"I... May I be excused?" Cerene mumbled as she looked away from her "family".
"May I also be excused? Sharrie blurted out.
Yes, of course. Take your time. " The parental pair spoke in unison. They continued to chat about other things as Cerene and Sherrie removed themselves from the table.
"Carissimi, quid putas nobis fuisse difficile in eius?" The mother said as she layered a thin ocean blue syrup on her pancakes.
"Non omnino! Puer pauper et iustus postulo ut adjust." The father said as his hands began swiftly moving cutting up his sausages.
Cerene walked from the kitchen to the steps and stopped. She looked up at the long circular stairs to her room. She slowly began to make her way up. So many thoughts were clouding her mind. Sharrie trailing behind her trying to keep up. When she did catch up, there wasn't much to say. Sharrie knew what Cerene knew, if not more. Children are to be seen and not heard. No opinion, no undesirable quality that would make them stand out. They girls hung their heads as they continued for what felt like eternity. They made it to the top of the stairs and went into the room they shared together. They sat on the bed facing one another. In complete silence waiting for the other to make a move.
"Do you think we'll be sent back?"
"I don't know, Sher. We should start packing just in case though. Remember to pack light"
"Agreed. It was fun while it la-. "
A knock followed by a familiar voice interrupted Sherrie mid sentence.
"May I enter?"
Sherrie turned towards Cerene, waiting for some sort of signal. Only to find a blank look on her face. It seems this was hurting Cerene a lot more than she led on. Cerene has been there the longest out of all of us. There was always talk of how she's been to other homes and it changed her. Sadly, the only thing that anyone could do was watch. I've overhead the nuns talk about how she used to have night terrors, how she used to cry alone for days at a time...alone. When I got there, I didn't see any of it. I only ever saw how she was there for me.
"Girls" The maid now called out.
"How about we leave?" Sharrie stood with her hand extended towards Cerene. "Let's go back. "
"We'll get caught, but it's worth a shot. Don't pack, it will slow us down. On 3, we jump." Cerene walked over to the window and looked down. "This jump may cause some serious damage."
"Is it safe? I've never jumped from this height before." Sharrie noted standing to the left of Cerene.
"Only one way to find out" Cerene smiled tilting her head towards Sharrie. Their eyes locked as Cerene grabbed Sharrie's hand. "I'll go down first, then you follow, and I'll catch you. You'll be safe, I promise."
Cerene let go of Sharrie's hand and climbed over the window. She scaled the siding of the house dropping onto the window ledge below her she continued making her way down to the ground. She let out a breath and backed up signaling Sharrie to climb down. The door to the bedroom began opening and Sharrie had no choice to jump out of the window. So, she did. She jumped... And it was exhilarating. The feeling of almost being caught, the rush of the moment of doing something scary, and the thought of being caught by her... That was the best part. She closed her eyes for what seemed like forever. She was waiting on that high of being caught and when she got it, boy was it a surprise. Cerene was at the bottom waiting for Sherrie to drop into her arms. She had eyes closed as well. Fear, anticipation, excitement and adrenaline... All things that were going through Cerene's mind. Eyes closed, arms out stretched, waiting for her best friend to land in her arms. Waiting to hear "I knew I could trust you". Instead, her ears were hit with...
"Hello, Cupcake. " The father said with a warm and loving smile on his face.
Sharrie and Cerene opened their eyes to find that Sharrie had landed in their father's arm. Cerene looked up above her head and there he was. The girls let out a scream and scrambled around. Sharrie falling out of his arms and Cerene dropping to the ground.
"How!?!? " Cerene exclaimed.
"How isn't important, what matters is that breakfast is getting cold. Shall we? " The father bowed to the girls with his arm pointed out towards the front door.
The girls though puzzled, went inside without a peep. They headed towards the kitchen in sight and sat back down.
"Thank you. "
"You're welcome, the father said as he kissed his wife on her forehead.
"Look, we already know what's going to happen! Just hurry and take us back. " Cerene yelled out, not being able to control herself.
"Who said anything about taking you back? Is it wrong for us to want to get to know you? "
"Lady-"
"Mom" The mother kindly interrupted.
Cerene paused and took a deep breath.
"Mom... " Cerene grumbled out.
"What Cerene means is, it's hard to believe you actually want us. " Sharrie interrupted.
"We understand, but going around and expecting the worst isn't going to stop you from getting hurt, or from being let down. It's better to look forward for the good, and accept the bad. Now, my wonderful daughters. Dig in! We shall discuss things later on." The family continued on with their breakfast.
Cerene's POV
After everyone ate, Sharrie and I showered, did one another's hair and got redressed. Our parents took us shopping. It was... Fun. It felt like we were an actual family. We had a wonderful time. The morning didn't start off too well, but all in all the day turned out better than expected. After our trip they took us home. They said they had to work but some how I doubt that. They probably just wanted gross adult time. "Bleh"
"You okay? " Sharrie asked concerningly.
"Huh? Yeah! Just thinking. " Cerene let out a light chuckle as they continued walking around the mansion.
Everything was so huge. The steps, the pillars, the ceiling, the lights... Cerene couldn't believe it and if she was being honest, even the floor was huge. The mansion sparkled. She couldn't believe the kind of family they were adopted into. It was unreal. As if it was out of some lame fairy tail where they get into this rich family and then end up as Cinderellas. She lingered on the thought of her and her best friend being forced to do all of the chores and getting abused. Cerene wasn't going to be put in that situation again and she was darn flipping sure not going to allow Sharrie to go through it. She didn't want her to become damaged... like she was. Was she damaged? What if she was too damaged? What if this was the last shot for her? What if they only wanted Shar? Would she run away to be with her best friend? Cerene couldn't do that to her. She would hate for Sharrie to run away again just to be with Cerene. So many thoughts, racing and causing havoc and then, the worst one of them all. What if they find out about what happened at the last home? Cerene couldn't let anyone find out about her secret. It would ruin everything.
"So, what should we do now? " Sharrie stopped dead in her tracks looking over at Cerene. She wore a loving smile of adoration.
"Heh, I'm not sure. I saw a garden during the "great escape" We could check that out? "
'Sounds good! Come on Reenie! Sharrie began to run ahead towards the side door leading near the garden area.
I can't let her go through that. Even if I go through that again, I can't let her go through it. I'll stay and deal as long as she can be happy. She's what matters the most. Cerene continued in her thoughts as she began catching up to Sharrie.
"I wonder who takes care of these? Do you think they will teach me? Cerene spoke as she leaned down towards the flowers.
"We should def ask when they get back."
"That would be sooooo cool" Cerene spoke with love.
Her tone suddenly changed. "I doubt they will trust us enough though. People don't usually let "kids like us" touch things they like."
She began to back away from the flowers for fear of "tainting" them.
"I'm sure they won't mind if I... Just.. Tou"
"Young mistresses! Don't touch those! " An accented voice called out.
The voice came from one of the maids. Her name was Heather. She was of fair height, with short brown hair, lightly tanned complexion, and was in charge of the animals. Heather was a loving care taker to the family pets, she had a special talent for them. Of course, Cerene and Sherrie wouldn't remember any of what their parents told them about the maids.
"I'm sorry, they just look so pretty! " Sharrie explained.
"Are we too dirty? Is that it? " Cerene barked out.
"Huh? Oh heavens no! This is your home, there is no such thing as dirty. This is the Madams pet rabbits food, it is very particular about what it is fed and does not like to eat food with a scent other than what the natural flower has on it. " Her British accent peaking out every now and again.
"Oh... " Cerene looked down feeling embarrassed for what she said "Are we just not allowed to touch the garden?
"Pardon? This isn't the garden, this is merely a food source for the pets. The garden is in the back. Come with me, I'll show you. " Heather stated.As she guided the girls around to the garden, they began to see more and more of a large area covered in trees, plants, flowers, moss, vines, just anything nature related without the actual nature, in this giant glass dome. The girls were mesmerized. Heather spent the entire day teaching the girls about the garden, the different plants and their medicinal uses and everything that falls under the dome."Your mother calls it Eden. She said that this is her special place where all of her dreams, hope, heart and desires lie. She comes here for her calm. She takes care of all of the gardening by herself. She's very talented."
"Does she get lonely doing it alone? I could maybe... Help her... If she ever needed any help. If she wants it of course. " Cerene suggested.
"I'm sure the Madam would love that. You should ask her when she gets back home."
*Beep Beep*
"Oh heavens." Heather continued as she turned off her alarm. "It's time to feed Lord Fluffington. I will see you both at dinner. Remember to treat the manor as your own!" Heather called out as she began to speed back towards the manor.
"I think I saw a television in our room Cerene, would you like to go and see what shows are on?"
Cerene and Sharrie began to head back towards the house and up the curved stairs. They went back to the room that their failed escape plan took place. It was almost as if the room screamed failure. Like the walls mocked them for not being able to run away. Cerene and Sharrie searched for a remote control in the closet, underneath the bed and lastly, the drawer. They sat on the beds and cut the T.V. on. They flipped through channels and eventually found something they agreed on. A show called Dead Rose. It seemed nice enough. The main character was the daughter of a witch, there was reincarnation involved and the girl was really beautiful and plain. An odd combination yes, but it seemed to draw the girls in more and more as the color, accents and interesting clothes caught their eyes. The hour long premiere ended sooner than expected and the girls had a new obsession. Time seemed to stop as they expressed their disdain for the entity that took the young girl. They sympathized with her struggles and lack of a foundation. It was almost like they could relate and that was something that they treasured. Time flew by faster than the girls could keep up with and before they knew it, the maids were knocking on the door for the girls to come down for dinner. The maids informed them that Sir and Madam of the house would be late coming home. Lucky for them, they didn't mind being spared the traumatic experience. The girls finished dinner and headed back upstairs to re-watch their new favorite show. Once again, time made a fool of them and before they knew it, their parents were home. A moment that they dreaded since the pair left. They heard the front door open and they just knew they were in trouble. They hadn't cleaned, washed up for bed, they had stayed up late and had the nerve to watch television. They scrambled to the bed, covered themselves up and awaited their punishment. They laid there in dead silence, in a cold dark room listening to the footsteps ascending the spiral staircase. The high heeled foot steps echoed throughout the giant palace like house. It was as if the footsteps were amplified by the omitted fear. The sound of their heartbeats in their ears, palms sweaty. It was just a matter of time before the door opened and the abuse would begin. And then, it did. The door opened.
"I told you we shouldn't have stopped to get doughnuts. I wanted goodnight hugs!" The mother clacked her heel on the floor to express her discontent.
"Zyneil, you don't want to wake them! That would be terribly inconsiderate. I thought they may have wanted a treat. "
"Yeah well now I don't have hugs and they don't have doughnuts. Congratulations Vay. "
"Your sarcasm will be the death of you dear. "
"Hopefully it arrives on time, since you can't seem to. "
"Must you make jokes woman?"
The couple shared a laugh or two and continued over to the beds. They took turns giving forehead kisses and telling the girls that they love them. They wished them sweet dreams and left the room.
"Wow that was close. I don't think I've ever had someone come home and be so loving. It was... Different. I think I liked it."
"I agree! They even got us doughnuts. " The girls continued the discussion and ended up falling asleep. It's safe to the second night ended better than they imagined.