CHAPTER 6

Eyes Are On Him.

I was awakened by my alarm.

Without getting out of bed, I turned it off and lay on the bed with my eyes wide open. During this time, I also had a very unusual dream and the best sleep I've had in years. In my dream, I was cuddled up next to someone who was expressing regret over an incident I can't remember. I can even remember the tingles I felt when something soft, warm, and smooth touched my cheeks. Additionally, I thought I heard the phrase "My Queen.". ". I pondered the question. I don't know what to make of such a sudden change and how, all of a sudden, I had a dream like that when all I ever have are nightmares that make my nights miserable and tumultuous, so I shrugged my shoulder and ignored the questions and enjoyed feeling rejuvenated inside thanks to getting a good and appropriate amount of sleep.

After a while, I finally got up and went about my daily business. Going downstairs and discovering he wasn't there made me happier. I consequently made the decision to miss class today. Since I've never tried it before, it's acceptable to do so at least once. I prepared some pancakes and changed into my pyjamas since I was free today.

I stuffed myself silly.

I think this was the best morning I've had in about seven years. Most recently, when I was 10 years old, my mother made my favourite pancakes, which included whipped cream and chocolate chips. I jumped to my feet and gave my favourite, who I had picked out, a bear hug. She smiled and gave back the hug.

It is vaguely audible to me even now.

She would say, "I'll do anything for my lovely daughter.". In addition to being the last time I saw my mother, that was the last time I felt truly happy. Tears started flowing down my face, and my eyes started to water. I wiped it off and sighed, "Mom, how I miss you. I shook my head and made up my mind to stop crying. I would make today a happy day and not cry or think about the bad things that had happened to me.

So I entered my room and began painting, which is always a happy and calming activity for me. Because I don't have a canvas and won't have time, I took out an old sketchbook. I gave my hands and my mind free rein to create art, letting the brush move how my hands wanted it to. It would be an understatement to say that when I finally saw what I had drawn, a half-hour later, I was shocked and surprised. The eyes caught my attention as I looked down; they were the most exquisite shade of green. Ares' green colour and this one were extremely similar. I alerted Ares to what I had realised.

I widened my eyes.

But no colour, no matter how vivid, can ever come close to the exact shade of forest green in his eyes. I smiled at the thought. The painting takes some time to dry. I continued to read for a while before deciding that I needed to get dressed and change into my faded black skinny jeans and a long, simple baby pink sweater because I had to leave for work.

As I did this, I sighed.

then a visit to the ice cream parlour.

I was working as usual when Ares abruptly showed up. His eyes and face lit up when he saw me. He sniffed my neck and suddenly gave me a tight hug. When he suddenly pulled away from me as I was about to re-embrace him, acting as though I had burned him, I was completely shocked. Even he struggled to believe that he had hugged me; his expression was one of regret and shock. I think he could still see the shock on my face, but he kept his distance.

I'm sincerely sorry. I didn't mean to do that. I'll keep you from being alarmed, I promise.

I won't act in that manner again.

Don't get angry, Alana, please. I - I -".

He stopped when he sensed my arms encircling him. He was now surprised, but after a brief pause, he gave me another hug. He wrapped his arms around my waist and gave me a tight hug, his head resting in the bend of my neck. I couldn't see his smile, but I could feel it.

Ares, don't worry. I think I can say with confidence that you won't hurt me. I muttered, "So it's all right.". between his ears. His body trembled. I was kind of pleased that I was able to affect him in this way, though I'm not sure why.

"Thank you for thinking that you trust me," he said with the broadest and cheeriest smile I've ever seen. I promise that I won't ever

allow you to suffer harm.