Victor's mysterious Fangs

16

Victor

Aria was a wild sleeper. She was mostly under the cover, but she had her right leg sticking out from the cover. Her wild hair was every which way against her cotton pillow. Her light snores turned into a whine when I pressed her. "Princess," I poked her cheek.

"Go away," she really too wanted to keep sleeping.
"That would be fine by me if you didn't have school. What happens if the school calls Jack?"

Her eyes flew open. "Fine. Just five more minutes please."
"It's already 6:40 princess."
"Dammit," she flew the bed and tossed the cover. She changed into her house slippers as she rushed out of the room. "My dad is going to kill me." her hysterical comments floated to my ears.

"Why didn't you wake me sooner?" She called from the bathroom. She soon brushed past me. "Mr.Vic.." I couldn't make out her whimsical nonsense because she had a mouth full of toothpaste.

"Talk to me when you're all finished," I waved to her and left to go downstairs.

I waited for twenty minutes. I was fixed on the couch, enjoying a cup of black coffee when she finally graced me with her presence. "How do I look? Do I look unkempt?" She did a 360 spin. "Hm?"

"You look fine," I dismissed her insecurities.
She frowned. "I shouldn't have asked." She turned on her heel and for some reason I felt outraged. "Come back." She stopped in her tracks but didn't move, she only faced me. "Do I look like I was rushing? Did I forget to brush parts of my hair? Tell me how I look from a girl point of view."

"Okay," I sighed. She spun slowly this time, letting my eyes roam over her freely and intricately. Her tan brown skirt complimented the light pink top. Her hair flowed down at the back and she had two bang pieces coming down from a ponytail in the front. Light pink, bear slippers to match.

"Aren't you gonna be cold?" I asked.
"No," she grabbed her bag and pulled out a pink hoodie that read PINK. She's just pinked out today.

"Beary beautiful." I handed her a bagel. "Eat this on the way."

"Not funny, but thanks." She grabbed her bag and flew out the door. "Bye!"

***
I took the time to clean my home.

My attic looked so much better after I stuffed the dusty boxes into my garbage bin. I had no use for the meaningless contents.

My floors were still damp when Aria burst through my door. "I just mopped," I warned. "Why can't you knock and come in like a normal person?"

"Hello to you too Mr.Vic," she ignored me. "And you had the door unlocked for me."

"Wrong. I was cleaning, disposing waste," I explained.
"Whatever," she tossed her bag on my couch. "You've been here all day and no dinner?" She whined as she sprinted toward the kitchen.

"Just because I call you princess doesn't make you one," I spat.
"Well you treat me like one so I don't really care," she shot back. "What's for dinner?"

I pursed my lips and huffed to the faucet to clean my hands. "How about pork steaks?" I opened the fridge.

"Doesn't matter. You think the meal will be done by the time I come back, Mr.Vic?" She asked.

"Where are you going?"
"Home. I need to do some things," she jumped up from the seat. "I'll be right back."

———
  ——
Women, I shook my head. I was almost finished with the meal—Pork steaks and spaghetti. She said she was coming right back, but she had been gone for quite some time.

I made her plate and set it to the side while I excused myself. From the bathroom, I heard her chaotic entrance. "Mr.Vic!"

"Be right there," I shouted.

I came back to find her mouth full like a chipmunk, with a dirtied face, stained with sauce from the spaghetti.

"Is it good?"
She was too busy chewing and gave me a thumbs up instead.

It was ridiculously humorous to watch her eat. She was so small, yet she dined like she was twice her size. I watched her from the corner of my eye as I sat on the sofa. I fidgeted through channels on the television until I came across a zombie action type movie. Aria turned to me, dapping her face with a napkin, "Can I have more?"

"Have at it princess. By the way, what is all this?" My other sofa was covered in of bags and clothes.

"Oh, I'm staying over. Didn't I ask? Sorry," Aria slathered her plate with food. "It's boring at home, plus you're like a chef." She took her seat.

"How about these few days, I teach you a few things?"
"Really?" She swiveled in her seat. Her eyes sparkled, "I can become a master chef? I won't have to eat pizza all the time.?"

"Exactly," I mused.
"My dreams are coming true," Aria thanked me.

Over the next few days, we found a balance as she invaded my home. I taught her how to make meals, over and over until she got it right.

"The weekend goes by too quickly," Aria whined.
"I take it, you're not ready for another week of school."
"No, but the good thing is I'm having a sleepover with Robin and the twins."
"When?" I side-eyed her.
"Tonight. And I'm going to showcase my cooking skills." She had a proud, determined look on her face.
"Fine."

"And maybe you could come over and cook breakfast in the morning," she suggested.

"Maybe," I iterated.
"Please," she pouted.
"I'll have to show you how to cook breakfast too," I jested.
"Well, I'm thankful you let me stay Mr.Vic." She squished me with a hug. Her tiny frame was nothing but it felt like everything. The crisp scent of apples from her hair lingered. "You're the best babysitter ever." She laughed. "I'll come back tomorrow," she told me her usual response.

I peaked from the window and I saw her friends come one by one. The screen of my phone lit up and it read a notification from my messages.

It was from Jack, informing me he was on his way home.

Well princess, you may see me sooner than later.

I dashed over, and Aria met me at the door. "Yay!"
"I'm not staying," I didn't share her enthusiasm. She frowned and soon her friends popped up behind her.

"I just came to check on you. Need anything?"
"Nothing," Aria answered. "Would've been nice if you stayed."

"Goodnight, princess." I spoke to her friends behind her. " And to you all, goodnight."

"Goodnight," the young ladies greeted me back.