Chapter Thirty Two

"We didn't even realize we were making memories, we just knew that we were having fun." ~Winnie The Pooh

Lyla's Point Of View

"No, you guys aren't turning into animals. You guys are humans now, and you'll stay humans." I told Nalla, throwing down some pillows down the staircase, Jameson and Elisa catching them.

Nick, Peter, and Sammi were drinking hot cocoa in the kitchen. Ben was looking through my movie collection, seeing which ones we should watch tomorrow. Nalla was helping me get some spare blankets and pillows.

"Are you sure? There's a lot of us and not much space." Nalla frowned, pulling down some blankets from the top shelf.

I took them from her hands and smiled.

"Of course there's enough room! I thought this all through when I adopted you guys." I reassured him as I threw the blankets, watching Elisa and Jameson scramble after them.

"Lyla." Nalla said seriously.

I turned towards her, my face wiped off a smile. "Yes?"

"That was when we were animals." Nalla said sadly, her face holding disappointment.

Before I could speak again, Nalla turned into a bird.

I jumped slightly when she did, for I had no idea that was coming.

"Nalla." I protested, walking after her as he flew to her cage.

She tweeted in response and snuggled next to her bird plushie.

I pursed my lips and carefully picked up Nalla.

She tweeted again.

"I don't know what you're saying. If you want to talk to me, you're gonna have to be a human." I held him up to my face.

"Are there anymore pillows or blankets?" Elisa called out from downstairs.

"I think there are a few more!" I shouted back. "Just give us a second please."

"You got it Ly." Elisa laughed, Jameson joining in.

I smiled and turned back to Nalla. I could see her sigh.

She flew out of my hands and transformed back to a human.

"Fine. We'll stay human."

—

"Lyla." Jameson's voice broke through the silence.

"Yes Jamie?" I asked, rolling over to my side, facing Jameson.

I saw his wide, sad eyes staring at me.

"Please sleep on the couch. Trade me spots." Jameson pleaded, clutching his carrot plushie.

"No, you guys need to sleep well." I denied his offer.

Nalla and Sammi were sleeping upstairs on the bed, Elisa was on the bay window, Jameson and Peter were on the couch, which left Nick, Ben, and me on the floor. The other two said they were used to sleeping on the ground, which was true. I still feel guilty though.

"But you need to sleep well too." Jameson whined, his bottom lip stuck out slightly as he pouted.

"You do Lyla." Nick added from a few feet away from me.

I opened my mouth to respond, but Sammi let out a loud snore.

I giggled. "Let's just sleep. We can discuss this more tomorrow morning." I pulled my blanket up more.

I waited about 40 minutes before I sat up.

I grimaced as I tried to move my shoulder.

Bullet wounds are a pain.

I stumbled up to my feet quietly and made my way to the kitchen, my feet softly hitting the cold floor.

Opening one of my cabinets, I pulled out the prescribed pain medication.

I gritted my teeth as I remembered who paid for this.

My dad somehow found out about me in the hospital. He paid for all of my bills.

Whatever, I just want to stop this pain.

I opened the bottle and poured the whole thing into my hand.

I stared at it, tears brimming my eyes.

Just swallow all of the pills. You could go so easily

You could see your family.

But I have a family.

"Peter! You have whipped cream all over your face!" Ben laughed.

"Oh I do?" Peter laughed as well.

I giggled as I sipped my hot cocoa. -

That's something a normal family would do right?

I felt a head rest on my shoulder and arms wrap around me as a hug.

I immediately dumped the pills back into the bottle in less than a second.

There was only one pill in my palm.

"Are you okay Lyla?" Ben asked quietly, staring down at the pill.

"Yep. I was only getting a pain relief pill." I showed him the bottle which he then took out of my hand to inspect closer.

"Okay. I saw you get up and thought something was wrong." Ben smiled, standing up straight so we could face each other.

"Thanks Sweetie." I reached up to scratch behind his dog ear-his soft spot.

His mouth opened a little as he leaned against my hand.

Ben stood up again, away from my hand

"Is something wrong?" I asked, confused why he broke away from my hand.

Without a word, Ben reached behind him and pulled something from his pants.

"Holy-" I began, my eyes widening.

Ben has a freakin tail!

"Oh yeah." Ben chuckled. "I forgot it takes a few days for them to pop out after our transformation."

"Does, does everyone else have one too?" I asked quietly, pointing at his tail.

Ben nodded.

"Except Nalla. I think she has feathers on her back or something." Ben frowned

I was left speechless.

"That's incredible." I breathed.

Ben moved towards my cabinets and, after a few tries, he brought out a cup.

He filled up the cup with water and handed it to me.

"Thanks Ben." I popped the pill into my mouth and took a swig of water.

"You good?" Ben frowned as I made a weird face.

"Yeah, I just have a gag reflex." I reassured, clearing my throat a few times.

Ben nodded, but still looked confused. He probably doesn't know what that means.

Just as I was going to explain, Ben wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "Let's go back to sleep." He yawned, guiding me to my spot on the floor.

I smiled and followed him.

"Sweet dreams." Ben whispered after he made sure I was settled comfortably.

"You too." I responded, adjusting my head against the pillow.

—

"Shh." I heard someone hiss.

"You shh." Another responded.

I heard a groan and a few snickers.

I didn't move and tried to contain my smile.

I've been asleep for maybe a half an hour and this is what I woke up to.

I felt someone pick me up bridal style.

I leaned against the person's chest, too tired to open my eyes.

"Don't drop her." I heard someone warn. It kinda sounded like Jameson.

"No shit Bunny Boy." Someone else responded, probably rolling their eyes.

"Sammi." The girl who was carrying me scolded. That was definitely Nalla's voice

I clutched Nalla's shirt as she swayed slightly.

"Look how cute she looks." Nick chuckled.

That little puppy-

"She's like an angel." Elisa added.

"I can't believe she adopted all of us. I never thought that would happen." Peter spoke after a slight pause.

We had begun walking up the stairs, very slowly.

"After we passed three years in the pet store, I thought we would never leave." Ben sighed.

I frowned slightly.

They were there for three years?

"And we can be humans around her." Peter stated.

"She really is something." Nalla sighed.

I smiled slightly.

I was set down on my bed.

"Alright, everyone down stairs. Elisa, if you fight someone for the couch I'll make you sleep outside." Nalla commanded, her presence leaving me alone, by myself.

Elisa mumbled something and everyone hummed quietly and began to move towards the stairs.

"Wait." I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes.

Everyone froze in their spot.

"You guys need the bed." I yawned and began to get off the bed.

Nick stopped me and laid me back down.

"You need it more Princess." He smiled down at me, his eyes disappearing by his cheeks.

I held out my arms.

"Fine, but you're all joining me." I blinked a few times.

Jameson and Elisa jumped onto the bed and slid right next to me.

They both hugged me.

I laughed and leaned my head against Jameson's shoulder.

I saw Ben's tail wag in the shadows as he too joined us on the bed.

Sammi rolled her eyes and curled up by the foot of the bed.

Peter and Nalla beamed and joined our little pile of limbs.

That left Nick fiddling with his fingers, staring at us with a longing look.

"Come on Nick." I encouraged.

"I'll just sleep on the floor, there's no more room for me." Nick denied my statement, and looked at the floor.

Ben's tail stopped wagging.

Sammi grabbed Nick's arm and pulled him onto the bed.

Nick widened his eyes as he flew forward, on top of Nalla.

"Hey Nick." Nalla grinned and scooted over so they had some space. "See? There's enough room for everyone."

Nick beamed and snuggled into the bed.

And that's how we all fell asleep that night.

A knot of feet and a tangle of arms.

But we slept perfectly in each other's presence.