Getting to Know Alina

Aaron's POV:

I woke up the next morning on a small bean bag that I could barely lay on, next to Aphmau's bed. I'm really glad that I'm starting to get to know her more and more each day. There's a lot about her that everyone decided not to tell me, for some weird reason. Aphmau was still asleep, in her wheelchair, and Alina was sleeping on the bed. I could hear Aphmau lightly snoring. She must've been tired out yesterday. That's a little weird, considering we didn't do much, but I guess it was a lot for her. Her snoring is kinda cute. It kinda brings some unknown nostalgia in my mind, which makes my spine shiver.

I brush off my thoughts and get up. My vision is starting to get blurry again, so that means I have to take my medicine again. I get up, stretch, and go downstairs to search for my pills. I see them laying on the counter in the kitchen, where Melissa happened to be as well, starting up some breakfast.

"Morning, Aaron! Didn't think you'd be up yet." She said cheerfully.

"I wasn't very sleepy. Aphmau and Alina are still asleep, though." I responded.

"Alright then. Hey, wanna try to help me with breakfast? You tried to help me with dinner a few times, but now that you can see you can try cooking yourself! Y'know, you used to be really good at making food. Aphmau even bought you an apron that said 'kiss the chef'." Melissa laughed at the memory. I blushed a light shade of red. She did that? I hope I didn't wear it often, even though the gift would've been very thoughtful. I step up to the stove, and am presented with a carton of eggs, a pan, salt, and oil.

"Here, let's start simple to refresh your memory. Let's try to make eggs!" Melissa grabbed another pan and showed me how to do it step-by-step, and I followed along with my pan and eggs. She made enough for herself, while I was tasked with making eggs for me, Aphmau, and Alina. With an untrained mindset, I tried my hardest to make these eggs the best to my ability, which I hope is good. Melissa took a fork and ate a piece of my eggs.

"Wow, you still got it! That magic touch of good cooking~." Melissa teased.

"Please, this was my first time, they can't be that good." I took a fork and tried them myself. They honestly weren't bad. They were decent eggs, that I hope everyone will enjoy.

"It's not bad, but not perfect. I don't know why you're saying I got a 'magic touch', or whatever."

"They are that good! You're just really humble, which I can admire as well as your cooking skills." Melissa said. I could hear a ruckus upstairs, like running. I sped-walked up the stairs and into Aphmau's room, where I saw Alina jumping on the bed.

"Momma, it's time to wake up!" She shouted. I quickly got over to her and stopped her from jumping, as well as keeping her quiet.

"Shhh, you don't wanna wake up your mother. She's very tired. We should let her rest." I explained. I can admit, she did look a bit startled when I came into the room, but she seemed less tense.

"Okay! Can I eat breakfast then?" She asked.

"Of course! Come with me." I held her small hand with my giant one in comparison, and we walked down the stairs today.

"Good morning, little one! We've got some eggs for you to eat!" Melissa cheered. Alina ran up to the counter, sat down and started to gobble up her eggs as fast as she could.

"Try not to eat so anxiously. It's not good for your stomach." I said to Alina. She did eat a little bit slower, but not by much. After she finished eating, she went to find Croissant in the house. At least now that I can see, I don't have to be scared to walk around, knowing there is a very small dog in the house that I can trip on with ease. She scouted upstairs for him, while I just sat on the couch and waited. Waited for Aphmau to wake up. I really want to have more talks like we did yesterday. I want her to feel free when she's around me, like she doesn't have to hide anything.

I waited, and waited...and waited. She never came down. I didn't even hear her wake up. I know she can't walk just yet, but surely she would've called Melissa or myself to come get her. I went upstairs to check up on her. It was already two o'clock, and she wasn't up yet. This doesn't feel right. Even when she's super tired, she never wakes up this late. I began to get anxious.

Maybe I should wake her up, I thought, But what if she really is that tired? I should leave her be for a little longer. If she doesn't wake up by the next hour, I'll wake her up myself.

I saw Alina playing in the hallway with Croissant, running around each other. I smiled and began to walk downstairs, when Alina called to me.

"Mr. Aaron, is Momma awake yet?" She asked me. I walked back up the few stairs I stepped down and kneeled down to her level.

"No, she's not up yet. You don't have to worry, I'm sure she'll wake up soon." I assured. "Also, you don't have to call me Mr., just call me Aaron." I corrected.

"Okay! Uhm, I have a question."

"Go ahead, maybe I have an answer." I said.

"Momma said that you can't remember anything. Do you want some memories back?" She asked.

"Of course I do! Aphmau would finally be really happy again! I can tell she's still hurting when she's around me, and I don't want her to feel that way anymore, and also just because I feel so lost without them." I said. I didn't realize how much I opened up in that moment, because I talked for a little longer, while she sat there listening patiently. She was a good kid. If this really is Aphmau's kid from another realm, I can tell she raised her well.

"Sorry, I'm rambling." I said once I realized I was. "But the answer is yes."

"Then come with me! I can help!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me towards my room. She wasn't actually pulling, but I just walked with her so she didn't have to strain herself trying to pull me. She walked into my room and sat on my bed. She patted the spot next to her, motioning me to sit with her. I sat beside her, and she climbed on top of me. She placed her hand on my head, and everything went white. I didn't know what was happening. Did I go blind again? Suddenly, I saw something, and I began to remember things.

I walked up to my floating memory and grabbed it. Then suddenly everything from that time came back to me. It came in so fast it almost hurt. I saw myself, in high school. I was sitting in class, minding my own business. I looked up to a poster being displayed outside my classroom. It was for prom. After I stared at it a good long time, I heard a familiar voice call out to me.

"Hey, Aaron!" It brought butterflies to my stomach, and they attacked me viciously. I turned around as fast as possible, to see someone so beautiful. So happy. So real. It was Aphmau. As I stared at her beautiful amber eyes, I got lost. I was lost in her. I've never felt this way before, at least from what I can remember. It felt so bad, but it felt so good. If you could see emotions, you would've seen hearts light up in my eyes. I snapped out of it when she was halfway here, and I looked back to the poster outside. I'm gonna ask her. I may not remember anything or anyone else here, but even if I did, there wouldn't be anyone as good as her to ask to such a beautiful night.

My memories changed, and I was back in a white room. I saw another floating orb, and I ran over, snatching it away, desperate for more happy memories. I saw more and more.

The next thing I saw was me in college. I had my bandana on. The one Aphmau gave me. It had our names on it. I put it back on my face and walked to a cafe. There was no line, and most people were just sitting down. I decided to grab myself a seat and just read. I hear someone come in behind me, and I turn around curiously. I see a girl with a hood on, attempting to cover her face. She went up to the cashier, asking for an order quietly. So quiet, in fact, I couldn't hear her myself, and that's surprising. The cashier kept asking for her to repeat it, and people started to stare, including myself unfortunately. I didn't mean to, I was just curious to who she was. She gave up when people started to give her looks, and she ran out the door. I could see her covered face as she ran out. It was Aphmau! But why? Why would she cover up? Did something happen? I ran towards her, but before the memory could finish, it ended on a cliffhanger.

I opened my eyes, and I was back in my room. She looked like she hadn't gotten any sleep.

"Are you okay? What's wrong?" I asked nervously.

"I'm just tired. Doing this always makes me tired." She rubbed her eyes. I picked her up from my lap and brought her to Aphmau's room. She was still asleep. I liked at the clock, and it was two forty five. I was gone for almost a whole hour? I put Alina in bed, cover her in blanket, and I start to tuck her in.

"Y'know, you look like my dad, but you don't act like him." She said.

"Do I?" I lightly blushed, now realizing I was probably her dad in her world.

"Yeah. My dad is scary, and I only see him when Momma is scared. I like you better." She said as she closed her eyes. I would've said something else, but she passed out. That was quick. I could hear Aphmau beginning to wake up behind me. I'll tell her about this when she's fully awake. For now, I'll leave them all be. I need to ask Aph about these memories. I need to know what happened with Aph in college. I want to know it all.

S