7:00 AM, Sarah Anderson, Master Bedroom.
It was morning; the faint rays of light emitted by the everyday morning sun slipped away through the gaps that the pair of curtains in front of the window made together, lighting directly over the headboard. They seemed authentic party crashers, cutting the line in the cafeteria.
"Hm-m ..." I rubbed both my eyes gently as I slowly lifted my torso from the bed and thus, my head from the pillow. "It's already morning?" I questioned myself still completely engrossed with sleep. To determine the time, I reached out to the small table that was by the headboard and grabbed a small clock that I had brought from my parent's house when I moved here. I checked the time: 7 am. I couldn't believe it, I had woken up half an hour earlier. "Hmpf... and here I thought I needed the alarm clock to wake up," I mumbled to myself surprised with my timing. "I could lie down again and sleep for another half hour..." I considered that thoroughly as the idea firstly formed in my head and finally left my mouth. I shook my head and sighed, concluding. "It wouldn't any good, I would have to get up again." Then, I threw my legs off the bed and got up, making my way to the standing mirror that was placed on the left side of my wardrobe. In front of the mirror, I saw my reflection in it mirrored; a petite girl, careless and sloppy with huge, standout dark bags under her eyes. That figurine didn't come as a surprise to me because last night felt like almost non-existent, a 5-minute nap. "Hm ..." I stretched the skin under my eyes with my index fingers. "I suppose an eye corrector would be helpful in fixing this little problem..." My hands played a little more with my skin, making funny faces, before moving to the wild mane that was my hair. "Nothing that some water and a bit shampoo can't solve." Well said, well done. I washed my hair, put some makeup on and I was as good as new. Now, all that was left was to change my attire; it was the last thing I needed, going to school in my pajamas. So, I opened the closet and withdrew the clothes I usually wore on weekdays. I quickly stripped off my night underwear and got changed into clean ones, followed by tucking myself into my school uniform. I grabbed my backpack and went down the grand staircase leading to the entrance hall. Instantly, a delicious smell, obviously coming from the kitchen, reached my nostrils. Unconsciously, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the aroma. "Pancakes with strawberry jam... lots and lots of sweet strawberry jam!" I delighted myself with just the thought. My stomach growled, it felt and sounded strong. As a natural reaction, I held on to my belly and mentally plead myself to go on and find some food.
Upon opening the dining door, I encountered only two of the Incubi brothers; Erik and Damien. They were both sitting in places diagonally from each other. My feet became glued to the ground, and I gulped as flashes of my nightmare came into my head. I shook my head, forcing those images to go away. I didn't want to be reminded of how alone I felt in that nightmare.
A yawn echoed behind me, "Good morning, ya doofus." and thus, a hand landed on my head and ruffled my hair slightly. That was clearly Sam. I followed his movement towards the table with my gaze. I wouldn't have noticed him coming in if it weren't for the ruffling. Sam sat next to Damien, in the opposite end where Mathew's usual spot was, and waited patiently for breakfast; something that was unusual of him.
Speaking of Matthew, where was he? I thought to myself as I scanned the room with my eyes. Giving a bit of thought, he was likely to be helping James in the kitchen. I noted to myself. My stomach growled again. Hm-m... so... hungry. I drooled over myself and longed for the delicious pancake with strawberry jam above. Although being physically hungry, I wasn't exactly eager to eat. The tiredness from last night made me wish I could just go back to bed. When I finally returned my focus to reality, all the boys had their eyes on me. James and Mathew had just left the kitchen and were near the table holding the breakfast dishes in their hands and forearms.
"Is everything all right, miss?" James was the first to speak, latent obvious concern in his tone.
My gaze was set on Damien. Somehow, I saw him trying to figure out what was going on in my mind. That's cheating! I thought to myself displeased. Realizing that, I tried at the maximum, in the space of a second or two, to hide everything that I had in mind. I nodded assertively with my head in response to James' question and went to my usual seat at the table; it was in the middle between James' and Erik's. I adjusted myself on the seat in a comfortable position and favorable enough to prevent the food from falling on the floor when eating. After James and Mathew displayed the dishes on the table, they sat down and we finally started to eat. They were all eating and chatting happily with each other, even Sam. I remained silent, distant, lost in my thoughts. I couldn't help but think about my nightmare, replaying it over and over in my mind, and what it might have meant. I was so wrapped up in unraveling it that I even forgot to take the fork to my mouth.
"Princess?" Erik laid his hand on top of mine to get my attention. "You're not eating anything." He noted.
I blushed significantly to his touch; I removed my hand awkwardly from beneath his, placing both on top of my legs and bowing my head slightly forward in apology. "I-I'm sorry, guys. The food is delicious, really! It's just that... " I paused, thinking about what to say next. I needed to come up with something, and fast. "... today, I lack my appetite." I lied in response.
Damien lifted his eyebrows and frowned his forehead. He knew when she lied; all thanks to his mindreading ability. My whole body tensed up. He'll flag me! It was the first thing that occurred to me, unfortunately.
"Oh... is that it?" Erik didn't seem to believe my words either.
"But you can't go without eating, miss," James said, also concerned. "You might faint from low sugar levels later."
"I'll be fine. I'll eat something in the school cafeteria." I tried to give their heart and mind's some ease.
"Still... at least take a piece of fruit with you." James insisted.
"Yes, James is right," Sam spoke with his mouth full of small pieces of pancake crammed. "Here." and threw me, with incredible agility, an apple he had taken from the fruit bowl at the center of the table.
I caught it awkwardly.
"And please, do eat it miss," James appealed to my good sense.
I nodded, not wanting to worry them more.
All the boys resumed their conversation and continued to eat, except Erik and Damien, they were watching me intently as they took the food from the plates to their mouths from time to time.
Not wanting to stay and see everything fall apart the moment Damien would decide to unmask me, I determined it was more than time for me to go. So, in a rush, I pushed the chair back with my feet, loudly. I was not expecting all that disturbance.
Erik looked at me surprised, as did the rest of the boys.
"W-Well, I-I... I have to get going..." I stated, looking down at my feet and avoiding each and one of their gazes. "Suzu and Naomi should be at the gate by now, waiting for me," I said and, so I hoped. "Please, excuse me." I folded my napkin in a half-shaped heart and positioned it on the left side of my plate. I got up and walked away from the table and quickly out of the dining room. When I was about to grab the handle and open the front door, I felt a hand grab my arm by the elbow. My heart pounded strongly against my chest. I backed away and turned my body. "Erik ...?"
He looked deeply into my eyes. "What's wrong, princess? Tell me." His eyes almost begged me to share with him my troubles. But how could I? I was too shy and too much of a coward to do anything about it. "What is disturbing that pretty head of yours?" He asked me with a mixture of concern and flirt in the tone of his voice.
"N-Nothing." I found myself babbling.
"Are you sure? You know you can tell me anything, right?" He made sure I knew. "Whatever it is, you're not alone. You can always count on me." The emphasis on his last words made me blush slightly. "A-And on my brothers, of course..." He nervously added.
"Yes, I know," I answered with a giggle. I knew I could count on them all, especially on him, but it was incredibly difficult for a person to show their insecurities and fears to someone, even more to an outsider. Just the thought of it made me feel like a naked tree in Winter.
"Good." Erik smiled. I could sense some relief in his voice.
Then, my expression grew bland again. I averted my gaze, trying to hide the sadness that smile inflicted on me. Why didn't you smiled like that in my dream? Why you were so distant and cold? Why did you leave me there all alone? There were many unanswered questions that hovered in my mind. Maybe I should just ask him. No! I-I can't! I-I won't!
Without warning, he pulled me by the arm and shortened the space between us. He lifted my chin up and made me establish direct eye contact with him.
I gasped in surprise at his sudden action. "Err ... uh! I-I have to go!" I pushed him and ran out towards the outer gate.
"Princess, wait!" Erik shouted, hoping that I would stop and talk with him.