Too Close For Comfort (LH) (PT1&2)

4. Run

Unfortunately I was unable to go back to sleep after my rude awakening. Not wanting to wake Luke up I decided I would put the rest of my things away later. With nothing else to do, I abandoned my room for the kitchen, where I found Jack, Ben, and Bradly.

"Morning," I waved to the three boys.

"G'day," Ben responded. I bit my lip so hard I thought it was bleeding! I wasn't expecting him to say that, I wasn't expecting him to speak to me at all, but I didn't realize he was going to say that.

"Where are the cups?" I felt like an idiot for asking, but I had no idea where anything was. At some point, later today or tomorrow, I would need to take the time to learn the place.

"First cabinet to the right of the sink," Jack got up and showed me. He opened the cabinet, "glass or mug?"

"Do you guys have coffee?" there was no coffee machine to be seen, so it was a valid question.

Jack looked at the other boys, "do we have any coffee left?"

"No," Ben and Bradly answered in unison, clinking their cups together.

"No coffee," Jack handed me a regular glass.

"Thanks Jack," he went back to his seat, and I fixed myself a glass of orange juice. All three boys were eating breakfast. There was a fourth empty chair between Bradly and Ben. Awkwardly I tapped my fingers against the side of the glass. it would be so much easier if one of them offered me the seat. Instead the three continued on with their breakfast, not paying me any attention. I brushed my hair behind my ear, swallowing a bit of confidence, "can I join you guys?"

"Sure," Ben pushed the chair out for me.

"Sleep good?" Bradly asked me.

"Ugh, yeah," I wasn't sure if Jack had told them about earlier. "What are the plans for today?" I was no good at starting conversations. Could barely keep them going. It was so much easier to listen.

"Work," Bradly glanced at his phone to check the time, "I've got to get ready." He tossed his left overs into the trash and left me with the two Hemmings.

It was a bit weird sitting between the two unfamiliar, half clothed men. I knew it would be rude if I left the table right after Brad, so I tried talking to them, "okay, what about you two?"

"I've got to find this book and read it for next week's essays," Ben was more talkative today. It was a nice surprise.

"What book?" Jack asked, shoveling cereal into his cheek.

"Not sure," Ben shrugged, "professor's going to email me later."

Jack finished up his food before sharing his plans. He wiped his mouth, burping into his fist, "Excuse me. Bout to go running. Want to come, Ben?" Jack offered his brother, seeming pretty hopeful he would say yes.

"Ha, absolutely not," Ben shook his head. He took their empty plates to the sink, leaving them for someone to do later.

"I'll get to them in a minute," I noted mentally, "it's the least I could do."

"What about you Kate?" I stared at him with wide eyes, "wanna run with me?" I made sure Jack was serious before I said yes. I didn't want to intrude if he was only trying to be polite.