𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗥 | 𝗦𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲

23. Seeking The Devils Comfort

"Disney really needs to make a movie based on the prince." Allen said randomly, slumping onto the couch next to me.

"What prince?" I asked.

"Does it matter which one?"

"Well, it may."

"Well, surely it's not just the princesses with all the problems. What about the prince? They have to deal with stuff too. If I were a prince, I'd have a whole mountain of problems."

"Let me guess, the struggle of picking out which shirt to wear? Which way to style your hair in hopes to get that certain girls attention? The hard butter ripping at the soft, smooth white bread?" I asked in a sarcastic tone.

"Those are pretty big problems actually!" Allen said seriously. "But the problem I'd really be focusing on, would be how to get my sister to smile. To laugh. Moms and Dads don't want to see a sad princess."

I rolled my eyes. "See. It seems females really do have the major problems. You wouldn't have any problems in your life if I wasn't born. I'm the cause of your life not being perfect."

"NEVER SAY THAT AGAIN!" Allen shouted. "You're my sister, dammit. Whether you had a problem-free life or not, I'd never stop worrying about your happiness and safety. Big brothers never stop worrying."

"I'm two years older than you." I gritted.

Allen leaned closer and whispered in my ear. "But I'm still taller."

I rolled my eyes again, accidentally letting a small smile ghost my lips. I saw Allen's own smile out of the corner of my eye. It looked like a relieved smile from my peripheral vision.

"That's a start. I haven't made you smile in three days, Aria." Allen said disappointedly. "I feel like I've let you down."

"What do you mean? You've never let me down, Allen. You're my younger, taller brother. Your duty isn't to make me smile. It's just to stay safe and away from danger so I can panic less...and tell me the gossip about this girl you like."

"Alright." Allen sighed. "Now, to lift the mood, do you want to go play outside?"

"I'm busy. Maybe later."

"You're literally just sitting here! You aren't even on a device or reading a book. I'll tell you about the girl." Allen added with a smug smile, knowing I wouldn't be able to resist.

"I'm imagining stuff." I shrugged, pretending not to care about his love life.

"Imagine stuff later. Come out and play with me." Allen urged.

"Fine, let me just get my shoes on. And you've got to tell me all about that girl." I said as I dashed off to my room.

As I managed to get my last ragged black shoe on my foot, my phone chimed on my bedside table. I picked it up and read the message sent from Riley.

Bob Peace: ARIA! The Nightmares are trying to find out who Lady DeWinter is! Also, can I come over?

My heart began to pump fast and I growled as the icessant beats started to hurt my chest. I typed a quick, nonchalant message back, but the amount of mistakes from my trembling hands betrayed my real emotions. Riley said he'd be over soon, and I was grateful, because I hadn't hung out with him lately. It was a shame I wasn't able to talk to him long at the Halloween event, but plans were in motion.

"Aria, are you ready?" Allen called.

"Y-yes! Sorry, I'll be there in a moment." I called back, frantically searching for my shoulder bag containing my tablets.