Priceless

Chapter 3

Sebastian looked at me with embarrassment.

"I- I'm sorry." He went to shut the door but I grabbed the handle.

"It's fine. I was just... Getting something from my jeans." I grabbed my clothes and pushed past him, out the bathroom. I walked quickly down the hall and shut the door to the guest room. I was glad he didn't ask questions and happier that he didn't follow. I slipped into bed and tried to calm my mind enough to sleep.

-

Various smells filled my nose. I was able to point out eggs, bacon, maple, and butter. It took me some time to realize I was lying in a bed. I brushed my hands across the sheets and inhaled the vanilla scent from the pillows. I didn't want to open my eyes, not from fear, but because I didn't know how long this would last. I finally had a good nights sleep, a good meal, and a clean body with clean clothes.

I groaned and tossed the sheets off my thin body anyways. I glanced at myself in the mirror across the room and frowned. I looked aged but rested. My hair was beyond fixable but I attempted to make it presentable anyways. My bare feet padded against the wood flooring as I walked down the hall. I peeked around the corner into the kitchen. Lily was standing over the table beside Tim. They were smiling and she was serving him some eggs that looked beyond delicious.

Lily sure is a good cook. I thought. I didn't see Sebastian so I figured he was still sleeping. But when Lily moved, I saw him shoving a fork full of eggs into his mouth. He glanced over and saw me watching. He smiled big, with the eggs still in his mouth, and waved.

"Come join us, Carter!" He mumbled with his egg mouth and continued to eat. I mentally face palmed and groaned. Lily and Tim murmured in agreement and I shamefully walked to the table. Lily served me all kinds of morning foods: pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage, toast and a side of orange juice. Thankfully, I was hungry.

I ate my food in small bits and tried to ignore Sebastian's merciless staring once again. Lily talked to Tim about what she needed to do today before Tim told Sebastian what they would be doing.

"You, darling," Lily looked at me and took ahold of my small, cold hand with her warm, soft one, "will be helping me around the house."

My mouth was agape and full of pancake as I processed her sentence. I finally came to my senses when Sebastian started snickering. I swallowed and blinked a few times before answering.

"Well actually, I should get going... I need to make it to Albany before the holidays." I began to get up from the table but Sebastian stood up before me.

"Can't you stay?" The room was horribly silent and he shook his head. "I mean, get some more rest and stuff so you have energy. Right, Tim?" He gulped and sat down again. Tim had his tongue in his cheek and sighed.

"Logically, it'd be better if you stayed for the week to build yourself up again. We could always give you a ride." He chuckled and went back to eating his breakfast. Sebastian's eyes never left my face until I sat down again.

"I don't like depending on people." I spoke quietly. Someone's fork slapped their plate loudly and I looked down at my food.

"You're not depending on us. It's an offer and you should take it for your well being." Tim smiled at me and got up to take his plate to the sink. "Thanks, Lily Love for the breakfast. Hurry up and finish 'Bastian, we've got work to do."

My mouth twitched at Sebastian's nickname and he rolled his eyes. I was halfway to the sink with my empty plate when he grabbed it from me and set it in the water. He turned around, smiled, and grabbed his coat before joining his uncle outside in the back. I rolled my eyes and waited for Lily.