Chapter 3: Average Mornings
One October Morning, 2014
'Don't kiss and tell!' Mathias was jostled out of his sleep and almost onto the floor when his phone's alarm had gone off. 'And you always tried to warn me…' He writhed to get past his drowsiness and misperception as he blindly reached for his cellphone that was next to his pillow. 'Don't kiss and tell!' His finger succeeded to hit every square inch of his screen before he shut off the alarm. His phone wallpaper of him and Lukas came up along with the digital clock showing it was 4:30a.m.
He listened for a moment hoping his roommate's sleep wasn't disrupted due to his alarm again. After waiting a good 10 seconds, he knew he was safe. So far, it's been a week since he hasn't woken even Emil's asswipe of a bird up in the morning and he's planning on keeping that new record up for as long as possible. It wasn't easy; Lukas owned such a small apartment for him, his brother and Mathias, and sometimes the slightest bit of noise can wake everybody up.
Mathias always had to get up much earlier than Lukas, though they both work the same hours. He has to start making coffee and check up on their stock of fresh baked goods, after all, and Lukas hated waking up at ungodly hours of the morning. Mathias didn't want to burden his best friend by waking him up earlier and making him work more than he is required to.
Mathias shut off the screen display and set his phone to the side. He sat up and fixed his twisted up night-shirt before he went to locate his pants. After picking up at least 3 shirts, a dirty sock, and an empty can of maybe soda, he couldn't tell, he managed to find what he hopes is a decently clean pair of pants. He slipped them on and felt his way around for the wall. He searched for the light switch when his hand touched the cheap wallpaper of his (guest) room. After getting more intimate with the wall than he has with anyone for at least the past year, he found the light switch and flicked it on.
"Lort," he hissed, squinting his eyes. He walked almost blindly towards the closet located across the room from him. As he got near, he tiredly tripped over his own foot.
"Fu-Fu-Ffff!" his hand quickly went over his mouth, the other pounded against the closet door. He froze; one little mess up could have messed up his 7 days of a perfect record. Mathias counted the seconds in his head.
One, two, three, four, five… He should be safe. Enough wasting time, he told himself, I have coffee to make and sell. He removed his shirt and replaced it with a clean collared one. He walked carefully to his bedroom door. He journeyed to the bathroom and took a glimpse in the mirror. "Oh honey," he whispered very softly as he wiped the sleep out of his tired eyes. "Someone didn't get enough beauty sleep last night." He ran a hand through his messy dirty-blond hair and pinned it back. He gave his face a splash of cold water and went to work; combing, gelling, and styling his hair. After he was done, he smiled and winked at the reflection in the mirror. He felt a jab of embarrassment, considering the motion was rather stupid. He was happy nobody was awake to see that.
He turned around to leave when he came face to face with Mr. Puffin. Mathias screamed a muffled scream into his hand-good save! He had closed the bathroom door, how did he get in there? The bird stared into Mathias's blue eyes with its beady own. Mathias stayed still and stared back.
"Squawk!" the bird flapped its wings in an aggressive manner.
"No, shh shh shhh…" Mathias put his finger to his lips. Mr. Puffin shrieked back even louder in response.
"Damn bird, you'll wake Lukas and Emil, then we'll both have it!" The bird hissed another noise back at him, which Mathias assumed was "fuck you" in Puffin.
"I'll share my breakfast with you if you hush!" Mathias snapped in a whispered tone. The bird instantly went silent and flew onto his shoulder. How does Emil even put up with this thing?
Mathias entered the kitchen; Mr. Puffin flew off his shoulder and onto the table. He opened up the pantry and pulled out a large blueberry muffin. "Don't tell Emil," he whispered over to the puffin, as if it would plan on it even if it was able to speak. He broke the muffin in half and set one part on a plate for the bird. The bird happily ate while Mathias started making coffee with his share shoved into his mouth.
Emil's door creaked open gently and he entered the kitchen, staggering like a member of the undead. He tiredly glanced at Mathias and sat down in front of his bird. He was far too out of it to notice the crumbs on Mr. Puffin's beak and proceeded to pet the creature's head. Mathias took three more muffins out from the pantry, shoving two in his pocket. He poured a cup of coffee and served it to Emil with his muffin. The boy nodded at Mathias; he took it as 'good morning'. He patted Emil's shoulder and went back to the counter.
He made two more cups of coffee and picked one up. Carefully, he tip-toed to Lukas's door and slowly turned the knob. It was an everyday custom to leave him coffee and breakfast on his nightstand before he left the apartment. As he opened the door, though, every creaking sound imaginable was emitted. He heard Emil groan in annoyance from behind him, but nothing but soft, silent snoring came from the direction of Lukas's bed.
He walked to his bedside without another sound and set his mug down on the nightstand. Mathias turned and glanced at Lukas; he was snuggled comfortably under his covers with only his nose, eyes and some of his messy hair visible. He smiled; happy he didn't disturb Lukas's comfortable sleep that morning. He gently pulled one of the muffins out of his pocket and set it by the cup of coffee.
It had occurred to Mathias that the snoring ceased seconds after the muffin was positioned onto the small table. He glanced down at Lukas again. His eyes were open and he was beginning to sit up. "Mathias?" He groaned, glaring sleepily at him.
"Ah, shit!"
Author's Note: Again, I don't take credit or ownership for the character presented in this chapter, nor any other works mentioned or referenced.
Translation: Lort is fuck in Danish.
Sorry for the short character, and thanks for all the feedback!
Also, shout out to AgentStormOO7 for leaving me pleasant reviews on several of my works. Happy birthday!
