From Mine to Ours

32: They Can't Know.

We're slowly, but surely, approaching July and the sun beating down on my face from the window is being a huge reminder of that fact. One thing to note about me is that I'm always, and I mean always, hot. I think that's part of the reason I have such an upbeat attitude in winter. I just don't get cold that easily.

The issue here is that I'm not in my own home. I'm in someone else's place...

Which means I actually have to appropriately cover myself on a daily basis. I can't go walking around practically half naked this summer and that fact ironically sends a cold shiver through me.

Call me dramatic, but I already know for a fact that I'll be sweating my butt off this summer. I wouldn't be surprised if I end up instinctively walking out of the guestroom in my underwear without even noticing...

Oh wait, that's already happening-

To avoid my blaring alarm, I leave the curtain half open in the summer to let the natural light wake me up in the mornings. I find it actually puts me in a really good mood, so I use the method without fail every single summer.

My eyes blink open and after stretching my muscles like a cat normally would, I sit up with the light feeling of my bedhead touching my bare shoulders.

The rug by the bed tickles the soles of my feet as I trudge my way through the room. After a quick morning shower, I slip out of my room without a second thought. I can't take cold showers, so to avoid overheating, I only put my briefs on and leave it at that. Especially since it's the weekend.

Once I'm out of the room, I take in the quiet of the morning. No one seems to be up yet, so why not take the opportunity to make breakfast for everyone. I haven't really had the chance to properly thank them for temporarily offering up their home to me, so the least I can do is make some food for them.

Plus, I'm sure Julian would appreciate a break from the cooking, even if it's only for a day.

Thus, how I find myself cooking up a storm in their kitchen half-naked. I've been playing music on my phone the entire time, so I'm not to blame for not noticing their presence behind me. Who knows how long they've been standing there... I'd rather not know.

I spin around with a hand on my heart and my other hand clutching the plate of pancakes so hard it might shatter to avoid dropping it.

So, here we are at a complete standstill. My heartbeat no longer racing from the scare, but from their stares being thrown my way across the island where all of the food already lay.

Stark blue shamelessly runs up and down my skin, bright hazel competes against themselves to stay on my face and beautiful taupe keeps flitting from my torso to anywhere else in the room.

Without another word, I whirl back around and turn the stove off only to nearly start flying as I run up the stairs and grab the first shirt I find in my drawer. Tugging it over my head, I'm relieved to find that it's at least airy and big enough to reach my knees. It's one of my pajama shirts.

This'll do.

Once the shirt is fully on, I drop to my knees in despair. I cannot believe I actually forgot to dress myself after my shower. Who forgets to put clothes on?!

Me, apparently.

My mind attempts to reach its happy place by using positive thoughts while I trudge my way down the steps. My fingers absentmindedly tap along the wooden railing. The sounds of pans clashing together and water running speeds up my pace significantly. As soon as I turn the corner, I watch them all work together in silence to put away the pans and other appliances I used to cook...