Forever and ever 2. The adventure starts now.

Part 90.

"You want me to look after your niece? For how long?" It was half past nine on a Saturday night. Unusual timing, in my opinion.
"Shit I don't know. Here's the thing, my brother got into some fight and I need to pick him up from the police station. Who knows how long it might take... Trust me, if I wasn't so desperate, I wouldn't ask you for such a big favor, but it's really important. She's too young to see her father in this state." Clark never used swear words, it just wasn't him and so it had to be a serious emergency. Besides, I didn't even want to put myself in his niece's shoes, knowing all too well from my past experiences with my father. But back then, nobody cared about how I saw him, especially not he himself. He'd come home drunk at 4 in the morning, singing as if I wasn't supposed to be asleep. It scared me back then, my 7-year-old self clinging to the banister as I peered down to the entrance, watching him go straight for the next whiskey until he passed out. I swore to myself never to be as weak as my mother and leave such a man if that time ever came, let alone marry someone like that.
"No problem. Bring her over."

25 minutes later, Clark stood at my door, a loose bag hanging from his shoulder by one strap. On his hip resting a little girl, roughly around Parker's age, with bright blue eyes partially hidden behind a strand of blonde hair, almost resembling Clark. She nestled into his chest, giving me a halfway glance. Her body tensed, hesitant around the unfamiliar woman she was seeing for the first time.
"Thanks god I have you." Clark sighed, let himself in, and settled his niece down on the kitchen island, along with the backpack hanging over his shoulder, from which a small plush giraffe's head peeked out. I closed the door behind him and followed his steps, the unease echoing through the entire room, a mix of hurriedness and concern evident in Clark's movements.
"You need help?" I questioned as he rummaged through the backpack, causing a small woolen blanket, along with the plush toy and three lollipops, to tumble out before he pulled out a small note.
"I won't take long, but just in case, this is Eleia's mother's number if I don't pick up. However, I think I should be back here before 12." So, her name was Eleia - I figured it out myself. It suited her. I took the note, tucking it securely into my pocket in case I needed it, and nodded.
"We'll be fine. Won't we pretty girl?" I gave the little girl a gentle smile, her hands clinging tightly to the edge of the counter. Then she glanced wearily at Clark, who seemed to have no doubt that I could take good care of her.
"Alrighty. I've got to go." He stated already, barely having taken more than three breaths of air since he came in. He was frantically grabbing his jacket from the kitchen island and making his way to the door before abruptly stopping, turning back, coming over again, and giving me a hug. A tight one. He pulled me in, wrapping his arms around my neck and holding me for a few seconds while I embraced the hug. His scent deeply filled my nostrils as we stood there. Leaving traces on the inside.
"Thank you so much for doing this!" He said, made me smile how much he appreciated my help, although it was expected. That's what friends did for each other.

After Clark had slammed the door shut, taking even his spirit with him, I turned to the little blonde girl who patiently and obediently waited on the kitchen island.
"Sooo..." I sighed, throwing my hands up in the air, unsure of what to do next. Should I just put her to bed or try to distract her from everything that was going on in the moment?
"Are you Clark's girlfriend?" She asked me shortly afterwards, causing my steps to slowly come to a halt in front of her, not quite grasping that she would even consider such a thing.
"Oh no." I chuckled. "I'm just a friend." She nodded, her tired eyes struggling to stay open, but then she gently smiled and said,
"That's unfortunate. You're really pretty." In that moment, my heart could have been considered a puddle as it melted away.
She was adorable in person—her voice, her braids, her black and purple striped long-sleeved shirt that didn't quite match the bright pink skirt and black tights! Everything about her was adorable, not to mention the way she could use words that most adults wouldn't even consider using.
"But not as pretty as you are!" I retorted, playfully tickling her side as I walked by. Her sweet giggles filled the room, echoing throughout the apartment. Then, I grabbed two cups from the wall cabinet and held them up in front of me.
"How about some hot chocolate? I make a mean one, you know!" She tilted her head back to look at me, her eyes immediately lighting up. While it wasn't my intention to wake her up with excitement again, a warm drink before bedtime couldn't hurt a child who probably had a longer day than I did. She nodded eagerly, her once shy demeanor quickly fading away.