January
I pasted outside the washer room where Snuggle Hugging Bunny was finishing up. I can't stand when he's out of my sight. He's the only thing besides Mother Gertrude, deceased, that brought meaning in to my life. And sleeping with a gay guy was making me have dr... Nightmares.
Finally, Milly, one of the maids came out with the old worn out stuffed bunny I came to love. I took it immediately and ran to my room to snuggle with him just like I do every time I see him.
Unfortunately, my reunion was cut off by a knock at my door. I set Snuggle down beside me on the bed, whipped the usual tears out of my eyes, and called for the person to come in. Gregory opened the door holding a pink notebook with a pony on it in his hands.
"January," He spoke, "can you help me with my math homework?"
"What makes you think I can help you?" I crossed my arms in front of my chest.
"You run a whole business don't you?" Gregory shot back.
"Fair point, what's wrong?"
"I don't get... What's that?" Gregory pointed over to Snuggle.
"None of your business!" I snapped pushing the stuffed animal behind my back.
"It looked like stuffed sack?"
"He's a bunny!" I shouted.
"He?"
"Get out!"
"Can I see him?"
"No you cannot see him!"
"Please?" He gave me a puppy eyed dog look.
"No." I put bluntly.
"I'll be your best friend!" He said with the same look.
"............ Okay fine." I gave in taking Snuggle out from behind my back. Gregory skipped over and gently took him from my hands. "Be careful, I know he's a stuffed animal, but he's all I've got."
"What about Kate, Yuma, and Wendy?" Gregory asked placing Snuggle on his lap.
"They weren't there when I was orphaned, they weren't there when Mother Gertrude left, and they weren't there to protect me from the dark!" I snatched Snuggle back.
"What?" Gregory shook as he looked at me with sad eyes.
"You wouldn't understand, you have a family!" I hugged my bunny.
"I could try."
"......... I've always been alone... I never had a family and Mother Gertrude was always there. When she got older she made Snuggle Bunny for me so that when she died he'd always be there to take care of me in her place. He did make me feel better... But... He could never replace the one person who took me in when I needed... Stuffed animals can't replace someone who loved you more than anything..." I felt the tears well up as I tightened my grip on Snuggle Hugging Bunny.
"I get it... You felt alone with no one to make you feel like you had any worth." I looked to see Gregory's eyes go blank as he went back to when Natas was here.
"Look, I'm... I'm sorry, it's just... I was the only one who didn't get adopted from that orphanage."
"I was the only one who didn't have enough courage to escape that facility with everyone else."
"That's only 'cause you had that lame crush on that jerk." Gregory looked at me startled that I brought that up. "Look if you're not going to talk about math get out of my room!"
"We're not done here!" he yelled knocking me off guard. "You need to tell me why you've kept this to yourself when you've got friends who are always there for you!?"
"I... It's embarrassing." I stammered.
"So? You don't think Yuma gets embarrassed when she's her usual self?"
"Yeah but-"
"No! The girls do embarrassing things to me and to themselves but we're still all friends! Why are any different from us!?"
"........"
"Well!?"
"Because.....! If I embarrass myself even once those guys at the corporation will take anything that shows my weakness!"
"Like what!?"
"Get out of my room Damn it!" I finally pushed him off my bed and looked away from him. I heard him get up and slam my door shut.
