𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣𝗘𝗥 | 𝗦𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲

39. Chauffeur For The Love Doctor

I groaned and rubbed my eyes tiredly, the nightmare I had already fading. The mattress beneath was slowly moving up and down, causing me to gasp and scramble into a sitting position. I saw Allen, his eyes closed and his chest slowly rising and deflating in steady rhythm to his breathing. I moved the stray pieces of brown hair covering his eyes, tucking his fringe behind his ear with a sigh.

Calmness settled on my shoulders, knowing Allen was with me throughout the night. I just hoped he hadn't stayed up so late. I didn't want to be a burden for him. Allen's eyes fluttered open and he smiled tiredly when he saw me, his amazing hazel eyes gazing at me, the rogue left iris holding its little patch of pale blue colour, something I always admired and found intriguing about Allen's eyes.

"Morning." Allen croaked, then he sat up with a yawn and stretched. I yawned after him and we both chuckled lightly. "I hope you had a good sleep."

"I didn't, but I got sleep and death has stopped banging on my door, so I'm not bad." I replied bluntly.

Allen chuckled under his breath. "Got it. How's your fever?" Allen wondered, pressing his hand to my forehead.

"Well, I can breathe properly and I'm not suffocating in a pool of sweat, so definitely better. Anyway, I'm going to get changed for school." I said, hiding my face from my observant brother.

"And by that, you mean hide away under your blankets and whisper to Ember?" Allen asked knowingly.

"Maybe." I said hurriedly, then I dashed off to my room and did exactly that.

An hour past of whispering and secrets traded with my cat when heavy footsteps thumped up the stairs like a gorilla. I knew Dad was coming, so I held the blanket over my head tighter. "Shhhh." I whispered to Ember when she curled closer to me and stared at me with big, adorable light orange eyes in suspense.

There was a dangerous, eerie silence, when suddenly a thundering roar reverberated around my room and my sheet was torn away from me. I screamed as I clutched Ember tightly, but the grip of the monster was too much for me as I watched in horror, my precious cat getting further and further away. Ember's pained meows reached my ears, even as I was carried downstairs.

Dad plonked me on the couch and put his hands on his hips. I glared, then growled as I jumped at him, attempting to climb over his shoulder and reunite with my loyal furry friend. "I must escape from the evil gorilla! I WILL!" I shouted.

Dad threw me swiftly back to the couch and got down on all fours, making gorilla sounds. He beat his chest and grinned at me boyishly, giving me a split second to escape. But that split second wasn't enough as a large, firm hand grasped my ankle. I scratched the wooden floor boards, screaming in annoyance as I was dragged back to the gorilla. Dad sat me in between his legs and massaged my head. I sighed in defeat, then closed my eyes and enjoyed the blissful scalp massage.

"You win this time," I mumbled. "But tomorrow is a whole different story."

Dads joyous laughter boomed behind me. "Good luck, Aria! You're not getting away from the evil gorilla that easily!"

A sweet, tingling bell rung down the stairs, and Ember's cute black head popped around the corner. "Ember!" I cried happily. "Save me, Ember, save me!"

My hero ran forward and snuggled onto my lap, purring proudly as she lounged on me, waiting expectantly for a belly rub like the weird cat-dog she was.

"Or," I sighed. "You could just get trapped with me. Either, either." I said, ending off with the two pronunciations of the word either. I always heard Dad say it and it sounded...merry.

"Alright, up you get, you don't want to be late for school." Dad said, patting my shoulder.

"Yes I do. I really, really do." I admitted.