A Million Miles || Christopher Velez

Chapter 34: Phone [/]

Christopher scanned the card and the door clicked open. Two heads shot up from the giant pile of stacked pillows. One of them with an adorable smile on her tiny face while the other quirked his eyebrows.

Dayana rolled off a cushion and raced towards him, hugging his right leg.

"Christo, you're back," she beamed.

He ruffled her hair. It was all pink ribbons and sparkling hairclips - a courtesy to Joel's fantastic sense of fashion and an expensive hair curler he borrowed from Emilia.

"Look, I am a cowboy," she said, gesturing at the bandana around her neck and the oversized boots. She pulled something out from the boots and showed him. "I have a slingshot too. Joel made them for me. Now, I can shoot whoever that hurts Ana, Ray-ray and Sylvie. I can protect you too."

Christopher melted at that, bending down to kiss her on the head. "I'll protect you first, mi cielito."

"What is all that?" It was Joel.

"These are groceries. I bought it in the mercado," Christopher replied, picking up the shopping bags. The other two figures trailed him into the kitchen which had a mini fridge, an electric kettle and a microwave. "I bought some cheese, bacon,  milk and bread."

"Grilled cheese sandwich," Dayana cheered, jumping up and down. Joel mouthed 'apple juice', explaining the adrenaline rush. "Quiero un sandwich para cenar."

Christopher grinned at her enthusiasm. "Actually, I also brought this back from the apartment." He took out a waffle-maker from one of the bags.

"Yes!" Joel hooted, scooping her up. "You know what this means, Dayana?" She shook her head. "Grilled cheese waffle sandwich!"

Dayana threw her arms in the air and cheered. "We can put peanut butter in it too!"

"I'll go check on Ana," Christopher said, amused. No one heard him as he left them arguing whether peanut butter should be added into a cheese sandwich.

His room was dark but a stray ray of light peeked through the gap between the curtains. A figure sat on the bed, coughing in the huddle of blankets.

Her head tilted up and her lips curved into a smile. It faltered for a moment when her eyes fell to the bracelet on his wrist and she forced it back up again. "You're back. How was work?"

"I'm tired," he uttered, crawling towards her. "Clara let us go early, said she and Sylvie has paperwork to do. I'm not sure what are they up to." He laid his head on her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her waist. Christopher tilted his head up, looking at her with large eyes. "Quiero un beso."

She smiled weakly, bending down to kiss him on the lips. "I'm sick, Christopher."

He nodded. "I love you, mi amor." The boy buried his head in the crook of her neck. "In sickness and in health."

The boy half expected her to protest about how cliche it was but when he looked up, her eyes were shut.

Christopher carefully climbed out of bed, pulling the covers over Anaeya. He gingerly pushed a strand of hair away from her face and kissed her forehead.

He left the room, closing the door behind him. Dayana saw him and tugged at his hand, bringing him towards the pillow fort where Joel had just finished securing the caved in roof with some clothes pin.

"Joel, you fixed it!" Dayana said, kissing him on the cheek.

The boy just smiled sheepishly and suggested, "How about you go get more pillows? That way, we can build a bigger fort so that Christopher can join us." She agreed and ran off towards Zabdiel's room, oversized boots clicking against the floor.

"Thanks for watching her," Christopher uttered, clapping his friend on the back. Joel hummed, taking something from the back pocket of his jeans. Christopher narrowed his eyes at the familiar object. His hands went into his own pocket, making sure that his phone was with him. "Is tha-"

"Ana's phone," Joel finished. He had alarming expression on his face as he raise his hands in defeat. "I know.. I know.. you are going to say that I shouldn't have done it but I promise to put it back. I just wanted to make sure of certain things."

"Joel, why.. what the hell?" Christopher whispered, outraged. He glanced around, making sure Dayana wasn't around. "I get it when you say that I shouldn't publicize my relationship with Ana but this.. this is over the top."

"I'm concerned, okay? I can't help but think that something fishy is going on," Joel said, pursing his lips. He rolled his eyes went Christopher shot him a glare. Then, the younger boy unlocked the phone with the ease like he had stolen other's phone before. "You should know that children have keen observational skills," he explained.

"Joel, this isn't right."

"Chris, Ana hasn't been sleeping well," Joel stated, his fingers tapping and sliding across the screen. "Don't you want to find out why?" He did want to but everything was blurry and whirling in circles until Joel shoved the device into Christopher's hands. "Because of this."

Chistopher blinked.

The long string of texts stretched on Anaeya's phone, seeming endless as more came in. He couldn't help but recognize some of the numbers.

Joel halted him and swiped left, showing him more words from more unknown numbers. He looked at his companion but couldn't make sense of the words he spoke.

"I need fresh air," Christopher finally murmured, standing up. With the device still in hand, Joel fell silent as Christopher made way for the exit.

"Christo!" Dayana emerged from Zabdiel's room. "Where are you going? Don't you want to play?" He stared at the little girl momentarily, then left without a reply.

Do you think it was right for Joel to take Ana's phone? What do you think Christopher will do next?

So.. grilled cheese sandwich plus peanut butter.. yes or no?

I swear.. wattpad almost had me freaked out.. and now I am angry because it wiped the chapter after this clean.. like what the hell man.. I was supposed to update the next one today..

If possible, the new chapter will be up the day after tomorrow!