Journal entry#57 Morning

Looking back to the day I first met Cupa, I find myself pondering on what would have happened if I hadn't decided to help her out. If I hadn't decided to seek out the mysterious sounds of despair and turned a blind eye somewhere else.

Though the past is the past and I can't change that, it doesn't stop me from wondering. I remember the day like it was yesterday, the weather was terrible, so was Mr. Alexander's mood but hey, like that's new.

She was laying up against an old oak tree. Alone, cold, saddened and hurt. If I hadn't decided to help... I don't even want to think of what would have happened to her. She wouldn't have gotten very far with her bad leg, and probably would have starved.

Or something would have found her. Though it probably wouldn't have been as nice as I.

I don't know why I think of these things. Maybe its because I fear what could happen to her. Or how I put her on that track. Not that I'm worried now, she has life going well for her from what I can tell. Though life can change in the blink of an eye, that I know from experience.

And while its in the past, I remember the days that followed me bringing her home. The laughs, the embarrassing moments, and a few other things. Looking back, its hard for me to see life without her.

She was always there, even when I didn't notice.

Well in the days that followed, lets just say, looking back at previous entries, I'm quite proud, and embarrassed at how things would progress.

But I still ponder, on how uninteresting life would be without her.

The next day.

To clarify, the day after finding Cupa.

As the morning sun blasted through my windows, along with the usual 'caw caw' of a chicken, I awoke to find myself warmer than usual. To warm in fact. Like a bat outa hell kinda warm.

Or Pigmen outa the nether of you live in the country.

''Ay ay ay.'' I whispered as I blocked the sun from my face, which was already sweating like nonsense. I rubbed my face to get the water from my eyes with no such luck. What the hell/nether why is it so hot. I went to push the blanket off to let the cooler air sooth my body, when I realized I wasn't wearing a blanket.

''Oh Notch, why is it so fucking ho... oh of course!'' I sighed as I realized that I had worn my jacket all night long.

No wonder I'm basically bathing in sweat. And my jacket is partially wool, so great for keeping you warm.(at least that's what it said on the price tag. Got it for 2 pieces of gold, what a steal!)

I quickly sat up and practically tore my upper clothing off, leaving me bare from the waist up, but feeling sooo much better. The sweat made tearing my jacket off difficult but satisfied when I finally did get out of my boiling prison. I threw it to my side and let the cool air surround my body. ''Oh, thank the lord notch.'' I sighed in relief and sat back on the couch, free of the heat at last.

I didn't have any other clothes except for my jeans and of course underwear. So I let the cooler air soak into my bare chest before stretching out my arms. The sweat literally shining off me like I'm some Italian steak or something.

Still, I didn't mind being shirtless, especially in my own house. After all, the shirt I was wearing was being used as a bandage for Cu... ''Cupa.'' I said as I sat up again, remembering I left the girl in my room. I hope that she didn't call me while I was asleep, I was pretty tired. I probably could have slept through a storm.

A Wither Storm!

OK maybe not that far.

I slowly sat up and looked at the clock above the main door. '7:32am' it read. OK it didn't actually read that in numbers but it had the two arrows pointed a...wait. Why am I trying to explain how a clock works?

Anyways, I have 2 hours, about that much, until I have to leave for work. Until then I went over what I should do before that.

Eat

Feed Pickles

Get dressed

Check the windows(for broken glass bits from any possible zombie attacks)...and... Oh right.

Feed Cupa(got to remember I'll be rooming for awhile)

Get her some clothes(wait, already did that)

And fill her in on what happens around here.

And that's it. I think?

I ponder on what else I could do before I feel something soft rub against my leg. A small 'mew' informs me on who it is. "Alright Pickles I'm getting it." I say before heading toward the kitchen.

'I swear, this cat eats more than the pigs on the farm.'

I pull out a small helping of fish, freshly caught btw, and as expected, Pickles lunges for them before I even begin to set them in his bowl. ''Hey!...No.'' I say, holding the fish above my head. Pickles stands on his hind legs and leans against mine, purring as he looks at his breakfast with hunger.

He may be a cat, but he sure acts like a dog. I nudge his head down before putting the fish into his bowl.

He wastes no time lunging for it. ''Geez, you act like I don't feed you at all.'' I sigh as he gobbles down his fishy meal, replying only with a 'mew.' Stretching my arms once more, I ponder on what I should make for myself. I'm never really hungry in the morning and sometimes skip breakfast entirely. I'm told, by a lot of people, that that is not a good idea.

Well I'm not a lot of people.

But only as I pull out some fresh bread do I realize how hungry I actually am. I guess I didn't eat enough last night. Hopefully an egg sandwich will fill me until later.

I say later because of work.

I don't usually come home until just before dusk. Sometimes I do get to visit my own household just to see Pickles and maybe grab a quick bite of something. Now I may be home late, but I don't exactly have to go to work. I'm not bound by the village to work but I do it because I can.

I don't mind it, sometimes I wake up early just to get started, it's kinda fun after a while.

But as I ponder on whether I should put a shirt on, cracking my back and walking toward my room door. I remember that Cupa is not only a guest at my house, but she is injured.

Thats when I realize the kink in my daily routine. Cupa can barely walk, is a creeper(still processing) and I have a cat. I don't know how'd Im going to juggle this. I don't want to keep her in bed all day but I don't want to miss work.

Especially since Mr. Alexander is in charge.

The other problem is, mentioned before actually, Cupa is a Creeper. And last I checked, villagers and creepers didn't have such a good relationship. I can't count how many Creepers Ive had to get rid off in this town. And since we live so close to a forest, it's unavoidable to go one night without seeing them.

And if any of the villagers were to find out that I'm harboring a Creeper girl in my house...

Ohhh lord Notch protect her.

"...Ahhh, what am I going to do?" I sigh, almost forgetting to finish my sandwich. "I can't leave her here alone but I don't know if I have a choice. And..." Oh notch this is a terrible thought. "...If Mr. Alexander finds out, oh man. I'm so dead."

That Old gezzer will probably have us both banished, or worse for Cupa.

Maybe helping her out was a mistake. Im just putting her in danger, her very presence here means putting her life at risk. She probably would have been better off in the forest.

Alone.

Hurt.

Col... What the H!

Why would I say that? If I left her there she probably would have died. She can't walk two feet and wouldn't survive another day. What am I thinking?

I finish my meal and stood up, looking at the clock again. An hour and a half until I "need" to leave.

Quotes on need.

What I need is to find a way to help the village and Cupa without causing any suspicion. Cuz if that old man is anything, he's a very curious individual. And a very stern jackass I must add. Heading for my door, for real this time, I put my hand on the handle...

When I stop and remember that Cupa is in there. Now before anyone says anything, I'm not embarrassed about being shirtless in front of a girl. Ok, maybe I'm a bit skeptical but not like that.

The problem is she might be asleep and I don't want to wake her up.

Because that's rude.

But I'm going to have to wake her up anyway so…. I slowly open the door, thanking Notch that it didn't squeak. Peeking inside, it's dark and very quiet. She must have put out the torch next to the bed last night.

I spot a small lump on the bed next to the stack of clothes I left there last night. That must be Cupa. I step inside as smooth and quiet as I possibly can, hoping that I don't wake her up. Inching slowly towards my closet, which I left open from the night before and thank notch again, because that door is very squeaky.

Im only a foot away from being able to reach inside when a yawn comes from Cupa's bedside. I freeze up and turn my head as I see her shifting on her side, rolling around like a small caterpillar on a leaf. It's only when she stops moving, do I grab the nearest shirt, not caring that its blue, which is my least favorite color. I hear the sheets gloss over the bed again and I freeze once more.

Cupa was now on her side, facing me, though still asleep. I lift the shirt over my head and put it on, nearly tripping over my own clumsiness. Then again, I've never had to be this quiet in my own home before. I get the shirt completely on just as I see something small jump on the back edge of the bed. Cupa doesn't stir, but the small mass makes its way up to her.

Its dark, so I don't immediately see that its Pickles that decided to pay her as visit. Dammit, I left the door open. 'Mew' he meows before stopping just a foot from Cupa's sleeping face. I sigh before heading over to grab the overly curious feline and move him out of the room, when he decides to jump on Cupa's blanket covered stomach.

You've got to be kidding me.

'Mew' he meows again as he licks his paw. ''Pickles, no. Bad kitty.'' I say as I grab him by his back. I also notice that Cupa's hoodie and leggings were now at the end of the bed, her boots on the floor. Her clothing was replaced by a long orange sleeved shirt. I'm guessing that she's still wearing her shorts since I don't see them with the hoodie. Her hair, though not long, did spill out without her hood.

I get a grip on Pickles back and neck, But as I pull him up, his claws dig into the blanket, pulling them with him. ''Oh come on!'' I sigh in annoyance. Pickles front paws are holding onto the blanket, and I'm trying my best not to wake her up. Not because of how awkward this might look...

Because trust me, this looks awkward.

But because Cupa, who is a Creeper(still trying to process that), is afraid of cats. Now I don't think Pickles has it in for her, he's just really annoying, but that doesn't make him any less terrifying to Cupa. ''Hey, let go...Pickles.'' I say sternly, and silently. But he doesn't budge. ''Pickles...I said...''

I tug on his back again, and finally, he let go. But I had tugged to hard and slipped. ''OH N...!'' Slipped and fell onto the floor, not to gently either.(Thanks Pickles, I'll remember that)

I landed square on my back and my head crashed into the wooden floor, making the ground shake for a second. In that one second, I felt pain shoot through my head like an arrow to a spider as I gripped my head. I gasped, but held back the yelp, still, even after all that transpired, I'm still trying to be quiet.

As for Pickles, well he certainly expressed his opinion on the matter and really made some noise. He not only yelped, by went ''MEEEEOW!'' So loud, I thought he was having a heart attack. Now I didn't have to look to see that that woke Cupa up. As a matter of fact, it startled her to death because I swear...

I've never seen a person jump so high in all my life without hurting themselves. Well, now I have.

"CAAAAT!" She yelped as she jumped out of the bed, though because I have a high roof and the bed is very bouncy, she went pretty damn high.

I was still rubbing my head when I felt her crash into me. More accurately, where a guy should never be hit. The back of her head landed on my chest and her rear hit me riiiiiight, there...

"Ohhhh, that hurts..." I gasp as all the air goes flying from my gut. Cupa groans and maybe she said 'ow' but I couldn't tell. I'm still trying to hold back the tears, because it FUCKING HURT!, when Cupa rolled her head back and looked at me. Her face was blushing ruby with embarrassment, mine was blushing with pain.

I groaned as I lifted my head from the wooden floor and our eyes met. She had a guilty look on her face and opened her mouth, probably to apologize. "... Please, don't." I sigh as I sit up, forcing her body to move up. I rubbed my head before realizing that Cupa was sitting in my lap from the fall.

Now it was my turn to hide the blush. "Are you OK?" I ask, trying to sway the conversation.(real smooth James, better remember this cuz it ain't happening again)

"A-huh." She replied, still blushing as she saw the strange position we were currently in. "...Sorry, I... Um.." She tried to continue, but only blushed more.(which was possible) I would have questioned why she didn't move if it made her uncomfortable, but then I remembered her injured leg.

Before I could speak, a small 'mew' came from behind me. Less than a second later, Cupa wraps her arms around my head. Her hair getting into my eyes, practically making me blind.

Again, Creeper, Cat, not good mix.

"Oh boy..." I sigh out loud as I grab hold of Cupa and stand up, being careful not to trip this time. Pickles 'mews' again, but I ignore him this time and set Cupa on the bed. "You OK?" I ask. She nods in response, still blushing. "Sorry about that..."

Pickles rubs against my leg as if to say "sorry" or "all things considered, that went well" but considering my head still hurt like a BI%#^, I wasn't very forgiving and quietly shoved him away. Cupa, who didn't seem to notice the cat this time, rubbed a hand through her hair. ''Did you sleep well?'' I asked, trying to keep Pickles away from Cupa with my foot.

Cupa nodded slightly in response. ''Its the first time ive slept in an actual bed. Im used to sleeping on leaves or hills." She replied, again, making me feel bad for her, Again. I know she'd lived in the forest for, i guess all her life. But i never knew she had never slept in a real bed before. ''It was...comfy...'' She shifted slightly as she heard Pickles purr under the bed. I sighed before picking him up, making him go 'mew', and making Cupa put her hands out in front of her.

''OK Pickles, you've caused enough trouble already.'' I say as i carry him out the door. He 'mews' in protest as i shut the door. ''Cats...'' I sigh as i turn back to Cupa, who was rubbing her hand against her bandage covered leg. ''Hows your leg feeling?'' I ask while moving toward the drawer next to the bed, getting ready to replace the bandage wrap if necessary.

''...A bit sore.'' She started, looking up at me. ''.. It still hurts to move, but i think the bleeding stopped. It was a bit, difficult to sleep sideways.''

"Well, hopefully the medicine prevented any possible infections. The wrap should come right off..." I say as I get on my knees and foind the end of the wrap. "...hold you leg up please..." Cupa complies before I slowly unwrap the soft and kinda red wrap before taking a better look at the wound.

It didn't look to bad, though it could be better. I had hoped that the wrap would keep the skin together long enough to halt the bleeding. But sadly, dry blood was surrounding the wound in a red circle. The wound itself wasn't bleeding and in terms of color, wasn't as red as it was last night.

"..ouch..." Cupa winced when I put my hand on the edges of the wound.

"Sorry!" I apologized before grabbing the med bag. "You can lay on your back if it helps." I say as I pull out the new wrap along with medicine and cloths. Cupa didn't say a word as she slowly fell on her back. I dab the medicine on a clean cloth and begin to wipe off the dry blood.

"How does it look?" She asked, her leg slightly shaking.

"Well, it could be worse..." I start while grabbing the wrap. "But at this rate you'll be on your feet with a slight soreness in say... About a week."

"A week?..." She sighs as I begin to loop the wrap around her ankle.

"Maybe two. Give or take? But so far the only problem I'm seeing is the tightness of the wrap." I say before standing up, the bandage firmly sealed around her wound. "That should do it until tomorrow." Cupa sits up and curls her leg to her chest to look at the new bandage.

"..thanks..." She says, not making eye contact but I could tell she meant it. I look to the edge of the bed where the stray clothing lay, still in order as it was left. Cupa's green hoodie sat dangling from the wooden end, the nearly ripped sleeve being all to close to severing.

Reaching toward the torn piece of clothing, I was immediately stunned at how soft and smooth the fabric of the hoodie was. It was defiantly softer than any cloth I've ever worn, or even felt for the matter. I could imagine wearing it would be like having a sleeved blanket that you could use 24/7.

''Sorry about your hoodie...'' I say as the sleeve dangles lifelessly at my side.

''Can you fix it?'' She asks, remembering what I had told her yesterday. ''I think i can fix it''

''I'm very sure I can, but it may take a day or so.'' I reply, my finger accidentally trailed toward the large tear toward the middle of the hoodie, where Cupa's stomach would have been covered. I wondered how much a large mark came to be when I remembered Cupa telling me of the people who chased her away.

That's the reason why the arrow was in her leg.

But there was no other form of physical injury, inclining me to ask ''How did your hoodie get like this?'' Cupa looked down at her leg and bit her finger before responding.

''When I was running, an arrow cut into my sleeve. The rest happened while I was running...'' Indicating how the sleeve was damaged.

''What about the middle?'' After i asked, Cupa didn't look up once during her reply, which was spoken in small gasps.

''...After, the arrow. I fell down a large hill.'' She said. ''I snagged on a branch, when i pulled myself away, it ripped.'' That explained the hole, and i breathed easier knowing that it wasn't from something much deadlier. But as i looked at her again, the memory seemed to bring upon foul thoughts. Her eyes refused to look straight at me, and remained at either her leg, which she rubbed at with her hand, or somewhere into space. Deciding to change the subject, without seeming like im trying to, with a simple question.

''Sooo...Hungry?''To which she looked up at me and replied...

''Yes...actually.'' Rather happily in fact. I assumed as much, she hasn't eaten since...? Well, i don't exactly know when was the last time she ate, but it couldn't have been too long. Then again, im not sure what exactly she eats considering she can't go anywhere near a village without getting into danger.

''Alright, i'll fix something up for you.'' I say as i head for the door. But then i question whether or not she could eat the food I do. ''Wait... before I go, is there anything you can't eat? Or don't like?'' Cupa shakes her head almost immediately. And actually looking at me when she responds.

''Not really... But I don't really eat chicken. It tastes funny.''

"Don't worry, I don't eat chicken very often." I tell her. "How about eggs, do you like those?" She merely nodded, though her reaction speed defiantly improved. "Ok. Do t go anywhere, I'll be back in a few minutes." I open the door and leave the room.

"Don't go anywhere? She can't even walk. Way to make yourself look even more like a jackass." I think rather sternly in my head.

Ill admit, that was dumb. And she probably thinks I'm either a complete ass, or a weirdo. Or both.

I head into the kitchen and begin to cook Cupa's breakfast. Deciding that eggs isn't enough, I grab some bread and milk from the fridge. While waiting for the eggs to cook, Pickles rubs against my leg.

"You better be nice to Cupa." I said to him, knowing full well he doesn't actually understand me. "She's been through a lot already, and doesn't need nightmares from seeing you 'meow' at her." As if he could actually understand what I'm saying, Pickles 'mews' and tilts his head.

"Yes Pickles. She's been through a lot." I said as I plopped the eggs on a plate. "The poor thing..." I mutter to myself, Pickles tilts his head again and 'mews' "...what did she do to deserve getting treated the way she does?... Well, nothing!" I say, growing slightly infuriated. "... I don't understand. She's a living thing too, and Notch put her on this world. So why is she treated like a monster?"

Pickles 'meows' as if to answer my question. "So what if she's not blocky, I'm not blocky. What does it matter if she's part Creeper, from what I can tell she wouldn't hurt a fly." I continue to silently rant to an invisible audience as I head towards my/Cupa's room. "... Is it too much to ask fo...WHOA!" I stop as I enter the room. Realizing that I should have knocked. Cupa yelped when I turned to see that she had taken off her shirt.

She must have thought I noticed before because she quickly covered her chest with her arms before I could see them. The image of her once pale cheeks now blushing like mad burned into my mind and I could only guess that mine were twice as crimson. I guess I should have turned around and looked away. But I couldn't help but stare at her. I knew her body was small, not that it bothered me, but Notch, her skin looked so smooth.

Aburn hair wasn't very lengthy but long enough to reach the bottom of her nape. Her breasts might be a bit smaller than most but her body went perfect with them, espwcially with her narrow stomach. It wasn't toned like an athlete's, but it was flat and smooth. Truly her skin was pale yet looked so soft for someone who'd been living in the woods. Without the green mass covering her she looked more human and...notch...Just the right amount of curves and, ...beautiful.

Why am I thinking this!?

Then I realized I had been staring for Notch knows how long. Upon realizing this, I turned around and gently placed the food on the nearest desk. " Sorry sorry. I didn't know you had taken it off." I said faster than I should have and turned for the door. Yet as fate seemed to be against me, I hit my nose on the door and fell over.

And Notch it hurt.

I thought I heard Cupa either gasp in worry, or laugh lightly. But I was to overwhelmed in holding back the scream in my lungs to know for sure. Either way, I held my nose with my hand and covered my mouth with the other, biting into my hand as I held back the pain. I slowly opened my eyes and rolled them back as a blue and orange blur entered my vision.

Then I realized that it was Cupa wearing a blue shirt that I seeing. She had crawled to the end of the bed and looked down at me, still lightly red from blushing with slight concern on her face. We both kinda started at eachother for what seemed like hours before she finally broke the silence. "...Are you ok James?" She asked, trying to distract herself from the fact that I almost saw her waist up naked.

I nodded in response to her question, still holding my nose as the pain dumbed down. Speaking of dumb, how should I rate myself on this fine morning?

End of part 2