Lumi had a headache pounding at her temples.
After the whole debacle at the café, neither Lorna nor Iris wanted to stay out for too long. After Perseus had run back to check up on them, he gave Iris a hug and had ordered a small platter of meats, cheese, and bread—accompanied by a variety of delicious spreads—for them. But the whole thing with Lumi had made the other two girls too solemn and that was as much energy they could exert for their excursion.
She had, once again, apologized to Perseus as they made their way back after she was finally able to calm down. She knew that as a social person he loved having any excuse to get outside. Then she had to ruin it with her moodiness.
"It's okay sis," he reassured her. It seemed like he was reassuring her a lot that day. Really, on a lot of days. "You and Iris are probably coming down with something. It's not your fault.
"Let's just go home and relax."
She had no choice but to acquiesce to his suggestion. She tried to convince herself that today was an off day and all she needed to do was recharge at home. She flinched as the memory of Iris's and Lorna's hurt faces flashed through her mind. She felt her stomach clench with shame. She knew that she should have explained herself. She knew that she should have gone back with Perseus to make amends. But she physically could not go back to speak to Iris at that point. Her body felt resistant to the very idea.
She was distracted as her brother led her home. He managed to get her to clean herself up and get her bundled under her bed covers. He kissed her forehead and told her to rest. He slipped something into her hand and he advised her to hold onto it tight. If she was more stable, she would have asked him what it was. Heck, she would have looked at it. But she obeyed him and closed her eyes.
Then she gone to bedroom to take a nap. And slept until the next morning having forgotten about the whole thing.
Lumi woke up disoriented, wondering why they sun was restarting its trek across the sky. It was a blinding bright ball of helium the day before. Why was it subdued in hues of periwinkle, pinks, and violets?
"Hey," Perseus called to her. He had opened her door more softly, most likely wanting to check on her without disturbing her. "How are you doing?"
"Was I in a coma?" She asked him, still not yet comprehending that it was the next day.
Perseus let out a small chuckle.
"You just did what all us mortals call a power nap."
She stared at him, incredulous.
"For the whole day?" That was impossible. She hated taking naps. They always left her feeling disoriented and messed up her sleep schedule. "How?"
"I'm assuming it was from the lack of sleep from your nightmares," her brother reasoned.
Lumi contemplated this. She shook her head.
There was no way she had managed to sleep throughout the previous night. Yeah, it had felt like she was trapped inside her own head with no escape for the last few nights, but somehow she had slept through most of the day and all of the night until the morning. Did the dreams really exhaust her enough that her body had to shut down to recuperate?
"Iris feels better by the way," Perseus interrupted her musings. "She said whenever you're up to it we can all go out to the mall or the beach."
Lumi turned back to him.
"She feels better?" It seemed like she wanted to make sure—and she did care about her friend's well-being don't get her wrong—but she was really struggling to get her bearings.
"Yep!" Perseus chirped back at her. He made his way to her door. "I already voted for the beach. Your swimsuit is in the bathroom."
She just laid there, her head held aloft in the direction of the door he exited.
"...STAY OUT OF MY CLOSET YOU JERK!"
**************************
Lumi was still grumbling under her breath as she tugged at the long t-shirt Perseus picked out for her.
She tried to find a more suitable—and cuter—swimsuit for their beach trip, but sometime during the day (or night, who really knows. She has long since accepted that she has entered the Twilight Zone), the jerk had snuck into her closet and took all of her "inappropriate" bathing suits.
"Mm, mm, mm!" Iris shook her head. "Your brother still on that overprotective mess?"
Lumi glared balefully a her. Internally she was happy that the other girl was back to her more bushy-tailed self. Externally she was resentful that she got the chance to show off her attractive body in a two-piece swimsuit.
Lorna sidled up to her before throwing and arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry. We'll wait until he's distracted and sneak into one of the stores to get you a better swimsuit."
"You. Will. Not."
All three girls froze. Guiltily, they turned to face a disapproving Perseus.
"C'mon Percy," Iris tried to persuade him. She pursed her lips into a pout and batted her eyes. It was amazing how her sensual feature became more youthful and cute. Perseus had difficulty keeping a straight face but he managed to persevere. even when Lorna brought up a reasonable point. "She's got to be scorching in that."
"Better she's scorched in that than in the lustful eyes of these freaks," he glared at some leering boys. Most of them were more focused on Iris and Lorna. Mostly Lorna.
Lorna was another beauty. More of the Latina variety. She had soft, golden caramel skin that seemed to exude sunlight. Her long black hair cascaded down her whole back, stopping above her butt. She had candy apple green eyes that coaxed boys to fall in love with her. Sadly, she was not exempt from Perseus' judgement. He gave her a pointed look as he stalked up to Iris and covered her with his jacket. Lorna rolled her eyes but removed the silk wrap that adorned her waist and covered her shoulders with it.
"You are a bit overprotective," Iris said awkwardly. She bashfully lowered her head when Perseus raised his brow at her. He booped her nose with a flick of his finger and turned back to his sister.
"Do not buy a scandalous swimsuit," he admonished her. "You look fine the way you are."
Lumi rolled her eyes before turning to walk in the opposite direction on the boardwalk.
"Ugh!" She grunted back to him. "You're so embarrassing!"
Lorna scoffed before following her. Iris gave him a small smile before running after her friends. Perseus just stared as the girls stalked off.
"Well I never!"