You knock on the door of the well-kept house several times, but no one opens the door. After a few minutes, an indifferent and tired voice comes from behind the door. "Come in, it's not locked." You step inside the house and immediately notice a girl in a wheelchair. A shawl is slung over her frail shoulders and her delicate hands are folded in her lap. The girl turns her dull grey eyes to you and speaks quietly:
"My name is Yvette... I guess you're my new caregiver. Your room is upstairs. I'm sorry, but you'll have to look around the house yourself."
"I guess I should, it's not like I could watch room tour stream from your eyes"
I chuckle at simple and stupid joke, introducing myself as a kinda funny and optimistic guy.
"My name is Slava. At least for a summer I am your handsome caregiver-slash-slave"
I wink at her, offering her my hand palm up. I am twenty four years old guy, who recently lost his job and decide to take a break from it, but make it useful. So here I am, hired by wealthy family to watch Yvette and help her in whatever she needs. I am 1,76 m height with dark hair and gray-green eyes with short well maintained beard.
"Thanks," she says quietly, glancing at your outstretched hand before looking away. After a moment, she hesitantly reaches out and takes it, her fingers cold against yours. Her grip is surprisingly strong for someone so fragile-looking. "I hope you're good at dealing with... everything," she whispers.
"What do you need beside basic things caregiver offer?" I asked her with a smile on my face. "Just so I could prepare everything and myself included" I added with a sheepish smile, before lowering on on knee before her
Her voice barely audible above the sound of her wheels scraping against the floor as she moves closer to you. "Just... be patient with me. I can be difficult at times." She glances away again, looking out a nearby window as if searching for something in the distance. "And... don't leave me alone too long, okay? I get lonely easily." Her hand tightens around yours briefly before she lets go and drops her gaze to her lap once more.
"If you think you'll want me near you all the time, than you underestimate how chatty and annoying I could be" I grin sincerely at her, before looking at her again with calmer, but still genuine smile "But I understand, Yve. I'll be by your side as long as you want it"
She glances up at you, her grey eyes flickering uncertainly before she nods slightly. "Thanks," she whispers. "I hope I don't give you too much trouble." Her voice is quiet and soft, barely audible above the ticking of a clock on the wall nearby.
"So, do you have any schedule I must follow or we are left to keep ourselves busy?" I asked, standing up, and stepping behind her wheelchair, before silently asking her a permission to push her where she want
"Just... do whatever you think I need." She hesitates, then continues in a quiet voice, "I usually play video games or watch anime if I'm not doing anything else." Her eyes drift down to the game controllers and laptop on a small table beside her wheelchair.
"Oh, I guess that we at least have something common"
I said with a grin, showing her my shirt with one popular anime inder my hoodie with a grin.
"Yve, how old are you?"
I ask suddenly, remembering she is definitely schoolgirl and therefore not adult
She turns her head to look at you suspiciously. "Why do you want to know?" Her tone is cautious, as if she's not used to people asking about her age or treating her like a person instead of an invalid.
"Why, children shouldn't watch adult anime or play adult games!" I proclaimed with visible fun on my face, sticking out my tongue jokingly. "It'll definitely corrupt you and making you wish to commit war crimes and not give way on your wheelchair for some granny" I smile, unable to hide how funny it is
She snorts at that. "First of all, Mature is just the most childish rating they could've picked. And second, I'm sixteen, if it really matters." Her expression softens slightly as she glances away for a moment before looking back at you with a hint of amusement in her eyes. "So... are we going to keep talking about me or can we do something else?"
"As a Wheel Princess wish"
I gave her joking bow, before pushing her down the corridor, holding her wheelchair confidently
She rolls her eyes, trying to look annoyed but failing to mask the hint of amusement in her voice when she says, "Well, if you insist." They stop at a room with bookshelves lining three walls, and a large window overlooking a small garden. "This is where I spend most of my time," she explains as he wheels her inside.
"Do you have any favorite games or shows that you'd like to watch?" She asks, glancing through the titles on her laptop screen before setting it aside.
"Do you have Black Dog?"
I ask her, looking mischievously at her. Black Dog is pretty hardcore hentai anime with a lot of abuse, rape and other immoral things. It also famous for its good plot and arousing animation, which make it modern classic of hentai anime. If she knew of it or watched it, I'll make fun of her a bit, if she's not, than we'll keep it that way
She freezes, suddenly looking horrified. "What?! No! I've never heard of such a thing!" She quickly flips through some more open windows on her laptop screen until she finds something less... controversial, then looks up at you with wide eyes. "Why would you even ask that?"
"To make fun of your refined, but based taste" I shrug nonchalantly, unable to hide smile towards her reaction.
She huffs, crossing her arms over her chest and looking away. "Well, just so you know, I'm not that easy to embarrass," she says with a quiet air of dignity. After a moment, she turns back toward you, her expression softening slightly. "What kind of games or shows do you like?"
She glances back at the laptop and frowns thoughtfully as she searches through her collection for something that might interest you.
"A lot, it's not easy to count through them"
I admit with a thoughtful face.
"How about you pick something you hadn't watch yet?" I offered her a solution, while I take a seat on a floor, leaning back against her wheelchair
She nods slowly and picks out an anime series she hasn't seen yet. It's called "A Silent Voice," about a boy named Shoya who bullies a deaf girl named Shouko, but later regrets it and tries to make amends. She pauses the video as it starts and turns her attention back to you. "Will this be okay? I don't want anything too depressing..."
Her voice trails off uncertainly, a faint blush creeping into her pale cheeks.
"It's not that depressing, more like motivational to went through your hardest times, as it'll be better, if you try" I said to her with a soft smile
She bites her lip uncertainly before looking back at the screen, hesitating for several long moments. Finally, she seems to muster up the courage and presses play. Her gaze remains fixed on the television as the opening credits roll, refusing to meet your eyes as she tries to steel herself against whatever emotions the story might bring out in her.
The story is everything. Depressing, funny, sad, thrilling and also happy, as main character went through his crisis and basically start a life as a new man. I smile at the end, gently holding the hand of Yvette, as I seat near her
Her breath catches in her throat as tears begin to well up in her eyes, but she doesn't make a sound. She stares at the screen until the credits finally roll, then turns away so you won't see how red her face is from crying. "I... I think that's enough for now," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "Do you want to watch something else?"
"After that? Nuh, I'd better just chat and try to know you better, Yve"
I said with a reassuring smile, as I gently rub her hand with mine. "Or play some game with you. Not videogame, but something else"
Her cheeks remain flushed as she glances down at your hand on hers. "Um... I guess... We could try something else..." She hesitates, then looks up at you with a slightly nervous expression. "What did you have in mind?"
"Hmm, maybe truth or dare? It'll help us to learn more about each other, but also could make us closer" I shrug, before looking at her with a grin "Don't worry, I won't dare you to do breakdance." I said reassuringly, before my grin widened "Just some hip-hop"
Her eyes flicker with amusement. "Alright... I suppose we could try that." She looks away uncomfortably, clearly not used to playing such games. But after a moment's hesitation, she says, "Truth or dare?"
"Hm, dare"
I said, grinning, as I stand up and went behind her chair, waiting for what she dare me to do
"Dare... You have to describe your perfect day in detail." Her voice is slightly shaky, and she avoids meeting your gaze. "I mean, not like you could really do it, but just tell me what you'd want to do if..." She trails off, suddenly sounding very far away.
But despite her attempt at changing the subject, there's a strange edge of anticipation in her voice as she waits for your response.
"Hmm, I think my perfect day is pretty boring."
I shrug, but continue to smile, as I wheel her to her room
"My perfect day would be at home or nearest park with my somewhere existing girlfriend. We would cuddle, love and care for each other. We'll eat some fast food and have some movie or co-op game"
I said with a soft smile, as we entered her room and closed the door behind us. I stopped her near her bed and take a seat again on a floor near her wheelchair. Somehow, Yvette thought, it's something she could be placed into and be fine. Especially, since I made it clear that I am single for now. That even as handsome as I can be, I want very simple happiness
Yvette looks down at her lap, biting her lip nervously as she listens to you describe your perfect day. "That... that sounds really nice," she whispers quietly. There's a faint blush creeping up her neck and spreading across her cheeks, making it obvious how the idea of such an ordinary happiness has affected her. "I-I don't even think I remember what a perfect day felt like..."
Her voice trails off, and she closes her eyes as if trying to block out the memories of better times. For a moment, she looks small and vulnerable in her wheelchair, and you can see how much pain she's still hiding behind her tough exterior.
"Truth or dare, Yve?"
I nudge her with an elbow lightly, bringing back her attention, smiling softly at her. I already have a question or something I'd ask her to do, depending on what she'll choose
Her cheeks still flushed, she hesitates for a moment before glancing up at you. "Truth," she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She draws a deep breath and then continues, eyes fixed on the pattern of the rug beneath her chair as if it holds all the answers. "I've never told anyone else... but I sometimes have nightmares about the accident." Her hands tremble slightly where they rest in her lap, knuckles white against the soft fabric.