Rise

Thrive

"Breakfast's ready!" Austin's sing-songy voice rings out through the room, bouncing off every eardrum—including those of the disoriented creepers tied up—outside. Those which still had intact eardrums, that is. He bursts right into Trish's room without a knock prior, which he regrets just a few moments after. "Hope you're hungry, cause I made my world-famous, chunky-chocolate-chip pancaaaa—" his words trail off as he sees not one, but two forms hidden under the covers of the bed. "Uh..." Austin utters, slowly approaching the forms. Tension in his body erupts, not knowing who—or what—could have snuck into the bed of his sleeping friend. His heartbeat thunderous, Austin's quivering hand pulls back the covers slightly on the side of the larger form. He heaves out a weighty sigh at the sight of freshly-washed red hair, but a look of confusion forms on his face.

Dez turns himself around, pulling the blanket off of his face fully, and squinting at the light coming in through the open door. "Morning, buddy," he smiles up at the blond, his pupils contracting as they adjust to the light. He blinks a couple times.

"Dez, why are you in Trish's room?" Austin inquires immediately, unsure of whether or not he actually wants to know the answer. Dez's grimaces, his hand securing against the back of his neck in shame.

"I had a nightmare," he says quietly, pulling the blanket back up over his nose. "I didn't wanna be...alone." Austin smiles, responding with a short laugh. He shouldn't expect anything less from his best friend. "Well, come on. Get up. Wake Trish, too. I made breakfast. Then after, we can start stocking up the truck. I parked it right outside." Dez pulls the blanket down again, settling it just under his chin.

"Now? Can't we sleep in till noon? We were up pretty late, what with my nightmare and all..."

"Trish was awake, too?" Austin cocks a brow. "I mean, I'm sure you woke her up, but she didn't go back to sleep? Doesn't sound like her." Dez grows anxious.

"Uh, uh...I mean, no! When I said we I meant...me," he clarifies, frantically. Ally enters the room, arms crossed, having overheard part of their conversation.

"Really? You said me were up pretty late?" she interrogates him, her face now matching Austin's. A sudden rush of déjà vu passes through her.

"Yup, me did. That's what me said. Well, me is gonna go back to sleep now." Dez ducks back down under the covers, unwilling to answer anymore of their questions. Ally tilts her head, peering over at Trish at the other side of the bed, who'd remains under the covers, idly.

"What about you, Trish?" Ally asks, having yet to hear anything from the other girl. Trish stirs on her side of the bed, then pulls the covers off of her own face. She rubs her eyes with her hands before peering over at Ally. Dez peeks his head back out, a little more calm, but still visibly anxious.

"Sure, I could use some breakfast. Now, get out. I need to put some clothes on," the dark-haired girl mutters, pulling the sheets back up over her bare shoulders, which the others just notice now. Awestruck at her reply, Austin and Ally slowly turn their heads to a red-faced Dez, who quickly plunges himself back down under the comforter. Without another word, they slip out of the room, shocked expressions remaining. Dez sighs, coming back up for air and turning over to face the curly-haired girl.

"Did you have to tell them that?" he groans, nuzzling his reddened face into her neck. She smiles, amused by his sheepishness. Dez isn't often shy about anything, but when he is, the girl can't help but find it strangely endearing.

"Dez, c'mon. They've already seen us kiss. They know we're like a...a thing. Whatever this is. Besides, they can't pretend they haven't been—"