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“Maybe thecrème brulé will convince you?” I scoop out more ice cream from the second tub.
Julian slowly loses his temper. “Fuck, this is good,” he says, trying the new flavor.
I gesture for Caleb to join us.
“Why don’t you guys hang out together while I go upstairs and take a shower?” I say.
“Are you sure you’re feeling all right?” Caleb asks in a grim tone.
I nod.
“Call us anytime you need us,” he says.
“I will. Thanks.”
“I shopped so much for you today,” Julian says as I’m about to walk away. The disappointed look on his face sends a sliver of sadness through me.
My parents rarely bought me anything. Even though Julian’s gifts are extravagant and too much for me to accept, I still feel happy knowing he’s giving me things that are solely meant for me, and not something someone else rejected.
“We’ll look through them all tomorrow,” I promise him.
He gives a nod. “All right, then. Sweet dreams, Wildflower.”
I smile at the nickname he’s fixed for me and turn away.
Exhaustion creeps over me, making it difficult to pretend. Taking my cue, I hurry upstairs for the comfort of my bed in the attic.
20
Iris
I wake up early despite the exhaustion still lingering over me.
Suppressing a yawn, I throw off the warm covers and climb out of bed. It’s only a moment before I become aware of the sweet rosy scent wafting into my nostrils.
Shit!I’m perfuming again. There’s going to be so much trouble if anyone comes up here.
I hurry toward my backpack kept at the foot of the bed and haul it up. Opening the zip, I grab a large can of de-scenter and liberally spray myself with it.
It’s one of the things I grabbed from home last night. I raided Delilah’s room for the de-scenters and came out with two large cans. They’ll last me a couple of months, so my secret will be safe until then.
I also grabbed my Kindle, my favorite hoodie, and packets of my favorite snacks. My backpack is stuffed with all the goodies that’ll make a nicer nest out of this bedroom nook.
The intensity of my perfume gradually wanes. I sniff at my arms and hair. There’s no scent lingering on me now but there’s still a hint of it in the air. To make sure that the attic is free of my perfume, I open all the windows.
A chilly breeze sweeps in, making me shiver in my linen nightgown, but I leave the windows open. It’s the only way to ensure no one catches my scent here.
I get dressed in warmer clothes and start making my bed.
The sky outside gets brighter, so I know it won’t be long before the others wake up. Now that I have my phone back, I can easily check the time.
It’s close to seven A.M. now. A smile comes to my lips. I’m up early enough to make breakfast for Caleb, Damon, and Raiden.
Before going downstairs, I hide the cans of de-scenter inside a broken cabinet. One of the doors hangs off its hinges, looking utterly dilapidated. I doubt Julian or anyone else would ever bother touching it.
Feeling satisfied, I walk out of the attic and go downstairs.
My nose detects the smell of burning eggs as I get closer to the kitchen. Loud voices reach my ears as I round the corridor and come to the doorway.
