Lucky's (Mis)Fortune: CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

It is the seventh day of me waking up with headaches, my head throbbing painfully.

I had to hypothesize that it was the stress, with all the new changes happening around me, along with the struggles I already had on my plate in the past: school, namely. Finals were coming close, and it came with the need for extra time to study, yet somehow, I did not have enough hours of the day to do it. Whenever I did find the time sometime during the night, when everyone was already asleep, I would go unconscious on my desk, having been too tired to focus and without a single fact recalled.

It's been frustrating.

After some time, I started to find myself heading up to my art room. My art room--It still feels weird, even in my own thoughts. No one ever comes in here, I am never disturbed, and it has become the only place where the headaches can go away, which is strange.

It is strange considering the heavy fumes of paint going around the room and the constant tapping of pencil that I would make as I drew any picture that came to mind. I'm never annoyed by anything in here, even making mistakes doesn't seem so bad. I can erase it or start over and that is relieving to me.

The art pieces started small; a bowl of fruit, the house's garden, the image of a golden retriever (the dog I have always wanted to have), a bird with a birdhouse, until eventually it came to the drawing I was making now.

I wanted to make this one perfect, wanted to make sure that every detail was there and that there would be emotions even if it was of an inanimate object

This room has become the epitome of a distraction. Things have been tense, weird, and having everyone in this house be distant and suspicious around me only arose my sense of trust issues. The situation has been different this time. The other times when they aren't around, I know that it is because they are busy or tired after long nights, sometimes days but this time they are avoiding me, I can tell that much from the way that they don't make eye contact when we speak, their eyes darting to other places of my face or sometimes even other objects. It has even happened that they walk away as soon as they see me, pretending that they hadn't. It's like they have something to say but can't say it, or perhaps they don't want to say it. Aiden was close to telling me something two days ago but before he could get far he stopped himself, smiled at me, and proceeded to offer me a ride to school after shaking his head and saying never mind. As much I wanted to, I didn't press him on the matter because I know what it is like to want to hide something, even if it'll come out eventually. Besides, those three don't own me any explanations regarding their thoughts. I won't pressure them on telling me anything but it was driving me crazy to be out of the loop, unaware of something I was pretty sure involved me. That's also why it was better to stay in here where I knew no one would disturb me, somewhere I knew I wouldn't have to look at their faces filled with remorse and hesitation. That way, I wouldn't be tempted to pry as much as they wouldn't be tempted to speak before they were ready.

I have been doing us, both parties, a favor by staying in this haven that they have made for me. Ironic, I know.

A knock comes the next day, day eight. The rays of morning sun made me frown as I fight the sting it causes on my eyes. I look around for a few seconds, coming to the conclusion that I fell asleep in here last night with the curtains open and the lights of the room on. It had been a serene vibe having this set up late at night but now, it was the opposite with it having to be the first thing to wake up to.

The headache is there, I realize as I stretch my neck but before I can dwell on it, another knock follows.

I clear my throat and head over. I don't wonder who's on the other side before I'm turning the doorknob and pulling the door open. I'm surprised to see Ms. Angela of all people there with a wide smile on her face, acting as her normal self just like she has been for all of these days filled with mystery. I know she knows what's going on, she's just good at hiding that fact from me. But a liar knows a liar. A hider knows a fellow hider.

"I figured you overslept in here when you didn't come for breakfast. It's quite late now but we haven't thrown out the leftovers and the weather is still pleasant enough to do the outside chores," she explains.

I lick my lips, finding them to be dry before I answer. "I'm so sorry for waking up late and not coming to help." There's guilt in the pit of my stomach, feeling stupid for letting myself fall asleep here, in the wing for the owners of the house, not the employees. "I'll get to work right away."

She chuckles lightly. "Jordan, don't feel guilty over not helping me on my chores when you have your own. I heard that you have your finals soon, correct?"

I tilt my head, confused from who she heard that from. I straighten up as soon as I realize who the only person in this house I told was. "D- Did Aiden say something?" About me. Did he say something about me, did he mention telling me what he was hiding?

"Aiden always does." She laughs. "He doesn't have many friends, you know, and I know that he holds you dear."

My chest rises with warmth at the mention. I hold him dear too but I don't say that instead I look away, too shy to answer. "Uh, I should take a shower, brush my teeth, and get ready for work."

"Eat first," she retorts, stepping aside so I can step out the room.

"Thanks for coming to get me," I say as I turn to lock the door, leaving behind a piece of comfort that will only ever live inside.

"Nothing to thank me for. Mr. Khael would just about kill me if I let you go unfed. He was worried but he's like that, doesn't like to show his most vulnerable emotions." She says this quietly, leaning in closer to me with a gentle smile on her lips.

He worried for me but didn't come himself. Why couldn't he? Was it so much to come knock on the door and tell me to come out? He knows I would've. He knows that I understand what it means to live in this household, under his leadership. I'd listen to whatever he said.

I smile weakly and don't answer, feeling somewhat hurt.

Why was it that every time I feel like we go a step forward in this... friendship, relationship, whatever it is that we have, something comes in the way and they take a step back.

I part ways with Ms. Angela and walk slowly towards my room, lost in my thoughts, wondering what it could be that they are hiding. What is it that they're so afraid to tell me? So afraid that they couldn't face me.

My shower seems to go by slowly but once I come out I realize it has only been fifteen minutes. I put on some clothes and debate in my head for a second whether to dry my hair or not before deciding to let it air dry.

I go inside the kitchen next, letting out a yawn, my eyes becoming watery from tiredness. If there was any day where I absolutely didn't want to do anything, it was today. However, I serve myself food and automatically, my legs carry me into the dining room instead of staying in the kitchen like the rest of the staff. It has become a habit of sorts and I feel my chest deflate, remembering that I would be eating alone. Regardless, I take a seat in the same place where I always sit.

When did I become part of this table? When did this seat become mine?

I jump when someone touches my arm, having been distracted by the questions going around my head.

It had been Mr. Lewis and right behind him stood Mr. Sawyer, Eliott, and Aiden.

Aiden tried to smile and look at me but eventually he subtly looked away, his expression ashamed. Eliott didn't even wave at me or try making eye contact, simply opting to stand the furthest back with his arms crossed over his chest. Mr. Sawyer seemed to be in business mode, looking at me while waiting for Mr. Lewis who seemed to be leading speak. Mr. Lewis had a sweet, fatherly smile on his face, his default facial expression.

"We would like to request a meeting with you," he said, overly professional. The last time he had spoken this way was when I had signed my contract.

I nod, feeling hopeless yet desperate.

I had been alone for so long and the bond I had made with them made me believe that I wouldn't have to feel that way ever again. At least a part, deep inside of me felt that way and now they were leaving, distancing themselves and making me crave their company.

Was it so wrong to want to get this bond I hadn't even realized we had back?