Eyes for Midnight | a Crankgameplays Story

Good Mornings

     I open my eyes with an unfamiliar feeling of peace and rest. It's been a long time since I've felt this good in the morning. I almost close my eyes to try to go back to sleep, but I suddenly realize that I'm unfamiliar with my surroundings; the atmosphere in the room around me feels very different, and the bed underneath me is even more strange to me than the one in my new room.

     I quickly sit up and notice Ethan asleep in his desk chair, a small blanket just barely covering his body. The night before comes back to me instantly, and for a moment I'm filled with contentment before the feeling is replaced by slight guilt and dread; I hate that Ethan had to give up sleeping in his bed because of me. Grabbing my phone, I check the time to find that it's almost six o'clock. That's the most sleep I've gotten in one night for a while. I gather my blanket and sneak out of the room as quietly as I can, doing my best not to disturb the sleeping boy.

     Knowing that I won't be able to go back to bed, I take a quick shower and change into an old pair of ripped jeans and a baggy T-shirt. I don't bother putting makeup on; it's just not that kind of day. It's still extremely early by the time I'm fully awake and itching to do something productive. After a while of watching the sun rise from my bedroom window, I make my way downstairs and into the kitchen. I decide to make breakfast for the boys, mainly the one who was so kind as to babble me to sleep the night before. 

     After a while of cooking sausage, eggs, and pancakes, I start to debate with myself whether I should wake the boys up, or just let them sleep. I'm just starting to get out plates and cups when a voice speaks from the doorway, making me jump.

     "How did you sleep last night?" Ethan walks into the kitchen, still in his clothes from the night before. "Are you doing alright?"

    I offer a small smile. "Yeah, I'm good."

     "You didn't answer my first question," he returns the smile and sits down at the table. "How'd you sleep?"

     "Fine," I shrug.

     "How long have you not been able to sleep?"

     I'm not sure if he knows that he's prying, or if he's just mindlessly talking. Either way, it throws me off and I find myself clearing my throat a few times before I come to a response. 

     "Um, it's probably just jet lag, or something. Still getting used to it here." I attempt to use the same excuse as I did last night.

     He shakes his head at me, pushing even more. "It doesn't seem like jet lag. You've been here for a week already. Also, you're from the east, so if anything, you'd be falling asleep earlier. Trust me, I know. I came here from Maine. Are you sure there's nothing going o-"

     "Ethan, it's really none of your business, is it?" It wasn't a question, it was a statement. I didn't mean to be so cold or rude, but I really just wanted to get the conversation over with. He pauses for a second, either upset or just caught off guard, I couldn't tell.

     Then, "No, yeah, you're right. It's not. Sorry."

     I stare down into the pancake batter, wishing I could sink into it and hide.

     "Hey, you know what?" He chirps happily, jumping up from the chair. "Maybe I can help with breakfast."

     "No, thank you, though."

     "It's no problem, really." He steps forward, grabbing the spatula off of the counter. "I'm not a great cook, but-"

     "Ethan, no, I don't need help." It comes out harsher than I intend, but it got him to stop pushing. He nods shortly, and put the spatula back down before giving me a short, forced smile and leaving the room. I groan to myself, frustrated. If I could just act like a normal human being...

     I finish up cooking the breakfast and put them all on large plates. Once I'm positive that everything is done, I holler out into the house.

     "Hey, Ethan?" I call.

     After a few moments, a mess of blue appears from the large doorway.

     "Yeah?"

     Trying to fight the slight guilt heating my face, I tilt the pancake plate towards him as an offering and give a sheepish smile. "I didn't want to let you help with breakfast because it's for you."

     "Me?"

     "Well, I made enough for everyone, but I wanted to... to thank you. For staying up with me last night."

     "Ah," he leans against the doorframe. It looks as though he was trying to appear cool and laid back, but the action looked so forced, I almost had to giggle. "No, don't worry about it. Really, I just had to stay up to edit."

     I know it's stupid of me to feel disappointed with his response, but I do anyway. I try to stop my face from dropping, but I can't catch the breathless, "Oh," from slipping out of my mouth.

     I imagine his expression matches mine, as he seems to stumble to rewrite his words. "No, really I liked hanging out with you, don't get me wrong I just... it wasn't an... uh... inconvenience. I was going to be up anyways, it was cool that I could spend it with someone else."

     I try to think of something to say, but by the time I find my tongue, the moment has passed, and I decide it's best to let it be. Luckily, at that moment, I hear footsteps coming down the hallway. Just moments later, Tyler appears in the doorway.

     "Dude... there's so much food. What is this?"

     I smile and take a bite of a pancake. "Breakfast. You hungry?"

     He responds enthusiastically, grabbing a seat and starting to grab at sausage patties before even touching a plate. I dismiss myself to go see if Mark is awake and wants some. I smile to myself as I leave the kitchen at the sounds of Ethan and Tyler talking loudly and both trying to grab as much food as they can, and I know today will be an alright day.