Danielle awoke the next morning to someone playing with her hair gently, surprisingly not awoken by a nightmare. As she slowly opened her eyes she noticed Mrs. Bonette, Phyllis' mother, leaning over her. She was sat close to Danielle in a loving, motherly nature, which was something she hadn't had the pleasure of experiencing recently. Danielle was about to stand up and apologize for sneaking into Phyllis' room unannounced when Mrs. Bonette smiled down at her reassuringly.
"Next time you want to sleep here, please use the front door so I know for sure that it's you."
"I'm sorry" I responded softly
"I know, it's ok. I can't blame you, I stay here sometimes too." Mrs. Bonette took a breath. "You need to call your mom. She called me and was worried sick when she woke up and you weren't there." She stopped herself for a second and looked more depressed than ever.
"I know the feeling. So please, call your mom as soon as possible."
I sat up gently and nodded. Pulling out my phone and sending my mom a quick text. When I was done Mrs. Bonette stood up and I noticed that she was in her office outfit. I smiled slightly.
"Your going back to work?" I asked hopeful
Mrs. Bonette nodded. "Seeing as I all I can do here is sit and worry. It's really aging me, so I thought I might as well get some business taken care of." She gave me a weak smile. Not a genuine one like the one she gave me this morning, but one like she was straining herself to stay positive. I loved Mrs. Bonette, she was like a second mother to me. Though I still called her Mrs. Bonette even when she told me I could call her by her first name, Emily. I know that she appreciates respect and calling her by a formal name was my way of showing her that I would always give her that respect.
Mrs. Bonette straightened out her skirt and sighed.
"Well my dear, I don't mind you staying here since I do need a puppy sitter for Sib."
I smiled slightly, I hadn't seen Sib for what seemed like forever. Sib was Phyllis' puppy. It was about 5 months old now and her mom gave it to her for winning our high school science fair. He was a Dalmatian and a cute one at that.
"You know your way around and you know where everything is." Mrs. Bonette said while searching in her purse, she seemed to be making sure she had everything. "Feel free to take a shower and change into Phyllis' clothes. Help yourself to the fridge." She paused for a second and smiled. "Not like I need to give you permission for you to anyways." I couldn't help but chuckle softly. I always ate their food when I was over. Sometimes I came over just for food and they knew it, of course I always stayed over a while to show my appreciation.
"Thank you." I said once more, still softly, but a bit firmer than it had been.
As Mrs. Bonette left she waved at me and I waved back. She seemed to be pleased to have a daughter in her house again, even if it wasn't her own, it was still someone to help fill the void that kept her up at night.
Danielle walked back up the stairs to Phyllis' room, after she made sure Sib was in his play pin. Once she was in the room she went to the closet, not hesitating at all this time to open the doors. She collected a full outfit that she had left last time she was over for a sleepover, being as careful as possible as she moved to the back drawer were Phyllis kept them. Phyllis always washed them after Danielle left so she had something fresh to wear whenever she randomly decided to stay over night. Danielle took a moment and sighed, missing those days. Danielle wondered her way into Phyllis' private bathroom and took a shower, daydreaming about things she wished would come back. She thought about everything she missed and took for granted about Phyllis. Feeling sorry for not saying more sweet, things when she had the chance. Even stuff as simple as 'I love you' and things as cute as a text with the three words 'I miss you'.

(Sorry it's going so slow. It will get more exciting soon!)
Thanks for reading!!<3