Chapter 54
It's almost nine in the morning. I've been awake for a little while now, about forty minutes or so. Although it didn't feel like that at all.
Who knew that staring at the ceiling and listen to a girl who's been cuddling you since midnight would cause time to speed up?
In reality it doesn't speed up at all, it's just my perception of how fast it goes. You know what I mean though so I don't have to explain it more.
As mentioned, Rom hasn't let go of me since about midnight. This also means her head hasn't left my chest for the entire night. Upon waking up I found a few damp spots on my shirt.
Not very large ones mind you, tiny miniscule ones. Personally I think of drooling during sleep as a sign of happiness and relaxation.
In other words, I feel like I've accomplished something great to one of my greatest friends of all time. She just looks so happy in her sleep right now.
I only have today, tonight, and the morning left to spend with Rom like this. After that I have to return to my normal life. Let it also be noted that I enjoy spending time with her.
So I think tonight I'll do something special just for her. It's the least I can do for a friend. Perhaps she'll want me to read more of Angels and Demons to her if she asks. But we'll stop if things get weird again.
After all, I can't just read the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa to children now can I? Blanc would really get pissed off at me if Rom or Ram started to quote it religiously.
Sigh, I really think things through too much when I have time to myself. I need something to happen if I don't want my brain to implode from over thinking.
"Hmm…" Rom stirs around in her sleep. Almost immediately she slowly opens her eyes to get a feel to the brighter environment.
Still groggy from just waking up, her eyes are only half open, and her mouth still has a little drool coming out of it. It's so cute that I have to resist the urge to just hug her. The worst part is that I don't think her cuteness is intentional, just passive.
"Morning Rom, sleep well?" I try to keep my voice down since she's still booting up.
"Uh huh…" Rom's voice is quieter than usual due to it being morning. As well as she just woke up not a minute ago. This is a first for me.
"Good to hear. I was going to go get something to eat, want to join me?" I ask her while remaining quiet.
"Ok…" Rom's voice is louder this time. But that's by Rom standards mind you. In comparison to other peoples voices it's relatively soft.
Even though she's very timid, I've gained the ability to tell when she's excited, depressed, or even just being shy even though she uses the same tone of voice all the time.
Rom releases her grip on me and crawls over me to get out of bed. Soon afterwards I uncover myself and get out too.
Together we make our way to the kitchen where a new problem presents itself. What are we going to have for breakfast today?
"So, what are you craving this morning? Name it and I'll see if I can make it."
"Um… can you… make scrambled eggs, sausage, and oatmeal?" Ah, a pretty solid breakfast if you ask me. All of those things shouldn't pose too much of a hassle.
After all, I've had to make breakfast like this for Maurice countless times before. It's just one of the many things that keep him from having a mental breakdown.
"Ok, I can do that. Just sit tight for a little bit."
I find a glass in one of the cabinets and open the fridge. Taking out the orange juice I purchased yesterday, I pour Rom a glass and hand it to her.
She smiles and takes a sip from the glass. I pat her head and she goes to the living room to wait for breakfast. When she sits down I hear the T.V. turning on.
Ok, now I need to make breakfast for the both of us. It shouldn't take too long for a… moderately good cook such as myself. I used to know a guy who could cook amazingly. However his teaching methods were a bit… unorthodox.
More of my past will come another day. For now I have some breakfast to make for an absurdly adorable girl.
About twenty minutes or so pass before I finish preparing everything. The final product looks pretty good if I say so myself.
I can only imagine how well Rom will think of it. She seemed to enjoy the red beans and rice last night. One can assume that she'll like this too.
Taking a plate out of one of the cabinets as well as a small bowl. I take a medium sized helping of the eggs and put it on the plate. Then I put two sausages on the plate as well. Finally, I fill the bowl with the oatmeal.
Putting some silverware on the plate and in the bowl, I walk to the living room where Rom is watching some Saturday morning cartoons.
Honestly, I have no idea what the hell kids watch these days. I prefer other types of shows. Mainly sitcoms such as Seinfeld, That 70's show. And even some non sitcom shows such as the middle and community.
I place the plate and bowl on the table next to the couch Rom is sitting on. The sound of them hitting the table turns her attention from the T.V. to them.
The look in her eyes is that of pure bliss. She can't wait to eat breakfast now. Looking to the side, I notice that her glass is empty. Since I fancy myself as a gentleman, it's obvious what I'll do next.
"Here, begin eating and I'll be back shortly."
She nods to me then puts the bowl in her lap and the plate on the arm of the couch. Returning to the kitchen, I pour some more orange juice into Rom's glass. Afterwards I get my own plate and bowl of food.
Managing to pick it all up stably, I return to the living room once more and place the glass by Rom again. She smiles at me with that warm hint of cuteness that she always has.
After that I take a seat next to her since she likes to eat near me. At least that's what I got from last nights dinner. As well as she couldn't sleep without me.
I swear her cuteness factor doubles every time that I see her. It's scary to think that someone could be this cute and adorable without even realizing it. Well Nepgear does have her moments.
While I think about this subject and take small bites of my food in the process, to my side I can hear Rom happily eating her breakfast.
A surefire sign that it was a success and she enjoys it. I'm not one to boast a lot actually, but my cooking abilities are unmatched in my group of friends as far as I know.
The reason I learned to cook in the first place was because of my brother actually. His girlfriend isn't around as much as you think, and since he can't cook worth shit I learned the craft myself.
After a while it became an art to make me happy. Cooking for him, his girlfriend and myself brought smiles to our faces.
I look to Rom once more and watch her take a spoonful of oatmeal. After she eats it she smiles in her usual fashion. This in turn causes me to smile as well.
It might be my last full day here, but with her around I just know it'll be more eventful than any other weekend day I would've had.
A few hours later after we finish our breakfast, all we've done is stayed put on the couch and watch whatever the hell that kids watch these days. It's mostly out of respect for Rom, but now I can pick up on the deeper meanings in kid shows.
Still though, I can tell that she wants to do something else later today. It's like I'm playing Fallout and I have the child at heart perk or something.
"Hey Rom, is there anything you'd like to do today?" I've got nothing to lose if that helps matters any.
Rom thinks for a moment on the matter if there's anything she wants to do. There isn't much in this town and I can't drive yet, so I don't imagine there will be much to think about.
"Would it be too much trouble… to go to the park… for a while at least?" That seems manageable to say the least.
"That's reasonable, we can go now if you'd like."
"Ok… I'll go… and get dressed."
Rom gets up off the couch and walks to her room to change into her winter apparel, which in all honesty is what she wears everyday. I have to get changed as well if I want to not get frostbite.
My duffle bag containing my spare clothes is right by the couch. After opening it, I put my sleepwear in it and pull out some clothes. Before I can put on my shirt Rom walks back in.
She can see my scars from when I got attacked on Halloween. I'm still baffled on how they managed to heal so quickly. But Rom has a different view on the subject.
"Um… does it hurt anymore?"
"No… it's healed up since then Rom. Don't worry, it's fine." I try my best to reassure her that nothing is wrong. When in all reality, every time I see these scars I get frightened.
There are still so many questions that have been left unanswered about that night. I may not show it on the outside, but inside I'm scared but curious.
Oh well, knowing my luck the answers will come up in the worst way possible soon. And when they do it'll change my life forever.
"Alright Rom, shall we be off then?"
"Mhm" And with that, we leave the house and lock the door behind us.
From Blanc's house, the park isn't the half hour walk it would be if it were from my house. No, from here it'll only take ten minutes to walk there.
That's a relief because I'm pretty sure that Rom wouldn't want to walk that far on a Saturday.
Regardless, Rom walks along side me staying close by my side. She's nervous about being in public from what I'm guessing. She doesn't have to worry though; as long as I'm here nobody will lay a finger on her.
The rest of the walk goes off without a hitch as expected. In only a ten minute walk, we reach the park gate.
Being the winter months not a lot of people go to the park. Being mostly empty gives us ample room to enjoy our day before it gets too cold.
Rom can swing, use the jungle gym, or just sit on a bench without anyone else to worry about. I'd say this was a pretty good idea on Rom's part. She's one smart kid.
"Ok Rom, I'm going to sit on a bench and give Nepgear my daily call. You go on ahead and play."
"Ok…" Rom runs at towards the actual playground here and starts to climb the ladder on the jungle gym.
I walk over to one of the benches near where Rom is playing and take a seat. I pull my phone out of my pocket and scroll down to find Nepgear in my contacts.
Just then I think about how much my contact list has grown since that fateful day in August when I met my greatest friends. Then about a month later Martin was added to the mix.
When I finally get to Nepgear's contact page, I take a look at the picture I have for her contact and I just can't help but smile.
It's a picture I had Martin take of us with her getting ready to kiss my cheek. It makes me miss her to a certain extent. I don't want to leave tomorrow in a way, yet I want to get back to her and finish that robot I got her for our three month anniversary.
And if all goes well then I'll be done when Rom is tired and wants to go home. That's if I'm lucky that is.
I click call and prepare for one hell of a talk with the women I love more than anything in the world.
"Well it sure sounds like you're having a good time."
"Yeah, for once nothing bad has happened in a two day span." That's a first for me actually. Then again, the day isn't over.
"Goodness that must be a new record for you." Even she gets how big of a deal this is. I'm glad she gets me in that way.
"It puts my mind at ease to say the least. Even that much is a small victory."
"Of course it is, any victory is a good victory." Words to live by brought to you by Nepgear.
"Yeah… anyway, it looks like Rom is about done. Sorry to have to cut this short."
"It's alright, I understand. Go and have a good time." Wow, she is really understanding on this matter.
"Ok, bye. Oh and I love you." It feels natural at this point."
"I love you too Jack." I can just imagine her face right now. She's probably blushing furiously even now. I can guess because I'm blushing furiously and we're practically the same person when it comes to relationships.
*Click* I end the call on cue.
Phew, that was even more intense than I remember. My heart's racing just thinking about how much Nepgear loves me.
Getting this thought train back on its rails, Rom does appear to be slowing down. Your guess is as good as mine, she's just tired from playing.
Rom slowly walks over to me and takes a seat to my left. Her eyes are trying their best to stay open, but sleepiness is about to take over.
"I'll take that as a sign that you're ready to head home."
She nods in response to my question. It's abundantly clear that she doesn't have a lot of energy left in her system. One of the downsides to her younger age I guess. Short bursts of energy but not a lot of it.
Rom won't be able to walk home like this. I'd rather her sleep and feel better than push her just to walk ten minutes. Not being able to sleep is complete and utter hell.
"Ok Rom, hold on tight." I stand up and kneel down in front of her. Using some of what little energy she has left, she presses herself against my back and wraps her arms around my neck.
I stand up and place my hands under her thighs to keep her held up without her actually using up major energy.
"Don't worry we'll be home in no time." I try my best to keep her calm and relaxed.
All I get back from her are a few incomprehensible noises and a yawn signifying that she's really tired. More tired than I originally had anticipated.
Whatever the case may be, I start the short walk back to her house. With a slow and steady breeze and a temperature that isn't too cold the walk will prove to be a relaxing one.
As I walk down the path leading to the gate I get a feeling. It's one of those, you ever get the feeling that something really bad is about to happen feelings.
And sure enough with my shit luck and excellent guessing abilities, something does happen.
From the side of the gate, a person walks out and stands in the center between the two posts holding the gate doors. An overall ominous feeling shrouds this whole situation.
"Man, this is the second time we've run into each other and you're carrying that brat." Oh how I cringe whenever I hear this guys voice.
"Andrew? How in the name of everything that's holy did you heal up from the last fight we had so quickly?" It is a bit strange to say the least.
"Magic!" He says sarcastically.
"Whatever, if you don't mind I'm sort of with someone right now. I'd rather not fight you here and make you look like even more of a pretentious prick."
"Don't worry I'm just here to talk." That sounds a bit too intelligent for him to say. Regardless I might as well hear what useless banter he has for me this time.
"Fine but make it quick, I'd like to get home before it gets too cold."
"All I have to give you is a warning. Things for you are about to get… fun." That doesn't sound too good. Then again it's Andrew we're talking about here, he's probably just spewing nonsense again.
"Yeah, yeah, and I'm the Marry Queen of Scotts. Your point is?" One sentence from this guy is all it takes for him to piss me off.
"Nothing, that's all I have to say to you for now. See ya… hero." That last part confuses me.
Andrew walks towards me, as soon as he passes me a cold chill runs down my spine. It's unsettling but most likely nothing more than coincidence.
Rom's still in a half sleep state, which means she probably won't remember what happened just now or simply pass it off as a dream.
I don't get why he called me hero though. The only person… or thing for that matter to ever call me a hero was the Hero's Shade. And that was in a video game.
A game that he doesn't know about most likely. He never struck me as the kind of guy who's into fantasy games or MMORPG's for that matter. The possibility of him knowing that is slim to none.
I'm really confused now, more so then when I think about how a guy like me scored a girl like Nepgear. Both are very confusing in their own aspects mind you.
But for now, there's not much I can do but continue the walk back to Rom's house and try to pass this off as him being drunk off his rocker.
That's what I hope at least.
A/N: Hey guys, it's been a while hasn't it? Aside from me experiencing three to four writers blocks a week now, I've been working a lot more this summer for some extra cash.
Hopefully you guys understand. Any way, I might be coming to you, the readers to see how well you like certain things I've thought up of.
Because every time I don't write, I think about what could happen in the stories future. To be considered for sneak previews and commentary activity you must either, A. Review at least once, B. Have a history of PMing me, or C. have a trustworthy username that makes me laugh.
The people chosen could be you. But until then loyal readers, see you in the next update.