Identity V - Modern AU (WIP)

Chapter 1

Ah, what a beautiful day...nothing could ruin this morning-

"Wake up, sleepyhead!" a voice yells from outside my door. I yelp, and end up falling on the floor with my black blanket. Someone knocks on the door, but when I don't respond Naib opens it anyway.

"Gloomy, you okay-" he starts, but snickers once he sees me on the floor. Sighing heavily, I manage to get up and throw the blanket back on my bed.

"Don't say anything," I mutter to him before pulling my black mask on and stumble out out my room.

"Sure, I promise," he sneers, and follows me into the kitchen.

"Morning, Aesop!" Eli greets, scrolling through his phone at the kitchen table. I realize that I left mine in my bedroom, but I don't have the energy to walk back and decide to leave it there for now. Norton places a plate in the center of the table, and Eli quickly grabs 2 pancakes and places them on his plate.

I grab one and begin to eat it, but Norton slaps my hand away and gives me another pancake. "Have two of them. You stayed up late again last night after you got home, didn't you?"

I don't respond.

He snorts and pushes the syrup bottle towards me. "Go nuts."

"Thanks," I grumble. "Where's William?"

"Oh, he left early," Naib responds, sitting down next to me. "Said he had to go see Tracy to help her on a project. Those two, I swear to God..."

"Ah," I chuckle.

When I finish eating, a knock is heard at the door. Everyone looks at me, expecting me to get up. Sighing, I walk over and open it. Looking up, I wish that I hadn't answered it.

"Hello, Aesop!" Joseph greets. "May I come in?"

"Sure..." I open the door, and he steps inside, looking around. His gaze lands on me and he smiles.

"Nice pajamas," he comments.

"Want me to throw you out of here?" I threaten, and he laughs loudly, shaking his head.

"I didn't come to annoy you, dear. I simply brought some invitations, and, if you'll accept them, presents." He starts to dig through the bookbag he's carrying, and pulls out a stack of envelopes, fiddling through them. Taking five out of the stack, he hands one to each of us, while setting William's on the coffee table.

Joseph stares at us expectantly. "Read it. I personalized them for each of you~"

Reluctantly, I tear open the envelope and pull out a letter. Immediately, I recognize his loopy cursive handwriting, written in ink on a sheet of paper. Unfolding it, I begin to read it aloud, skipping past the information.

"My dearest Aesop...

I do hope you'll join me for my party located at my residence, this Saturday. I know you work the graveyard shifts, so I made sure that it's on your day off. You have a week to prepare, since it's Sunday morning by the time I get to your place. Hope you can make it~

Joseph Desaulniers"

Naib, Norton, and Eli finish reading theirs as well, and we all look at Joseph. Smiling, he rummages through his bag again and walks up to each of us, handing us a package wrapped in shiny silver paper tied with a blue sparkly bow.

"I'll leave this here for William," he states, setting another one next to his invitation. "Eli, don't open that yet, okay? I must be going now. I have to give everyone an invitation, heh. See you soon, and make sure to open those presents~" Giggling, he winks, and walks out.

"Well-" Norton clears his throat. "Might as well open them now."

I take the bow off of the package, and lift the lid off. Inside is a black tuxedo, paired with a white button-up and a red bowtie. A pair of black shoes match it as well. I hear Naib groan from behind me.

"No way in hell am I wearing this," he complains, lifting it in front of him. Eli examines his curiously, while Norton smiles and closes his package.

"Hey, there's a note attached to it," Eli mentions, and begins to read it. "Also, I have taken it upon me to provide you with outfits. Wear these at the party dears~"

"I guess we have no choice..." I sigh. "Maybe the other guys who will be there are matching as well, even the girls. We'll have to wait and see."

"Oh! That reminds me, he said on mine that I can bring Gertrude to the party if I want to, which I will! She'll love it," Eli explains, smiling. I shake my head and chuckle.

"I'm sure she'll love it, if you're there," Naib jokes, and Eli's face turns bright red as he laughs loudly.

Saturday will be a long night, that's for sure...