Page 12 of The Wronged Omega

The bed was in the corner with one nightstand next to it. The dresser was against the wall to our left next to the bathroom door. The frame and furniture were the same as my room, but where I had simple gray bedding, Ellie’s was a pink, blue, and purple tie-dye. Small shelves were littered around the walls with a few pictures on them, but there was still plenty of space for Ellie to add to them. A large white and fluffy rug took up most of the floor space too.

Wanna trade? I wasn’t sure she was paying attention, but then she laughed.

“Yours will be all dolled up in no time. It’s the least that dad of mine can do.” Rich kids with their daddy’s credit cards… Any typical day, I’d be rolling my eyes in disgust but not today. I will use this power for good. My good.

Make his pockets hurt.

“Oh, I intend to.”

Ellie opened a drawer and sifted through the stacks before choosing a pair of gray sweats and another in black. A second drawer was opened, revealing shirts. She chose two at random, throwing one at me along with the black sweats.

“Meet you out there in five.” Without waiting for a response, she locked herself in the bathroom.

I couldn’t blame her. Not only did I need to pee, but the monotony of getting into pajamas and brushing my teeth was welcome.

Back in my bathroom, I took care of business and refused to rush. With my teeth clean and my long brown hair up in a messy bun thanks to a stray hair tie, I checked out the clothes Ellie gave me.

The sweats were basic baggy joggers with large pockets and cinches at the ankles. They looked big enough to fit me, so I slid off my leggings and put them on. They rode up slightly on my ankles, but the rest fit perfectly fine. Tossing off my shirt that was covered in dirt and my bra because fuck those things—plus I didn’t have much going on in that area anyway—I unfolded the gray T-shirt.

On it was a cutely designed praying mantis with the words “I bite” across the top. It was the greatest shirt I had ever seen, and I wasn’t giving it back.

Laughing to myself, I threw it on and left my room.

Stepping out of the hall, I didn’t see Ellie anywhere just yet, so I got myself some more water and got comfy on the larger couch, wrapping a thick and cozy throw around myself. The room was dark besides the TV that played more Shark Week specials on a low volume. We had left lights on in here, so I had a feeling Odie came through and did a sweep before disappearing again.

I must have fallen asleep because a poke to my cheek startled me awake. I gasped and jerked upright.

“Oh, sorry, I thought your eyes were just closed.” Ellie looked sheepish, but I didn’t know if I believed her. “I’m just going to go over here.” She backed up and fell onto the two-seater couch, mimicking my burrito status.

No other words were said as she grabbed the remote and put on a new rom-com. Ellie left the volume to just loud enough so we could hear but low enough that sleep would be possible.

I couldn’t even tell you the first five minutes of the movie because I fell asleep again. This time, I woke up to see Odie lifting Ellie into her arms and vanishing down the hallway. Half of me thought it was part of my dream, but I doubted that was the first time Odie did something like that.

I really didn’t want to get up and walk myself to my bedroom, but no one was going to take pity on me like they did Ellie. The bed looked comfortable enough, but everything else felt cold. Maybe I would stay here for tonight.

My eyes fell shut again, but seconds later, my shoulder was being nudged. I groaned and opened one eye to see Cy’s annoyed face. Where was Odie now?

“Go to bed. I’m not carrying you.”

I snorted and rolled over.

“Fine, sleep out here, but know Odie will be up at five a.m., making breakfast and being annoying.” I heard her take a few steps, then I wiggled and flopped around in a little tantrum on the couch before turning over to see Cy watching me.

I stared into her eyes without a care in the world. Getting up sucked, and she knew it. My reaction wasn’t strange by any means.

“Do you have seizures or something we weren’t told about?” she deadpanned.

Releasing my arms from their cocoon, I replied, My sleep has been ruined three times. I get to be upset.

“And my entire life has been ruined. Deal with it.” With the way her jaw tensed, I didn’t think today was the only thing she was referring to.

Sitting up, I kept the blanket slung over my shoulders, intent on taking it to bed with me. I brushed by Cy and looked up into her icy blue eyes.

I’m not sorry. I protected Ellie, for a little bit if nothing else.

Her full lips turned to a straight line before her head fell back with a heavy sigh.

“We should probably thank you for that.”

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