•ΛПIMΛXIƧ•

Three

I woke up very slowly. I looked around, and saw Dusty sleeping on my old beanbag. I chuckled, and he stirred. His eyes opened and he smiled sleepily at me.
"Dusty, what happened?" I asked as he approached. He was shirtless, as per usual when he slept. He scratched the back of his head, yawning.
"Not sure." He said, shaking his head.
"Oh god, please tell me you weren't up all night because of me." I sighed. He shrugged.
"So what if I did? You were in really bad shape." He said, sitting on the edge of the bed. I dug my wrists into my eyes, groaning.
"Dusty...I was fine." I lied. He saw right through it.
"Alvi, you were horrible." He said.
"Gee, thanks." I said, crossing my arms.
"No, I'm serious. You turned super pale and cold, it was horrifying." He said, putting his elbows on his knees and hiding his face in his hands. I say up slowly, my head throbbing. Dusty sensed this, because he handed me a little bottle.
"Two of these every five hours." He said, standing up and leaving the room. Dusty always ran and hid when he showed the littlest sign of emotion.
"What is it?" I asked, skimming the label.
"Motrin. It's just for the headaches." He said, going upstairs. I dumped two pills into my palm, and downed them with a glass of water from the end table. It took me a second to swallow them properly, and eventually I got myself up and showered. The cold water woke me up a bit, and I was able to change my clothes into my usual flannel outfit, this time blue, without passing out. Once I was changed, I had a little bit of toast just in case my body didn't agree with me at any point. Then I headed out.
God I wish Lucas had a phone. Then I wouldn't have to walk a mile to ask him a question.
Maybe I'd invest in getting him an old or used phone sometime. As I passed by Olive and Olivia's house, I heard Olive's chattering from over the fence. There was a tree hanging over it, so I climbed up until I could see into their backyard. Olivia was in a swimsuit, with sunglasses pulled over her eyes. She was laid out on a lounge chair, and I could hear someone splashing around in the pool in front of her. I leaned down to get a better look, and before I could react, I was tumbling down from the tree. Olivia yelped from the pool, and Olive simply slid her glasses down her nose, pulling her leg up and smirking out me.
"Real smooth." Olive said. Olivia came out of the pool, dripping wet. He dark skin looked like chocolate in the sun. She smiled at me, brushing her soaking wet hair behind her ears.
"Thanks for dropping in." She said once she'd reached me. I scratched the back of my head embarrassedly.
"Yeah...sorry." I said. Olive came over, putting a hand on her hip, as per usual. Her swimsuit was really pretty. It was black stripped, and it hugged her curves.
"Like what you see?" She said with a smirk. I shook my head, blushing like crazy.
"Sorry-I...I didn't-I didn't mean.." I struggled. Olive chuckled, putting a hand on my shoulder.
"It's fine. Come sit with us." She said, and lead me towards the lounge chairs.
"Do you have a swimsuit Alvi?" Olivia asked.
"Uh, no?" I said. Olivia didn't make it an issue, but Olive put a hand on her chest as if she'd been shot or something.
"Oh honey! Come with me." She said, grabbing my arm tightly and yanking me onto my feet towards the house. I looked back at Olivia, reaching out for help. But she just shook her head while laughing and waving. Olive brought me inside and brought me up a shiny set of stairs. I glimpsed the amazing decor in the house, including a massive marble fireplace, huge windows, and a flatscreen TV. It was truly astounding. We got to what I guessed was her room. There was a huge bed with posts, and a hanging canopy. She had a balcony overlooking the pool outside, and a walk in closet. She also had a little couch area and a TV. An entire wall of mirrors caught me off guard when I saw my grungy form compared to the glamorous room.
"You should be flattered being allowed in here." She said, giving me a sideways look.
"Are...are you flirting with me?" I asked, doubling over in laughter. Olive turned bright red.
"Pfft... no. Why would you assume that...is it working...?" She asked, smiling and joining me in my laughing fit.
"Not in the slightest." I said once we'd calmed down. Olive snapped her fingers, gasped, and went to the closet.
"Uh...Olive?" I asked after a moment of her not coming out. I walked over to the closet, peeking inside.
"No, no, no." Olive said from somewhere inside. I watched little swimsuits fly through the air and land in a growing pile on the ground.
"What are you doing in here?" I asked once I'd found her leaning over a drawer.
"Oh, just finding you a swimsuit. Ah!" She said, pulling a little red bikini out. I cringed, backing away slowly.
"I uh... don't really need that. I'm fine sitting on the sidelines." I said. Olive nodded. I sighed in relief as she put the bikini away. But then she pulled out a black one piece.
"No, Olive. I'm really fine." I said, walking out of the closet. Olive followed me, this time without a swimsuit.
"Why not? You'd rock that one!" She said. I shook my head.
"I don't really have the body for swimsuits." I said, sitting on her bed and messing with a string loose in the comforter.
"Honey, your gorgeous. And I'm not just saying that because I'm a relentless flirt." She said, sitting beside me and hugging me around my shoulders.
"Thanks Olive, but I should really get going." I said once she let go.
"Oh...okay. It was nice seeing you anyway." She said, and lead me to the door. Once I was out and she closed the door behind me, I let out the breath I'd been holding. I put my hands in my pockets and started toward home. I kicked a little pebble down the sidewalk, trying to get my attention off my surroundings. Suddenly I slammed headfirst into a wall. I groaned, falling back and rubbing my head.
"Gah... that hurt." I muttered to nobody.
"Watch where your going then." A male voice said. I blinked, looking up into a pair of golden eyes. It was a guy about my age with brown hair. Little red scales dotted his face, and hands as far as I could see. He had sharp teeth, and that's when I realized he was growling.
"I uh... I'm really sorry. I wasn't paying attention." I said, suddenly stressed out and overwhelmed. I started crying without knowing. The guy's hostile eyes turned soft suddenly, and his shoulders loosened.
"Hey, I didn't mean to make you cry." He said, his arms fidgeting at his sides.
"No, it's fine. I'm just overwhelmed. Why...why am I telling this to a stranger?" I said, wiping my face.
"Well, I don't know, but I don't have to be a stranger. The name's James. James Harley." He said, extending a hand. I smiled slowly, taking his hand and shaking it.
"Alvis." I said, smiling.
"No last name?" He asked with a chuckle.
"No, when my parents passed I stopped using it." I said, and he sighed.
"Sorry about your parents. I lost my Mom when I was a kid." He said. I smiled.
"Thanks, I'm sorry too then." I said.
"Thanks." He said, and we looked at each other in silence for a second. Then he blinked out of his daze and chuckled nervously.
"I'm gonna go. Sorry for fanning into you, Alvis." He said, starting off.
"No, I'm sorry. And please, you can call me Alvi." I said. He nodded. I saw his arm flinch, but I didn't look.
"See you later then, Alvi." He said with a dorky wink before walking off. We parted ways, and I made my way home. I sighed.
How come I'm making so many friends all of a sudden?
I thought with a giggle. I looked up at the sky as it started sprinkling. I stopped walking as the rain picked up, sticking out my tongue and catching rain in my mouth. This was the first rain of the summer, and it was a good one. It created puddles all along the street and sidewalk, and the air smelled sweet and clean. I smiled at the thought of Lucas' dying grass finally getting some water. Then I stopped, my body getting soaked.
Oh shoot! I forgot all about Lucas!"
I groaned, and started walking again.
"God, why am I so stupid?" I asked myself.
"Hey! Alvi! Get inside before you get a cold!" I heard Dusty call over the pounding rain. I started running, trying not to slip as my sneakers got soaked. I got to the porch and Dusty wrapped me in a towel and helped me take off my soggy shoes.
"Why were you just standing there?" He asked once he'd sat me in front of the fireplace. I warmed up slowly, but I still shook violently.
"I forgot to visit Lucas today." I said with a sigh. Dusty went to the bathroom and came back with a brush. He started brushing my wet and matted hair, as well as my ears and tail. "I'm sure you not visiting him once in a million years won't be a big deal." He said.
"It isn't, it's just... Lucas is in pain. I just don't want to miss out on what might be the last years with him." I said, not willing to cry anymore.
"Hey, look at me. He's going to be fine. The treatment is working, isn't it?" He asked, rubbing my shoulders gently.
"Yes...but I'm still scared Dusty." I said, closing my eyes. I had to admit I was exhausted. The last two days had left me feeling half dead, and I was really enjoying sitting here with my Brother speaking softly and calmly.
"Sis, have you had any more headaches?" He asked, pulling me into the couch and holding me to him. I warmed up instantly, and stopped shaking. He wrapped his tail in mine, holding me like Mom used to.
"Better?" He asked, poking me in the back. I giggled, very ticklish.
"Yes. Thanks Dusty." I said, and turned to face him.
"How come you don't come outside with me anymore?" I asked. He shrugged, putting his hands behind his head and looking at the ceiling.
"I don't have a reason to." He said. I rolled my eyes.
"As if. Seriously though, why?" I asked.
"Alvis, please drop it." He said. I chuckled.
"Ooh, you used my full name. Now I'm in trouble." I said mockingly.
"Shut up, will you? You're so annoying." Dusty said, tickling me. I tried to contain myself at first, but he started tickling my ribs, and I couldn't control the laughter that burst out of me.
"S-stop Dusty! I-I'm ticklish!" I said whenever I could breath.
"Nope! This is your punishment for being annoying!" He said, laughing too. He stopped eventually, and it took me a few minutes to catch my breath. He hugged me tightly, and I hugged him back. I breathed in his cologne smell, and sighed deeply.
"I love you, little sister." He said. I smiled.
"Ditto, big brother." I said, mimicking him.
"Oh quiet! I'm trying to be sappy!" He said, pouting. I chuckled, hopping to my feet and sticking out my tongue.
"Oop, now you're done." He said, and rushed to his feet. I gave a yell and a laugh as he chased me down into the basement and into my room. He caught me, spinning me around in a circle before putting me in my bed and tucking me in.
"Thanks." I said, the last of my laughs fading away.
"No problem. Now go to sleep." He said, ruffling my hair before leaving me alone in my room. I hugged the teddy close, the lavender scent having soaked into my bed itself. I sighed, breathing it in as I sunk into sleep.

Word Count: 2098

Thanks to SuicideTheBunny for submitting the lovely James Harley! He's a really interesting personality and I'm excited to write further into him! Ty for reading everyone!