Breaking Free (ManxMan)

Chapter 17

This chapter.... i took the time out of my busy no life to write it. So i hope you enjoy and if you don't like it, then whatever. I'm too stressed with midterms, papers, and other things to even care. So.... XP

Dedicating this chapter to rotXinXpieces. Why? Because during my busy time while i was writing small snippets and stressing out over the small things, her stories, which keep updating like crazy and i'm so jealous of that, are amazing. OMG. If i could, i would totally go up to her and shake her hand and thank her for having such a creative mind. :)

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Chapter 17


(Alan/Sky's POV)

Another day, another cycle of reluctance to get out of bed and be productive.

The blaring screeches of my alarm clock awoke me from my slumber, causing an annoyed grumble to escape my lips. Blindly, I reached out towards my nightstand and began to smack my palm at random places, hoping to be successful on hitting the snooze button. Sadly, I wasn't and only created a mess as my wallet, phone and other small objects lying on the nightstand, toppled onto the floor, excluding my alarm clock, who continued to mock me with its constant beeping.

Groaning in irritation, I pried opened one eye and smacked the alarm clock again, succeeding this time. A sudden silence filled the room as I snuggled back into my warm pillow, wanting to catch a few more minutes - or hours - of sleep. Life has to be a pain in the butt because right when I closed my eyes, there was a knock on the door. Maybe the person would go away if I don't answer?

Or maybe not.

The knocking turned to banging. "Sky! You better be up or you'll be late for work!" a voice that sounded a lot like Rydia yelled.

I mumbled something underneath my breath and snuggled further into my bed, ignoring the thumps and threats.

A few minutes later, my blankets were thrown off of my body and I screeched from the sudden blast of cold that chilled my once warmed body. I snatched my pillow and hugged it to contain some semblance of warmth on my body as I glared that the harpy who held my blankets with a smug look on her face. "Rise and shine sleepy head."

"I hate you." I spat at her as I stretched, a huge yawn forcing itself out of my throat as I stretched like a cat to pop all of the kinks that formed while I slept.

"You know you love me. Now get your cute ass into the bathroom and get ready for work. I'll brew up some coffee." She slapped my thigh before leaving my room, tossing my blankets back onto my bed.

I scowled and rubbed my abused thigh before heading into the bathroom quickly. The hardwood floor was as cold as ice and I forgot where I placed my fuzzy slippers. Running quickly on my toes, took a quick shower, brushed my teeth and headed to my closet for clothes, which I forgot to bring. It seems that I forgot to close my bedroom window, sending another blast of cold air onto my body. Yelping, I threw on a warm black knit sweater, boxers and black slacks with thick socks and some black boots.

Shadow and Mochi were by my side the instant I stepped out of my room, Shadow greeting me by standing on his hind legs, his paws on my shoulders to give me a firm lick on the cheek. Mochi clamored onto my shoulder and rubbed his head underneath my chin. I guess they really didn't like staying away from me that long and I felt guilty for leaving them for a few days, which is why I'm bringing them with me to work today.

Speaking of work, my boss was very understanding and said that I wasn't being penalized for missing a few days work. He did say that he'll take a few days of vacation time as collateral, that and hard labor. As he quotes 'I'm going to work you over like a dog' and that was said with such a happy tone, it sent shivers down my spine. Not looking forward to work today....

To my surprise, Rydia wasn't the only one who invited themselves into my apartment. The bodyguards Brandon and Ric are here, sitting by the counter with a mug of coffee in their hands. I haven't seen them in a while, but with all the crap happening around me, I wouldn't have noticed if a nuclear bomb exploded right in front of me. Lydia is here too with her boyfriend Lance, both are helping cook breakfast. Rydia sat on the couch in the living room with a magazine in her hand next to Ian, who was skimming through a Psychology textbook, his eyebrows crinkled in concentration.

I haven't seen this many people in my apartment ever. It was... pleasant and I know the reason as to why they are all here. They are worried about me and my sudden absence, my emotional stability. I can't blame them for worrying either. I'm not exactly the epitome of stability and my life isn't the dictionary definition of tranquility. Even with all the misfortunes that has happened in my life, I was able to to meet some good people along the rocky road that is my life and couldn't change them for the world.

Lydia sensed my presence and gave me a warm smile. "Hey there sleepy head. Breakfast will be done in a few minutes so grab a cup of coffee."

I mumbled in agreement and made my way to the coffee machine, taking in a deep breath to fill myself with the lovely aroma of freshly brewed coffee. I poured myself a cup and just drank it black, not bothering to add anything to squelch the bitterness of the drink. The liquid warmed my insides of the chilly morning and slowly brought me back to life.

"Hey guys." I greeted everyone when I finally sat down on the couch. "Didn't know that I invited you all for breakfast today."

Brandon was the one who spoke up first. "Ric and I wanted to see how you were doing today." He shrugged his shoulders as Ric turned the page of a newspaper I haven't noticed him reading, engrossed in whatever current events is written. "Right when we got to your floor, the door was already opened and we were greeted by these people." He pointed his thumb at Lydia and Lance.

Lydia turned around as the smell of bacon wafted into the air, mixing with the scent of coffee. The constant sizzle of the skillet and the small shifting sounds of people moving random things around every now and then gave the room a very homey feeling, more so than before. "Who are you by the way?"

Rydia burst into laughter as I shook my head and sighed.

"You just let complete strangers in?" Rydia continues to laugh.

Lydia glares at her sister and points the spatula her way. "Says the girl who left the door wide open for anyone to come inside."

Rydia salutes her with a mug of coffee before taking a sip. "Touche."

Lance chuckles while Ian glances up from his textbook and shakes his head. "You two are idiots."

Rydia smacks him with her magazine while Lydia gives him the death glare.

Ian rubs his arm and pouts. "Ow. What? It's true!"

"You better apologize or no breakfast for you." Lydia warns.

Ian crosses his arms over his chest. "Sorry." He grumbles reluctantly.

Lydia nods and makes eye contact with her sister, who returns a smug smile at her. "Good." She returns her attention to Ric and Brandon, who were watching the entire scene with amusement. "Now, before you introduce yourselves, I'll introduce everyone. I'm Lydia. This is handsome man helping me here is my boyfriend Lance." Lance nods in greeting. "Over there by the couch is my twin sister Rydia, which is pretty obvious."

"Yo." Rydia responds in greeting.

"That cute little boy studying like his life depends on it is Ian." Ian looked up from his book again and gives them a vague smile before looking back down his book, mumbling under his breath.

Lydia shakes her head. "We're Sky's friends." She concluded as she gestured Lance to bring out the plates from the cupboard, which she had to point out since he didn't know which cupboard she was talking about.

"Well, I'm Brandon and this here is Ulric- ."

"Ric." Ric cut off.

Brandon continued to speak, as if Ric didn't say anything. "We're assigned to watch and protect Sky from any signs of danger."

Lydia raised an eyebrow and from the coroner of my eye, I saw Rydia and Ian react to his words, interested, but trying not to be obvious about it. "So.... you're bodyguards?"

"Basically." Ric grumbled, his eyes glued to the newspaper.

"And why are you protecting Sky?"

Brandon shook his head. "That is strictly confidential and can only be said by the person who hired us."

Lydia looked confused. "Who hired you?"

"That is also confidential. We can only give you their name if we are given permission." Brandon explained.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't worry about who hired them. I know the guy so it's okay, although I thought he would call you guys off by now."

Ric looked up and gave me a smirk. "What? You don't like us?"

"No, but I don't need protection. I am perfectly capable of protecting myself." I huffed.

"Says the danger magnet." Rydia mumbled under her breath, but I heard it. I stuck my tongue out at her.

"Alright. Breakfast is done. First few people who finish gets seconds." Lydia announced as Lance started handing out the plates of food on the counter.

Rydia and Ian came over and sat down with the rest of us as we chowed down on eggs, bacon, and french toast with syrup. Conversations were being said all around and laughter seemed to always be constant. I couldn't help but be sucked into the joyous gathering of my friends, who cared about my well being enough for them to invade my home, and bring this wonderful atmosphere with them. They didn't ask what happened or even mentioned anything close to the touchy subject, but gave me support nonetheless and I couldn't be more grateful.

Once when breakfast was finished, we all helped out with the cleaning and headed out together. Rydia got a ride with Lydia and Lance, Ric and Brandon headed to their car and I took Ian with me, Shadow and Mochi in my car to drive him to school. He actually took the bus here, then walked seven blocks to my apartment all because of his concern for me.

What a great kid, but I can feel that something is wrong with him. There is this, heavy air that's surrounding him, but I didn't want to pry into his matters just yet. Now is not the time, so we stayed quiet, until I stopped in front of his school. He waved me goodbye before heading to the entrance doors.

Work was pretty much the same. I did my daily routine of giving check ups to my patients, giving out shots, and playing with the patients who have to stay around the hospital due to their conditions. Shadow and Mochi stuck to me like glue, following me wherever I went, but they were always out of the way when I needed them to be, so I didn't mind at all. Of course, I was still afraid of my boss handing me tons of work, but it wasn't until later in the day when I finally saw him with an evil grin on his lips and a glint in his eyes. I cringed as he gave me the workload of the century, with tons of paperwork and the numerous amounts of patients I was assigned tomorrow, along with taking care of a pregnant lioness who was due any minute so I have to arrive at the zoo tomorrow for a check up, and many other things.

Sigh.

Exhausted after a long day of work, I was finally able to go home. Stretching my weary body, I packed up my things from my office when I realized I haven't turned on my phone since the whole Jack incident. Cringing from the amount of missed calls and messages I've received, I pressed the power button and waited for the thing to load. Once my screen flashed my lock screen, I saw the long list of notifications that seemed to continue on forever no matter how long I scroll. And almost all of them were from Jack.