It’s been three days since the market incident. I’ve been ignoring Jayce and I try to avoid him at all costs. Other than that, I try to help Aziel out with whatever I can help with. May it be tending the chickens or their mini farm, with which I have zero knowledge and experience with. Today, I volunteered to harvest the eggs from the chickens because how bad can it be?
First, this coop smells like shit. Second, it turns out that in order to get ONE egg, those damn chickens must peck you aggressively first. Aziel took note to never let me near the chicken coop again, because I was ready to burn their coop and make a feast out of them. I swear, I felt like they laughed at me after only harvesting 2 eggs before giving up. Fine. It’s not like it’s pleasant to be there. Before leaving their coop, I flipped them my middle finger, and the chicken had the audacity to fake attack me. Not that I flinched and jumped a few feet away, causing me to fall on a horse’s shit while the chickens cackle. That would be pathetic…
Aziel tried to contain his laughter, and I can only give him a glare. He swallowed hard and left to get some things. As I was waiting for him to return, I can’t help but shudder every second because of the horse shit in my hair. I can feel a tingling sensation on the spot on my head where the shit is located. It feels warm. The germs are probably making its way to the pores of my scalp and go inside my bloodstream. HOLY SHIT, I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANY LONGER. I started pacing around, trying to ignore the shit on my head. As I was about to burst, thankfully, Aziel came back with some towel, a blanket, extra clothes, and a basket filled with limes and a jar.
We made our way to the river where the current is not that fast but enough to carry you away if you don’t hold your ground. We walked until we reached a medium-sized rock at the edge of the river. It’s about the height of my knees on the land.
“Stay in front of the stone, love. It's to avoid being carried away by the river’s current,” I nodded at his words before removing my shoes. I dipped myself in the river and boy it went up to my waist. It was cold as fuck, but it’s nothing I can’t take. I’m used to cold showers since we don’t have heaters at home. The stone served as my wall to prevent me from flowing with the current. The current’s looks are not as weak as I thought it would be, but it was stronger than what I expected as it pushes me to the rock with a little force. Aziel handed me the basket with the sliced limes and the jar that was filled with salt.
“Use them on your hair. It will help remedy the smell,” while I was busy with trying to remove the smell from my hair with the salt and lime, Aziel looks constipated. He continued to fidget in his place while avoiding to look at my direction. I rolled my eyes at his actions. Clearly, he wanted to say something.
“Come here. I’ll wash your hair for you,” I reluctantly walked near him and turned around. He gathered my hair and pushed my head under the water out of spite, for I’m acting like an ungrateful bitch.
Joke.
He was gentle with handling my hair and could salt and lime the actual shit spot. He stopped for a while to rinse my hair. Based on what I’m hearing, it seems like he’s reaching out for something from the basket.
“Between you and me, please do not mention to Jayce this.” I turned my head around to give him a curious look. He was holding a block of something.
“Wait. Is that soap?!” it appalled me with the fact that soap exists here!
“U-uh yes? H-how did you know? This could be a block of cheese, you know,” He panicked mildly.
“Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me. I really thought that there are no soaps here,” I shrugged and turned around again.
“And what will you do with a block of cheese with my hair?” I scoffed while raising a brow. Not that he can see it, but it adds to the feels. He cleared his throat before he lathered my hair with his secret soap. I closed my eyes as I feel relaxed. I feel really sleepy, especially when people play with my hair. That’s why I love salons. It’s like paying them to play with my hair, added with a disappointing haircut too.
If I’m reading too much of his actions, I probably shouldn’t relax much since he also did this for me to be more comfortable telling him what happened the other day. Or he likes me and probably wants to marry me. Joke ½.
“I only heard his side of the story. Though, he deeply apologizes,” Ah. So, it’s the first option. What a pity, it wasn’t the latter. I only let out a sigh, partly for my deflated ego. I told him my side of the story, but still careful with my own opinions. It’s what put me in that situation in the first place anyway.
“Jayce… He does things with pure intentions… Although he still needs to learn how to do it without hurting others. Which reminds me of the time that he pushed a kid half his size so that he can get the last pastry at the store. He did that because he remembered it was my favorite cookie,” he continued to massage my scalp as I chuckled at the story. I can relate to Jayce. With food, we’re all equals. You’re not special. I think I would’ve done the same thing, if I’m brave enough to do it.
Another deep sigh escaped me because of the relaxation I’m feeling and from understanding Jayce’s side. Of course, he’s still (kinda) immature and almost lacks social cues. Another reason for that sigh is because I understand him and I’m frustrated because I can’t get mad at him SINCE I UNDERSTOOD HIS SIDE. So, you just end up frustrated from getting frustrated over a misunderstanding and acting the wrong way. Now being mad without hearing his side just adds up to this frustration. I can’t even be mad now that I heard his reason and his usual actions. I don’t want rational explanations. I wanted to get mad! It’s easier that way.
In the end, I have to suck it up and be the bigger person who I should be. Sometimes, it really do be tempting to be petty. Most of the time, I fall into that temptation. However, that’s not what I need right now to survive in this place. So much for “I wanted something new and challenging in my life.” And this is what I get. I didn’t mean to have THAT ‘Life and Death’ kind of change.After he was done rinsing off all the soap, he helped me out of the river and lead me to a thick tree. He cornered me at the tree and unveiled the blanket. His actions confused me while he was barely looking at me.
“It’s best if you change clothes here. Though the walk from here seems short, it will be long enough for you to catch a cold… I-I won’t l-look!” He stuttered, while his ears went red. He was taller than me, making him a good hiding place. Since I’m a midget, my height stops at his chest. Let me remind you, I’m 4 feet, 8 inches tall and he’s… tall. Of course, everything is tall for me!
My body grew stiff as I looked at him as if he grew two heads. It is cold. He mentioned earlier that winter is coming and it will snow any time now. There are a lot of reasons why I disagree with his idea. I am insecure with my body. We are not close enough for me to strip in front of him, even if there’s a barrier between us. I am fat. He’s a guy (still a stranger at that). I feel ugly. Did I mention that I’m insecure with my body?
“Can I just wrap this around me until, you know, I reach a closed space?” I asked meekly. My voice getting softer by the minute. I mean, how would you act if a stranger asks you to dress in front of him? Before my mind went to the dirty path (with which it did, but I’ll ignore that), I looked away and avoided his gaze.
“I apologize for my boldness. However, we don’t have enough blankets to keep the three of us warm for the night and this blanket is hard to dry. Good heavens! I must sound eager for you to strip off! I promise, I-I meant good! I d-don’t want to offend you! I promise you; I'm a good boy! I help the elderly when they’re in need. U-uh, I-I always make sure to meet Jayce’s needs while growing up. Uhh.. I-I d-don’t steal! I-I really am a good boy!” and he continued to ramble about his good deeds, stuttered while defending himself that he’s not a pervert. Being the push-over that I am and the inability to say ‘No’ with these kinds of situations that involve the other being emotional, I agreed to his idea.
“J-just look away! And close your eyes!” he nodded vigorously, agreeing passionately to prove his innocence, and held the blanket high above his head. Once I made sure that there are no spaces for peeking, I changed my clothes fast. This is awkward for me. My inner self is screaming. I didn’t let myself be exposed for too long. As soon as a skin shows out, I quickly put on some clothes.
“I-I’m done.” My voice is soft and feels constricted. This happens when I get really shy or I don’t know how to act like a normal person. He lowered the blanket slowly and once I was revealed, we locked eyes for a second before looking away. We avoided gazes the whole time we walked back to their house. There’s awkward tension between us and it doesn’t help that there are occasional glances and skin contact since the path is bumpy with a lot of fucking stray branches. Being the clumsy ass bitch I am, it was inevitable for me to graze his arm or sometimes hold on to him for support. Jeez, this sounds as if I’m flirting with him. Trust me, that’s the last thing I’d do, especially after that scene a while ago.
When we reached the house, I quicken my pace and passed by Jayce. He must’ve sensed the tension between Aziel and me as I glimpsed him looking back and forth between us. I entered the room that I have been staying and sat on the bed. Even if that happened ages ago, my adrenaline was still up with the rush I felt from that incident. I know there was no malice included, but that’s still a big deal for my introvert ass.
Wow, I created tension between me and the brothers. One is awkward while the other is some kind of moping tension. It's not surprising when they decide to kick me out. I pouted at that thought. Where will I go then? My thoughts were running wild before it was interrupted by a knock. A head peeked inside the door frame, looking around before stopping at my direction. This head belongs to Jayce. I rose a brow at him and I regret doing that because it looks like a bitchy attitude, especially from the reaction I got from him. I didn’t mean to look bitchy; I’m just used to not talking and using actions to say what’s on my mind.
“U-uhm t-there’s snow outside. And d-dinner—” I didn’t let him finish and ran outside while he hurried out of the way. It was night time already, however, it did not make it anything less mesmerizing. Though a bit dark, the moon illuminated the scenery (well, the reflection of the sun to the moon).
I stood there in wonder for a good minute. The snow reached my ankles, and it was cold. Freezing. I looked down at my feet and realized I forgot to wear my shoes. I can feel my feet turning purple from the cold.“I apologize for this,” he said before pulling me off the ground and carried me back to the room where I was staying at. It's only now that I noticed how dark the room was. Only a sliver of light from the small gaps and cracks of the made-up wall could illuminate the room. I watched him while he tried to warm up a cloth. Once he felt it was ok, he turned to me but froze when he realized I was watching him. He cleared his throat before walking towards me. He placed the warm cloth on my once cold feet. I sighed in relief, with the extra warmth enveloping my feet. We sat there in awkward silence while avoiding gazes.I already forgave him because I just want to mend things immediately, especially that he’s been nothing but a nice friend. It&rsquo
I woke up with an arm resting above my stomach and a head snuggled at the crook of my neck.Just kidding.I woke up to the two bickering in the kitchen.“I told you to peel half of the potatoes!” Aziel said, exasperated, looking like he’s done with Jayce.“I just did! I see nothing wrong with that!” He said while gesturing at the pot, offended by the way Aziel’s treating him.“I meant half of the number of potatoes that we have. Not literally half of each potato!” Aziel exclaimed while he pulled out a half-skinned potato. I let out a small chuckle at the scene I woke up to. They both turned their heads to me. I lowered my head immediately to hide my face. Sometimes I look good after waking up, and most of the time not. I’m not sure how I look today, but I ain’t risking it. This face is not really something you’d want to see first thing in the morning.“Now you woke Maisi
“Have you seen a girl—” I didn’t need to hear the rest. Out of panic, I looked for a place where I could hide. The bathroom would be too obvious. The treasure chest is too shallow. I looked at the big ass jar in the room's corner. I opened the lid and saw that it was half filled with hay. This would do! I tried my best to reach the opening as the height of the jar is the same as mine. I closed the lid and dug through the hay until I buried myself at the bottom. Just then, I heard the door open. I tried to hold and even out my breath.“I told you officer; it would be impossible for a girl to live with us. That would be indecent,” I heard Aziel’s voice, along with multiple footsteps, entering the house. I heard the officer that tried to kill me scoff.“As if. It’s not like you low-life pigs would care for some decency. For all I know, you might hide her for yourselves to enjoy later. You do know that if we found out t
“Train me.”“No.”“Why not.”“Because you’re a girl.” I glared at him because of that. He seemed frightened for a second before composing himself and continued to feed the chickens they managed to keep.“Why,” I narrowed my eyes at him while he tried to busy himself with tending the animals.“You’re supposed to be protected.”“Why.”“You’re a lady. A lady must not lift a finger.”“Why.”“Because it’s the right thing!” Jayce exclaimed, growing exasperated.“Why,” He huffed and tried to escape. For my personality of the day, I was a needy b*tch that won’t stop until she gets what she wants. Usually, I would’ve stopped when he said his reason (probably because I’ll be too frustrated with the misogynistic thinking to continue pestering him). But f
<TW: Mild mention of death>I sat there for a while, rethinking my decisions. Regret, hurt, confusion, sadness, hate, deceived, cold. The coldness hurt. My whole body feels numb. It feels like I’ve been sitting here for hours. Maybe I am. The sun is no longer visible, and everything else is dark. The only light comes from their house.They must be comfortable there.Suddenly, all of my hurt and sadness were pushed back in the farthest corner of mine. Anger and hate replaced them. Even if they can’t see me, as if they’ll bother to check on me, I still glared at the house. Hoping that my glare would penetrate the door just to make them aware of how angry I am.I really hope they run out of water in the middle of taking a bath and soap got into their eyes. Oh wait, that would be impossible. They bathe in the rivers, damn it. I can't wish for rivers to run out!I just hope that... that a bed bug would b
“M-Maisie? Are you alright?” Suddenly, I heard Aziel outside. This snapped me out of my thoughts. I continued to twist and turn to my seat. That was the best way to get out of the rope. If you can, try to untie the knot.“Oh… O-okay… You were quiet for a while there…” This made me stop squirming and looked at the entrance of the house. How did he know?“Where you here the whole time?” I asked, immediately regretting speaking to him. Dang it. I broke the 'not talking to them to show how bad their actions affected me'streak. I heard him take a sharp inhale.“I—Ah—" He stuttered for a moment before letting out a deep breath. I heard a small thump on the wooden wall. He must’ve leaned or intentionally hit his head. I hoped for the latter one. I almost missed hearing when he let out a soft "Yes."“Why?” I didn’t mean to, but somehow, my voice came out small
I woke up, barely breathing. The first thing I saw as soon as I opened my eyes was a foot shamelessly resting on top of my chest. I glared at the foot, planning to tickle it, butI threw the idea away, seeing that the said foot is just inches away from my face. I don’t want to be kicked in the face first thing in the morning. I decided to pinch the foot, however; I regretted it the moment the foot suddenly jolted upwards, only to fall back on my chest again. This caused me to wheeze at the sudden impact.“What the actual fuck!” I can’t help but curse out loud. Aziel stirred from his sleep and tried to open his eyes, but failed and got back to sleep. I held Jayce’s ankle and roughly removed it from me. I threw his leg to the side and pushed him out of the bed. I heard a groan from him, but as quickly as his sleep was disturbed, his breathing went back to a steady pace- showing that he went back to sleep again. I sat up and stretched my sore a
I don’t know how long we’re traveling. But all I know is that it’s long enough to strain my neck and make my entire front bruised. If I dare relax my head, it will only hit the horse’s side. What’s the rush, anyway? Can’t he stop to rest? More likely, for my body to rest from the constant bruising this bloody horse causes.I was busy brooding that I can feel myself slipping away from the horse. I screamed in panic, hoping he would hear, but the cloth muffled it. I tried my best to curl up more, just to stay on the horse. Those were futile when the dick decided to abruptly stop the horse. I fell nonetheless. I groaned as I felt the pain in my ass.He’s a real pain in the ass. Literally! It’s not even funny!I glared at him as he hopped down from the horse. Again, as I was too busy with my emotions, I failed to notice our current location. It was already getting dark and we’re in front of a small cotta