Her Sweet Flavour

nose bleed

POV: Adeline

I feel ill.

My anxiety is making my stomach churn and even sipping at water makes me feel worse. Mia hasn't noticed how pale I must have gone, though.

She's too occupied playing Jenga with all the other people in the room. There is a surprising amount of people and she seems to be friendly with all of them, which makes sense since she's always been so nice to me.

I want Bambi. I need his comfort.

I know I shouldn't be relying on him but I don't have Evane to reassure me right now either. I need at least one of them to keep me reasonably calm. If Evane were here I know she would give me the nudge I desperately need to go talk to someone other than Mia, but she isn't so instead I'm sat on a couch in the corner curled up watching them play another board game.

I want to join in but that feels like I'd be intruding. They all know each other quite well and I'm the outsider.

I shouldn't be here...

I want to cry. I feel so out of place and so overwhelmed with it all that the only thing I want to do is cry.

"Hey, Addie? Do you want anything from the kitchen? A drink, or a snack, or something?" Mia suddenly offers, making me lift my head from my lap to see that she isn't actually looking at me. She's just loudly asking it from across the room, half occupied taking the orders of other people.

"No, thank you..." I mutter, not sure if she heard.

"Okay. I'll be back soon everyone," she says without even acknowledging my down mood or that I haven't interacted with anyone since we stepped into the room.

I go back to being in my curled position on the couch while everyone else starts preparing another game and putting away the previous one. I don't think anyone except Mia even knows I'm here honestly by how they all go to talking with each other as if I'm not here.

Suddenly, I feel someone tap on my shoulder before feeling the cushion on the sofa shift as someone sits next to me. I lift my head from my lap to peer at whoever is next to me, finding a sweet looking girl.

Her eyes are a warm brown, her hair is a nice strawberry blonde, and she's dressed in a cute pale yellow dress that looks like it would fall just above her knees when she stands. She's crossed her legs as she gives me a small smile, patiently waiting for me to unravel a little more.

"Hello," she greets me with her high pitched voice, widening her smile as I lower my knees from my chest and cross them instead, still not making eye contact with her.

"Hi..." I mumble, trying to bring up my voice to be stronger but I can't.

"I take it you're not very comfortable around all of us, huh?" She pitifully says. "I promise we're not that intimidating once you get to know us. I'm Charlie, by the way."

"I'm Adeline."

I don't know why I always introduce myself with my full name when I hate when people use it. I should just introduce myself with my short name but I always forget.

"But please just call me Addie," I quickly add.

"Well, would you like to join us in a game of Uno?" She offers. "I promise that I'll go easy on you. Can't say the same thing about the others."

I take a moment before nodding, not really sure but I don't want to reject the invitation. This is a chance for me to get to know some of them and maybe start a few conversations, even if it's just saying hello and telling them my name.