The Atham Manor (Slow Updates)

Sleepover

After addressing a cut on my cheek I didn't know I had, Calvin stayed in my room on the floor, sitting back against the bed.

It had been God knows how long before Adaline peeked into my room. I don't know if my eyes portrayed it, but the first thing she said was, "I'm not mad at you, Xania. I understand that temptation is a hard thing to overcome. I'm just glad that you're okay... for the most part."

She looked at Calvin, and he got up, touched my hand and left. Adaline crossed her ankles daintily as she sat down at the foot of my bed. "I just want you to know how dangerous it can be around here. I don't want you to be careless. Yes, yes, I know he was a bartender, but even still. You must be extremely careful. You are a beautiful young woman who can be very oblivious at times."

I mentally cocked an eyebrow.

"As long as you are out with one of the boys..." She paused, closing her pale blue-green eyes. "You can stay out later than eight. But only with the boys."

I frowned. What is Miriam, Cassandra and Lucilla not strong enough to keep me safe? I can take care of myself for the most part. I'm not completely helpless.

Adaline smiled. "I know what you're thinking, and you girls are strong as well, however, all of Robert's sons are... a special type of strong."

The older woman grabbed my hand. "I come here to say: Your protection is our most important goal, here. You're too valuable a person to let go."

"Try to get some sleep, okay? You were drugged at the party, but it will wear off, I'm sure." Adaline pushed my poofy hair out of my eyes. "We'll take you to the hospital if you still can't move by morningtime."

She paused and then smiled, "I'll send him back in." With that, she took her leave. A few seconds later, Calvin came back into my room.

"Wanna go watch some movies downstairs?"

I stared at him.

"Blink once for yes, twice for no."

I blinked once.

Calvin grinned and scooped me off my bed like I weighed nothing and waking me back out of my room and back down to the lounge where he'd already set up another movie.

Miriam came by, sitting carefully on the corner of the couch. "Are you okay?"

I looked over at Calvin and blinked twice. He shook his head at her.

Miriam sighed, "I'm sorry, hon. I really wanted to make a fun night for you and me."

She looked at Calvin. "How long is she gonna be like this?"

"A couple hours maybe." Calvin jutted his head toward the movie. "Wanna finish with us? I must say the movie is way less entertaining without Xani's perfectly-timed commentary."

Was that sarcasm?

"Why not?" Miriam went to squeeze onto the couch, as if there wasn't a whole other one available.

Calvin grabbed me and placed me on his lap. Nobody seemed to remember that there was a whole extra couch. He gave me a look inquiring, "If you want to move, blink once."

I blinked once.

"Too bad." He wrapped his arms around my middle and got comfortable. This guy really-

-is actually comfortable. Either that or I was really, really tired. I knocked out in ten minutes.

I had a completely dreamless sleep. When I woke up, Calvin was still watching T.V and had shifted me so that I was sleeping more comfortably with my head against his chest and Miriam no where to be found.