Sleeping just ten feet from each other is not better than sleeping tens of miles apart from each other. I'd argue that is far worse. I wake up feeling groggy, and my head weighs something close to a ton. I only had one glass of wine, but after a night of writhing, and wrestling with the sheets, I felt the need to have a nap. And I haven't left the bed yet.
It's still early dawn, and after last night, it is safe to assume that the others are still asleep. I know Graham will arrive this morning to leave with Mason for Varan District. He should be the only one up and about. More than anything I refuse to live through the experience of the previous day, so I choose to stay in bed. The snow has piled up even higher now against the french doors, making any attempt to escape somewhere next to impossible.
The door opens with a bang, and Graham strolls in without a care in the world, " Good morning babe," He says with a toothy grin, and Shay jumps on the bed, shimmies under the covers and pokes his nose out just enough so he can breathe.
" Morning Graham," I croak as Graham plops himself on the bed, resting his head on his twined hands behind his head and gives the room a good look.
" Nice, " He hums and takes a deep breath," Sure you don't want to come with us to Varan District. It will be fun," He wiggles his brows at me, with a toothy grin. I love Graham, the way he is with me, anyway. Free spirited, always jokes around, and says the first thing that pops into that head of his. As much as I'd like to go on an adventure, I don't think I would cope very well considering how unsettled are things between Mason and I.
" I appreciate the offer but I think I'll sit this one out," I give him a frazzled smile and he nods.
" Well, " He heaves out a heavy breath," You know where to find me if you ever want to have some good old fashioned fun," I don't even know what that is supposed to mean, but knowing Graham it will probably involve getting drunk at some point or another, and I'm pretty sure that clothing in any shape or form will be banned from said good old fashioned fun.
" I'll keep that in mind," Any other thoughts I have died on the tip of my tongue as soon as Mason strolls into the room wearing a scowl for days, and closes the distance between him and the bed in a few long strides. I know the scowl is not aimed at me, but at Graham, who is lounging on his side of my bed. Well, it used to be, anyway.
" Get off the bed. We are leaving," I think my heart just stopped at the stoicism, and sternness in his tone.
The man terrifies and excites me all at once in ways I didn't think it was possible. Graham grins back but doesn't budge an inch off the bed.
"Someone is jealous," Graham says in a sing-song voice, and my eyes drift to Mason who pinches the bridge of his nose, probably in an attempt to calm himself down.
" Stop speaking nonsense," Mason snaps," We are leaving. The car is ready," I suppose the peace is short-lived, because he says nothing to me, and leaves the room.
Graham leans in to hug me, " He will come around," I don't know if it's true but I choose to believe him, even if it is just for a second.
" Don't get into trouble, but if you do find yourself in a pinch. You know what you have to do. Shay will come and get you in a heartbeat. Love you, babe, " He sends me a kiss over his shoulder, I catch it and put it on my cheek.
Graham's laughter booms from the corridor and I feel better just to have spent some time with him.
Maybe, someone like Graham is what I need, and as soon as that thought pops into my head I want to slap myself silly.
That would be a whole different level of dumb.
After feeling sorry for myself for another hour or so, I drag myself out of bed and take a shower. I pack all that I have used separately and pick up whatever has landed in different corners of the room when I changed last night.
It's Christmas day, and I find that the heavy snowfall from the previous night has turned Morston into something out of wonderland. Some of the parts of the buildings blend in with snow, contrasting with the red brick in the architecture even more so. There are a few splashes of green here and there, but most trees are heavy with snow. I wonder how long is going to take them to reach Varan with the snow being so thick. I suppose I'll have to walk back to the academy since the trees are blanketed with snow.
None of the drunkards is awake just yet, I slowly begin making breakfast for everyone, just to keep myself busy while I'm waiting. I know it will be close to noon when everyone will be up but unlike them I'm hungry and in desperate need of coffee.
When I pull out the coffee jug to fill up the coffee machine with water, a small envelope is stuck to the bottom of it.
I'm a curious creature if anything. So, I gently peel the envelope which is the size of my hand and turn it over several times trying to find if it is addressed to someone in particular. It's not.
My fingers itch to open it, but I also don't want to poke my nose in anyone's business.
Needless to say, I lose, the battle of ethics with myself and rip open the envelope feeling slightly guilty but not ashamed.
Pulling the card out of the envelope, I notice that it is a Christmas card with a lilly covered in sparkling snow, and is sufficient for me to know that the card is for me.