PALE FIRE

Grumpy Beginnings

I opened my eyes slowly light peeking from behind my curtains as my eyes adjusted to my room the smell of food tingling my senses groaning and feeling like I could kill anyone who tried to make conversation with me this time I wore my fluffy slippers and sleepily wore my robe not bothering to tie the ropes after brushing and splashing my face with water trudging downstairs I followed where the smell was coming from which was the kitchen but my eyes could've never prepared me for the sight that greeted me noticing my presence behind him a shirtless Leroy flashed me a grin "looks like you had a good night rest" I groaned in response as I made coffee "okay caveman I don't know if you still love pancakes seeing as that's the only thing I can make without making a huge mess but there's some bacon in that plate" he spoke a smirk stretched on his lips turning back to the pan.
I silently ate watching as his back muscles flexed with every movement he made "Good morning sky" Giving me a knowing look Ryan placed a kiss on my head "he's not food sky stop staring like he's a piece of meat" he smugly whispered chuckling while shoving a lot of food in his mouth "you eat like a pig" I scrunched my nose throwing daggers at him with my eyes almost choking on my food "love you too creep" he laughed dodging the apple I threw at him "thank goodness it wasn't a knife this time" he grinned as he started digging into the pile of pancakes on the counter I already lost my appetite so I settled for my coffee in hand after we finish up breakfast I go up to my room to take a shower inwardly bracing myself to meet my friends after a while.
After getting my hair from being a tangled mess and satisfied with my appearance on reaching downstairs I hear the familiar deep rumbling laughter and faint voices clearing my throat to announce my presence as their heads turned to me "Sky?" Eli stared his brown eyes filled with tenderness as he walked over to trap me in a bear hug "I missed you cupcake, you look good" he states kissing my forehead instinctively I smiled in response "I missed you more, you're going to crush me El" I giggled as he chuckled letting go "Skylar!" a very excited Nick ran over to me knocking me off my feet and throwing me over his shoulder "put me down! Crazy pants" I giggled "I know you missed my awesome personality" his goofy smile was contagious "Sure, can you at least put me down so all my blood doesn't go to my head" I spoke as Eli smacked him on the head as he dropped me "these guys are boring I've missed my little bug" he whined flashing me a toothed grin "can I at least get a hug too" Nate snickered my eyes widening to see him standing arms stretched out to me my eyes watering as I jumped into his arms "I missed you to babydoll" he chuckled burying his face in the crook of my neck "you still owe me ice cream" I laughed in between sniffles his laughter warmed my heart placing me back down, my eyes caught Leroy's cold ones as he looked away almost instantly. We spent the day catching up my grin so wide my face physically hurt " I'm hungry sky, Nate promised to get me food" Nick whined staring accusingly at Eli "Honestly that was the only way to get his stubborn sleepy ass out of bed plus we wanted to get here as soon as possible" he stated with a shrug "well I'm hungry and I want food now or else I'll show everyone the video I have of you" he smirked twirling his phone in his hand "w_what video?" Eli stuttered going pale as his body stiffened instantly "Oh you don't recall huh?" he chuckled his eyes twinkling with mischief "Nick stop being an ass and show us the video" Ryan narrowed his eyes at him "No! I'll go buy food, does anyone else want anything" Eli spoke avoiding eye contact with anyone except me communicating silently as I cocked my eyebrows at him expecting an explanation later "yeah I'll go with you" I eyed him warily "I'll love to go too" leroy finally spoke up making all heads turn to him his expression unreadable "shit hey man sorry we got carried away, I'm Nate" nate chuckled as they shook hands "leroy" he replied a faint smile on his lips "I'm Nicky bear the handsome devil" nick grinned everyone stared blankly and burst out laughing " don't mind him he's nuts I'm Eli" Eli apologized as he smacked nick on the head "ow! What was that for" rubbing his head jutting his bottom lip out "that's for being a dingus" Eli stated shaking his head like a disappointed parent  "we've known leroy since we were in diapers he is basically family and he's gonna be staying with us till whenever" Ryan explained "that's cool maybe we'll give you a tour or something" Nick smiled clearly up to no good in that head if his "that's alright, I was hoping that Sky would show me around" he casually spoke holding my surprised expression as I stared at him blankly we were staring for what felt like seconds "alright some other time" Nick coughed awkwardly everyone else including Ryan narrowed their eyes suspiciously "you know what I'll just order food" I avoided everyone's gaze going to the kitchen to place the orders as everybody got carried away deciding what to order.