Adelie's POV
I woke to the low hum of voices in the house, muffled but persistent, like the world outside was waiting for me to rejoin it. My head throbbed in protest, a sharp reminder of the chaos from the night before. I sat up slowly, rubbing my temples, trying to piece together the fragments of memories that swirled in my mind. Jean had been next to me, but now the couch was empty, his absence a quiet echo of the questions I hadn't yet asked.
The clock on the wall told me it was almost noon. Seven hours until the event. Seven hours to pull myself together, to find answers to questions I wasn't even sure I wanted to ask.
The house was eerily still. Most of the group must still be sleeping off the aftermath, but I heard faint murmurs from the kitchen. My stomach churned at the thought of food or coffee, but I knew I needed to face it—face them.
I padded down the hall, the floor cold against my bare feet. The kitchen came into view, and there they were: Grace and Eren, leaning against the counter like they hadn't a care in the world. Grace's hair was a mess, her eyes heavy-lidded but sharp. Eren was making coffee, his movements slow, deliberate, as if he were aware of the weight in the air.
Grace noticed me first. "Morning, sunshine," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Sleep well?"
"Like a rock," I shot back, matching her tone. It was easier than admitting the truth—that I hadn't slept at all.
Eren handed Grace a mug, then turned to me. "You look like you've seen better days," he said, smirking.
I ignored him, grabbing a glass of water from the sink. The coldness of the glass in my hand was grounding, but it didn't stop the questions racing through my mind. Where was Peter? And Rhiner? And why did I care so much?
"Where's everyone else?" I asked, keeping my voice neutral.
Grace shrugged. "Dead to the world, probably. Peter was up earlier, but I think she returned to bed."
Of course she did.
I nodded, taking a sip of water, trying to look unbothered. Grace watched me closely, her eyes narrowing slightly like she was trying to figure me out. Eren leaned back against the counter, his arm brushing hers casually. They looked so... normal like the night before hadn't left them as tangled as the rest of us.
"What's the plan for today?" I asked, desperate to change the subject.
Grace raised an eyebrow. "Same as always. Pretend we're functional human beings by seven and hope for the best."
Eren laughed softly. "Low bar, but I think we can clear it."
Their lightheartedness grated against my nerves, but I forced a smile and nodded. "Sounds about right."
I needed to get out of there, away from the kitchen, away from their knowing looks. But as I turned to leave, Grace's voice stopped me.
"Hey, Adelie."
I turned back, my stomach twisting. "Yeah?"
"You good?"
Her question was simple, but it hit harder than it should have. I opened my mouth to answer, to say yes, of course, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, I just nodded, hoping it was enough to convince her.
Grace didn't press further, but the look in her eyes told me she wasn't buying it. "Alright," she said, her tone casual. "Let us know if you need anything."
I left the kitchen, my chest tight, and made my way upstairs. The house felt like it was holding its breath, waiting for something to break. And maybe it already had.
