CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
( SEA BEAR ATTACK )

     CARMEN GIGGLES AT Aurora. The girl currently sits on the floor as Aurora uses white chalk to draw a circle around them on the floor. After doing so, she tosses the chalk aside, and begins to load the nerf gun that lays beside her.

"Aurora, what are we doing?" Carmen asks, her eyes still focused on the circle drawn on the den floor.

"We are protecting ourselves from sea bear attacks," Aurora says in a obvious tone. Carmen laughs, but stops as Aurora fixes a glare on her. "Sea bear attacks are no joke, Caramel. I once lost my cousin to one."

Not waiting for a retort, Aurora gently pushes Carmen's shoulders until she sits down in the center of the circle. She sits down next to her, sighing contently just as Zach walks into the room.

"Aurora," Zach chastises. "Carmen needs to be resting."

Carmen opens her mouth to argue, but Aurora pulls the nerf gun from behind her, only to point it directly at the boy before he could come any closer.

"Try it. I fucking dare you," She challenges. "I won't hesitate to pull the trigger."

Zach holds up his hands in defense, not making any movement to get closer. "Jonah!" He yells, turning his head slightly to face the door. "Your girlfriend is holding me at gunpoint!"

Jonah runs into the room seconds later.

"DON'T RUN!" Aurora screeches. "SEA BEARS HATE THAT!"

Taking her advice to heart, Jonah slows down, and stops when he reaches Zach. "Why are you holding him at gunpoint?" He asks, a smile spreading across his lips.

"Because Heroine was going to remove Caramel from the safety of this circle, which prevents sea bear attacks." Aurora explains, not dropping the gun.

"I don't see a problem," Jonah says, turning to Zach. "Aurora is keeping Carmen safe from dangerous sea bears."

Zach throws his hands up in exasperation. "Can you at least convince her to put the nerf gun down?"

Jonah laughs as he begins to walk away. "I have no control over her. You're on your own, buddy."

Just as Zach goes to retort, Aurora shoots the gun. A styrofoam bullet hits him in the middle of the forehead, sticking instantly to his skin.

"Oops," Aurora giggles. "My finger slipped."

"If you let me take Carmen back to the living room," Zach begins, struggling to find a compromise Aurora would agree to. "You two can binge watch SpongeBob all day."

She lowers the nerf gun, looking to Carmen for confirmation. Carmen nods her head in agreement, just as Aurora drops the gun.

"Fine," Aurora huffs.

She stands, before helping Carmen onto her feet. Zach is immediately by her side to carry her, despite Carmen's attempts to wave him away.

When in the living room, Zach gently lays Carmen on the couch, taking a close spot next to her. She lays her feet in his lap, sighing as Aurora grabs the remote from one of the chairs, and turns on Netflix.

"Hey!" Daniel cries out in protest. "Jonah and I were watching that."

"Not anymore," Aurora sings. "We're watching SpongeBob. Now go make some food in the kitchen, Chef Daniel."

"Cinnamon rolls, please!" Carmen requests jokingly. Daniel nods, winking as Zach changes positions, and pulls her into his chest.

Aurora drops into the chair next to Jonah, watching as Zach moves closer to Carmen. Corbyn tosses a blanket over the two of them, turning out the light.

"We're starting with the sea bear episode," Aurora declares. "Any complaints?"

When no one responds, she presses play.

"You're so clingy," Carmen lays her head on Zach's chest, chuckling slightly. He laughs, still holding her close as he doesn't reply.

"Why can't we have a cute banter like that?" Aurora glares at Jonah. "Am I not good enough for a cute banter?"

Jonah groans. "Not this again."

Corbyn then walks in with a bowl of ice cream for Aurora, shutting her up completely. Daniel follows suit, handing Carmen a plate of six cinnamon rolls. He gives her a smile, Zach reaching for one of the cinnamon rolls.

"Hey!" Carmen swats his hand. "Who said you could have any?"

"You aren't going to eat six cinnamon rolls, Carm-"

"Says who?" She raises an eyebrow.

"Please," Zach pleads, puckering his bottom lip as Aurora and Jonah argue over ice cream and coffee.

"Hey, Aurora, do you want a cinnamon roll? Cause I'm not allowed to have them." Carmen giggles, Daniel's jaw dropping in realization.

"Hell yeah!" She snatches the plate. "Maybe next time, Heroine."

"But-"

"Didn't you remember my soup diet?" Carmen questions Zach.

"No," He frowns.

"Daniel, I was joking," Carmen pats his back. "You poor, innocent boy."

"Lets gather around the campfire, and sing our campfire song," Aurora begins to sing, stuffing a cinnamon roll in her mouth.

"Our C-A-M-P-F-I-R-E-S-O-N-G SONG! And if you don't think that we can't sing it faster, then you're wrong. It'll help if you just sing along."

From the kitchen, Jack and Corbyn join in, "Bom, bom."

"C-A-M-P-F-I-R-E-S-O-N-G SONG! C-A-M-P-F-I-R-E-S-O-N-G SONG! AND IF YOU DON'T THINK WE CAN SING IT FASTER, THEN YOU'RE WRONG. IT'LL HELP IF YOU JUST SING ALONG."

---

"Krusty Krab pizza is the pizza for you and me," Aurora sings, poking Jonah with every word.

Carmen lays her head down as they speak to each other, Jonah making another compromise with her about cheese-it's.

"I don't understand how you can eat those things as often as you do," Zach says, shaking his head in wonder.

"Cheese-it's are the best things to ever grace this planet, you uncultured swine."

Carmen laughs as Zach shakes his head, not getting her Disney reference. Then, Jonah enters the room with Jack attached to his leg, yelling over the cheese-it's.

Carmen yawns, making Zach chuckle. She relaxes into him as he holds her close, allowing a smile to fall onto her lips. Seeing her smile, Zach can't help but be happy.

Then, she drifts off to sleep, leaving Zach to his own thoughts.

_____