With a groan, I lean against the wall. I'm fighting the urge to pull out another cig, but I don't want to be a bad influence on the girl. Talk about being a fucking hypocrite.
"I'll wait with you," I mutter carelessly. "But don't tell your mom about me. She'd probably be pissed, right?"
The girl nods with a conspiratorial smile. Knew I fucking liked her.
"Mommy says not to speak to strangers."
"Mommy's damn right," I grunt. "You don't know what's hiding in people's heads, kid. Humans are unpredictable. Dangerous."
"I like you."
I laugh out loud, fighting the urge to tell her off. She's not my goddamn kid and I sure as fuck won't be the one to discipline her. But then I see her mother exiting the building, holding a greasy paper bag. This is my last chance to give the kid some life tips. I kneel next to her once again.
"Don't trust a soul, kid," I tell her. "People suck."
"I know," she smiles widely.
"Good girl." I smirk and pick myself back up, leaning against the wall so I'm hidden by the shadows again. "Your mom's back, you better run along."
She nods and smiles up at me before walking back to the office building. She doesn't say goodbye, and I like that. Goodbyes are too fucking final. Maybe I'll see her again someday.
I watch her get scolded for wandering off by her mother, who doesn't even notice me. Stupid goddamn bitch. She should be thanking me, but she doesn't even know I exist, which is better for her, really. If I get too close to people, I end up hurting them. Physically.
As they pass the alleyway, her mother is oblivious to my presence, but the kid finds me in the shadows and waves. I wave back.
***
Hours later, I'm lingering in the street where Dove lives. I know she's home – the lights are on in her modest Spanish-style home. She's alone for now, but I figure her brother will be dropping by soon. He always does on Fridays.
I kind of like Robin, as jealous as I am of the guy. He's a year older than Dove and has an insufferable girlfriend called Elise. She's some kind of Instagram influencer, obsessed with perfection. I hate girls like her.
But Robin's a good fucking guy. He cares about Dove, really cares about her. He visits her almost every day, bringing food, because he knows she doesn't eat, and little, thoughtful gifts because he knows she needs a distraction from her shitty life.
Glancing at Dove's window, I make sure the lights are still on as I light another cigarette. I raise it to my lips, my eyes still on the house until I see a red car pulling up in front of it. Like I suspected, Robin is back again tonight.
The guy gets out of his Mustang with his hands full. He's got a bag of takeout that I know Dove won't touch, but he's as hopeful about his sister eating something as I am. In his other hand, he has a potted plant. It's not elegant like an orchid. It's barely even green anymore, all dried up and kind of rotten at the same time.
I watch him ring the doorbell, getting myself ready for the moment my little bird appears on the doorstep. A second later and there she is. She looks tired today. Her little venture into the outside world must've taken its toll on her. Still, Dove's face lights up as she sees her brother and invites him inside.
The door closes, pissing me off. I want to be privy to their conversation, but I can't fucking hear it from here. I need to figure out a better way of keeping an eye on Dove. Maybe I can bug her space. Then she really wouldn't have secrets from me.
I watch brother and sister unload things in the kitchen, Dove shaking her head when her brother offers her some Thai food – her once favorite. She keeps shaking her pretty head and Robin keeps telling her off, until he finally gives up. He should know better than that. My little bird doesn't eat in front of other people. In fact, she barely eats at all.
I watch them head into the living room next and settle in front of the TV. They put on some shitty sitcom I've seen them watch a thousand times and settle into a comfortable silence. The potted, half-dead plant is on the windowsill in the bathroom. I have no doubt it'll be thriving in no time. Dove has green fingers.
They spend hours together just like they always do. From my vantage point, I can see Robin glancing at his phone every few minutes. No doubt his vain wannabe model girlfriend is blowing it up with notifications. She's so fucking jealous of Dove. I can't stand her. And it amuses me that Dove hates the girl, too. Little bird doesn't hate a lot of people, but she can't stand Elise.