Chapter 17: Dreaming of You
"Manon, you can do it! Just pedal gently," a little girl's voice chirped, her smile a miniature version of pure joy as she gazed up at her dad.
He chuckled, his hand ruffling her hair with a familiar tenderness. "Okay, Little Manon," he said, his voice warm, "I'll hold it from the back. But don't rely too much on me, okay? You've got this."
"I'm the Little Manon!" she declared proudly, her small chest puffed out with determination.
Manon blinked, the bright glow of her computer screen pulling her back to the present. When did I fall asleep? A crick in her neck protested as she stretched, the stiffness a reminder of her slumped position in front of her laptop. I really need to finish this chapter. A surge of warmth filled her as she thought, My readers are growing, and their comments are so happy. A small, private smile touched her lips. Thirty-nine... that's amazing.
A sudden wetness on her cheeks startled her. She touched her face, her fingertips coming away damp. Am I crying? Why? A soft ache bloomed in her chest. I mean... there's nothing bad about dreaming about Dad. But the tears welled up faster now, a familiar, sharp pang of loss hitting her. "Dad," she whispered, her voice thick with unshed tears. "I miss you so much. Every day I write... it's all because of you."
Ding! Her alarm? She glanced at her smartwatch – the screen was dark. Frowning, she reached for her phone on the nightstand. An unknown number flashed on the screen. "Ugh," she mumbled, swiping to open the notification.
It wasn't a call, but a message. She'd been added to a group. With a heavy sigh, she bypassed the preview and tapped to open the chat: "All you can do group."
Her eyebrows furrowed as she scrolled through the initial messages.
Andrew: Hi, it's Andrew from the All You Can Do Club! I asked your brother for your number, and he gladly gave it to me. So, I've added you to the group chat. Yes, our activities are starting on Saturday the 21st. Go to the group chat info to see where it's going to be. Thanks for your cooperation, and don't even think about blocking me! He said you blocked other groups. This is a new group, I promise you'll enjoy it.
Manon stared at the date: Saturday the 21st. She let out another sigh, the sound laced with annoyance, and pushed herself out of bed. Her bunny slippers made soft thump-thump sounds against the wooden floor as she padded towards Adrien's room. He was sprawled face down on his bed, still lost in sleep. Without a word, Manon launched herself onto his back, landing with a soft oomph. "How dare you give someone my number?!" she hissed, grabbing a handful of his hair.
Adrien groaned, his eyes snapping open in surprise and discomfort. He flailed slightly, gently trying to pry her fingers loose. "Manon, wait! Ow! I can explain. Please, just let go of my hair!"
Manon tightened her grip for a fleeting second, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Explain. Unless...?" She released his hair and sat back on the edge of the bed, watching him warily.
Adrien sat up, rubbing his scalp with a wince and glancing at his sister. Even with his hair sticking up at odd angles, sleep softening his features, he looked younger than his age.
Manon crossed her arms, her gaze unwavering. "Explain yourself."
Adrien sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "I just... I felt that you needed to be more open, to try new things... for your own well-being. I know since you turned thirteen, you've been so quiet." He paused, his eyes flickered towards a framed photo on his desk – their father's smiling face. "Dad wouldn't want you to blame yourself, you know? I see it in your eyes, Manon. The sadness... and you were really sick last month. You're putting so much pressure on yourself with your writing, even though it's gotten so incredibly good."
Manon stared at her brother, her surprise evident in her wide eyes. He's been reading my book all this time? A mix of embarrassment and a strange warmth filled her. She stood up abruptly, the silence in the room suddenly thick. "Don't ever give someone my number again." She turned towards the door, her voice firm despite the unexpected emotion swirling within her. "I'm leaving, but this isn't over." The door clicked shut behind her with a decisive sound.
A small, almost sheepish smile played on Adrien's lips as he gingerly touched his slightly sore scalp. "Her grip is still... surprisingly strong," he mumbled before sighing contentedly and settling back down to sleep.
Manon lay back on her bed, picking up her phone. A new message in the group chat caught her eye. There were only seven members so far.
Messages scrolled by in quick succession as everyone introduced themselves with brief, enthusiastic greetings and shared their initial, mostly positive, thoughts about the club. Manon simply read, a detached observer, not feeling ready to jump into the chatter.
Then another message popped up, this one directly from Andrew, the self-proclaimed group leader.
She could almost picture him typing it, his fingers probably flying across the screen with an air of confident authority, even though they'd barely exchanged a few words less than two days ago. It was strange, but a tiny spark of curiosity flickered within her; it felt like she already knew something about his bossy, slightly annoying personality.
Andrew: Alright everyone, listen up! We are going to have a club get-together on Monday right after school, and everyone must come. No excuses accepted! Be there or be square!
Manon, who had been silently observing the digital introductions, typed quickly, her fingers tapping out her defiance.
Manon: I am not coming.
Almost instantly, another message appeared from Andrew.
Andrew: Hi Manon! Didn't realize you were lurking in the shadows already. But sorry to burst your bubble, everyone's presence is mandatory at the get-together. See you there!
Manon tossed her phone onto her bed with a frustrated huff, the screen landing face down with a soft thud. "I don't want to join this stupid group! I don't want to go to any dumb club get-together! I hate this group already! He knows I only signed up for extra credit so I don't fail my exams!" Her voice rose with each exclamation, the injustice of the situation bubbling inside her.
Her hands trembled slightly, a wave of exhaustion suddenly washing over her. She got up and headed to the bathroom, turning on the warm water for a bath, hoping the soothing heat would calm her racing thoughts. Afterward, a dull headache throbbed behind her eyes. She lay down on her bed, the lingering tension in her shoulders preventing her from finding a comfortable position, but soon, sleep, heavy and unwelcome, claimed her again.
When she woke, the soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminated the worried faces of her brother and her mom hovering over her.
Manon sat up slowly, her head swimming slightly. "Mom? What are you doing here?" Her voice was raspy.
Her mom's gaze was filled with concern as she reached out a gentle hand to touch Manon's forehead. "Your temperature is quite high, sweetheart." She glanced pointedly at Adrien, who avoided her eyes.
Her mom's hand lingered on her forehead, her touch comforting. "Have you been thinking about Dad a lot lately, honey?"
Manon nodded gently, a fresh wave of sadness washing over her. Adrien moved closer, his earlier playful demeanor completely gone. "I'm really sorry for putting you under so much pressure, Manon. Should I... should I ask Andrew, your group leader, not to add you to the group?"
Manon looked at him, a small, reassuring smile gracing her lips. "No, Adrien. It's okay. I promise, I'm okay. I just need to rest a little, and I'll be fine, okay?"
She hesitated for a moment, a flicker of something akin to resolve in her eyes. "And... I'll stay in the group. I just... I feel like I'm getting stronger." She looked at her mom and brother, her eyelids feeling heavy again. "I'm okay. I just need to sleep. I'm fine, I promise."
Adrien reached over and gently turned off the bedside lamp, plunging the room back into soft shadows. His mom still looked worried, her brow furrowed, but he gently squeezed her arm, offering a small, reassuring smile of his own. "Let her rest, Mom. She's exhausted."
His mom nodded softly, a sigh escaping her lips, and stood up, quietly closing the door behind her, leaving Manon to drift back into a troubled sleep.