"And

"And?" she asks, "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"You've been busy," he points out, motioning toward a snoring fluff. As if recognizing that he's been spoken about, the puppy glances up at her, opens and closes his mouth, and curls in tighter around himself. She sighs.

"Point taken," she says, but he's unable to tell who she's referring to.

"I know when I'm unappreciated," he sniffs. She can't hide the curve of her lips, even while attempting to smother it behind a hand and glance in the opposite direction.

"I'm sorry I've insulted your delicate sensibilities," she deadpans, "But I was hoping you were more mature than that."

"I'm only as mature as you want me to be," he points out. She cocks her head to the side considering. He bounces lightly on her bed, crinkling the perfectly straightened bedspread.

"I like this bed better," he says after a moment, gently playing with the fake ties on the bottom. His fingers trace the embroidered stars.

"Thanks," she says sarcastically, "I did too."

He scowls at her. "And your roommate snored," he pauses before adding, "Well actually you're louder than she was."

"I agree with your father, though," he continues while she reminds herself it's hard to strangle someone who isn't really there, "The poster is a bit of a statement."

"I like roses!" she protests, caught off guard and in a sore spot. "And the rest of the room is red."

"Just saying," he shrugs.

"The lamp is my favorite," she says with an absent smile. He nods in agreement. There's a beat. She scowls up at him. "So are you going to help me?"

He cocks and eyebrow.

"I still have no idea what I'm doing," she says, glumly. He shrugs. She sighs again. "I have ice cream in the fridge."

He perks up. "So what did you need help with?"

Next to her, the circle of fluff sighs.