💬 :P
This took me 5,000 years to do apolgy but I did a bonus story because you are sooooo patient :3c I mean both stories are like......... Not amazing, but I made it a point to use two of your characters, too! I hope it's okay (also I tried so hard but like ahskdlfks) (• ▽ •;)
"That's why I have to have all the doors open."
Tuesday took one last glance at the chat she shared with Cecilia on her phone. Several messages had been left unread and unanswered. Even the calls that were attempted earlier gained no response.
She pocketed her cell phone as she approached the front door of Cecilia's house. Tuesday made a fist to knock on the door, but it swung open before she could.
"Oh!"
Tuesday and Cecilia were standing face to face. Normally, Tuesday would have smiled to greet her girlfriend, but the soft grey cloud wafting from behind Cecilia caused her some concern.
"Smoke. Yeah. My dad tried to make-"
"Cecilia! It's not coming off."
Tuesday tried peering inside the house. Cecilia slumped her shoulders to exaggerate the situation, a deep sigh leaving her lungs.
"I don't know what to tell you, Dad."
Tuesday heard a string of German expletives -- which Cecilia had taught her earlier in their friendship -- leave Andreas's mouth. The clanking of metal sounded from the kitchen. And then, the smell hit her.
"Ugh, is that-?"
"Yep. Burnt cabbage. And that's why I have to have all the doors and windows open." Cecilia opened the door wider and motioned for Tuesday to follow her. "Come on. We'll be safer upstairs."
They both climbed the stairs quickly. Cecilia brought the collar of her t-shirt up to cover her nose. The door of her bedroom was opened and closed as fast as she could manage.
"Why did he burn it?" Tuesday asked, amused.
"No idea, but he spent a long time on it. I came downstairs cause he sounded freaked out."
Cecilia sat down on her bed. Tuesday grabbed the computer chair from Cecilia's desk and rolled it closer to the bed.
"Okay, well," Tuesday grinned, taking a seat in the chair. "Your dad's failed cooking attempt aside… I actually came by to see how you are feeling today."
Cecilia stretched out across her bed and sighed. "I'm good." She turned her head in Tuesday's direction. "Don't give me that look. It's the truth; I really am okay today."
"Okay enough to run to Taco Bell with me?"
"Dude. What kind of question is that? I'd go even if I wasn't."
Tuesday leaned closer to Cecilia, the desk chair she was sitting in creaking slightly from the movement. Cecilia poked Tuesday's forehead in response, a playful smile brightening her features. Tuesday's expression remained serious, even as she halfway returned the smile and poked Cecilia's forehead as well.
"I know what you're gonna say," Cecilia sighed. "You wouldn't've showed up if you weren't worried about me, and you wouldn't've been worried if I had messaged you back. I know. I'm sorry, but I really am doing fine. I didn't mean to make you worry. With tomorrow being…"
Cecilia trailed off. She felt Tuesday's hand grab her own, and the slow movement of Tuesday's thumb tracing her knuckles. She squeezed Tuesday's fingers.
"Well, anyway, maybe downstairs is breathable now. I need a crunchwrap now."
Cecilia sat up, and Tuesday moved the chair backwards immediately. She watched Cecilia pick up a hoodie from the floor and slide it over her head. She paused for a moment before turning her head in Tuesday's direction.
"Hey, I have an idea. I want you to come with me tomorrow."
Tuesday smiled lightly at Cecilia. "I would love to."
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Suffocating. She couldn't move, but most importantly, she couldn't breathe. The pressure around her throat only worsened the more she struggled to get away. The more she tried to take in even a single breath. She couldn't see, but she knew.
Arianna knew it was him. She knew even before he leaned closer to speak directly in her ear. The tears leaving her eyes were caught in the mess of her hair.
"This is your fault."
She knew that. It had to be.
Then suddenly, her body felt like it was on fire. She tried harder to scream, but her voice was gone. It was replaced with the sound of his yelling. A sound that was deafening, until-
Arianna jolted awake, gulping in the much needed air. Her body shook as she immediately began to sob. Another nightmare. Another reminder that she had never truly left that place.
She curled herself into a ball. Her blankets were thrown off the bed, but the patched up panther stuffed animal lay within her reach.
One hand grabbed its fuzzy arm, while the other reached for her phone. The screen blinded her at first, but she unlocked it anyway. The time read 2:37 am. Her hand shook as she opened her call history. She didn't have to scroll for very long to find Ira's name.
The phone rang twice. Three times. She let out another small sob at the thought of having to deal with this by herself tonight. She used her free hand to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"Hello?"
Arianna opened her mouth to speak, but all she could do was exhale the air from her lungs. She began to cry once more, but it was silent. She felt pressure in her head and chest, her body trembling.
"Arianna? Are you okay?"
Ira's voice was more urgent. Any sign of sleep had left his tone, and was instead replaced with concern.
"I…" Arianna tried to find the words she needed. Another nightmare. She needs him. Just say it. Her cries were a little louder now.
The sound of Ira's voice was soft as he tried his best to soothe his sister. She heard rustling on his end. Maybe he already knew?
"I'm on my way over, okay? How bad was it? Do you need me to stay on the phone until I get there?"
Arianna shook her head, forgetting he couldn't see her. Several moments passed, and she remained silent.
"You there?"
"Yeah…"
"Do you need me to keep talking to you until I get there?"
"No… I'll be okay."
"You're sure? Do you swear on your skateboard?"
Arianna couldn't help but let out a single, breathy laugh. "Wh-which one?"
"Hmm." The sound of a car door shutting came from Ira's side. "The zombie one."
"...I swear."
"Cool. Hey, why don't you get your new one out for me to see when I get there?"
"Sure…"
"I'm hanging up now. I'll see you in a few minutes."
"Okay. Yeah."
Arianna didn't move the phone from her ear until she heard the beep of Ira ending the call. She locked her phone and tossed it gently to the side.
She thought about how much she missed when Ira still lived there. She used to be able to go directly to his room when this happened, and Ira would comfort her until she fell asleep. Things were always changing.
She reached over the side of her bed to grab her blanket off the floor. Once she threw it over her body and adjusted it comfortably, she rubbed her eyes with the fabric and turned over on her side. The skateboard. I need to get up. She only huddled under the blanket more. And as her eyes closed, she felt her exhaustion outweigh her fear.
Ira pushed the front door of his parent's house open, looking around in the darkness. He pulled his key out of the lock and shut the door behind him as silently as possible. A glance down the hallway on his right told him Arianna was probably asleep again. The light to her room was still off. He regretted hanging up on her earlier, even if she said she would be fine. He hoped she wasn't having another nightmare.
He moved quickly towards her room, stuffing his keys back into his pajama pants pocket. He knocked on her door lightly, but wasn't surprised when he received no answer. He opened the door and called out to her.
Arianna awoke immediately at the sound of his voice. She shifted in her bed and slowly sat up.
"Hey, you okay?"
Arianna shielded her eyes as Ira flipped the light switch on.
After several moments of silence, she lowered her hands to her lap. "Not really. Turn the light off."
Ira flipped the switch once more and walked over to her bed, doing his best to avoid the dirty dishes and clothes in her floor on the way.
"Alright. Scoot over."
Arianna slid to the side to make room for Ira. He climbed on her bed, lying on his side next to her. She did the same, so that they were facing each other. Arianna stared silently at Ira, feeling the tears leave her eyes again. She tried to wipe them away, but they didn't cease.
Ira finally grabbed Arianna's hand, holding it with both of his.
"Just focus on me. It's gonna be okay." He smiled reassuringly at her.
"But it keeps happening. Nothing's changed. What… what if it's never okay?"
After a few moments of silence, Ira heard Arianna start to cry. He wished he knew what to say to make her feel better. Words failed him in situations like these, where he knew they were needed most. What should he do? Distract her? Get her to talk about it?
Arianna pulled her hand free and immediately moved closer, putting an arm around him and crying into his shoulder. He hugged her, using a hand to run through her hair.
"I'll be here for you until it is okay." He hugged her a little tighter. "I promise."












