Nadine's Stuck.

TWENTY-SIX

Nadine's POV

"You two are a handful." Cade says, a twitch in the corners of his lips threatens to grow into an ear-to-ear grin. "I can't turn my back for a second."

Akiko and I giggle simultaneously. "Nuh uh!" She sticks out her tongue. "Zara told us to color!"

"Oh, Yeah? Nadia, is this true?"

Trying to stifle my laughs, I nod.

He looks around the dorm room, his expression pensive. His gaze lands on Zara, who's sitting guiltily on my bed. He walks over and snatches her into his grip. "Even so, I don't think she meant all over your face and hands." 

"Yes, she did!" Akiko says.

Cade holds up Zara to see her clearly, looking her in her beaded eyes. "Zara, did you tell Akiko and Nadine to color all over themselves?"

He turns Zara around to face us and brings her closer, covering his mouth with the stuffed bunny's head. Making his voice higher to mock Zara's, he says, "No, I didn't. I told them to color on paper."

He lowers Zara to reveal his faux frown, voice now in its normal octave. "See? She didn't tell you to."

I burst of laughter escapes me. "That's not how Zara sounds! That's fake!"

"Yeah, that's fake!" Akiko agrees.

His frown turns real. "I think I did a pretty good job voicing her case." He sighs, tossing her back on the bed.

I gasp, rushing over to her aide. I cradle her in my arms. "Don't hurt her!" 

Aki comes up beside me and pets Zara's head. "It's okay, ZaZa. We'll save you from that big, meanie monster!"

"Hey, I'm not a big meanie monster." He holds his hands up in a gesture of innocence.

"Yeah, you are!" She puts her hands on her hips, scrutinizing Cade's every move. "Bunine, hide under this blanket from the Meanie Monster, okay?"

I nod, and she pulls the once neat, white blanket lying over my bed to cover my head and body. I can't see anything anymore - only hear her giggles and feel the plush fur of Zara.

"It's dark in here!" I say, clutching Zara tighter.

"Quiet, Bunine, the Meanie Monster will hear you!"

"Sorry!"

"It's okay. I'll protect you and ZaZa!"

Akiko and Cade go back in fourth for a while before there are a few thumps and then a roar of laughter coming from Aki. "Bunine, the Meanie Monster got me!"

"Uh-oh..." I slide the blanket off me to see Cade tickling Akiko's tummy with an evil look in his eyes. I lie Zara safely atop my bed. "Monster, monster!" I chant, running over to help Akiko.

Cade stops tickling her, looking up at me. "Well, well, well," he drawls, "if it isn't Princess Nadine - Princess of Bunnies."

I stomp my foot. "Let her go!"

"Well, Princess, I have to tell you, I'm not just the Meanie Monster...I'm also a bunny hunter!"

Aki gasps from behind him. "Oh no! Nadia, watch out! Come and save me!"

"I will!" I call out to her. Gingerly, I start walking towards Cade to reach her.

In a swift motion, Cade reaches out and grabs me, causing me to scream. He tickles all over my tummy. I squirm, trying to wriggle away from him.

"This little bunny is all wriggly!" He exclaims.

I get hit with a yucky feeling. Not being able to escape, I'm smaller. My chest is tight, and breathing is suddenly hard. Through my blurred vision, I see Riley.