Circumstantial

Chapter 16

It's almost 10 a.m when I wake up. The distant sounds of chatter and the clanking of dishes pulls me out of an intense, distorted dream, which I can't seem to recall once the blurry vision of blood red stuns my mind. I'm in Sarah's old bedroom. Wait, I'm in her bed... I'm suddenly wide awake, my mind becoming clear. I turn to the side, where she had rested her head on my chest. Where is she?

I stretch my well rested limbs and sit up. The curtains blow in the breeze, and I hear the sounds of birds chirping outside. Sarah is fortunate to have grown up here. Even the air here smells better than the city. I lazily stroll to the wardrobe to pull out a few items, then head to the bathroom. As I'm brushing my teeth, I notice all of Sarah's cosmetics and essentials. I pick up one of the bottles and pop open the cap. It's her shampoo that makes her hair smell all lemony, I realise, holding the bottle to my nose. Just at that dumb moment, the door opens and Sarah peers in. Dear God, why now, when I'm doing the stupidest thing on the planet?! She's got on an adorable apron over her PJs, and her hair is in a loosely tied bun.

I freeze, the shampoo still in my hand and my mouth frothing with toothpaste. Her eyes widen, taken aback by my demeanour.

"Morning," she greets, raising an eyebrow as her gaze shifts to the bottle.

"Mmmm," I mumble in reply, quickly putting it back on the shelf.

"Er, breakfast is ready," she informs me.

It could've been worse, I realise. I could've been sitting on the toilet taking a crap. This is what happens when you're living on your own. You forget to lock the bathroom door.

I nod to her and turn to gargle my mouth at the sink. "I'll take a quick shower," I say, once my mouth is toothpaste-free.

She closes the door without another word, leaving me feeling stupid. I walk to the door to latch it shut, then remove my clothes before stepping into the shower.

At breakfast, I learn that Sarah didn't drink any alcohol last night. In fact, she's the only one who refused to drink. Chloe complains that Sarah had been the party pooper. That's only slightly surprising. I wolf down a generous helping of scrambled eggs. Mmm, it's divine! Green peppers, mushrooms, onions, slices of pastrami... Nothing can beat home-made cooking. I can't help but steal glances at Sarah every now and then. She's quiet and her attention is focused on her plate. She smiles and responds to Uncle Kit when he says something, but I can tell that her emotions from last night are still there.

"Mmmm! You still have your kitchen flair, Barbs," Stephanie nods in approval, taking a forkful of scrambled eggs.

No way! She made these?

I look up at Sarah. She's rolls her eyes and smiles at her sister.

"She's a keeper, Michael. Don't ever doubt that," Uncle Kit quips.

I give Sarah a flirtatious wink, nodding in agreement. She scowls, trying to hide her blush. Damn right, she is. Starting the day off with a breakfast like this, she's definitely wife material.

"Uh-huh. Now we'll just have to wait and see if her eggs are just as good," Chloe laughs. It's like she shot right out of the movie Mean Girls. Mrs Bennett frowns at her in disapproval.

"What? I'm just saying," Chloe shrugs at her mother. "She's heading for thirty and still no kids," she defends herself. Sarah looks upset, but says nothing.