Pokemon - Evil Reborn

Chapter 8 - Not a Hero... Just a Fool...

I woke up late in the morning the next day, but nobody else was awake regardless. Everyone was tired from staying up for the New Year. It was cold, yet warm at the same time as I lay there, coming to my senses. The covers weren't on my body, but Nelly was as close to me as she could be. Her fingers were lightly gripping my top as she slept peacefully, breathing slowly and silently with her head on my chest and her legs curled up with mine. My right hand was on her shoulder, having gone behind her head, and my left was on her back.

For a little while, I just watched her sleep, as her lips moved ever so slightly every now and again as she breathed.

“Take a good look...” I thought to myself. “This is what I want... It must be...”

“Mmf...” Nelly made a cute little whine and nuzzled her head further up against my chest.

“I love you...” I whispered. But then I looked at the ceiling for a few moments. “Yeah... I love... You... Ngh... Nelly...”

My conflicting thoughts were hurting me once more, and the more I tried to ignore them, the more uncomfortable I became physically and mentally.

I wanted to get up and take a walk, but I didn't want to wake Nelly. Slowly and carefully, I moved her arms onto the bed instead. For a second, her fingers were unwilling to let got of my top, but then she was calmly laying with her head on the pillow. I pulled the covers up to her chin and took a step back. Even when she was sleeping, she was so pretty...

Without over-thinking, I silently got my day clothes out of the drawers and got dressed right there. The purple jumper was warm as it sat over a collared blue shirt, even though it had no hood. The black tracksuit bottoms were just as warm, and soft to the touch. I sat on the foot of the bed and pulled on a pair of black socks before looking back at her again. She was now nuzzling up to the pillow instead of me, and it made me feel empty in a sense. Before I left the room, I leant over her head and went to kiss her cheek. But before my lips could touch her, I froze. At that moment in time, it didn't feel right. I felt like I didn't deserve to touch her.

Without a word, I left and shut the door quietly behind me.

I had thought I was the only one awake, but I could her vague noises coming from one of the rooms down the hallway. One guest room was beside Nelly's bedroom, and they were the only two rooms on the right side. On the left, in order from the stairs, was Darragh and Alexis' room, the bathroom, and then the second guest room. I walked to the doorway of the room next to Nelly's and glanced into the room. Lydia was stood by a desk, looking at various things on the wooden surface. I didn't mean to be noticed, but I hit my shoulder on the door frame in my distraction.

“Oh, Toby.” She looked up and smiled. “Good morning.”

“Uh, good morning.” I nodded awkwardly. “So, uh, you're keeping your hair like that, then?” I noticed the style and how her hair was draped over her left shoulder.

“Yeah, it's easier to do.” She shrugged. “Anyway, what're you doing up?”