Distress

Day 6

Emilia woke up grunting at her alarm that had the time 10:15 AM. She extended her paw to the ringing phone on a desk and turned off the alarm. Emilia then got up on her bed and let out a stretch. Her wings extended as she let out a loud yawn. Tucking her wings back in she got off of the bed and went to her closet. Emilia's tote bag was in there with the costume she despised so much. But she then turned the other way to her room door and headed out to the bathroom. Emilia got in the shower and came out looking smoother thanks to her scale shampoo. She dried off with a towel and shook around to get the water out of the places she couldn't reach. Going back to her room and grabbing the tote back to put on her neck. 

Emilia then went to the desk and checked her phone. It was now 10:40. She placed her phone in her bag and headed towards the kitchen. She got happy when she saw a plate of eggs and bacon on the table. Emilia immediately sat down on the cold floor and gobbled down her food. She showed no mercy and it was gone in a minute. Emilia wanted more but. Luka wasn't here. 

"... I wonder what he'll make later." Emilia thought to herself and she grabbed the plate and awkwardly walked to the sink. She washed her plate again, still complaining about the soap. 

Washing her paw with a towel she placed it back. Emilia still had the tote bag on her so she just went out the door. Looking around the floor she noticed that it had been mopped in the building. She saw her reflection and she looked… happy! Emilia was unconsciously smiling and it surprised her. She usually had a straight face or frowning but she was just… smiling. 

Emilia continued her way outside the building and got a good view of the outside. It was a nice day with a chill breeze and it was sorta cloudy. Today seemed perfect. She got to an open area and spread her wings. She took flight and headed to the cafe. Landing at her workplace she entered through the cafe and went into the changing room. 

"You're here!? On-time… ok what is up with you?" Kimberly asked with a confused face as she placed her cloth rings on and sat down. 

"I don't know. But I'm having a good day." Emilia said, placing down her tote bag and grabbing out her phone. "Oh wait!" Emilia forgot to say thanks to Luka so she opened up her phone and sent Luka a message saying.

NotReZeroEmilia: Thank you for the eggs and bacon.

Luka42069: You're welcome

"You're smiling." Kimberly said as she smiled at Emilia.

"Am I?" Emilia looked back confused.

"Who are you texting?" Kimberly asked.

"My friend," Emilia said

"Is it your roommate?" Kimberly asked another question, getting more curious.

"Yeah!" Emilia sounded happy to answer.

"Ok… Who is this guy, A therapist!?" She thought to herself, surprised that someone got Emilia to smile.

Emilia grabbed her clothes out of the tote bag and proceeded to put on her clothes. The parts she always hated to do like the knot at her back that was hard to reach. She did it without complaining. Emilia finished putting on her outfit and placed her phone in the tote bag and then under the table. Kimberly just watched her from the side in shock. But kept to herself. There was still some free time before customers arrived so Emilia just sat there thinking what's gonna be for dinner. 

Kimberly just watched her stare off into space. Kimberly liked this side of her. She was happy and full of energy instead of her usual grumpy and annoyed attitude. A bit later more human girls came in and put on their uniforms. They chatted with Kimberly as Emilia was still lost in her thoughts.

"Kimberly! My boyfriend bought me these earrings and they're just so beautiful." A blond girl said, showing her earrings that had a blue orb.

"I guess it is. But I'm pretty sure I saw this at the clothing store nearby. But it's more about the message than the money. So don't get mad if those were like five dollars." Kimberly said as she put one leg over the other and examined her earring closer.

"I know. It's still very pretty. What do you think he'll like? All I know is that he plays video games, works out at the gym, loves Chinese food, can't blame him, and that's about it." The blond girl said as Kimberly thought about it.

"Well, you could play video games with him. He'll love that I think." Kimberly said with a smile at the end. 

"I see!" The blonde girl was satisfied and left Kimberly alone.

"Why do they ask me for love advice? Does it even work?" Kimberly thought and when she looked to her side she saw Emilia looking at her. "What?"

"What were you guys talking about?" Emilia asked, tilting her head a bit. 

"Oh. Uh. They like to ask me for love advice." Kimberly said with a smile that was a bit strained.

"Oh… Does that mean you have a boyfriend?" Emilia asked as she sat down on her butt. 

"Well no. I broke up with him because…" Kimberly's face showed pain. She didn't want to think about it. "Nevermind. But what do you think about your roommate or housemate whatever you call him." Kimberly interrogated.

"Oh! Uh… He's really nice to me. And he makes really good food." Emilia said with a smile. 

"How would you feel if he... Found someone he liked, Like a girlfriend and he will leave to go live with her. How would you feel?" Kimberly played very close attention to Emilia's reaction.

Emilia thought about it. And it gave her a weird jealous feeling. She would hate it if someone took him away from her! 

Emilia got this feeling that she wasn't used to. Made her burn up in her chest and her cheeks felt hot. It made her confused. She couldn't be feeling what she thought she was feeling… could it? Emilia was saved by the bell when the manager yelled out.

"All right ladies! Let's go!" The manager said, pointing out the door. 

"Oh look! Sorry, we have to work now." Emilia said, standing up and laughing nervously. She didn't know what to think. 

She grabbed the bag to make food transportation easier for her. After starting work, doing the usual. Taking orders, giving their food, and cleaning the table. Her first break was called and she let out a huge sigh entering the room. 

"That was a lot. Why are there so many people today!" Emilia complained and stretched. Extending her wings, flapped them a bit then sat down. 

"I know. There are more people than usual." Kimberly said while leaning back on her chair. "I wonder why. Maybe the post on Instagram? Maybe it got popular." Kimberly then sat right bringing her chair down right. 

"Instagram post? We posted something? When?" Emilia asked as she placed her head on the table letting out a sigh closing her eyes.

"It was a week ago. And it must have gotten popular now." Kimberly said as she looked at Emilia. 

"I see… I'm soo hungry! But I don't want fast food." Emilia whined out and Kimberly giggled at her complaints.

After the break was up Emilia continued to do her service around the cafe. Then she came to a certain customer. 

"Oh, a dragon? We don't get many of them." Emilia thought to herself as she approached the wingless dragon otherwise known as a drake.  

Their scales were a nice light brown and they were very masculine. Sitting on the floor waiting for their order.

"Hello sir, what can I get for you today?" Emilia asked giving a smile and using her most polite voice. 

"Emilia?" The drake looked at her and Emilia looked back in surprise. "Is that you? It's me, Derick."

"Derick? But we haven't seen each other since high school." Emilia said as she was looking at him weirdly.

"I know. I didn't expect to meet you here. Especially working here." He said looking at her outfit and Emilia covered herself with her wings. 

Emilia was embarrassed but she spoke again. "Are you gonna order anything or do I have to kick you out?"

"Ok ok! I will have the waffles with maple syrup and a strawberry smoothie." Derick said as he laughed nervously.

"Is that all?" Emilia asked as she put her wings away and looked at him.

"Well… how would you like it if we chatted after work?" Derick said while smiling at her.

"I guess we could. But I have three more hours so it's either you come back later after you finish your food or wait three hours." Emilia told him. 

"Oh, I think I can wait." Derick said as he gave her a wink. 

"Ok sure…" Emilia didn't know why but that wink creeped her out. But she headed to the kitchen and told his order to the chefs. 

Tending to the other customers as she waits for his food to be done. But when it was she brought him his food and Derick then said. "Wow, this looks as good as you!" 

"Excuse me?" Emilia wasn't sure if she heard him right. It sounded like he was flirting with her but that couldn't be right… right?

"I said wow this food looks good..." Derick said, looking at her with a smile. 

"Oh ok…" Emilia mumbled as she got that weird creeped-out feeling running through her body telling her that the guy is bad news. But there was no way! He wouldn't do anything bad to her… right?

Emilia got it out of her head and continued with her work. She was doing her job but she was more on edge than usual for some reason but she couldn't tell why. She felt like she was being looked at, at the wrong places, and covered herself up more. When she got her second break Emilia sat down and some of the girls looked at her. Emilia's face was stressed out. Some of the girls even got out of her way afraid of annoying her.

"Emilia everything alright? You look awful. Too many costumes? People trying to get you to say master?" Kimberly asked Emilia.

"I-I don't know. I have this weird feeling like I'm in danger but it might just be the anxiety of too many people, I don't know." Emilia explained looking at the table and she started to feel the chills again. But she took deep breaths and she started to feel better.

"Here." Kimberly gave her hydro flask to Emilia. "It's raspberry tea. You might like it. You said you were hungry. Hopefully this helps with hunger." She proclaimed as she handed it to Emilia.

"Th-thank you." Emilia opened the flask and drank the tea. She liked it and gave it back to Kimberly after drinking a good amount. "I like it." Emilia confessed as she started to calm down even more. 

She was eventually fully calm, forgetting her worries. Emilia completed the rest of her day with the unneeded stress gone. Her day was completed and that guy was still there. But isn't his name Derick? He was waiting outside looking at her smiling. 

"My shift is over." Emilia said, avoiding his gaze. 

"Then where are we headed too?" Derick asked.

"I was planning to buy something from the convenience store. I want to get something before going home." Emilia said as she started to lead the way. "Do you live near here? Why did you come to the cafe?" 

"I saw an Instagram post and thought it would be fun to check it out." Derick explained as he examined Emilia. "And that's when I heard a familiar voice. Your voice, I recognized it as soon as you asked for my order." 

"I see… What about Brenda?" Emilia asked, looking back at him, noticing him jump up looking away from somewhere. 

"Brenda? Fuck her!" Derick seemed annoyed hearing her name.

"What happened?" Emilia asked, confused about how Brenda could anger him. Brenda was always kind and gentle. 

"Nothing you should concern yourself with." Derick said.

There it is again. That instant to flee from him. But she once again shrugged it off and forgot what he said. It's better to not think about it. Right?

They made it to the convenience store. Emilia got something from the fridge holding soda. She got two bottles of coke. One for her and one for Luka. Emilia felt calmer thinking about him. Knowing that Luka will somehow make things better. She decided to also get some gum as she didn't have some in a while. Meanwhile, Derick was just getting chips. He waited outside for her. Emilia bought her things and got them placed in a black bag and she put them in her tote bag. 

Emilia looked at the corner of her eye. Brown pigtails… Kimberly? Behind a wall of snacks. She must have been seeing things. Leaving the store and seeing Derick just waiting for her. 

"Let's go…" Emilia said, avoiding his look. But she reassured herself that it's just going to be a quick chat and then he'll go away, just walk home, chat, and you'll be done. 

"Ok." Derick followed her. 

"I don't remember Derick… being so scary. He was always so cool at school and he was very handsome too… but that was it. Why did I even get a crush on him?" Emilia thought to herself but then she looked back again feeling something watching her. It wasn't Derick, something familiar. 

A pigtail disappeared behind a wall. Emilia must be seeing things. The day was going so perfect until… She should probably stop thinking about that too. Eventually, after twenty minutes, they made it to their destination. It was a very awkward walk for her. She could already be home earlier if she didn't have to walk with him. They went inside the building and invited him into her apartment. She placed the bag on the kitchen table and got her phone out of her tote bag. 

Luka had texted her a while ago saying. 

Luka42069: I'm coming home early.

It made her calm down a lot and she placed the phone on the table. She turned around to Derick who was sitting on the couch. 

"So what do you wanna talk about?" Emilia asked.

Derick looked at her and smiled. "Well, what kind of guys are you into?"

"W-what? Uuh. I-I don't know. I never really… fell in love." Emilia stated as she looked a bit down.

"Brenda told me that you had a crush on me back at high school. Is that true?" Derick asked.

"Yeah. But I'm over it now. I was just a dumb teen." Emilia said as that scared feeling came back and Derick got off the couch. 

"What if we're to go back to that time where our imaginations could run wild in our heads," Derick said as he got closer to Emilia. Emilia started to back up against the wall.

Luka came out of the car and stretched. He saw a brown pigtailed lady standing outside the building worried. Luka yelled out. "What's wrong!?" 

"Nothing!... Just go." The pigtail lady said as she looked like she accepted defeat. 

"Ok?" Luka said as he headed inside the building and brought out the keys from his pocket and headed towards the apartment door.

"Maybe I should make more chi-" His thought process was stopped when he heard a short scream from the room that was instantly cut off. 

Luka ran to the door and quickly used the keys to unlock the door and opened it. To see Emilia on the ground on her back crying as she was muffled by a paw. As the other was on her wing pinning her. Derick's hind leg holding her waist down as well. They both looked at him.

"Get off of her…" Luka said, looking at him with dead eyes.

"What!? Do you think you can take me!" Derick yelled at him as Emilia struggled to get out. 

"I said GET THE FUCK OFF OF HER!" Luka reached into the back of his pants and pulled out a Glock 19. Luka was angry, holding the gun dead at him as Luka turned off the safety.

"You think I'm stupid? That has to be a prop! The-" Derick was then met with fear as Luka fired a bullet on the wall next to him. Then aimed right back at him. "Ok! Ok! Look, I'm letting go!" Derick said as he took both of his paws off of her and his leg. Emilia instantly turned around and ran towards Luka.

Emilia was crying and it only made Luka mad. 

"Get the fuck out. I SAID GET THE FUCK OUT PENDEJO!" Luka pointed the gun closer to Derick and he ran out. 

Luka immediately closed the door and locked it and turned to Emilia. He turned the safety on his gun and placed it back in his pants.

"Emilia, are you ok?" Luka asked as he saw a dragon cowering on the ground shaking. 

Emilia looked up at him, reached out to him, and latched onto his shirt. She pulled him as she sat up and hugged him. Crying into his shirt holding him tighter. Luka placed his hand on her head and started to pet her to calm her down. After a while, Emilia let go of him and Luka still kept petting her. Then someone knocked on the door.

"Emilia you ok!? I saw the dragon leave running and I heard a gunshot!" A nervous voice came from the other side.

"K-Kimberly? Is that you?" Emilia asked, looking at the door. 

"Yeah. I got too worried and followed you." Kimberly said as she calmed down knowing Emilia was ok.

"Do I let her in?" Luka asked as he took his hand off Emilia. 

"Yes…" Emilia answered, nodding.

Luka unlocked the door and opened it. To see the same girl he saw when he came out of the car. She had glasses and brown eyes. And she was surprised when she saw Luka open the door. Luka was also surprised. They stared at each other for a bit and then Luka let her in by standing to the side. Kimberly went in and looked at Emilia and came to her. 

"Emilia nothing bad happened right?" Kimberly asked, concerned looking at Emilia with worried eyes. 

"My wing hurts but other than that I'm fine… Because Luka saved me." Emilia said, smiling at him and walking up to him to give him another hug. Luka was surprised as he felt her claws dig deeper into his shirt. 

Luke gave her another pat on the head and she dug her head deeper into him. Kimberly watched and smiled as her worries faded. 

"I'm glad you're ok Emilia! Ima make sure to keep an eye out for that dragon. So you will never have to see him again. Oh shit! I have to go before it gets late!" Kimberly explained as she turned around and headed towards the door.

Emilia let go of Luka and looked at Kimberly as Kimberly gave a wink to Emilia. She had no idea what it meant but all Emilia knows is that she's hungry. 

"Luka… I'm hungry." Emilia told Luka as she looked at him.

"Ok. I'll make some chicken," Luka said, smiling at her. 

Luka went straight to the kitchen to get started. Getting the ingredients and the tools to make some seasoned chicken. Grabbing two plates and a fork placing them on the clean table. Emilia was already sitting at her spot but she still look a bit down. Eating their food Emilia gave her plate to Luka as he took it and washed the dishes.

After that, he sat with Emilia and tried to comfort her. It helped but she was still in shock at what happened. Luka looked at the wall he shot at and saw the small hole, he should fix it tomorrow. Emilia then got tired, telling Luka. 

"I don't think I want to go to work tomorrow." Emilia tried extending her wing and it hurt. 

"Take the day off to cool off. You need to, working might stress you out more." Luka said as he stood up and stretched. "We should go to sleep." Luka told her as he yawned and his shirt was pulled on by her.

"I… I… I don't want to be alone… tonight." Emilia said as she looked down shyly.

Luka looked at her and he knew she couldn't sleep alone after all that happened. So he looked at her. 

"Ok." Luka saw her look up and smile. Happy knowing she won't be alone tonight.

"Thank you." She said as she started to head to her room.

End of chapter 5 :D