Only One

Chapter Fourteen

[edited]
Ashleigh was finally asleep and I was downstairs sitting on the floor in the living room playing tug-of-war with Pongo. I was tired. Together, Ashleigh and I did it all. We colored, I watched her play dress up, we watched a movie, we played hise and seek too. Then it was time for bed. She goes to bed easily, which is good. Th only thing about bedtime that I don't like is the clean up. There were dresses and pencils everywhere, but I cleaned it all up the best I could. Now it's time to relax. Pongo pulled me arm this way and that, but I didn't mind. I let him drag my arm around. It made him happy.

After a long time of tug-of-war, Pongo dropped the rope and went onto the couch I was leaning on. I went up and sat next to him. He put his head on my lap. I was watching TV and the only thing on that appealed to me at the moment was Sherlock. I turned it on and watched it. Pongo's head was on my lap and I was running my fingers down his head and back bringing them back up every time. It was a pattern. Head, back, head again, back, repeat. It was late. I'm tired. And I want to sleep. Even though they will be back soon, I yawned and closed my eyes. I let the sound of Pongo's heavy breathing lull me to sleep.

☂

I felt something shake my shoulder. I groaned and rolled over hoping whoever it was would leave me alone. Then they shook it harder. I bolted up and looked around. "Wha?" I asked groggily. I wasn't in my room, or living room. I wasn't even in my house. Then I refocused on what was in front of me. A face. I blinked a couple of times trying to regain my vision. It was Parker.

"We're home," he says.

"Geez, no kidding. Way to give me a heart attack," I mumble sitting up.

"No problem," he says, getting out of my face.

"Why is it so dark?" I stand up and stretch my arms over my head. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Parker staring at me. "What?" I asked lowering my arms.

"Nothing you just stretch, er, kind of weird. No offense," he scratches his neck.

"I always stretch like this," I defend.

"Right," he's quiet for a while and then he digs into his pocket. "Here's the money." He outstretches his hand and waits for me to take it.

"You guys don't need to pay me. Ashleigh is like a little sister," I say refusing to take the money. I don't have a problem with money when babysitting, but when it's your neighbors you don't take money. Especially when they give you sixty dollars for only a few hours. I mean we are a richer neighborhood, but that, I mean, it's a lot of money.

"Just take it," he says thrusting his hand out further.

"It's not yours is it?" I raise my eyebrows.

"No all my parent's money. Is that why you aren't taking it?" He asks.

"No. I don't care who's money it is. I mean for a couple of hours sixty dollars is a lot," I say lightly.

"My parent's aren't going to let you go without you going with it." He starts to tap his foot. He was getting impatient. It was kind of hot, but frustrating at the same time. Like seriously? You don't need to pay someone sixty dollars for a couple hours. Especially your neighbors who you have know for half your life. I sighed in frustration and took the money. I slipped it behind my phone case where my house key was.

"Thanks," I hastily say. I move past him and to the door.

"Have a nice night Jenny," I hear Mrs. Brookes say from what seemed like the kitchen.

"You too Mrs.Brookes. Hope you had a nice night," I turn the knob and hear her talking to who I assumed was her husband.

"Such a nice girl," I smiled and opened the door. I closed it quietly behind me and walked back towards my house. I wasn't tired. I didn't want to sleep, but I knew I needed it. Now I would have to face my mother who probably figured out by now I wasn't going to be home until now. Or maybe she hasn't. I don't know which is worse yet.