Sang's Freedom (Original And Rewritten)

Chapter 25: Text Adventures

-Chapter 25-

"Mew?"

I looked over confused before utter joy consumed me. "Simba?" The orange kitten stood at the edge of the doorway, a little blue collar around his neck. My gaze flew to Mr. Blackbourne. "You adopted him?"

The teacher took a moment to straighten his tie. On his face he still wore bandages from where he had been scratched. "Someone had to teach the little thing some discipline."

"Oh thank you so much, Mr. Blackbourne!" Without thinking, I hugged him. He was so kind to take in Simba after the kitten had scratched him. My arms tightened around his waist and his hand touched my head a moment before I came to my senses and jerked back. "I'm sorry, I-I didn't mean to overstep--"

Mr. Blackbourne fixed his glasses, perfect face expressionless, though his eyes had turned to liquid silver. "No need to apologize. You should know the boys will be over for play rehearsal around four." His phone went off and he flicked it opened before looking to me. "Dr. Green is inquiring if your body pain has increased or if you are feeling warm."

I shook my head. "No, I still ache and breathing too deeply hurts."

Mr. Blackbourne typed a response as I dropped on the floor to play with Simba. It was a good thing Mr. Blackbourne was busy with his cellphone because for a second I forgot I was in my nightgown and I had to quickly yank down the back. My cheeks turned red anyhow as I tried to distract myself with the kitty.

I heard Mr. Blackbourne clear his throat. "Dr. Green says you are to take another set of fever reducers and a pain reliever anyhow."

"Mmkay." I couldn't look at him and felt the tops of my ears going pink. What if he saw?

Simba was pouncing towards me as I waved around his toy fish.

My phone vibrated on the carpet beside me and I reached for it.

Silas: What did the duck say to the bartender?

Me: What? :)

Silas: Put it on my bill!

I giggled as another text came through.

Silas: What do you call an alligator in a vest?

Me: What?

Silas: An IN-VEST-IGATOR :D

Me: lol you are funny :)

Silas: I'll see you tonight, Aggele ;)

"Here you are, Miss Sorenson."

I looked back as Mr. Blackbourne handed me a glass of water and a collection of pills. "Thank you."

"Would you like me to put on a movie for you?"

I bit my lip, feeling silly for wanting to ask. "Do you maybe have a book?"

Mr. Blackbourne perked at that, watching as I scooped Simba into my arms and turned to face him.

"I have an extra copy of Dracula there on the coffee table or would you prefer something else?"

"No." I picked up the book in one hand, balancing Simba with the other before plopping down on the couch with a genuine smile. "This is perfect."

***

A few hours later, Mr. Blackbourne excused himself regarding a business matter, whatever that meant. I was snuggled with the kitten a few hundred pages into my book when my cellphone vibrated on the coffee table.

Luke: Sorry I can't be there for rehearsal today :'( My uncle needs me to work at the diner.

Me: I thought you were tech crew with Victor and Kota?

Luke: I convinced Mr. Blackbourne to give me a part ;) We are doing a spin off of Romeo and Juliet you know.

Me: Really?

Luke: Don't sound so excited, Cupcake ;) I promise that you are really going to love this. Gabe is doing wardrobe and painting the sets, and Mr. Blackbourne has totally changed up the plot!

Me: I hope so :p Romeo and Juliet always made me sad.

Luke: Sang?

Me: Luke? :)

Luke: May I call you tonight after my shift?

Call me? I suppose it would be okay if I was staying at Mr. Blackbourne's, but was I really going to spend the night at my teacher's house?

That was definatly inappropriate.

Plus, wouldn't Mother notice I was missing? Maybe not if Marie really covered for me...and North and Victor had paid her a lot of money...

Me: I would really like that.

"Oy, Trouble! You get a phone and you don't text me?" Gabriel barged into Mr. Blackbourne's house grinning as he held up two bags. His brown hair was brushed back, a blond piece behind each ear.

My face flushed. "I'm sorry, Gabriel."

He dropped his bags. "Hey, stop with that lip, Trouble. I'm just teasing." He opened his arms up as if he was going to hug me, but paused. "May I? Or will I hurt you?"

He was asking if he could hug me? Because of my bruises... I realized just as Gabriel grabbed my bottom lip gently.

"Please? See I even asked nicely."

I giggled and he smiled and I leaned forward to hug him. Gabriel put his arms around me. "Thank you, Gabriel."

"For what, Trouble?"

I shrugged just as Nathan barreled into the house and scooped me up into his arms. I squealed and Gabriel punched Nathan in the arm. "What the fuck are you doing? You could hurt her!"

Nathan practically dropped me and I twisted so as to not hurt myself. "Mew mew mew mew!" Simba ran over to me, rubbing his face against mine, making me giggle.

"Oy, it's the cat."

Nathan was struggling to help me to my feet. His cheeks were as red as his hair. "I'm sorry, Sang. Please tell me I didn't hurt you."

I shook my head as his strong hands brushed down my bare shoulders. I suddenly felt self conscious that I was in a dress at the same moment Nathan murmured that I look, and I quote, really pretty.

"Trouble looks good in flowers." Gabriel grinned. "And speaking of what Trouble looks good in...I have some clothes I need you to try on, and we are going to do your hair." Gabriel's fingers closed around mine as he began to work me towards the stairs. "I'm so fucking excited."