Hidden (part 2)

I woke up from the loud noise coming from my phone. I turned it off and placed it back on the bedside table before lying flat on the bed. I looked up at the ceiling, giving myself a few minutes to wake up. It was already eight thirty in the morning; I was glad I managed to remind myself to put on an alarm on my phone before falling asleep. Lauren and I ended up talking all night. She talked about her work, about Nathan, Michelle and their parents. We also talked about our hobbies and how we were when we were younger. Talking to her felt nice and familiar.

I yawned and rubbed my face as I sat at the edge of the bed. I headed out and made my way towards Elle's bedroom as soon as I was done fixing myself in the bathroom. It still felt weird and new staying at Lauren's place; but her home looked so welcoming and cosy that it made it easy for me to adjust.

Elle was fast asleep when I walked inside her bedroom.

"Good morning," I whispered

"Can I pwease sweep more?" She mumbled and she stirred.

I let out a small laugh when she groaned as I told her the time and that she had to wake up soon.

"Alright, a few more minutes," I gave in, she managed to thank me before drifting back to sleep. I smiled and stroke some strands away from her face before I left her bedroom and made my way to the kitchen to start some breakfast.

It was pretty quiet in the house. Lauren mentioned yesterday that she was working nightshift today, so she won't be waking up until this afternoon. Carefully, I began to look for the things I needed to make some scrambled eggs; careful to not make loud noises that may wake Lauren up. She needed to get some sleep before work, especially after staying up so late last night. I wasn't sure if Erica already left for work, her schedule was not as easy to keep track as Lauren's, her work schedules seemed to get changed a lot. Tamsin has been keeping an eye on Erica at work, they became friends fast, at least it's what Erica said. I still have yet to hear what Tamsin has to say about it, she was not the kind of person who easily makes friends, let alone just after a few days. Tamsin mainly took the job at the police station so she could do a look out at Erica to see if there were any threats on her that can be traced onto Lauren. Dyson got himself a job at Nathan's school to keep a look out at him, and the people that worked for Dyson got a job at Lauren's work place, while I stayed here at the house with Elle and watch the family when they get home. I felt bad for invading their private lives like this, but it as for their own good.

"I didn't know you can cook," A sleepy voice suddenly echoed in the kitchen; which almost made me threw the egg that I was trying to crack open onto my face

"Geez, you scared me," I breathed out as I continued with my cooking, "I can crack an egg or two, yeah," I replied after catching my breath

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. But an egg on your face would have made my day though," He yawned as he took a seat at the dinning table.

"Ha ha" I mocked,

"Elle still asleep?" he asked

"Yeah, she wanted a few more minutes of sleep, couldn't say no to it," I chuckled as I recollected the moment she groaned.

"I see," Nathan mumbled

I served the finished product on the table, hoping it would be somewhat edible. I sat across Nathan and grabbed myself a piece of bread.

"Not bad," He nodded to himself in agreement, like he was expecting for my cooking to be anything but good.

"Best scrambled eggs in town!" I replied taking a bite of my own food, secretly being surprised about how good it was myself "You are..rather talkative today," I wondered, taking a box of orange juice from the fridge.

"Mmmm," was the last thing he said before he left for school.

I cleaned up the table before waking up Elle for the second time today, hoping she had gotten enough sleep this time.

"Morning," Elle said in a croaky voice. She seemed to be more awake now compared to the first time I was here. It didn't take more that one hello for her to open her eyes and get out of bed. I helped her in the bathroom getting dressed and ready for breakfast.

Elle was telling me about the gifts she has gotten on her birthday, and how much she loved them. We spent the day watching some movies and her showing me her gifts. Elle yawned after placing the last piece of lego things that she was playing with, I figured it was time for some afternoon nap. I tucked her into bed and told her that I would be right downstairs if there was anything. She smiled and gave me a hug before she replaced me with her stuffed animal, hugging it close and burying her face onto it.

I heard noises coming from the kitchen as I headed down the stairs. I could feel the rush of blood in my body, knowing that Lauren was awake. I was looking forward to see and talk to her again, even though it was not long since the last time.

"Good afternoon!" I greeted her, she was making some breakfast from the leftover this morning, "Or should I say, good morning?" I said with a grin on my face

Lauren smiled, "Hi, I guess it's good morning at the moment yeah,"

"Did you sleep well?" I asked as I made my way in the kitchen and sat across to where she was standing

"I did," She smiled, "you?"

"I did, yeah. Your bed is a thousand times comfier that the one we have at the motel," I noted,

"Good, good," She smiled, then she busied herself with getting more stuff from the fridge.

An awkward silence filled the room as Lauren ate her food. I wanted to ask her questions, even simple ones just to be able to talk to her like we did last night. But something felt off with her today, seemed like she was keeping our conversations short. I wanted to ask why, but at the same time I didn't want to seem too invasive. Lauren remained quiet, which was unlike her, I mean..from what I have seen these past few days anyway..who am I to say what she was like when I haven't seen her in years.

"How's the food?" I asked, trying to break the silence,

"It's good, Bo, thanks," She replied looking up at me quickly with a smile before she looked back down at the table.

Shit shit shit did I say something wrong last night? Did I do something wrong?

I panicked internally up until I saw it again. The necklace. I never got to hear Lauren's story about the necklace that I had given her for her birthday a long time ago. It was good to know that she had kept it and that it was dear to her, but at the same time it hurt that the reason was not me. I snapped out of my thought as I heard Lauren clear her throat, god knows how long she has been trying to get my attention. It probably looked like I was staring at her chest.

Great, just great Bo,

"Sorry, did you say something?" I asked, trying to hide the embarrassment creeping to my face

"I was just asking what time Elle fell asleep?" Lauren replied, grabbing her shirt a little bit up before she rubbed her neck. "Sorry, I should have gotten dressed properly before I came down here, my stomach was just shouting for some food," Lauren smiled apologetically, "My hair is a bit of a mess," she added as she ran her fingers through her hair twice.

"No, don't apologize, can't even tell that you just woke up. You look bea- you look good," I let out a small sigh, wanting to tell her how beautiful she looked, even just right after she woke up. "I'm sorry to ask you again, but...your necklace is quite..unique. Where did you get it from again?"

"Oh, this?" She looked down at her necklace with a sad smile on her face, "I got it from my parents a couple years ago. I loved reading books, still do., " She traced the book shaped pendant with her fingers, and hesitated before she continued. "I got it as a birthday present, or at least I think I did.. It's the closest thing I have to home," She blinked and shook her head; like she just got out of a daydream. She looked at me with the same sad smile, but this time she tried to hide it. "Sorry, that explanation was longer than intended," She cleared her throat.

Her parents? And what did she mean she thinks she got it from them, she wasn't sure, then?

"Your parents, do they live far from here?" I asked, pouring myself a glass of juice that Lauren placed on the table

"There was an accident on their workplace a couple of years ago. No one survived," she paused, taking a sip from her glass "We used to live a few blocks away from here when I was younger. But it is demolished now, so I bought this house when I moved back here so I could be somewhat close to home."

"I'm sorry to hear that Lauren, I didn't mean to bring back the memories," I apologized. I wondered if the war had something to do with the accident, I wondered what really happened to Lauren when she got through that portal. I was furious for what this damn warm has caused her, caused my home, caused our chance to be together.

"I am gonna do some grocery today, is there anything you want?" She asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Oh, no I'm good," I smiled. And before I could ask more questions, my phone rang. It was Tamsin. "Sorry, I'm just gonna answer this." I headed out of the kitchen as Lauren nodded.

"Hey,"

"Bo, listen. I found something about Erica. But I don't know much yet, I need some time to look further into it,"

"What is it?" The concern in Tamsins voice made me worried.

"She's fae, Bo," Tamsin replied

I turned around and looked at Lauren as I tried to process what Tamsin has just told me. I was hoping that this wouldn't end up with Lauren's heart being broken, that Erica had good reasons, that she has no intentions of hurting Lauren. Despite the fact..that I wanted to be the one with her.