Interrupted Thoughts

Octavia’s POV

“Via! Via! Via!” Little Arlo tugs at the hem of my shirt, making me lean to one side. “What is it, my little *firefly?*” I grin, lifting her up onto my hip and tickling her softly.

“Hehehe!” The sweet four year old giggles, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Let’s watch a movie tonight! Mommy got me and Carly a new princess movie!” She smiles, pleading with her big baby blues.

“I’m sorry Arlo… I’m going out with Faye tonight. But you know what, I will make you and Carly some movie treats before I go.” I hug her tight, and snuggle her forehead close to mine.

“Aww… you have been so busy! Why do you have to spend time with *her* tonight?” She pouts dramatically, crossing her arms with a big huff. I set her on the side of the counter, opening up a cabinet above the packhouse microwave. I grab a large unpopped bag of popcorn, and pop it into the microwave.

“Trust me, I would much rather watch a movie with my two *favorite* fireflies.” I tap the end of her nose, “But I made a promise, and it wouldn’t be right of me to break a promise.” I force a half smile, and look at her with a divided expression.

“I have to be a good best friend, and follow through with my word.” I lift Arlo off the counter, just as the microwave beeps. “Besides, I think Carly needs her *best friend* so she can get better!”

“But Carly is *just my sister*!” She yelps, as I dump the large bag of popcorn into a movie bucket.

“That’s right, but a sister… is the best kind of best friend you could ever ask for.” I kneel down, handing her the popcorn bucket and ruffing her dark fluffy hair around.

“You’re right,” She sighs, realization written on her face. “She needs me right now.”

I smile, following her little pitter patter up the stairs. “Let's get that movie set up.”

————————————————————————

Once the girls are comfortable, watching their ‘Island Princess’ movie, I head towards my own room at the very front of the packhouse. I click open my door, and immediately head to flop on my bed.

I take a deep breath, trying not to think about the *problems* this week brought me.

Just as his eyes begin to tease my memory again, my phone rings, dragging me back to reality. I pick it up with a simple, “Hello?”

“Hey! Are you ready to go to Moe’s yet?” Faye asserts herself on the other line, “Lillith and I are both ready.”

I exhale, “I'm not ready, I spent a little time with Arlo and Carly.” I roll from my back to my elbows and prop myself up on my bed. “If you give me a few minutes I can throw on some jeans and a tank top.”

“*Are you kidding me?* You’re going to wear *Jeans and a tank top* for a night out?!” She loudly blurts out, making my ear ring a little from the commotion.

“Faye… **Do I *have* to go?**” I groan, sliding my body off the side of my bed and landing onto my knees between the side of my bed and the large window that faces the front of the packhouse.

“Is that even a question!! *YES*, you *have* to go. You agreed to it days ago!” She shouts, exasperated. “You know what- Lillith and I are heading over there. *We are going to get you ready.* see you in five!”

“Wait-!” I try to reject her offer, but before I can continue arguing my way out of having to socialize tonight, she hangs up with a loud click.

I toss my phone onto my bed, and growl as loud as I can, curling my body into the fetal position under the window. “*why meeee….*” I moan in a whisper, I feel so jumbled and anxious as tears stream from my eyes.

I sit like that for a while, being sucked into my stress… and ultimately the thought of my mate again. *’Why hasn’t he come looking for me?’* I close my eyes.

*’Maybe he wants **us** to look for **him**.’* Lucia responds to my rhetorical thought, annoying me. *’OR, maybe he doesn’t want to look for us at all!’* I snap, starfishing on the floor.

*’I don’t even know him…. But I miss the hell out of him.’* Just as I think that, a loud knock rings from my bedroom door.

“I’m coming in!” Faye states, opening my door and looking around confused.

“You know you can’t hide from me right?” She laughs, flopping onto my bed and peeking at my odd pose over the edge of my bed.

Her dark textured coils are pulled back really tight into a cute ponytail, revealing her golden hoop earrings. She smiles, behind her wine red lipstick and perfect eyeliner that makes her dark skin look beautifully flushed.

“Come on! Let’s get you ready.” She laughs attempting to tug me up off the floor. I lazily stand, waving to Lillith. “Hey Lillith.” I try to push a smile out, my previously interrupted thoughts killing my mood further.

“Damn girl, you look like *shit*.” She puts her hands on her hips, making her pink mini skirt and long blonde curls sway at the same time.

“Yeah… I know. Finals week took a toll on me.” I cover my face with my eyes, trying not to show that I have been *bawling.* Lillith sits on the opposite side of my bed, pulling out her phone and tapping away.

My mind begins trailing off again.

Ever since I met my mate… since he ran away from me I have felt so helpless. I keep trying to tell myself that, *Maybe it’s for the best?*

My parents could have everything they want from me, with nobody in their way.

My mind is all over the place when Faye says, “What about this one?” She smiles, holding up a black, short, tight spaghetti strap dress.

I'm so lost in thought I don’t respond, I don’t even look up. She raises an eyebrow, “Hey! Are you even listening Via??”

“Oh… yeah I'm sorry.” I sigh, sitting on the edge of my bed. Lillith laughs a little bit, watching the interaction. “You guys were meant to be siblings, I don’t know how you aren’t.” She says before going back to playing a game on her phone.

“Do I *have*-“ before I can repeat that sentence, she scowls at me. I chuckle a little as her eye twitches, she's so funny when she's mad.

“Yes! Now stand up. *You’re getting dressed.*” She tosses a matching pair of black lacy underwear and bra at me, signaling to put them on.

“Really Faye?? *These??*” I protest in disgust, my voice coming out with a squeak. “I don’t wear sexy stuff!”

“Hurry up and put them on! *You will thank me later.*” She snaps, then winks at me with a coy smile. I quickly get undressed, tossing my things into the hamper behind my bedroom door.

As I put the set of lingerie-like underwear on, she whips out a black leather miniskirt from one of my drawers. “Perfect! Now put this one on!” She giggles and tosses it at me.

It smacks me in the face as I groan again, “Dude. I'm not gonna be able to walk in this! You bought me this years ago!!” I whine, crossing my arms like a child and mumbling under my breath. “I don’t have highschool hips anymore.”

“PUT. IT. ON.” Faye demands, a furious look taking over her dark features. I immediately straighten up, realizing I’m not getting out of this. I sigh, sliding the tight black fabric over my hips.

“Well, that’s surprising.” I look at myself in the mirror on the backside of my closet door, chuckling as I make a comment. “It actually fits.”

“And it looks hot too! Okay, okay now the top.” She smiles, tossing a tight maroon V-neck at my head. “Will you *stop* throwing things at my head!!” I laugh, finally getting into her excited mood.

Eventually I give in and quit arguing as Faye gets me ready. She goes light on my makeup, giving me a gentle smokey eye and complaining the whole time about how she wishes she had smooth clear skin and perfect pink lips. I respond with a little chuckle.

Then she curls my hair and ties it up in a messy bun, leaving a few strands down to frame my face. After she’s satisfied with dressing me up, like one of her dolls, we argue about what shoes I will wear.

Eventually she gives up, and allows me to slide on my black vans once more.

I grab my cropped black leather jacket of the hallway coathanger, and shove my keys into my pocket as we all trot down the stairs.