𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐒 | henry winter

𝐢𝐯. oh opheilia

❝I still remember you as a little girl 

who overwaters her plants because she

doesn't know when to stop giving❞

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

"Francis has a place in the country, the others are there and we came to see if you wanted to come." Camilla said, the blonde curls at her forehead glowing gently like a halo. "Lily, Henry, Charles and Bunny are already up there."

I had been dragged to some party by Judy Poovey that night and found I had no particular skill in the area of flirting as so many of my classmates did and had drunk myself into some sort of zombie like stupor as some dancer from the theatrical department droned on about an injury that ruined her career. I don't believe I said anything in response to Camilla when she spoke, more stunned at her appearance like some angel from Biblical myths in the darkness of the house party, but with her usual unbothered expression she continued on.

"Francis and I are going up there now." She glanced around the room. "My god these things are hellish. People being sick all over the place."

I nodded and we began to walk out. I think if I wasn't as drunk as I was I would've asked further, maybe not have even gone.

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

I remember a little of the ride, Francis was a careful driver much better than Henrys whose poor eyesight also made for a poor life expectancy in his car but before I knew it Camilla's hand was on my shoulder waking me up. I had fallen asleep. There was drool on the side of my face that I wiped off with the back of my hand. It was dark and I couldn't see a thing, as my eyes adjusted to the light I saw the dark silhouette of a towering house with turrets and arches like some imposing gothic castle.

"This belongs to you?" I said, turning to the person beside me whom I assumed to be Francis.

He laughed. "No it's my aunts, she and my cousins come down here during the summer. It's too cold otherwise so I have it all too myself for now."

As we got to the end of the widows walk and went through the large oak door, my eyes still taking in the welcoming gothic architecture of the place (archways, spidery walls and the shadows of potted plants on the ceiling) when Camilla held my elbow and pulled me forward. I faintly heard Chopin playing from somewhere deep in the house.

"Come to the library." She said, in her naturally tired voice.

I found it to be Charles at the piano playing the melancholy tune, a glass of whiskey on the seat beside him clearly a little drunk. Liliana sat atop the piano with a book laid in her lap and her usual glass of fine red wine. Today she wore a green dress that reached her heels and her hair was clipped on both sides of her head so it was held out of her face but sill went down her back just showing the glinting gold moon earrings that hung from her ears. She never seemed to be one who'd shy away from makeup as her lips always seemed blotted red as though she was cold and I never did find out whether or not it was lipstick but I knew her to be more hyper feminine than Camilla was. I still find it odd how I can remember practically everything about her down to what she wore daily but my image of the others is so flawed. Liliana Alarie was not someone you'd forget very easily.

"Golly," I said, the music abruptly stopped and Charles as well as Liliana looked up.

"Well there you are." Charles said, "Lily and I were wondering whether or not you were coming, Bunny's already gone to bed and I think thats her 2nd book now."