Favorite : Change for the both of us

Chapter 6

I wake up the next morning, slightly disorientated, stretching my sore limbs and blinking in the bright, early morning light. It takes me a few seconds to register my surroundings and make sense of where I am.

Poseidon's house, clearly. No way is my room at the children's home this large, spacious and fancy. I'm in one of the bedrooms upstairs, lying in bed, however still fully dressed. I think back to last night, frowning...

Oh, right. I was tired. Tired. Me. That's not happened in months. And I fell asleep for, apparently, the whole night. I climb out of bed quietly, wincing – note to self, jeans are not suitable for sleeping in. I look out the window, trying to determine what time it is. Judging by the position of the sun, it can't be any later than 9am. I check the clock on the bedside table and sure enough my assumption is correct.

Making sure to be quiet, just in case Poseidon isn't awake yet, I head downstairs. The TV is still on after we forgot to turn it off last night. From the kitchen I can hear movement.

"Morning," I greet, running a hand through my messy hair which is even messier than usual, flashing Poseidon a small, shy smile.

Sat at the island, Poseidon shoots me a look, smirking at my zombie-like appearance. "Morning," he replies, taking a sip of his coffee. "Sleep well?"

I nod, sitting at the counter opposite him. "Better than I have in months," I say. "Mainly because it's the first time that I have slept in months,"

"Hmm," Poseidon mutters neutrally, as though he doesn't know how to reply to that. "Well, do you want any breakfast?"

"Sure," I reply. "I'll make it. Where's the cereal?"

Poseidon directs me to the appropriate cupboards and a minute later I'm munching on some cornflakes whilst he sips his coffee. It's half nine when we're both finished.

"So, you should probably be heading back to the children's home, right?" Poseidon says, taking my empty bowl from me and carrying it to the sink. "You can't stay in those clothes all day now that you've slept in them,"

I run a hand through my hair again, noting that it is a little greasy. "Good idea. Do you have to go to the aquarium today?"

"I don't have to, but I'd prefer to. Things always go wrong when I'm not there,"

"Can I come with you?"

"Sure. I'll drop you off at your home so you can get showered and pick you up again at about noon, as usual,"

I smile. "Thanks,"

Poseidon shoots me a smile over his shoulder as we quickly washes the dishes and I head into the living room to put on my shoes.

After that, going to Poseidon's house on a Friday and sleeping also becomes routine. After two weeks of it I start bringing a bag of clean clothes with me on Fridays, which seems to please Poseidon, though he tries to hide it. I'm opening up to him, and I'm still not sure whether or not it's a good thing.

Things are going well. That is, until today they were. I've known Poseidon for almost a month now. It's late August – school will be starting soon, and my birthday's coming up in mid October. Ten years old. Finally.

I wander through the eerie blue corridors of the aquarium, searching for my father. Nereus said that he last saw him about the deep sea area. Thank god the crowds aren't very big today. With school starting in a week parents don't have time for days out to the aquarium, busy trying to get school supplies. I stride down the corridors easily, glancing around at the tanks of sea-life. Even after a month, the creatures haven't ceased to amaze me.