"Blessed" with a Curse

I woke up on the couch again, the smell of food hitting my nostrils immediately.
It took a minute to register.

Someone is in the house…cooking breakfast…

I was about to charge in that direction, but stopped when I heard Kellin’s voice.

“You’ll have to forgive Austin. He’s kind of anti-social, but with good reason…”
“It’s not a good reason…it was my fault…”

Who is he talking to…?

I slowly walked into the kitchen, spotting Kellin and catching a glimpse of bright, ginger hair.
I guess Alan’s still here…

Kellin turned towards me and smiled.

“Morning, Austin.”
I yawned and rubbed the sleep from my eyes.
“Morning…”

“Alan’s making pancakes. You should eat some.”
Alan turned around and smiled slightly.

“You can see him…?”
Alan nodded as he took out a plate from the cabinet and placed it on the counter.
I gave a confused look to Kellin. He only shrugged his shoulders.

“Here, Austin…”
Alan handed me a plate of two pancakes with a small, nervous smile on his face.
I couldn’t help but smile back.
“Thanks…”

His smile grew wider.

“Aren’t you going to eat anything, Alan?” Kellin spoke this time.
Alan shook his head. “I’m not hungry.”
Kellin gave him his signature “worried” look.

“It’s okay. I’ll be fine. Um…where’s the bathroom? I need to wash this flour off…”
“Down the hall, to the right.”
He nodded and left the room.

“Austin, we need to talk.”
“Hm?” I picked at the pancakes that were in front of me. I wasn’t really hungry…

“About Alan. He doesn’t have a place to stay…I know it probably doesn’t seem like a good idea to you, but I honestly think that it could help you.”

“Help me how…?”
“Just trust me on this, Aus.”
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

“I can’t let him, Kellin. You know that I’m cursed.”
He didn’t reply this time. He just looked toward the hallway.

“I know you’re there, Alan.”
He stepped out of hiding, nervously tugging on the sleeve of his sweater.

“I don’t want to be a burden on anyone. I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable by overstaying my welcome.”
He bit down on his lip and kept his gaze on the ground.

“Where would you stay then?”
I finally spoke again.

He only shrugged his shoulders. I turned toward Kellin and he gave me a pleading look.
I sighed and turned back towards Alan.

“How old are you?” “N-Nineteen…”
“Are you in school?” He shook his head.
I sighed again.

“Okay…you can stay. But you’ll have to get a job as soon as possible.”
His eyes widened at my response.

“R-really…?” I nodded.
He smiled and hugged me.

“T-thank you so much…!”

My heart started to race again.
“I’m gonna go get dressed, so I can go grocery shopping.”

I walked up the stairs and into my room, closing the door behind me.
Kellin appeared with the biggest smile on his face.
“You’re actually going out again.”
I could only nod, and with that, Kellin disappeared.

It felt like the decision that I just made could be one of the biggest mistakes I have ever made…but…
It also feels like it could be a change for the better…a new chapter…

I shook my head and walked back downstairs, seeing Alan standing by the door with his shoes on.
I gave him a questioning look.

He blushed slightly and fidgeted with his fingers.

“I-I wanted to go with you…if t-that’s okay…”

It’s weird…I could only smile, and ruffle his hair.

“It’s okay, but we should leave now. The store is kind of a long walk from here.”
He smiled back and nodded, those hazel eyes sparkling.

Just for that little moment…I felt a little hopeful about this…