(Azlyn’s POV)

“Stay in here.” Mother ordered, throwing me down to the floor. She kicked me then left the room, letting someone else come in. Father…

I shot up in my bed, clutching my chest and trying to catch my breath. I brought my knees up to my chest and started to cry silently, not trying to wake Andy up. I heard my door open, I didn’t bother to look up, I already knew that I had woken him up. “Azy?” Andy’s voice spoke softly to me. I didn’t reply. He sat next to me in bed and pulled me into his lap, holding me in my fit of sobs. He whispered comforting things to me and rubbed my back.
“What happened?” he asked in a whisper. I looked up at him and wiped my eyes. “Nightmare…” I told him, playing with my fingers. “About?” he questioned.
“My mother and father.” I said. He nodded thoughtfully and kissed my head. I laid my head on his shoulder as he sang Saviour to me. “Want me to stay in here for the rest of the night?” he asked once he ended the song. I nodded, ”Please?” He smiled and nodded, taking me off his lap and tucking me back into bed.
He got under the covers next to me and I quickly scooted next to him, cuddling into his chest. I don’t exactly know why I cuddle up to him. It just feels…like a natural thing to do, even though he is my brother. He didn’t mind though. He wrapped an arm around me and kissed my head.
“Goodnight, Azlyn.” he said sleepily. “Night…” I whispered, falling back to sleep.

***

“Azlyn, wake up.” someone said to me. I opened my eyes and saw Andy next to me. “Azy, my arm is asleep.” he said, chuckling a bit. “Oh…sorry.” I said, sitting up. “Come on, let’s go eaaaat.” he said, taking my hand and helping me out of bed then leading me down to the kitchen.

“What sounds good?” he asked right as we got to the kitchen. I shrugged, I didn’t really wanna eat. Eating all that spaghetti last night made me feel fat so… “Cereal?” he asked. I could stomach cereal, I think… I smiled and nodded, sitting down at the table. He nodded and went to the cabinet.
“Reese’s Puffs or Fruit Loops?” he asked. “Reese’s Puffs!” I said quickly. He chuckled and got the Reese’s Puffs from the cabinet, along with 2 bowls. He came to the table, handing me my cereal, then sitting down with his bowl next to me.

I started to eat, but I slowly felt bad for eating. Maybe I should…
No. You need to stop that.

I sighed quietly and kept eating, each spoonful making me feel more horrible by the second. Surprisingly, Andy finished his bowl first. He licked his lips and smiled. “I’m guessing you like Reese’s Puffs?” I giggled. He nodded, ”I’m thinking about a second round…” He thought then shook his head.
“I’ll wait until lunch.” he said. I smiled and kept eating.
Andy eyed me carefully, as if he saw something wrong and was trying to figure it out. “Not to sound awkward or anything but…you will keep that down, right?” he asked. I looked up and him then sighed. “I’m not sure, my stomach really hurts at that moment.”
“Did it hurt when you ate last night?” he asked. I nodded and finished my bowl.

“I wanna help you, Azlyn. I’m willing to do anything in order to help you.” he said. I smiled, ”Thank you Andy, that means a lot to me.” “Anything for my sister.” he smiled, getting up and kissing my head, then taking our bowls to the sink.