Chapter Five

                                    

                                          
I couldn't sleep at all and for the first time, I was relieved to see the first rays of sunshines enter through the guest room's curtains and on my blanket. 
I get up, feeling tired. That's what happens when you don't sleep. It's still really early but I decide to go downstairs, take a coffee or something. 
Going down the stairs carefully is something I always do because I once fell in these same stairs. Got my leg in plaster. 
The kitchen is connected to the living room, so when I finally get to the kitchen, I see my dad, asleep in one of the cushions. Right infront of the door. My heart tightens a bit and I go to cover him with a light blanket. 
My father has always been a good father overall but I still remember how absent he was when I was still a child. Him being so sweet and caring now should compensate for it but I can't help hold it against him. I didn't have a chance to a father in my childhood. 
I go to prepare my coffee and from the kitchen's window, I see a dog playing around. It can't hurt to go check on it, right?
I look over my shoulder quietly. My father is still asleep. I open the door and search on the front porch. A cute little doggie comes with a journal in his collar. 
-Tommy ?
I take out the journal and let him rub himself on my leg. 
-Oh, Y/N, I didn't expect you to see you this early. 
Billy was still on his bicycle, infront of my house. 
-Well, um, things happened yesterday and I didn't close my eyes for the whole night. 
I see Billy's face change and go from cheerful to extremely worried and uneasy. 
-I don't think I should make you worry when it's only the beginning of the day. How about we wait until everyone is together? Not that Vance will be willing to come. 
Billy smiles but I see in his eye that he is not well at all.
-Okay, wait, I'll bring you something to eat before you continue. 
-There's no need-
-You can't refuse sorry !
I go back in the house, take some of the cookies from yesterday and put them in a little bag, like a take out.
-Here. It's homemade. 
He blushes and quickly turns his head to hide it. 
-Are you cold ? You should put on your jacket next time, it's pretty chilly in the early morning.
-No no, I'll be alright. 
-Oookayy, if you're ever hungry in your morning job, you know where my house is now. 
I smile at him, a big genuine smile. 
Billy smiles at me back and goes his way. 
For me, it will be a good breakfast before going to school. 
My father wakes up and gets ready for work. He actually owned the restaurant where he is working but his love for cooking made him want to take as many shifts as he could.  
-I'll see you later sweetie, have a good day !
-Have a good day too dad. 
He kisses the top of my head before I get off the car and start walking towards school. I know he still hasn't left, he's making sure I get in safely. I'm grateful for him. 
Gwen and Finney are also getting in. Somehow, it feels like Finney stole Gwen's confidence. She looks more shy. 
-Hey Gwen ! How are you today ?
She looks at me and smiles. She wore a long black skirt and a white shirt, black stockings too. Her hair was down too and it was quite unusual for her to not put it in some braids. Gwen looked really pretty nonetheless. 
-Hello Y/N, I'm pretty good, how about you ?
-I'm well too. 
-Oh i am feeling so good too, thanks for asking.
Finn had woved himself in our discussion, sarcasm dripping from him.
I give Gwen a side glance before laughing out loud.
-We are Ô so sorry to make you feel like that your Highness. Thou have no patience-th. 
He laughs and suddenly changes his expression before shoving me brutally aside which makes me bump into someone. The said someone turns around, ready to fight, i could see his fists clenching but a detail caught my eye. A certain green headband, mine precisely.
Vance glances down at me and unclenches his fists. Good, I'll be able to keep all my bones intact today. 
-Sorry ! I hit the ball too hard.
Bruce jogged to us, slightly panting, and put his hat backwards. He then stood, tall and with a charming smile. 
-Look, it's the walking disaster. 
Robin snook up from behind him and puts his arm around Bruce's shoulders. It's quite surprising that these two are the ones who get along the most in the group. 
Everyone was focused on Bruce, making small talk with him but I still had an issue to deal with. More of a person than an issue, though both could be really easily mistaken.
-Ahaha... Vance... How are you in this wonderful morning ? 
He still looked down on me, literally, because he was much taller than I was.
-Good before someone decided to smash into my back. 
I would be delighted to fight with him over a little nothing again but this is the perfect opportunity to talk about what happened yesterday. The fucking black balloon.
-Besides that, I need to tell you something. Actually... I turned to the rest of the group plus Billy who recently came, I need to tell all of you something. 
I succeeded in getting all of their attention and it made me realise once again the danger and the gravity of it all. A sudden shiver went down my back and my throat clenched tight.
-Someone put a black balloon infront of my bedroom's window when i was in the room yesterday.
The joyful chattering was now a distant memory. The world drained from its colors and went black and white. 
-Let's go to our classes first, it's starting now. 
I say with a little smile, as if I didn't just announce that their murderer found me and left his signature infront of my bedroom's window. 
It takes 2 seconds of reaction to each of them to get moving. I feel like I've ruined their day but I needed to warn them, in case they were next. 
-Tell me more about it. 
Robin was next to me, walking to our first class, Physics. 
I hesitated. They went through hell in that basement and I don't want to revive any unpleasant memories. But I am terrified and in this world that still hasn't known The Grabber, they are the only ones who can understand me and potentially protect me, though I wish to avoid the last part. 
-I was just doing my homework and since it was starting to be night, I got up to switch on the light and I saw a shadow on the walls. That's how I knew there was a balloon. And I know for sure it wasn't there before. 
Robin stays silent. Scared like me.
-He found you. From now onwards, we don't leave each other's side. 
And with that, he brings me to his side and smiles at me. His smile was supposed to be reassuring but it was wrong. Everything was so wrong. 
We sit in our assigned places and the lesson starts but no matter how much I tried to focus, my lids felt so heavy and I started regaining the sleep I lost last night.
The bell rings and somehow, I got through the whole class without being caught sleeping. Maybe it was thanks to Robin who was tall enough to cover me entirely and blocked the teacher's vision. 
-I know I'm horrible at taking notes but here, I tried. 
Robin was a sweetheart, trying his hardest to manage a good hand writing, at least readable. 
Little things like this warmed my heart and slightly burned it to tears. Perhaps it was because I was tired, perhaps it was the first time someone did something so kind for me, perhaps I was just shaken from what happened lately but I couldn't hold back the tears I held on the whole night. Luckily, Robin wasn't only a good fighter, he also knew how to soothe my worries and fears. Still, I felt selfish and useless. I couldn't help think that he suffered much more than me and I wasn't able to ease his pain as he did to me. 
---
Okayy, so dear readers, I would like to ask you, with who should I make Y/N be with ? Because frankly, I have no idea and it's pretty much between Vance and Robin. Please tell me which one you would like Y/N to end up with though for now, it's more likely to be Vance. :)