I woke up early in the morning the next day and immediately washed up and used the spare toothbrush. I wasn’t in a particularly good mood considering what happened last night, but I tried to not to let it ruin my mood this early in the morning.
I usually wouldn’t have bothered waking up so early but I simply couldn’t wait to leave as soon as I could.
“Good morning,” I chirped to Jerry who was sipping on what I presumed was coffee. The smell that was wafting throughout the kitchen. He was eyeing the newspaper in his hand when I came in and his eyes briefly left the newspaper to look at me. He settled his mug on the kitchen counter and smiled at me.
“Had a good rest?” He inquired mindlessly. I tried to make the strained smile into something that looked more genuine as I tried not to think about how I tossed and turned last night.
The house was eerily quiet. It was understandable since it was only 6 and it was a weekend. Jerry was probably the only morning person in the house.
I sat down on one of the stools and faced Jerry.
“How have you been lately?” I asked Jerry, concern lacing my words.
I’ve been so caught up in my own thoughts and problems that I haven’t considered about how Jerry was holding up. I’ve never been a spouse but I’m sure that losing your wife wasn’t easy even if you’ve grieved for a decade.
Jerry gave me a small smile, folding up his newspaper and setting it beside his mug of coffee. “You don’t have to worry about me, Case,” he reassured me. I frowned at his response.
“I don’t have to but I still do. I’m sorry I haven’t been very attentive.” I apologized as sincerely as I could. I was sorry for being ignorant to someone I’ve promised I would be there for.
“I’m okay. It’s just been tough with the kids.” Jerry sighed, not wanting to argue with me any further. Everyone I was associated with learns sooner rather than later that arguing with me was like talking to a brick wall.
“You know I can always babysit for you during my free time You can fly off somewhere and have some time to yourself.” I offered Jerry. I honestly adored the kids. I never really thought about it but I couldn’t imagine the pressure Jerry was under. Between being there for his children and working to support them, if couldn't be easy.
Their financial problems have been resolved and that they were getting back on their feet again but Jerry, no matter how strong he might came off, was still just a man.
“I might take you up on that sometime.” Jerry gave me a small smile which I return. I gave him a brief hug.
“Call me anytime you need me to babysit the kids and I’ll clear up my schedule,” I told him. Jerry smiled and thanked me.
“Well, I should get going and wake up one of your more favorable sons now. I don’t want to be late for my classes,” I murmured. I wasn’t in a rush to leave anymore but I didn’t want to be here when Adam wakes up.
This family deserves some peace and quiet and the tension between Adam and I will surely disrupt that much deserved peace.
Jerry nodded, offering a small smile. I took that as my cue to go wreak havoc in Preston’s room.
I was about to exit the kitchen when Jerry called out my name.
“Adam-” Jerry opened his mouth to continue, looking hesitant. I tilted my head in question, waiting for him to continue what he was about to say. “He’ll come to his senses soon, Case.”
I doubt that.
But I didn’t voice my thoughts and chose to give him a close- lipped smile. I nodded slightly before turning back around and making my way to the stairs. I took two of them at a time and bounded towards Preston’s room.
A door along the corridor suddenly swung open and Adam to stepped out of it, looking dazed.
The spring in my steps quickly vanished and I was rooted to my spot, staring at him. Adam raised his head, saw me standing there and froze too. This is where, in books, the author usually describes how the rest of the world seemed to disappear except for them.
But alas, the reality was that it was simply an awkward silence that clouded the space between them. Or at least, that was the case from my perspective.
Adam looked like he was going to say something but my heart and mind told me that it was enough. He had said enough.
Having said that, I raised my hand and continued walking. I lowered my hand when his mouth shut close and walked past him quickly, willing myself not to look back.
I caught the hurt look that fleeted across his face and gritted my teeth. He didn't get to be hurt. Not after the things he had said and done.
I barged into Preston’s room and managed not to bang his door close. I was irritated but not heartless. I didn’t want to wake the kids up by causing a ruckus.
Preston was sleeping soundly, snoring away with his face pressed up against the pillow.
“Preston,” I hissed at him, clueless as to how much it would actually take to actually wake him up.
“Preston!” I hissed louder. The snoring stopped and I thought that I actually woke him up. 5 seconds later, the snoring continued.
I rolled my eyes and groaned. I pulled his duvet an inch off his body but immediately stopped when I saw his bare shoulder.
Lord, please tell me that he doesn’t sleep butt naked. I pleaded in my head as I gagged at the thought.
I tried another tactic and went with his pillow instead. I gripped on the edges of his pillow and swiped it swiftly from under his head. I watched his head bounce on the bed in anticipation.
Nothing.
Not even a twitch or a flutter of his eyelids. Who the hell sleeps this deeply?! It’s ridiculous!
“Preston, I really wanted to do this civilly but you really leave me no choice.” I muttered under my breath as I raised the pillow over my head and brought it down hard on to his face.
“Wake up, you big baboon!” I yelled in frustration as I repeatedly hit him with the pillow.
“Ow! Ow! Ow! What the hell, stop it!” Preston’s groggy voice stopped me from hitting him anymore I put the pillow down on his bed, my hands resting my hands on my waist as I glared at him.
“Did you take sleeping pills or something? I swear trying to wake you up took more effort than it should have taken to wake up a normal being.” I huffed. I paused when he sat up and the duvet fell to his waist. He yawned and rubbed his eyes.
I was almost scared to ask but I decided that it was better to clarify it earlier rather than have him accidentally flash me his birthday suit.
“Are you butt naked right now?” I ask tentatively. I think he noticed the hesitant tone in my voice because he looked at me in confusion before looking down at himself.
“No, I’m wearing pants. Chill, woman.” He replied as he fell back on his bed.
“What did you want anyways? The sun isn’t even up yet!” Preston grumbled as he pulled his pillow back under his head and snuggled further into the comfort of his bed.
“Oh no, you don’t!” I exclaimed, snatching his pillow again, hitting him repeatedly with it once again.
“Alright, alright! I’m up! Jeez!” Preston rolled to the other side of the bed, far enough that I couldn’t reach him with the pillow and sat up.
“I tried waking you up normally but you didn’t even flinch so I had to resort to this.” I explained to him when he glared at me through his narrowed eyes.
He yawned again, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his palm as he stood up and stretched. Cassandra from a year ago would’ve looked away at the sight of so much bare skin. I guess all those fighting with shirtless men are really having its effect on me, enabling me to give Preston a deadpan look.
“I need you to drive me back to that tent where the competition took place. I left my bike there and I need to get ready for school. I’ll be late if we don’t leave soon.” I explained to him as he trudged past me to his closet.
“You just got out of the hospital last night and you can’t even take a day off school?” Preston asked in disbelief as he stopped picking his clothes to look at me.
He shook his head, “When Adam told us that his girlfriend was studious he wasn’t kidding. You’re crazy about school,” Preston retorted. I scrunched up my nose at what he said.
It’s been a long time since I was referred as Adam’s girlfriend and I felt a small pinch in my heart. I inhaled and exhaled, pretending that I was expelling any residual feeling from that slight pinch.
“Just please get your ass downstairs ASAP so that we can leave. I really don’t want to be late,” I pleaded with Preston. He was the only one who could drive me back. Jerry was out of the question and I was trying to stay at least 10 meters away from Adam at that moment.
Preston waved me off, following me out of his room with a pile of clothes and a towel in his hand.
“How are you going to explain the bruises if anyone asks?” Preston asked me, eyeing my probably busted lip and slightly swollen cheek and eyes.
I was honestly hoping that a miracle would happen and that my bruises would be less prominent when I woke up this morning. But one look in the mirror and all that hope went out the window.
I shrugged in response to Preston’s question. “I won’t,” I answered simply. I walked down the stairs while he stopped by the bathroom door and got in. I didn’t owe anyone at school an explanation as to why I looked like crap so I wouldn't be explaining anything.
The beauty of acting like a bitch sometimes is brilliant.
I walked out onto the porch and sat on the hammock. I watched the blue sky get painted with streaks of orange and pink as the sun gets ready to make an appearance.
I closed my eyes and basked in the sound of dawn. I could hear the familiar chirp of birds that I used to wake up to every morning during camping trips.
The breeze that blew softly against my face, the chirp of birds and the beautiful hues of the sky were the only thing that made mornings bearable.
I felt someone watching me and craned my neck to get a look over my shoulder to see who it was.
I was met with the familiar green eyes that I used to let myself drown in.
“Staring’s rude you know,” I mused, resuming my original position as I listened to the fallen leaves crunch underneath Adam’s shoes as he came closer.
“You seem like you were in bliss but I don’t remember you ever telling me that you were a morning person,” Adam said softly. If it wasn’t for the calming vibes that mornings seemed to give off, I wouldn’t even think about entertaining this conversation.
“Well I don’t think you remember much,” I muttered before amending it; although a spiteful voice inside me told me that it wasn’t necessary, that I didn’t owe him that kind of information.
“I’m not a morning person, never have been,” I told him, waving off my spiteful conscience.
Before Adam could say anything, Preston’s voice rang out from inside the house and he did not sound happy.
“Cassandra Johnson! You fucking woke me up at 6 in the bloody morning?!” I cringed at the loudness of his voice, watching in dismay as the chirping birds that were chirping flew away in fear.
“Pres! You scared away the birds!” I voiced my dismay as I glared at him.
“Forget about the bloody birds! You’re heartless! I can’t believe you’d wake me up in this hour!” Preston visibly turned red at how pissed he was. I couldn’t believe he was getting worked up over something so small.
Is this what I looked like when someone wakes me up early in the morning?
Probably.
“Why did you wake him up in the first place?” Adam asked me as he turned to look at me while his brother continues to curse me out for disturbing his beauty sleep.
“I needed a ride back, I can’t afford to be late for school,” I explained curtly, not knowing how open I should be with Adam right now.
Adam was silent for a while before offering me a hand. I looked at it in a questioningly and he explained himself. “I’ll drive you, Preston can go back to his sleep.”
Somehow, through all his yelling and cursing, Preston heard what his brother said and quickly shut up. I tensed up at the suggestion.
Stuck in a confined space with Adam?
Before his memory loss, I wouldn’t need to think twice. But now?
I looked at Adam intensely, trying to figure out what he was planning. He met my gaze head on, locking his eyes with mine.
“No, it’s fine. Case, let’s go. We don’t want you late for class,” Preston said promptly. I quickly snapped out of the staring contest and looked at him.
“Don’t be stupid, it’s going to be fine. I’m perfectly capable of driving, remember?” Adam insisted, giving Preston a look, but Preston stood his ground with narrowed eyes and gave me a look.
I looked between the two. It was obvious who I should choose. Adam wasn’t my Adam right now and frankly I trusted his brother more; although Pres did come off as a perverted imbecile the first time we met.
But I guess the morning air was messing with my head as I slipped my hand in to Adam’s outstretched one. I let him help me get off the hammock.
I looked at Preston and assured him that I’ll be fine. I felt bad that I woke him up anyways. This way, he could go back to sleep for the rest of the day.
Preston looked at his brother with eyes that were narrowed into slits as he slowly approached us.
“You’re my brother but Case is family too. If you hurt her in any kind of wa-” Adam cut Preston off mid-threat.
“I got the gist, bro. Hakuna your tatas.” Adam rolled his eyes as he grabbed the car keys from Preston’s grip and walked to the car to start the engine.
Preston turned to me when Adam was out of earshot with concerned eyes.
“Are you sure?” Preston searched my eyes as I gave him a small smile. I squeezed the hand he was holding my arm with.
“I’ll be fine, Pres. I’m sorry I woke you up. I’ll text you when I get home so just go back to your beauty sleep, a’ight?” I smiled at him as he grumbled about waking up for nothing. Nonetheless, Pres gave me a side hug and bid me a safe trip.
He was like a brother to me who manager to switch between a 10-year-old into a switch to protective older brother in a matter of seconds. He reminded me of Bryant and that made me smile.
Bryant would’ve liked Preston.
Except for that time when Preston tried to hit on me when we first met.
Awkward.
Bryant would’ve chopped his limbs off for that.
I shook my head with a ghost of a smile still dancing on my lips as Preston retreated back into to the house.
I heard the car’s engine roaring to life and glanced at Adam who stood there with a hand perched on the open window of the driver’s seat, watching me like a hawk.
I tried to subtly gulp as I walked towards the car.
An hour’s drive in a moving confined space with the devil himself.
This should be fun.