Painting

Chapter 30

We don't do a lot of things in the morning. It's our third day at the cabin. I wake up and it's 10:30 AM. Not surprising, yesterday, we went to bed at midnight. I didn't want to leave their arms. The fire in my tummy was out, but the butterflies were still flying a bit. They asked me, if I wanted them to sleep with me. I said no and I don't know why. Sometimes, I'm still shy with them. Perhaps, it's due to the fact that it all happened so fast. I'm laying where we officially met. We went to the same school and we even had friends in common. I remember, Tyler and I were in the same math class, he was really good and I was really bad. He was sitting beside me. I would always lend him a pencil and he would help with the math problems, the deal was fair, I think. When it comes to Victor, he actually kept me from falling with my meal tray in the stairs, more than one time.

It's surprising that we didn't talk more, shocking really.

I take my phone and look at my notifications. What are the latest news? I usually don't have the time to look at what's going on in the world, due to the fact that I always wake up late. What I do to stay informed and up to date, I programmed my Google assistant to tell me, a condensed summary of everything. Habits are tough to change, even I if have time, to go see by myself. I'm still going on my Google assistant app to have a summary.

I get up and walk toward their rooms. They are already up. I go down the stairs. Tyler is watching a series on the TV. He greets me with a beautiful smile.

-Not too much trouble to fall asleep?

-Surprisingly, no.

-Victor left you some pancakes. He went grocery shopping, he thinks there is a snow storm coming and that we won't be able to go grocery shopping before it ends.

-Okay, well better safe than sorry, I guess.

-Yeah.

I walk in the kitchen and I see the cosmetics bag from the first night. I take it and go put it next to Tyler.

-I think this belongs to you.

His eyes widen. He takes it and go put it in his room. He comes back downstairs.

-I saw you on the first night. You should talk about it. I'm sure Victor would understand.

-No, he wouldn't.

-I'm not an expert in that, but I think you need some help. Didn't you say, you had an addiction to technology?

-I can control myself, I don't need help. Yes, I did have an addiction to technology, but I got over it. Now, I'm suppose to be clean, so Victor is going to be mad if he learns that I'm using again. Please don't tell him.

-I won't, but if I feel like you don't take this, seriously, I'm going to.

-Okay.

I walk in the entrance and take my coat. I walk back in the kitchen and take the plate of pancakes.

-I'm going outside.

-Don't catch a cold.

-I won't.

I walk on the snow and stop in front of the lake. I slowly eat my pancakes.

I try to imagine what it would feel like to jump in that lake. Of course, the first thing I would notice is the temperature of the water. Icy cold, enough to paralyze me and I wouldn't be able to breathe. But what if I got over it, the options are endless. Floating like an astronaut in space, feel like I am alone in the world. Nothing to stop me. My own mind, my own imagination. The inspiration I would get. No distraction.

-What are you thinking about?

I slip out of my day dream. Victor is sitting next to me.

-What it would feel like to swim in the lake right now.

He raises up his left eyebrow.

-Are you okay?

I laugh a little.

-Yes, don't worry, it's more of a philosophical question.

-That's fair.

-So, you think there will be a snow storm?

-There is a snow storm coming. I hope there won't be any blackout.

-Yes. I hope so too.

He looks at the clouds.

-It's coming soon. We should go back in the cabin.

He gets up and holds out his hand to me. I take it. Suddenly, the wind picks up and my coat which I did not button up, opens up. Victor takes my hand to make me walk faster.

-I'll prepare you some soup, when we're inside.

I nod my head, trying to hold my coat.

We get inside and he takes my coat. Tyler made a fire in the chimney. He gives me a blanket and makes me sit in front of the fire.

-Your hands are really cold, you should wear gloves when you go outside.

I nod my head again. Victor comes back with a bowl of soup and a spoon. He takes some of it and holds it out to me.

-I can feed myself.

-I'm aware of that, but I want you to warm up your hands. I'll do that every time you decide to go outside, without taking the precautions to protect yourself from the cold. Now, open up.

I take the spoon in my mouth.

-How is it? Is it too hot?

-No, it's perfect.

-I'm glad you like it. When you will be fed up, we'll cozy up and read a poetry book out loud all together, how does that sound? I got that really nice one by Rupi Kaur. Do you have some laundry to do? I'm sure if we gave you a new cover for your bed, you would sleep really well, the one you have right now is too light. You need one that is adapted to the temperature.

-I guess we could do that.

-Nice! Now open up again.

I finish up the whole bowl and he kisses the top of my head. He walks away to go put the bowl in the dishwasher.

-I'll help you with the laundry.

-Thank you.