"And then Charlie walked in! Turns out he's been with Sidney all afternoon. They went for lunch at some fancy eatery across town," I said, my tone laced with a tinge of bitterness. One which Carter was quick enough to identify.
He sat just how I left him, on the closet floor, his legs stretched out before him as he tossed the scissors from one hand to the other. "Well, I do find both of them a cute couple. And so you just had to agree to a date with Freddie just to feel better? I can't believe you've lost your heart, stuffed in some mailman's bag."
"Well it's not like that," I try to sound defensive but Carter's twice as smart. Flipping on my side, I studied him for a brief moment. Low profiled, handsome, intelligent...you name it. It's just that I can't imagine anyone giving up on such a child. For a reason so irking that it was almost laughable. "Freddie seems nice. I'm so looking forward to Friday night."
"Is he from here by any chance? I hear that anyone good looking comes from another town. Freddie might be an immigrant,"
"I doubt it. He does have the looks of someone ethereal. I'm probably just assuming things." I rub at my throbbing forehead.
"You can't help it Carl, it's clear you feel sad. You don't want to go out with that guy, come Friday night."
"Well of course I want it! Have you ever stopped to wonder how long I've wanted this? For someone to come for me and only me?"
"Dude, that stuff happens in fairyland. There's no guy in this town who hasn't dated at least five girls."
"Charlie hasn't," I chirped.
"Like you know about his life. It still doesn't make a difference. You could end up heartbroken."
His words stung.
"Well," I eyed him closely, then drew out the paper bag from beneath the pillow, sliding it across the floor towards him. "Long story short, I got you your sandwich. Now no more shredding my precious teddies."
He barely made a move for it.
"What? You don't like it?" I glared at him reproachfully. "You'd specifically told me to get you tuna."
He winced, pushing out a plate filled with dark crisp crumbs and I gasp. "Thanks, I really appreciate it but while you were out, I went downstairs and found your cookie jar on the kitchen island. So I ate that instead. I'm not willing to offend but it's really sweet of you to get me this. You can have it, take it as a souvenir," he smiled cheekily.
I feel the steam rise slowly, up to my face then puffed out my ears. "You little...Ugh, I can't stand you right now! If you know you weren't gonna ne - " I pause mid-sentence when he holds up a batch of clean stuffed animals.
"Surprise! Surprise!! I fixed them all for you." he sang.
I stood up in disbelief, taking a couple of steps towards him. "How did you.." I inspected a rabbit first, running a finger down his ears where they've been a cut earlier. It was soft, clean. Not a stitch out in place. "You practice magic too? Voodoo?"
He lets go of it all and I swoop down in one swift motion, cuddling them all against my chest.
"Hell no, I don't practice darkness. Just happened to be a really good'ol friend to Miss Ivy, the town's seamstress. She patched your babies." he wiggled his brows.
"Within that little space of time, I was out?" I gave him a dubious look. "Besides they're not my - "
"Whatever. So what are you then? Stuffed owner?? You know, I really think that you'd make a very proper doll. You know, those one's that look pretty when seen through store windows."
"You're just exaggerating. I'll never do well as a girl," I retort quietly, inspecting the toys closely, feeling for any patches. These weren't stitched, they look brand new. I narrowed my eyes at him. Strange. Dorian sauntered in, holding out a bottle. "Sir, see what I got-"
I looked up, placing it all on the bed and crossing out to meet her while still mindful of Carter. "Hey, Dorian. What's that you have there? Dirt??"
She blinked, glancing around momentarily as though searching for something. Her eyes settled on the closet doors. She shook her head, shuddering just as my brows knotted together too. "Is something wrong? Come on Dorian we've talked about this, there are no such things as ghosts."
She gulped and popped the bottle cap open, tipping it a little bit, a trail of yellow liquid drooling out onto the floor, the atmosphere overtaken by the nostalgic smell of menthol - sharp and fresh.
"I got this at the festival sale. The woman who gave it to me said it kept evil away. Ghosts too. She said we should put it on our threshold outside and in your closet."
"Dorian -"
"Look, sir, I know you don't believe me but... I just have this unusual feeling as if things are gonna go wrong. I feel bad and I think you should heed my warning. Please." she pleaded.
I sighed, knowing quite well that Dorian got tied easily to vast beliefs, traditions. We never knew where she came from. Dad brought her here.
"Alright," I took the bottle just to make her feel better. "I'll do so. We still have a lot to get ready for Dad's coming home tonight."
"Oh, I'm excited!" She squealed. "I honestly can't wait for him to see the flowers I got him. Such novelty! Peach blossoms from Nova. The finest in town."
"Er..." I began, unsure. "I'm not intending to be a downer but Dad's allergic to blossoms,"
She looked crestfallen. "Oh," she hung her head. "I'll return it, maybe get something else and still make it back in time." She rushed down the stairs in a flurry.
I shook my head, then leaned down into the closet, placing the bottle at a corner.
"Yuck, Get that away from me!" Carter shrieked, scrunching his nose as he scurried aside with his belongings. "I hate menthol. It bugs my nose."
"Well, look who's evil" I wiggled the bottle at his face, daring him. He cowered then yelled. "Ah! Get it away!! I'm sorry!! Carlie get that thing away from me!!!"
I chuckled lowly, then retrieved the bottle. "Did I just hear you say sorry?? Carter Geppetto caught saying the S-word."
"Ugh, I hate you. You're psych,"
"Oh no hunny, you are. Teddy murderer,"
"I suppose that's my new nickname, stuffed doll. Oh yeah! I should call you Barbie. That's more like it, Barbie doll."
Flame rose up my cheeks again. "You pesky little..."