All Roses Have Thorns

Sierra XVI

Dinner had been moderately interesting, but not as interesting as her imagination. Sebastian had pointed out one of Erin's favorite dishes, but Erin wasn't there to share it herself.

That was her first thought when she regained consciousness in the morning.

She sat up and rubbed her face, groaning as she did so. Sunlight streamed through the small gap between the two curtains, straight into her eyes. Sierra looked over to see that Safiya was still sleeping soundly, so she got out of the bed and walked into the main room.

Maggie was still asleep on the couch. Erin sat on the floor and drew in her notebook, leaning over so her book was in the small sliver of sunlight.

"Good morning," Sierra said.

Erin flinched a little. "M-Morning." Her eyes flickered up to Sierra before quickly going back to her sketchbook. She continued drawing, only her lines were less straight.

She was shaking, just a little.

Sierra was confused. Did she really make Erin that nervous? "Erin," she sat down next to her, "why did you hate me?"

"I-I didn't hate you."

"Then what was it?"

"Well... I'm just really wary of people." Erin twisted her fingers together.

"Okay."

She looked down. "Because," she paused, "I used to get bullied... a lot."

"Oh." Sierra didn't know what to say.

"I naturally assumed you were nice, since you're Maggie and Safiya's friend, but then I second guessed myself. So... I'm sorry."

"It-It's fine. But why did you trust Dema? You didn't know her either."

Sierra didn't notice, but Erin's sketchbook was now shoved underneath the couch. "She's a sunshine girl. The type who just wants peace and happiness, and would let anyone walk all over them. If she was faking it, it would be pretty easy to tell. She's too pure to do anything that could hurt someone." She sighed and stretched her legs out. "Does that make sense?"

"Y-Yeah."

They sat in an awkward silence for a few seconds before Safiya walked out. "Good morning."

"Hello."

"Morning."

Neither of them noticed that Maggie had woken up a long time ago.