Once Bitten, Twice Shy

8

It had been a week since Cathy's resurrection and, to celebrate, the queens were taking a trip to the local park to escape the confines of their all-too-familiar house. They generally refrained from becoming too invested in the outside world, for fear that one of them would slip up, and reveal too much about the household, but they still enjoyed an outing every so often to feel at least a little connected to society.

"Okay are we ready to go?" Jane called from the hall as the group gathered by the door.

"Yeah, hang on." Kat scampered over to the stairs. "ANNE" she bellowed, making everyone wince slightly at the sheer volume "WE'RE GOING OUT D'YOU WANNA COME?" Jane sighed at the girl's antics.

"Nah I'm alright!" Came a call from the floor above. This wasn't uncommon, in fact, Aragon couldn't remember the last time she saw Boleyn leave the house. It seemed she was much more content nestled in bed with a drawing, than risking the possibility of having to talk to other humans. Kat turned back to the others, a little deflated. After the other night, she thought Anne would be more open to the idea of stepping outside her comfort zone, but evidently not.

"Maybe I should stay." She reasoned, as the others tried to get her out the door.

"Nonsense." Jane replied. "You know she likes the quiet, and she's perfectly happy staying on her own. And besides, if you don't come you can't see all the dogs on the field can you" That was enough to get the girl leaping into the car, rambling on about her newest favourite canine companion.

----

Anne sat crossed legged on her bed, headphones on full volume, and humming to herself in the secluded house. In her lap lay the progress of her latest drawing. So far it had no face, but by the way the curly locks cascaded effortlessly down the face, or arch in the brows held a quizzical, yet wondering expression, it was clear as day who the piece resembled. And the attention to detail was far too fine for someone that hadn't spent the last week taking in every detail of this particular face.

She carried on until on her page lay a perfectly crafted replica of the girl she couldn't get out of her head and snapping her book shut, she decided it was time for lunch and made her way downstairs, ears filled with the song she'd had on repeat for days. She danced her way around the kitchen as she assembled a sandwich, singing freely with the comforting knowledge that her housemates wouldn't have to hear.

The Queens returned home for lunch, four of them going up to their rooms while Parr offered to cook. As she made her way to the kitchen she heard the muffled sound of a tune.

She turned the corner to see Anne, singing her heart out, using her sandwich as a microphone. She had her back turned to her and shuffling her feet along to the music. Cathy tried her best not to let out a laugh, leaning one shoulder against the doorframe and listening to the impromptu performance. She didn't expect Anne to be the singing type, but as she listened the velvety voice carry through the room, she couldn't help but wish she could hear this everyday. Anne checked the time, and realised she should probably stop before the others got back and caught her. Turning round, she was met with a smirking Parr, an eyebrow raised in question. She could feel her cheeks burning, and stared at her like a child being caught trying to steal sweets from the cupboards.

"Um. H-how long have you been back?" This earned a giggle from Cathy

"Long enough"

She sighed and gestured towards the door, to which Cathy moved over to let her past. She hung her head low in hopes that maybe Parr wouldn't see the violent blush that had appeared on her cheeks, and shuffled out into the hallway as fast as she could.

"You have a lovely voice, by the way." Cathy called, making her scrunch her nose in embarrassment. Once she got to her room, she locked the door and flopped face first onto her bed, swearing to herself that she would not show her face for the rest of the night.

Cathy could only shake her head with a chuckle, absentmindedly humming the same tune under her breath as she went about making lunch.