Crystal Eyes

~(09)~

~*E l l e r y*~

      I roused drowsily and still weary. I felt for the comfort of my soft cotton sheets but my fingers scraped across a stubbly surface. I lifted my head and cracked open my eyes open to find light scraped through the window and reflected right into my tired eyes. I was still at James' house, on his couch where I must've fallen asleep. 

      I flipped around and stumbled around with my phone until it finally sprung to life. It was still early, I had time to get a few hours of work done with James and make it back home before dark. He should've woken me up. 

      I answered Ryan's text checking in on me and stirred.

      Warm breath caressed my legs. I located a little head of brown hair pooling at my feet. I wiped away the soft locks and revealed a face slumbering at my legs. A groan released from my throat and a rumble trembled my stomach. I slowly slid out from beneath the sleeping twin and slid onto the carpet. I touched her little nose before staggering to my feet and wobbling around a little. 

      I ventured into Jade and Jude's room but there was no James, only candy wrappers and crumbs scattered everywhere. I huffed and wandered onto the next room. I cracked open the door shyly and poked my head in. Relief settled in. His head turned to me and he smiled. 
Morning, Sleeping Beauty.

      How long was I out? I questioned skeptically. I gazed out the window at the slowly darkening sky. Not long, probably fifty minutes or less. 

      We still have time to work if we go fast, then I can just walk home. I rushed. I urged him onto his bed where I sat beside him and flipped open our history book. He popped in the headphones and fiddled with the tape. Why not just give us a CD? I mean I knew Mrs. Tannon was old school...but not that old school. He poked and prodded but by his reaction, it didn't seem to start playing. 

      Maybe my mom knows how to get this thing working? My eyes grew whole. 

      Your mom is home? He nodded and seized my arm playfully and trailed me rapidly into the kitchen without allowing me the chance to protest. A woman with wavey long blonde hair and dark blue eyes stood above the stove swaying on her feet. I tried to walk back but James insisted with a hand on my back. 

      Her eyes flickered to us as I deciphered James' lips moving. Her eyes then flickered to me. She suspended what she was doing and became deathly pale. Her eyes trailed me over once, twice and thrice times. Almost like she couldn't believe I was standing there. Her mouth fell gaped half-way. I couldn't imagine why she was so astonished...she must've seen me on the couch when returning home. She acted like she'd seen a ghost...was I that pale? 

      She only hesitated until fiddling with the player and avoiding me wholly. James noticed because he nudged her curiously and whispered. By James' reaction, she'd gotten it to work. 
Success! Come on we have to hurry if we wanna get you home before dark. A creepy feeling skidded up my spine as Ms. Miller eyed me down suspiciously. I felt awkward as I trotted off and into James' room where we began to study on the ground against his bed. 
~~**~~

      Darkness crept over as our steps hastened. I attempted to text Ryan since he expressed interest in coming and driving my home but he neglected to answer me in time and I needed to get home. James offered to walk me and the true-crime loving freak I was, I wasn't about to turn him down and get kidnapped on my way home. Even if it was just around the corner. 

      A sneeze ripped out of my throat. I sniffled and shoved my shiverings hands into the pocket of my sweatshirt. James cast a glance at me and wiggled his brow. I scoffed and turned away shyly. 
Your mom seemed to like me, I signed with a sarcastic expression on my face.