42

42


AALIYAH 

I'm not sure how long I slept for hours on end, but right now my body feels rested. Still lying in Nikki's bed, Linda and Nikki are keeping watch over me as I awaken.

"Hey, guardian angels." I smile in jest. 

"Hey, sleeping beauty." My shoulder is rubbed by Nikki. 

"How was your beauty sleep?" 

"Splendid." My scratchy eyes itch. I haven't had one in a very long time. I speak slowly.

“I understood you required that.”

“Will you not seek evacuation? You're aware that your fetus is dead, right?” Linda's eyes are fixed on me.

"What?" Nikki scoffs. "Linda, I know you're direct, but not as direct as I am, trust me. There are better ways to say things. I'll go violent with you.”

“Don't misunderstand me; I had no malicious intent.”

“Oh, like now is the appropriate time to act insensitively?”

"Don't you think now is the safer time?"

Nikki turns around and looks back at me; she can see that I'm relapsing since my arms are now across my chest. She is the only person who has ever seen me at my most vulnerable and worst.

"Hey, stop." She massages my arms. "Don't let her get to you, please. "Observe me.” She lifts my chin higher. "When you are prepared, the procedure will be done.”

Still feeling a little unsteady, I nod. "But can I have it right away? like immediately?"

“Hey girl, pay attention to me. You will, but first, be strong," she begs. What could be worse now that the worst has already occurred?” 

"This... Having a dead baby inside of me is far worse." My broken pieces shattering afresh. 

"No, you're mistaken. Losing your mind, losing yourself in the process, and not putting up a strong fight are things that could be more wearisome. I find it tougher to watch.” She keeps rubbing, trying to make me feel better.  "If there is somebody I want to aspire to be like and learn about the world from her perspective, it would be you. Aaliyah. However, you're making me regret it right now.

I start to shed tears.

"No, I like it if you were strong instead of crying. Recall how difficult you made things for Clair. When others couldn't, you had the three alphas to yourself. The dumbest yet annoying." She chuckles. "Somehow received punishment rather than encouragement." 

I grin and nod. It's been a really difficult journey, "But..."I wait so as not to enrage her.

"Go on, dear, no. This is your one chance in a lifetime to act inappropriately. The next time, I'll jump on you.”

I guffaw. "The triple alphas are gone, and since they are fighting over who will be the successor, the beta decided to do something different."

“Okay?”

“It implies that I won't have someone to defend me if they attack.” My limbs tremble as I fidget.

“And who asserts that they won't return?”

I pause; Clair has played havoc with my feeble head. I reassure myself softly that they will return, and they will do so quickly. "But now that I've lost the one thing they hold dearest to them, they won't appear to care about me anymore.”

“Says? Have you recently glanced in the mirror, Liyah? Anyone would die for you. The conflict between them over you is not out of place. You are yummy, spicy, and dumb.” She can't do without humour.

While wiping away tears, I giggle.

"Keep in mind what Hunter said. You admitted to me that he would pick you over everyone else, any day, and any time. So concentrate on your survival as he requested.

Hell! She is a resourceful person and a strong shoulder. Even though my retaliation was messy, I am still their Luna, and they will always desire me.

I nod while giving her a tight hug. 

"When did this friendship between the two of you develop?" Linda is envious as she watches us cuddle.

"When you were preoccupied gathering gossip." Still the right match for Linda.

"You two are making me jealous." She expresses her emotions.

“You don't have to be, just seize being foolish.” Nikki does not readily accept forgiveness.

“Fine. Even though it's rich coming from you, you still win.” Asserts Linda. "What would you two like to eat, then? I could put together a feast.” She extends.

“You now have a kitchen connection, what?” Nikki jeers. "Are you now rubbing shoulders with the chef? Or bottom?" she asks with a wink to emphasize her point. 

“No!” Linda shouts. "The sooner I realize you are beyond saving, the better for me."

“Yes, for every one of us. So describe your plan for pulling out a feast for us. Or is it your fist?”

"I will be overjoyed," Lisa clenches her fist. "But really, it's how we always do it.”

Nikki looks puzzled and wants an explanation. "Rob Peter to feed Paul? You could make up for your absence by doing that."

"And you'll fill me in on every gist," 

"Nothing that you haven't already heard from elsewhere. She lost it after becoming pregnant. Nothing else to say.”

"Aaliyah, I'm not listening to your whining. Today you will eat and turn into a locomotive ball with limbs." She issues a warning, as Linda leaves to fulfill her pledge. 

“Ball?” My eyes enlarge. Argue with Nikki at your peril.

"Does it still hurt?" 

“My stomach?"

"Yeah, and your head, and all the other places." She makes a point. I reserved some pills for you; you'll need them.

"I may hate drugs, but I can smell addiction in those."

“You won't be addicted for long. it's a far cry from X-ling.”

"What?" My mouth is open wide. "How in the world did you know that? I haven't told you.”

"I noticed you peeping." She begins to laugh. "The day we first spotted the alphas that evening. In your secure refuge, you were peeping and acting all touchy.”

I feel timid, which is yet another new aspect of Nikki.