The cabin of mischief

~Chapter 3~Wait why am I here again

Isabella jolted awake at exactly 6:00 AM. Groggy but determined, she pulled herself out of bed and made her way to the kitchen, craving pancakes. She got the batter going, pouring the mix onto a hot skillet when suddenly, she heard a faint noise. She paused, staying perfectly still as the sound of footsteps approached.

"Oh, hey, Chad," she greeted casually without turning around, flipping a pancake as she spoke.

Chad poked his head around the corner, a look of surprise on his face. "How the hell did you know it was me?"

"Oh, I just know who someone is by the sound of their footsteps," she replied, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. She flipped another pancake onto a plate, stacking them three high. "Anyway, why are you up so early?"

"I'm making a protein shake. Then I'm hitting the gym," Chad said, just as Blake wandered in, shirtless and half-awake.

Isabella glanced over her shoulder and felt her cheeks heat up. "Damn," she murmured under her breath, practically drooling at the sight of him.

Blake, catching her stare, raised an eyebrow. "What's that smell?"

"Oh, I'm making pancakes," Isabella answered, snapping out of it and turning back to her cooking.

Before she could serve another stack, Jamal stumbled into the kitchen, also shirtless. "Why the hell are you bitches being so loud? It's literally 6:15 AM," he grumbled. "Shut the fuck up before I start touching people."

Isabella's face turned bright red as she quickly turned back to the pancakes, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Uh, is Jeremy and Sienna up yet?" she stammered. "I made pancakes."

"Yeah, I'm up," came a voice behind her. She turned to see Jeremy, fully clothed for once.

"Oh my god, you actually have a shirt on. Thank you," she joked with a grin.

"Don't thank me yet. I could change that real quick," Jeremy teased, his voice low.

Isabella shook her head, a smirk playing on her lips. "Whatever. Just grab a plate and put whatever you want on them," she said, moving six plates of pancakes to the front of the table.

"I'll go get Sienna," Chad said, leaving the room as the others helped themselves to breakfast, each choosing different toppings. Sienna wandered in shortly after, looking half-asleep as she sat down with a plate of pancakes. Isabella grabbed a plate and sprinkled some powdered sugar on her stack while Chad poured syrup over his.

After finishing their meal, Chad and Blake headed to the gym, leaving Isabella and Sienna to lounge on the couch in front of the TV. Jeremy wedged himself between the two girls, earning a subtle glare from Sienna, who had wanted to sit next to Isabella. Jamal plopped down on the floor below Isabella's feet, looking content as she randomly started patting his head. He gave her a confused look but didn't mind, secretly enjoying the attention.

Meanwhile, Chad and Blake hit the gym, the air was filled with the rhythmic clanking of weights and the hum of machinery. The two worked in silence for a while, the intensity of their workout taking priority. Chad was focused on bench pressing while Blake took to the free weights, grunting as he curled the dumbbells up and down. After a while, Chad set down the barbell and reached for his water bottle, sweat dripping from his brow.

"Jeremy's been laying it on thick with Isabella, huh?" Chad said, glancing at Blake as he caught his breath.

Blake dropped the weights with a clatter and leaned back against the wall, grabbing a towel to wipe his face. "Yeah, I've noticed," he said, sounding annoyed. "Always trying to get her attention. Can't blame him, I guess... but still." There was a hint of frustration in his voice that he didn't bother to hide.