TW: mild sexual content
I got a call at three in the morning.
I stared at my buzzing phone with pained reluctance. Last time I got a phone call in the early hours of the morning, my entire world shattered around me. Still, I rubbed my tired eyes and grabbed the buzzing device - at least just to see who it was that thought calling me while I was (for the first time in a week and a half) finally getting at least some solid hours of rest was a good idea.
My jaw popped open in lethargic shock. It was Nya.
I closed my eyes and held a sigh. I couldn't ignore a call from Nya as much as my sleepy brain got down on its knees and begged me to - it might be important. She might kick my ass in school the next day if I didn't, so I slid the icon to call and held the phone to my ear.
"Hel-"
"BENTLEY'S RUN AWAY."
I stared at the wall of my room. The green ninja poster was hanging on by one single piece of blue tack. I blinked slowly, brain running at a snail's pace.
"Huh?" I drawled, holding back a yawn and failing miserably.
"Bentley!" Nya exclaimed in a panic. "He's run off! He's gone wild!"
My brow furrowed in confusion. I was still having trouble keeping up.
"Can't Lloyd just make him... y'know..." I tried to find the word. "Poof?"
"It's not working!"
"But-"
"We think he's headed to you!"
That made me sit up straight.
"Wha-"
Suddenly, something very large and heavy slammed into the roof and made the entire house shake. My scream was short and shocked, not expecting the world to jolt as hard as it did.
"Y- yeah," I breathed into the phone, heart beating a million miles. I was definitely wide awake now. "He just got here."
"We're on our way," Nya reassured, sounding a lot more calm now that they had eyes (or as close enough to eyes) on Bentley. At least he wasn't unintentionally terrorising the city, or something. "Don't approach him. He's dangerous."
My heart sunk a little. But then I remembered him snapping at me, and then snapping at Lloyd. If he was connected to Lloyd's emotional state, and Lloyd hates me, staying inside was probably the best and safest idea.
"Okay," I agreed with a nod. "See you soon."
Nya ended the call with her own farewell and I just managed to hear shouting in the background before it cut off. I dropped my phone to my lap, staring at the duvet with weary eyes.
I had exams soon. I didn't need this chaos.
"What the hELL WAS THAT-?!" Dad burst as he crashed into my room. I pointed at the ceiling.
"Dragon."
Dad stared at me. His arms dropped to his sides, limp.
"M' going back to bed," he muttered, turning on his heel and stumbling back down the hall. "Screw this."
If only I could go back to sleep, too. But I had more pressing matters on my hands, like the dragon perched on the roof of my house.
Giving a sigh, I made a grave mistake.
Pulled up twitter on my phone.
Trending number one, and all over my feed, was part of a rushed interview from after a fight. The green ninja was clearly in a bad mood - you could see the red trying to push past the green of his eyes. Subtle, only there if you really look for it. The video started playing automatically and I didn't have the heart to stop it.
"You have a ring," noted the interviewer as they scrambled after Lloyd. An ache opened in my chest. Oh. It was about that. I could see where this was going. "Are the rumours true?"
"No," Lloyd growled.
"So there's nobody special in your life?"
"There's no one."
I turned off my phone before it could play any longer and fell back onto my bed, closing my eyes. I didn't even have it in me to cry. I just felt numb.
Bentley shifted. I could hear his tail drag along the flat tiles, and then a low, broken croon that made my face scrunch in heartbreak. Bentley cried again, full of yearning and sadness and I was already throwing my covers off before it broke off into silence.
