Shapeless

Ch 31 anxiety

Skyler woke with a start. She was lying down. Her back against something soft. Opening her eyes the teenager stared up at the cozy, cream colored ceiling. Where am I? She blinked in confusion but at the same time she didn't want to get up. For once she actually felt warm and safe.

Tired body protesting, Skyler rose to a sitting position and a sigh of relief escaped her. None of her muscles were aching and it felt great! She smiled to herself, pressing her hands into the soft mattress, heaving herself off the bed. She underestimated the height and flopped off with a Yelp.
She had face planted on the ground but it was like she had fallen onto the softest carpet in the world.
Laughing at her own clumsiness, Skyler pushed herself to her feet. She still didn't remember why she was here and not at the dusty orphanage. Privately Skyler wished she lived here instead.
A yawn escaped her as she made her way to the bedroom door but she wasn't tired. She had slept peacefully and the refreshed feeling was new to her.
She felt oddly bubbly and cheerful and a smile was planted on her face as she made her way down the hall.
Her brown eyes softened when they flicked between portraits hung on the wall. Two stood out to her. One was of a young couple, a man and a woman with brown hair and eyes that reminded her of her own. another featured a red fox curled up among the ferns of a waterfall. She grinned at the amazing art.
Red carpeted neat little stairs and she climbed down to the main floor, holding onto the wooden railing. Not because she was afraid of falling but she relished the feeling of the cool wood beneath her callused fingers.

When she made it down, Skyler's eyes beheld a snug looking kitchen with russet colored cabinets. A small, silver sink embedded itself in the wall and a white Island looked as if made of marble.
She made her way to one of the wooden chairs and sat down. It was surprisingly comfy.
Her eyes fell on a slice of pizza in a ziploc container. Only then did she remember where she was.
I'm at Peter's house! That's right!
Skyler relaxed a bit more as her brain woke up. She glanced out the window where the sun hadn't even risen. For a second Skyler's heart sank. I could have slept in longer?
Her disappointment faded when she read the clock on the wall. 6:20. She had forgotten that it got dark this early in the fall. It was almost 7:00. She had awoken just in time.
The sound of rustling drapes caught her attention and she stiffened, turning around.
"Who's there?" She whispered as the sound drew closer. She was surrounded in the impenetrable silence.
The noise stopped and a blonde haired teen made his way over to her.
"Peter?" Her voice was laced with the relief she felt.
"Who did you expect? It's my house." He smiled. Peter's hair was uncombed and frizzy as if he had just come out of the shower.
The brunette girl frowned. "Do all boys go to school with bed head?" She teased and Peter shrugged.
"Maybe."
Skyler rolled her eyes.
"How long have you been up?" He asked.
Skyler smirked. "I just woke up." She admitted sleepily.
Peter nodded and tilted his head. The gesture didn't have the same effect on her as when Jason did it.
"How did you sleep?" He prompted.
Skyler's grin widened and she stretched. "Great! What are your beds made of? Clouds?" She said with childish fascination.
Peter laughed softly. "Pretty much. So you liked sleeping in the guest room huh?"
Skyler nodded vigorously.
"I have never slept so well in my life! Thanks for letting me stay." She smiled happily.
Peter couldn't help smiling himself. It was clear that Skyler was in a great mood and he wasn't in a hurry for it to end.
the boy walked over to the table, snatching the cold pizza slice and setting it on a plate.
"Breakfast is served." He winked.
Skyler blinked, taking a bite into the cold pizza. It was hard as a rock. She was used to eating food like this. She chewed the frozen pepperoni.

Peter stopped, looking at her oddly.
"Uh you can microwave that you know." He offered awkwardly.
Skyler swallowed her mouthful curiously. "I can?" When Peter nodded, she popped open the microwave and waited for the timer to beep. Glancing around as if expecting him to change his mind.
When it finished cooking , the savory aroma of warm cheese and crust filled the room. Her mouth watered and she took a bite.
Her mouth was instantly flooded with the flavor of greasy cheese and juice dripped down her chin.
Peter put something in the toaster while she ate.
Skyler's eyes widened at the delicious taste that lingered in her mouth when she was done. It had been a long time since she had eaten hot and ready pizza. It made her feel like a kid again.
Meanwhile, Peter was in the corner, spreading cream cheese on his plain bagel.
He chewed a mouthful delicately. Rather differently than Skyler's version of practically inhaling her food. She wiped around her mouth with a napkin, slightly embarrassed.