Destiny

As I settle back on my bed beside Uranus, I let out a deep sigh. My eyes scan every part of the room, feeling home again. Even though I hate living here with my parents, but it's still my comfort zone. Tears evolve closer and closer to my eyes, and my melancholy develops bigger and bigger.

My hands rest on both sides of my legs, and my fingers roughly spread. It has been a tough day. For now, I have to bite the bullet, but I must learn to stand up for myself in front of Michael.

Looking back to Uranus, who's restfully sitting next to me, I realise his puffy eyes. He probably necessitates sleeping, and I feel guilty for it. Funnily, he is sitting just like me, with our pinky fingers barely touching.

Uranus looks like a baby when he's tired, and since he's a fast sleeper, he can nap anywhere. "Thank you," I acknowledge, lightly nodding in appreciation. "I owe you big time," I affirm, "Again."

He turns his head in slow motion, "What are you talking about?"

"For everything," I speak in barely a whisper. My emotions are still all over the place, "I've pressured you and made you part of unnecessary problems. It's all because of my stupid heart that doesn't know how to hate."

For a moment, I deeply indulge in my speech, not looking back at him. "Uranus?" I call.

However, when he doesn't reply, my attention reverts to him. He has thrown his head backwards, with both hands at unconventional angles, and his legs have hung from the lower part of my bed. I echo, poking his shoulder, "Uranus?"

He hums in response, fiddling to fix himself to a more comfortable position.

That can't be happening. I hear a sound from outside. It's probably one of my parents descending the staircase. "Shit shit shit," I panic, standing up to pull Uranus.

Clapping my free hand on his face, he still doesn't wake up. Unfortunately, I have no energy left, myself. With full force, I strive to force him to stand up, but I epically slip.

The sound becomes nearer as time progresses, and this means that I have to come up with a solution swiftly before it's too late.

"Uranus?" I call him one last time, uselessly. Further, I take a firm hold of his suspended legs and pull him to the floor. His head bangs with the wooden tip of the bed, causing his eyes to shot open.

He mumbles sleepily, "Charlotte?"

I stop dead in my tracks as he speaks her name. For a split second, I feel that I'm in a pickle, not knowing whether to hide him or pity him. Although he has been tight-lipped about her, I never thought that he still thinks or dreams about her until now.

Helping him up, I signal, "Come on, Uri. Under the bed."

He rubs his swollen eye with the back of his hand, still not comprehending what's going on.

"We're out of time," I hiss, and he lays flat, rolling under the bed.

Just as he stops moving, one of my parents presses the doorknob deliberately. I hassle to move any further as my heart skips a beat as the door starts to creak open. Squeezing every inch of my mind, I manage to come up with an idea as soon as the door gives away, and disperses open.

My mother stands with narrowed eyes, "Destiny, what are you doing in the middle of the night?"

I don't reply, trying my best to maintain a straight face.

As she takes a better look at me, she realises my clothes, "Why are you wearing these?" She points out her index finger to my attire, "And why aren't you in bed?" Still, no reply from my side.

I head to my desk, and fiddle with my stuff so as not to face her. Sustaining the blank look on my face, I watch her approach me.

Freezing when I hear a snore, it's probably Uranus'. Holding whatever comes in my way, I spin around, pretending to snore. My trial doesn't seem to convince her, as she asks warily, "Who's here?"

I take advantage of my play, snatch my phone from the nightstand, and blast thunderous music to cover up his snores. Still pretending to sleepwalk, I bang my head to the closet.

She approaches me worriedly. "Are you sleepwalking?" She shouts over the music.

With all my power, I try keeping a straight face while looking expressionless at her. Without further ado, she shakes me.

I pretend to wake up, asking, "Where am I? Why am I not in bed?" Putting all the acting talents I can muster, I draw a perplexed face. She pauses the music.

She replies, doubtfully, "You have been sleepwalking, I guess." My mother tilts her head and narrows her eyes slightly as if she can figure out whether I'm lying or not by this.

"Well, better off to bed this time," She encourages, and I obey.

I'm afraid Uranus may snore again, so I want my mother to disappear.

Smiling drily, I confirm, "Of course, good night." I walk on eggshells around her so as not to make her suspicious. 

Honestly, I feel my back against the wall as she retreats, leaving me behind. Dimming the lights, I wait for a few minutes until I can no longer hear any sound. I roll down to find Uranus in a deep sleep.

"Hey, come on! She's finally gone." I declare, helping him out as he wakes up to my voice this time.

His reaction breaks the mould. He hurries to the window like a madman. "Thank you, Destiny, for making me sleep under the bed," He greets, shooting two fingers in the air.

I bustle behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist to keep him from throwing himself out of the window. "Not from here, remember?"

He revolves, colliding with me with our faces jots apart. I back away with embarrassment, then, I guide him to the balcony.

"Are you sure you'll be able to descend without breaking your limbs into pieces?" I question, reassuringly.

Uranus hums, in an of-course-I-can-do-it attitude, "Watch and learn." He slowly slides down the pipe.

Quite frantically, I'm still concerned about him dreaming about Charlotte. She's gone for quite a long time now. Maybe she's the reason he can't date any other girl. I watch him as he makes his way through the backyard until he vanishes from my sight.

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A/N: Hello, beautiful readers! Thank you so much for reading! If you liked the chapter, please don't forget to comment and vote. That was a near miss! Do you prefer tea or coffee?