Page 67 of Infinity Chronicles 1
“If you poke me with your dick, I’ll give you nightmares for a month,” Ares threatens and wraps himself back around me. I hear a huff and feel the bed shift. I’m assuming Ollie has turned on his other side.
“Is it time to get up?” My voice is rough with sleep. I place my hand over my mouth, hoping it will keep my morning breath from rolling over them.
“Shh, not yet.” It’s Dante’s voice coming from behind me. I lift my head, curious where Milo is. I find him curled up at the end of the bed, his arms tucked into his sides and his chin buried in his chest. He looks like he’s freezing. Knowing exactly how he feels, I wiggle myself out from under Ares, and away from Dante. Still half asleep I walk to him on my knees and wrap myself over his back, making him the little spoon, much like Ollie did to Ares.
Milo uncoils a bit, his body loosening as he accepts my embrace. The cool air actually feels good after being squished between the others all night. Dante kicks his legs out, and Ares rolls away from Ollie, each of them taking up the space I was filling.
It feels like minutes later when the same blaring alarm goes off again. This time it’s accompanied by groans and demands to, “Turn it off.” Ares pulls the pillow right from under his brother’s head and uses it to cover his own.
“Get out and let me sleep, I haven’t sleep this good in years. Go, and take your fucking alarm with you.” His head pops up. “Laura?” When he sees me behind Milo he grins, letting his eyes fall closed. “You stay, come back up here and keep me warm.” Ares’s words are an invitation, but I think he means more than just laying down next to him.
“Oh, she can stay?” Dante sounds grumpy. “Selfish prick,” he adds without any real heat.
Too awake to fall back asleep, I roll off the end of the bed, landing on my hands and knees. I probably could stay in that pile all day long, but my bladder is demanding attention and I can’t miss another day of school.
I find the bathroom door easily now that I know where to look and push it open. When it closes I feel the tug of a heavy magnet holding it in place. It’s pretty ingenious really, the only problem I see is there isn’t any lock.
Washing my hands, I peer into the mirror, my hair is a little tousled from falling asleep with it still damp, but there’s not a halo of frizz like I was expecting. The miracle of nice shampoo and conditioner I guess. Or maybe my hair just doesn’t want to disappoint Ares. Having him brush my hair last night was the single most relaxing thing I’ve ever experienced. I can only hope he’ll do it again some time.
Using my second new toothbrush, I scrub my teeth and splash some water on my face. My bag is still on the floor in the corner, so I strip off my t-shirt and leggings. Digging through the bag I find my last clean pair of underwear and pull out an older pair of jeans I haven’t worn in a while. They’re tighter than I’m used to but not too bad. My problem is the length, I’ll have to cuff the bottoms to make them into capris or I’ll be wearing floods. I top it off with a faded green t-shirt that’s a little slouchy and call it a day.
Everyone’s still asleep when I come out. I’m not surprised to find Ollie half hanging off the bed, his arm touching the floor, and Ares spread out on his back. Dante faired a little better since he’s still on the bed, but not by much. Milo’s face is inches away from Ares feet, but he’s completely out. I wish I had a camera. Of all the times I’ve seen kids with phones, playing games and taking pictures, this is the first time I’m actually really jealous.
A light from the floor flashes, and the alarm starts again. Rushing over I grab it just as Ollie reaches out to nab it. His hand smacks down on mine, causing me to jump back from the shock. His head snaps up at the loud crack. Eyes half open, his mouth works like a fish. “Oh man, I’m so sorry. Did I get you?” All traces of sleep are erased from his face and his voice is urgent.
Rubbing my forearm, I shake my head, “No, it’s okay. I was just going to shut it off. I should have left it alone.”
Ares leans his head over Ollie’s shoulder. “What’d you do?”
Dante pops up next, followed by Milo. Wincing, I stand up from my crouched position. I don’t need to be the center of attention right now. He was just reaching for his phone, clearly, he didn’t expect me to be in the way.
“I clipped her when I was getting my phone,” Ollie answers when I don’t.
“I’m fine, just startled that’s all,” I say dropping my arms to my side.
“Then why do you have a big red welt on your arm?” Ares points out, not helping at all. I cover the spot, knowing immediately what he’s referring to.
“Shit, I’m sorry Laura.” Ollie hops out of the bed and reaches for me. He wraps me in a hug, my arms trapped between us. Awkwardly, I pull free and pat his back.
“Really it’s okay. I’m not that fragile,” I grumble the words over his chest. He releases me, but keeps his hands on my shoulders looking down at me.
“You’re dressed.” Sounding slightly shocked he glances over his shoulder repeating, “She’s dressed.”
“You guys have snoozed like three or four times.” I brush little hairs and lint from the front of my shirt. My feet are still bare, so I curl my toes in the thick carpet; I’m going to need to ask if I can borrow a pair of socks. At least I won’t need a whole outfit today, but I’m completely out of socks.
Surprising me Milo asks, “Do we really need to go to school today?”
“I do. I can’t have the school looking for my mom.”
Dante sighs, but sits up, his back to me as he spreads his arms wide. “That’s something else we need to talk about.” He groans through the stretch.
Looking down at the floor I bite my lip. “Later?” I can’t keep the hopeful tone from my voice. My mom’s disappearance isn’t something I want to talk about this early in the morning, or at all really. But I understand I need to tell them, I need to figure out what happened to her, and Ares promised to help.
“Yes later,” Ares confirms, “but I’d like that picture if you have it so I can do a little research.”
“What are you looking for? What good is her picture?” I ask, already on my way over to my bag just outside the bathroom door.
“Right now, I just want to see if anyone I know recognizes her. There has to be a reason she kept everything from you. I need to know what that is.” Ares takes the picture from my hand, not looking at it he leans down and places his lips at my temple. “Good morningCara,” he whispers just for me to here.
