Harmony (ON HOLD)

Chapter 3

I clasped the blankets he had given me, as soon as I pulled one over my head to protect  myself from the noise of thunder booming, the smell of pine and mint invaded my senses. I breathed deeply, the smell soothing me into a vibrant sleep.

I woke up slowly, my eyelids fighting my mind to close back down and go to sleep. After a few minutes of post-sleep relaxing, I twisted my neck to get a view of clock.

 9 am.

 I sat up, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. I reluctantly pulled Harry’s blankets off my body as I clambered out of bed. I walked out into the empty hallway and then into the door-filled hallway. 

I could smell faint hints of breakfast wafting throughout the house. My hand instinctively went to my stomach, as if I could feel the emptiness of it through the pads of my fingertips. I needed some nutrition in my system, but I was afraid I would get a measily burnt piece of toast or something as ridiculous as the broth I had consumed for dinner.

I dreaded having to see him again. What if he was angry about last night? What if he didn’t let me have anything for breakfast at all? What was he going to say to me? What would be my punishment for waking him up?

 I pushed back on my thoughts and walked into the warm kitchen. 

 I saw Martha standing at the stove, over a hot pan of scrambled eggs with ham bits. 

“Good morning, dear!” She exclaimed with a smile. 

I returned her greeting. 

I walked over to the table and sat down in the same place as I sat down yesterday. My heart dropped when I saw Harry sitting at it as well.

 Where was Benji? I hope he would come in soon. I can’t stand the thought of being with Harry and Martha and not another male to protect us. 

 Martha picked up the pan of eggs and swirled it around as I gathered up my courage and said, “Good morning, Harry.” I smiled weakly at him. Martha dropped the pan on the stove, causing a loud crash. She swiveled around to face us with her mouth slightly ajar. Harry’s head shot up and his forest green eyes stared at me, they weren’t wide nor were they narrowed. After a few awkward seconds of us staring at each other, he frowned. He didn’t return my greeting, he just went back to his phone. At least he wasn't yelling at me...

 Benji strolled in and plopped down in the seat next to mine. Harry’s eyes glanced up but quickly went back to his screen.

 “Mornin’, um.....” Benji laughed. “I don’t know what to call you.” 

I laughed slightly with him and shrugged my shoulders.

 “Wish I could tell you...” I trailed off. I looked down at the table. Harry took noticed of my shift of mood. He was staring at me. I could feel his green eyes burning into my skin. He cleared his throat.

 “Martha, bring the food over.” Martha hastily set down plates of food in front of all of us.

 I looked at what she had given me. Two perfectly buttered pieces of toast sat beside a scoopful of eggs and a couple strips of bacon. I looked at the other plates and noticed they were situated just like mine.

 “I get to eat the same thing?” I smiled up at Harry. He glared at me.

 “Just eat.” 

 “Thank you.” I smiled again. He looked up briefly, but didn’t smile back. His focus went back to his food. 

After we finished, I helped Martha clean the dishes. Harry and Benji sat around the wooden table. Harry leaned into Benji with a grave face, speaking quiet words to him. Benji simply nodded at his words every now and then. Martha glanced over at them, sadness streaking across her face. However, she caught me looking at her. Immediately, she erased her glum look and replaced it with a smile.