Dogs And Devils

Chapter Nine: Background

As promised, Brittany was waiting for me downstairs when I finally woke up the next morning. She was sipping hot tea and holding Blane's hand, smiling her bright and golden smile. Bleh. Way too much light in the morning. Or maybe it was because I was sore from my injuries. Still, she jumped from the table as soon as she saw me and shoved my face into her chest, rubbing my back. A Brittany hug, one you never saw coming.

“I'm so glad you're okay!” She fussed and fussed over my bruises and leg. All I wanted to do was eat my granola and chug my orange soda. But no, I smiled politely and assured her over and over again that I was fine and that all my wounds were merely flesh wounds. Blane teased her about how she would make a great mum one day, you know, the kinds that children hate because they're so over protective and smother them too much. Then our real mum walked in, took the soda out of my hand while I wasn't looking and replaced it with a cup of orange juice. I gingerly pushed it aside and put my head on my arms.

“How are you this morning, Brittany?” Mum asked, pouring herself some tea from the kettle on the stove.

“I'm fine, thanks. How are you?”

“Why, I hardly slept a wink. Sure, I was knackered last night, but Ashtyn gave me such a scare, I couldn't stop thinking about what could have happened. So I'm dead tired.” Mum said. I lazily lifted my head.

“Oh, mum please. I'm the one that almost died and you're talking about how you couldn't sleep? You should know, I slept like a baby, no bad dreams or anything.” Mum rolled her eyes.

“Make sure you two have all sons.” She sat down and took a drink of her tea. Brittany was grinning, Blane was giving his usual half smile, and I was counting the minutes until I would go upstairs and get ready for Gabriel and Rain to meet me. I planned on taking them to the book store in the shopping center. It was a good place to buy coffee and talk, and also browse for any new and interesting books of course. Blane was right about one thing, I did need to start reading again.

“What are you doing today, Ashtyn?” Brittany asked. I twiddled my thumbs. Blane stood and took Brit's cup.

“I was going out with a couple friends.” I said.

“Oh, Em and Nigel?” Mum smiled.

“Nigel's with me today, mum.” Blane answered. I'm sure mum forgot sometimes that Nigel was also Blane's friend,but I couldn't blame her. He was with me a lot more than Blane. Mum nodded anyway.

“You don't know these boys mum, they're new around here.” New, dangerous, after each other's heads. Of course, telling your mum that isn't a good way to get her to let you spend time with them.

“Well what are their names, dear?”

“Gabriel!” Blane pretended to swoon over the sink, making Brittany laugh. I rolled my eyes. Mum chuckled along with them.

“Don't encourage them, mum!” I shouted. I wasn't angry, I was having a good laugh too. My brother really was a dork.