I opened my eyes and sat up in my bed. I looked at my feet and saw Otto laying in between them. I felt my vision blur as I remembered that Zach was leaving today. I rubbed my eyes and made them less blurry. I carefully stood up beside my bed as Otto lookedup
/at me with sleepy eyes. He soon stood up,stretched, and yawned. He hopped down to the floor and stood in front of me. I walked and opened my door, walked down the stairs and fed Otto. I silently walked to the couch and turned the TV on.

"Goodmorning!" I heard Zach's cheerful voice as he walked down the stairs. He seemed more cheerful than usual. I noticed a huge suitcase he had in his hand and a backpack on his back.

"Oh," I yawned, "Goodmorning. Are you excited?"

"Of course I am!" His phone buzzed and he picked it up. I saw hissmile fade as he dropped his suitcase and backpack near the door.

"What's wrong?" I stood up and walked over to him.

"Nothing. It's just, she's coming a little late. That's all." He put a fake smile on his face.

"Please Zach. Is that really what's wrong?" I saw him nod slowly and sadly. "Okay, I trust you." I started to walk to the back door to let Otto outside until I heard him speak.

"S-she's not coming..." I heard a thud on the ground as he fell to his knees, crying. I rushed over as fast as I could and helped him up and onto the couch.

"Shhh..." I pulled him into a hug and felt his head dig into my shoulder. "It's going to be okay."

"T-thank you.." His voice cracked. I pulled Zach out in front of me and looked into his eyes.

"Do you want to go back to bed..?" I asked softly and sweetly. I saw his head nod up and down.

"Come on then, big boy.." I pulledhim up the stairs and lightly pushed him into his room. He layed on his bed and I heard him mumble.

"C-Can you tuck me in..?" I smiled and blushed slightly. I walked over to his bed and pulled the covers to his chin. I even kissed his forehead.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Alex.." I walked out of the room and closed the door behind me. I slowly walked down the stairs and grabbed his suitcase and backpack. I brought them up the stairs and put them outside of his bedroom door. Then I walked downstairs and slumped
/into the couch. Otto slowly walked over and jumped onto the couch next to me. I smiled but then heard a knock on the door. I pushed myself up and opened the door.

"Where's Zach?" I heard a voice ask. I finally took in the look of the figure. She had brown, long hair and brown eyes. She was quite thin and wore tight clothes.

"I'm sorry but he's sleeping." I replied. She didn't seem to like that answer.

"He can't be sleeping. I texted him a few minutes ago." It clicked in my mind. It was his girlfriend.

"Well, he said you cancelled on him." I said, rather rudely.

"He is so gullible. It was a joke." I got close to her face.

"He's not coming." With that, I slammed the door on her face and locked it. I sat back down on the couch until the knock yet again. I pushed myself back up and opened the door.

"Yes?" She was still standing there. "Oh are you lost?" I said.

"I'mgoing to wait here for Zach."

"Wait forever then. He's sleeping."

"Oh what are you, his mom." That pushed me over the edge. I got right in her face agin.

"Zach is like my brother. Text him and explain to him that your flight got delayed. He was so excited to do this. Understand?" I saw her walk back to her car and text Zach. She then drove away. I heard footsteps run down the stairs as I shut the door.

"ALEX! ALEX!" He ran behind me, a huge smile on his face and his suitcase in his hand. "She said the flight got delayed and she found another one! I'm still going with her!"

"That's wonderful!" I responded in a cheery tone. He had no idea that I was the one who told her to do that.

"The flight is tomorrow, 5:00!"

"At night?"

"No, in the morning." I felt my smile fade to a slight frown.

"Heh.." I wiped my eye, that let out a single tear. "That's great." I watched him as he placed his suitcase and backpack near the door. He stared at me and then walked back upstairs. I let out a sigh and grabbed small Otto.

"I'm happy for him.." I whispered as I sat on the couch and placed him in my lap. "I just don't want to be here alone. This isn't even my house."