Strange Evening

As I woke up, my body instinctively yearned for the warmth of sunlight streaming through the window, a welcome sight that had eluded us for the past four days. As I blinked against the dim light, I realized with a hint of disappointment that the relentless rain had indeed continued its soft patter against the roof, a gentle yet persistent reminder of the gloomy weather outside. I sighed softly, pushing myself up from the comfort of my blankets, and quickly slipped into clothes that might better suit the day ahead.

I rifled through my closet, my fingers grazing over the fabric until they came to rest on a knee-length black skirt, its material soft to the touch. I paired it with a top adorned with delicate ruffles along its neckline, a small splash of femininity that I appreciated despite the lack of glamorous attire in my wardrobe. My clothing choices reflected my life—simple yet functional, carefully selected out of necessity rather than luxury. My mom's struggles to keep our lives afloat meant that girlie outfits were a rarity. I had grown up with her, just the two of us against the world, ever since the day my father vanished from our lives, as my mother often reminded me, right after I was born.

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I focused on the small candle flickering beside me, its light casting a soft glow in the dim room. Realizing how close it was to my bed, I stood up hastily, feeling the cool wooden floor beneath my feet. Thoughts of Elias flooded my mind, intensifying my desire to present myself well today. He was set to join us for breakfast, and butterflies fluttered in my stomach at the thought of getting to know him better. I couldn't shake the sense of intrigue that had been brewing within me ever since I first met him. "This strange man," I whispered to myself, a smile creeping across my lips, "I hardly slept a wink last night just thinking about him."

With my heart racing in anticipation, I made my way down to the kitchen. The delicious aroma of freshly made pancakes and eggs wafted through the air, teasing my appetite and stirring my senses awake. I could only imagine how my mother, bless her heart, had prepared a feast in light of our guest. I hurried into the dining room, only to be met with an anxious energy that seemed to hang in the air like the scent of breakfast.

I took my seat at the table, my nerves skittering as I waited for him to appear. I couldn't help but glance toward the door, half-expecting Elias to walk in with that intriguing cold stare of his. Yet, there was something undeniably handsome about his features that drew me in. Just then, I noticed my mother moving about the kitchen with a worried expression etched on her face. I opened my mouth to ask what was wrong, but before I could speak, she interrupted.

"Elias hasn't gotten up yet, has he?" she asked, concern lacing her voice. The anticipation in my chest plummeted. I had hoped the cold Elias had been dealing with would have improved overnight, but if he hadn't risen, that likely meant his illness had worsened.

"May I go check on him, then?" I offered, my voice tinged with worry as I met her gaze. Her nod of approval sent me into motion before I could hesitate.

I rushed toward the guest room, eager to see him yet cautious of the rain that had left puddles forming on the floor. Just as I nearly made it to his door, I lost my footing slightly, almost stumbling into one of those dark, sloshing puddles left behind by the incessant rain. Looking up, I noticed a small gap in the ceiling, water trickling through it like a child's quiet tears. That wasn't good. If there was a leak here, there might be more lurking around the house as well. I made a mental note to tell my mom about it later, my thoughts distracted again as I focused on my mission.

Approaching the guest room door, I caught sight of my reflection in a nearby mirror. I quickly adjusted my hair, smoothing it down with trembling fingers, trying to appear composed and calm as I reached for the handle. I knocked lightly, hoping to hear his voice on the other side, but only silence greeted me. Straining my ears, I detected the faint sounds of his unsteady breathing, suggesting he might still be asleep. A rush of concern washed over me—was he feeling worse than I thought?

At that moment, indecision crept over me. I hesitated, pondering whether it would be a bother to knock again or if it might be better just to let him rest. The urge to open the door surged within me; why not check on him? There couldn't truly be anything wrong—or could there be?

Summoning every ounce of courage, I slowly turned the handle and pushed the door open, ready to step in when, suddenly, a hand shot out in a blur, slamming the door shut before I could fully enter. My heart raced in shock, my mind reeling from the abruptness.

"Don't just walk in like that!" Elias's voice emitted from behind the door, irritation threading through his tone. "I was changing, idiot." I heard him whisper. I was not so surprised this could've happened, but it did either way. I started to walk away not wanting to hear what else he might say. I should've instead just knocked I thought.

The air was thick with an unexpected disappointment. Just as the glimmer of possibility flickered out of reach, I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment, understanding that my chance to connect with him had slipped away. "Well, that didn't go as planned," I thought to myself, the reality settling in. Yes, I was beginning to realize this was going to be quite difficult.