, "...no, I guess". "Exactly", he got up, "You listened to your mom at the wrong time", and left. I covered my face with my hands and rested the elbows on my legs, "What have I done...?".

That night, I opened my eyes and stared at Wakko standing right next to my bed. Let me sleep already..., I thought. And I really wanted to say it out loud. But the thought of comforting him only helped me wake up more. I stood on my feet and picked him up, then sat back on the bed. For a minute, neither of us said anything, until I spoke up. "You know the Lilo and Stitch movie?". He nodded. "And you remember the sequel?". He nodded again.

I knew it. I knew there was something going on. That though, didn't cease me from teaching him a valuable lesson. "See, that's how it works", I started, "We all have our own glitches, wether they're big or small. For instance, my glitch was what I did to you two nights ago. And I'm sorry for that. I'm also sorry for what I told you yesterday. But no matter how big or small our glitches are, we're not aliens. You and I won't die, especially not you".

Again, there was a moment of silence, before he asked in the end, "Are you going to help me with that?". "I won't leave you behind", I promised him with a smile. It was so peacful sitting there and hugging him. I enjoyed every second of it. "Do you want to go back to sleep?", I asked him. "Do I have to?", it didn't sound like he was satisfied with my question. "Well...", I yawned, "I'm quite tired. But if you don't want to, it's ok".

The next morning, as I expected, he slept even longer than the previous day. I understood why he stayed up long after he went back to the living room the night before. But the results that showed after he woke up were beyond belief. I became genuenly concerned about what could have happened. Even worse, what I could have caused. My parents got up soon after me and we had breakfast together.

I went into the living room to check up on him, leaving mom and dad to chat by themselves. When there, I stopped as my chest ached. He was sitting on the couch and pulling his ears down. "Wakko!", I ran to him, "Don't do that, please". I tightly held his hands, knowing he'd easily let go if I didn't. "Why are all of you yelling...?", he asked. I gave him a confused look. "We're not yelling, what're you-". Then I realised, anything could be possible.

I let go of his hands and hugged him, seeing there was something wrong and not wanting to find out what. "Shh...it's alright, I've got you", I soothed him, feeling his heart pound a mile per minute, "I guess this is one of your glitches, so I'm here to help". After a few minutes, he let go of the hug. "I'm going to the bathroom", he said. I got up as well and went with him. To brush my teeth, but also to make sure he was ok.