The Peacock And The Bee (Chloe Bourgeois × OC)

~5~

"Chloe! Chloe, Chloe, Chloe-" I felt something zip past my hand as I reached over to push my alarm clock off. I groaned when Pollen grabbed my hand, tapping me repeatedly. I resisted the urge to smack her and growled, turning away. "Chloe..."

"I'm sleeping, dammit..."

"Ooh, look, there's a sale at-" I shot up, rubbing my eyes. I scowled at the smirk on her face and brushed my hair away from my eyes, sitting up and pressing my hand against my head. Whatever had been happening to me the last couple of days had practically cleared, I didn't really bother getting medicine since I knew no one would actually bother taking care of me except myself and I couldn't even do that well. Oh well, I'm used to taking care of myself... Kind of...

"Time for school!"

"Nope." I settled back down into my bed. She threw a pillow at me and I grunted, flicking her in the stomach. She gasped and grabbed my hair, tugging at it to make me sit up.

"That... Hurt! Come on, let's go-" I cut her off, glaring at my soft pillow. I felt tears at the corner of my eyes and shook my head, letting them fall to the pillow. No! Dammit, I need Mr Cuddly right now...

"What, so they can laugh at me harder? So I can hear everyone gossiping about me and how terrible I am?" She touched my cheek and I turned to her, not bothering to hide the tears in my eyes. She nuzzled her face against my cheek and I gritted my teeth at the warmth.

"Chloe you know that's not true-"

"We both know it is-" I heard a knock and sat up, waiting until she had slipped into my purse before saying, "come in."

"Mademoiselle Bourgeois, it is time for school." I began to cough and sneeze.

"I - think - that - I'm too- sick... ACHOOO!" I added a sneeze or cough between each word, peering at him at the end of my performance as I rubbed my nose. He didn't seem convinced. Welp, those acting classes were a waste.

"Mademoiselle, are you alright?" I prepared to fake another fake cough when he cut me off, patting his chest. "I don't mean physically, I mean in here."

"I'm fine. You can have a day off, okay..." I couldn't even remember his name. This was the man that had looked after me since I was a child and my stupid memory couldn't even be bothered to... I'm sorry. I really don't treat you right. I straightened up and pressed my hand against my forehead, smiling slightly at the sight of the professional way he kept his hands behind his back. "Thank you, really but I'm alright."

"But Mademoiselle, that's the second time this week-"

"And you should be very happy about that. I'm fine so leave," I said with a deadpan tone, forcing it irritation back. He sighed.

"You know who would want to make sure you were feeling better?" He stuck his hands out to reveal my soft, yellow teddy bear in his hands. I can't out a small breath, gazing at Mr Cuddly with wide eyes. "Mr Cuddly would. Mr Cuddly loves you very much and he just wants you to be happy..."

"I'm too old for all that, alright? Get him away from me..." I watched him jiggle Mr Cuddly slightly towards me and bit my lip, moving closer and snatching at the button-eyed bear. He took a step back and waggled his finger at me, an irritatingly gentle smile on his face.

"Now, now, Chloe, what do you think Mr Cuddly would want you to say?" Dammit, you're my butler, stop using Mr Cuddly to control me!

"Would you please give Mr Cuddly to me?" He handed it over and I felt the warmth of my teddy's fur pressed against my cheek, nuzzling it with a satisfied grin unconsciously glued to my face. I pulled away and sighed, playing with my fingers on my lap. "I still think you should go."