𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

𝟏𝟐 | 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬

Antoinette

     The first thing I noticed when my eyes fluttered open was the lack of sunlight streaming through my window. Instead, a gentle gray light filled the room, hinting at the early hour of dawn. The sky outside was a soft canvas of blues and pinks, gradually brightening as the day began to stir. Secondly, I noticed that my window was still cracked open, the air felt cool and fresh, and I could hear the faint rustle of leaves as a breeze whispered through the trees. I lay there for a moment, enveloped in the serene quiet, appreciating the beauty of dawn—the promise of a new day just on the horizon. I knew that it couldn't be anything later than six o'clock in the morning, and despite my lack of sleep last night, I wasn't tired. Instead, there was a strange clarity in the stillness of dawn that invigorated me. I took a deep breath, savoring the tranquility, and let my mind wander, contemplating what the day might bring.

That deep breath was immediately released at the sound of a soft snore that I knew wasn't mine or Thumper's. The last thing I noticed was the large figure sleeping on the edge of my bed, their chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. I blinked in disbelief, trying my hardest not to panic at the fact that Micheal Benedict had fell asleep in my bed.

With wide eyes, I tried to throw the covers off of me, but instead, I accidentally tumbled to the ground with a thud. The impact jolted me fully awake, and I quickly glanced back at the figure on the bed, half-expecting them to stir. Micheal barely moved, just a slight shift as he buried his face deeper into the plush unicorn that he had in his grip. If I hadn't been so shocked at the fact that he was still here, I would've laughed at the sight of Michael cradling my stuffed unicorn in his arms.

The plush creature, with its vibrant rainbow mane and sparkly horn, looked utterly ridiculous next to his tall frame. His expression was so serene, almost as if he was in a deep, peaceful slumber, completely unaware of the absurdity of the moment. The morning light danced across their features, illuminating his tousled hair and expression on his beautiful face.

The fact that someone like him could look so peaceful while sleeping truly amazed me. It was as if all the stress and chaos of the world faded away, leaving only a serene calmness in its place. His features relaxed, free from the weight of expectations or responsibilities, it made me realize how rare it was to see him in such a vulnerable state. There was a part of me that wanted to gently trace my fingers along his cheek. The thought of touching his skin, feeling the warmth beneath my fingertips, stirred something within me. But I hesitated, unsure if I should cross that boundary. Instead, I found myself simply admiring him, captivated by the quiet beauty of the scene before me.

But then it suddenly hit me: it was dawn, and Michael Benedict was asleep in my room. The realization sent a jolt of anxiety through me, as I imagined my brother walking in and seeing this situation unfold. Only God himself knew how he would react.

Michael flinched the moment my hand landed on his arm, as if startled from a deep sleep. His body tensed instinctively, and I immediately pulled my hand back, feeling like I'd done something that I shouldn't have. The dark-haired boy seized my wrist and twisted it in a way that made me yelp out in pain. The suddenness of his grip took me by surprise, and a sharp sting radiated through my arm. I instinctively tried to pull away, feeling a rush of confusion and fear.

"Micheal—," I whined, realizing he was too strong for me to escape his grip. At the sound of my voice, his eyes met mine, wide and startled, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

The intensity in his gaze softened for a moment, as if he were processing what was happening and who I was. Confusion flickered across his face, leaving me wondering what had prompted this sudden outburst from him. After a brief pause, he reluctantly released my wrist, and I instinctively pulled my hands to my chest, examining them for any signs of bruising.