Glass Hearts [BL] Chapter 14: Pretty Anime Boy

Then she got serious.

"Anyway, I’m hungry," she said like it was a dical ergency. "Now feed . I’m dying. I can see the light. You want that on your conscience?"

I looked at her, amused. "You just woke up—"

"Excuse you, I’m eight and malnourished." You want to stay short forever?!"

"Of course you are," I sighed, standing and stretching. "Co on, I’ll grab so stuff from ho and we’ll—"

But I paused.

An idea had just flickered to life in the back of my mind.

"Wait."

I pulled out a pencil from my bag and opened one of the empty pages in her sketchbook.

"What’re you doing?" Alia asked, tilting her head.

Maybe I could sketch what I rembered from last night..

I started sketching rough shapes, shadowy eyes, the faint pattern on his black hoodie. I didn’t have all the details, but there were fragnts I couldn’t let go of.

Alia was leaning on my shoulder, watching in fascination, when soone called my na from behind.

"Ash!"

I blinked and turned.

Of course.

Dominic vale.

What the hell does he want now?

He stood in the doorway, hands in his coat pocket like he owned the place, hair perfectly ssy in that rich-boy-I-woke-up-like-this way, and just the hint of awkwardness in his eyes.

Alia gasped audibly. "Oh. My. God."

"Alia," I groaned, already knowing where this was going.

Then slowly, dramatically, she leaned toward and whispered....not very quietly. "Ash... is that an actual ani boy or is he like an A.I. generated boyfriend? Why

does his hair look like a shampoo comrcial? Bfr, Is he... an ani character co to life?"

I choked.

Dominic laughed...genuinely. "Nice to et you too."

"She’s eight," I said, rubbing my forehead to apologize.

"ntally I’m thirteen," she corrected. "But sure, let’s go with eight."

"She’s hilarious," he snorted and held up a small paper bag. "Uh. I brought this. For you and your sister. It’s just... food."

"FOOD!" Alia snatched the bag and practically shoved her face in it. "This slls like rich people. Does it have Oreos?"

He shrugged. "You’ll have to find out."

She started searching the bag like a raccoon. "Okay, I officially like you. You’re invited to my birthday."

I gently took it from her and handed it back to him. "Sorry, we can’t accept this."

Alia glared at . "Um, excuse you? Speak for yourself, Gandhi."

Dominic raised an eyebrow giving the bag back to Alia. "It’s just food."

"Exactly," Alia chid in. "Food is love. And I accept all forms of love. Especially the edible ones."

I took the bag gently from her, stood, and pushed it back toward Dominic. "Sorry, I can’t accept this."

He blinked. "Why not?"

"What do you want from ?" I said, stepping closer. "Are you trying to buy off now? You think a sandwich makes up for the hell you and your friends put through?"

He opened his mouth, then closed it again, struggling for words.

"I don’t want anything from you," he finally said. "I just... I figured you guys hadn’t eaten. That’s all."

I studied his face. I wanted to believe him, but history made it hard.

Alia, who had collected the back for the third ti had been chewing silently, broke the tension with, "You two have weird energy. Is this like enemies to friends? Or are you gonna kiss or fight?"

I turned red. Dominic coughed.

"Okay, that’s enough screen ti for you," I muttered, scooping her up.

"You’re not denying it!" she sang.

Dominic looked like he wanted the earth to swallow him.

I sighed. "Thanks for the food. But I don’t need you swooping in and playing hero."

He nodded, finally, like he understood. "I get it."

"I’m gonna go now," he said.

He turned and walked off down the hallway.

"Bye, pretty ani boy," Alia waved. "Thanks for the food. Co back with cookies next ti."

I watched him go.

I sighed, picking up the sketchbook again. Alia leaned over and whispered:

"Okay but real talk...do you hate him, or like... hate-hate him?"

"I hate him," I said.

"Uh-huh," she nodded. "Totally. That’s what they all say before they end up kissing in the rain."

"Alia!"

"That’s just facts," she sang, already opening the bag of food.

I groaned.

This kid was going to drive insane.