At Home

Chapter Six

 I pull out the broccoli toy from the Pet Palace bag and Blue loses his shit. Hops, tail wags, and the biggest smile ever. I rip the tag off and give the toy a quick once over making sure there no little pieces of plastic left in it. I tell Blue to sit and he does, patiently waiting for his new toy. I say "Good Boy!" And toss him the broccoli. He catches it and runs over to his bed. He proceeds to curl up into a donut and chew on his new toy.

Maya and I spend the next couple hours with a documentary that debates on if the Zodiac Killer was real or not playing on TV. I'm really into it, but Maya, not as much. She scrolls on her phone, probably on instagram, or maybe a dating app. I love that our friendship is low key, and we're just content being in each others presence. The documentary ends and I look at the time. 9:03pm. Blue is snoozing away in his bed, sprawled out with his belly up. I stare at the fur ball I love so much. I don't know what I would do without you Blue.

Maya's voice catches me off guard and I jump a little. "I guess I should probably head out. We have another day in hell tomorrow, but at least it's Friday." I yawn and reach my arms towards the sky. "Yeah, are you good to drive?" I ask. Maya smiles at me, "Yeah, I'm good. I wouldn't get behind the wheel if I wasn't." I nod. I know she would never. "I can stay over if you want though?" She adds. I smile back at my best friend, "I'm ok, but thank you for offering." "Well, I gotta look out for my main bitch. If you get murdered, who else is gonna make work bearable?" She says as she stands up. We both look at each other for a moment and burst into laughter. I stand up to hug my best friend and walk her to the door. She stops to rub Blue's belly on the way and then heads out. "Text me when you get home bitch!" I call out to her as she walks to her car. She turns opens her door and gives me a thumbs up.

I watch Maya get into her car safely and back out of the driveway. I look around quickly to see if anything suspicious jumps out at me. I feel a cold shiver run up my back. When I don't see anything I shut my door and hastily lock it. I go around and check all the doors and windows in the house before throwing my hair up in a bun and heading to bed. Blue hops up and follows me to my bedroom. I change into my pajamas and curl up under the covers. Blue jumps up and snuggles into me, falling asleep almost immediately. I'm tired but I know I am not gonna be able to fall asleep for a while. I set my phone alarm for 6am like usual, and grab my kindle off my nightstand. I pick up reading where I left off a couple days ago while gently rubbing Blue's head.

I get completely sucked into my book. I don't even know how long I've been reading until I hear my phone vibrate. I look at the time on my phone and see it's almost 11pm. I see a text from Maya on my screen.

Maya: Shit! I forgot to text you, sorry. Home safe!

Me: Oh good. I was about to call in the search party!

Maya: Ha yeah ok. You were probably reading your fairy porn again and didn't even pay attention.

I start laughing a little. She knows me too well.

Me: It's demon porn. Get it right! Glad you're home safe. Now go to bed.

Maya: My bad freak. Hey, not kink shaming though. You get to bed too. Night!

I lock my phone and drop it on the bed next to me, opposite the side Blue is now sprawled out on. I go to finish the chapter I am reading when I hear my phone vibrate again.