Fia rushed into the kitchen with hair in her hands and a hair tie in her mouth. She quickly fashioned her hair into a bun and donned a green apron with white polka-dots and a frilly hem. She smiled at her roommate who was sitting at the kitchen table.
"Sorry it took so long for me to get up, Angel," Fia said. She looked at the oven's clock. The green digital numbers flashed 6:30. "I'll try to be quiet so the others don't wake up." With that, Fia got to cooking. She put together a golden omelet with fresh vegetables. Packing the food into a Tupperware container, Fia drew a small happy face on the omelet with ketchup and handed the container to Haven. "All yours, Angel! I hope she's doing well."
"Thank you so much, Tsu-chan," Haven smiled as she tucked it into her bag.
"Mother, I'm back," Haven called as she closed the front door behind her.
"Mother?" Haven called as she turned on some lights around the apartment, placing her bag on the kitchen counter. She finally found the woman asleep in bed.
"Mother, it's already eight. Time to wake up," Haven said calmly as she shook her shoulder.
"Haven," the woman opened her pitch black eyes, "It's wonderful to see you."
"C'mon, Fia made you some food. It'll be out here when you get up," Haven said as she walked into the kitchen.
"I didn't realize you were coming today. If I had, I would have prepared," Haven's mother sat up in bed.
"I called you last night. Have you been taking care of yourself? Did you buy groceries this week?" Haven asked from the kitchen. She opened the fridge, it was empty.
"Yes, honey. Don't worry about me. That's my job," the young woman walked out to the kitchen in a light robe. Her skin was the color of ivory and her hair, a tangled mess at the moment, was the color of ebony. She appeared to be in her mid-thirties.
"Mother, the fridge is empty," Haven protested lightly.
"I just ran out yesterday. It's not a big deal." Haven's mother sat down at the small kitchen table and Haven placed the Tupperware with Fia's cooking in front of her.
After several bites, Haven's mother smiled, "Please tell Fia this is delicious, as always."
"Of course," Haven walked to the answering machine, flashing red. She hit the play button.
"You have - one - new message. Thursday, 1 pm," the machine reported.
"Good afternoon, Pearl Lee. This is Vanessa with Doctor Goldberg. We missed seeing you for your appointment this afternoon. Please call us back to reschedule," the message played.
"Mother, you missed your appointment," Haven's voice dripped with disappointment.
"It must have slipped my mind," Pearl mused as she took another bite of her breakfast. Haven just sighed as she dialed the doctor's office.
"Hello, Vanessa, it's Haven, Pearl Lee's daughter… Are there any cancelations today? … That's fortunate. We'll see you then… Thank you," Haven hung up the phone.
"Mother, your appointment was moved to today at 10:30," Haven said as she went into the bedroom and got a comb and brush. "After that, we'll go grocery shopping," Haven stood behind the chair and began to brush her mother's hair.
Nagisa wasn't sure what to think when he entered the kitchen a little before 8. It looked as if the king of IHOP had broken into their apartment to spread butter and pancakey goodness. Nagisa decided to investigate, but it seemed like one girl was in the shower and the other was nowhere to be seen. He knew that Karma could cook, but it wasn't likely that his redheaded friend would get up before him.
"Oh, Nagisa. You're awake already?" Fia asked as she stepped into the kitchen. Body and hair wrapped in towels, Nagisa's housemate shuffled over to turn off the kitchen fan. He could hear her yawn through the remaining silence.
"I could ask you the same thing," Nagisa said with a friendly smile. "I didn't think you were a morning person."
"Heh, well, I use to get up early to watch the sunrise with my big brother every day when we were little. After that… I guess I just got used to waking up early on weekends to cook for the rest of my siblings. I don't mind mornings at all. Help yourself to the food, by the way. I have to get started on my homework." Fia smiled, albeit a little sadly, and returned to her room.
Nagisa turned his attention back to the table of food. "I think I'm going to have a heart attack if I try to eat all of that." He turned on his heel and went back into his room. "Karma. It's time to get up."
"Nngghh…" The redhead buried his face in his pillow and groaned.
"Karma." Nagisa lightly pulled on Karma's blanket, much to his roommate's annoyance. "We're going to the movies, remember?" Karma moved his head so that he could grumpily glare at the bluenette. Nagisa sighed and yanked on the blanket, taking Karma off the bed with it.
"Ouch!"
After a couple of minutes, Karma met Nagisa in the kitchen. His red hair was standing up more than ever, but it looked like he had at least woken up enough to change and begin looking for food. Karma plopped down onto the chair next to Nagisa and surveyed the expansive number of plates. Orange eyes met blue ones questioningly.
"Fia wanted to cook breakfast for us. Try not to torture her too much today, alright?"
As if on cue, Fia walked into the kitchen, or, rather, she dragged herself into the kitchen.
Nagisa put down his fork. "F-Fia, what are you wearing?" he asked in disbelief.
Fia's face flushed under her wavy bangs and high pigtails that were tied off with ridiculously oversized ribbons. She looked down at her forest green romper, adorned with white bows, and her tall white stockings, then back up at the boys. "W-what do you mean?" Fia stammered with a higher-pitched voice than what was normal. "T-this is normal for me, isn't it, b-big brother Gisa?"
"B-big brother?" Nagisa's eyes widened.
Karma was silent for a few moments before he grinned devilishly. "Did you make all of this just for your precious big brother?" he teased.
"Y-yes! Anything to keep my big brothers happy!" A cloud of despair began to gather above Fia's head. I think this assignment might really kill me, Fia thought as she cringed inwardly.
"Really? Anything?" Karma asked. The girl visibly paled. Oh, Dio, no.
"Karma-" Nagisa warned.
"Then you wouldn't mind doing my laundry? Making my bed? Cooking for me?" he asked.
"N-not at all!" OF COURSE, I DO, she mentally screamed. … But how am I supposed to act? "If I can make you happy," she forced a sparkly smile and a rainbow-filled aura, "then I'm happy to do it for you, big brother Karma!"
The redhead laughed. "This is going to be a fun day~"
She pouted. Like hell, it will.
Nagisa sweatdropped. To his left, he had a girl clinging to his arm and pouting at him with teary eyes as if she were begging for his protection. To his right, his best friend and roommate was trying to jab at the girl's colorful outfit. He sighed, he had hoped for a relaxing day.
Fia was absolutely on edge. I'm sorry, Nagisa. She hated having to use her newest friend as a human shield, but Karma was really pushing her buttons today-almost literally. "Oh, stop it, big brother Karma!" she forced a giggle. "I'm too ticklish~!" With another false smile, she hid her face in Nagisa's arm again. This is absolutely humiliating. I mean, cazzo! Who says these kinds of things?! … Me apparently.
Karma grinned and mused, pausing his onslaught of pokes for the moment. He sure as hell had no idea why she was acting this way, but he was going to make the most of it while he could. He figured she had some reason and that he should probably leave her alone, but this was just too great. "You know, Fia. You've been clinging to Nagisa a lot this whole time."
Crap. Where is he going with this? Fia sighed inwardly. "Whatever do you mean?" She hoped her feigned innocence would be enough to get him off of her back. No such luck.
"I was just thinking that it's not really fair to play favorites, Tsu-chan," Karma said coyly.
She felt her face flush and her facade of a smile break just a little. "I-I don't understand what you mean, big brother." Fia shot a desperate look at Nagisa. He was startled, but he couldn't figure out any way to help. He smiled at her apologetically.
"I just mean to say, you should probably sit next to me during the movie. That would be alright, wouldn't it, Tsu-chan? I'll protect you if you get scared~." Karma's smile spread sadistically.
THE ONLY ONE SCARING ME HERE IS YOU, ASSHOLE! Fia tried to tilt her head 'cutely.' "Would it be okay if I sit between you and big brother Gisa? Because I-" YOU CAN DO THIS. YOU CAN SAY IT. JUST SAY IT. OH, GOD, I CAN'T SAY IT. "Because I love you both soooooooooooooooo much!" She spread her arms wide, attempting to hit Karma 'accidentally' in the process. "THIS MUCH." Fia couldn't help it anymore, her anger was definitely showing through. Luckily for her, Karma seemed content enough with that to just laugh the whole way to the theater.
Fia had enjoyed the experience for the most part. Nagisa was glad to explain anything he knew about Sonic Ninja from the comics whenever she was confused. The reason she didn't enjoy it was a very obvious redhead who decided to pester her during the film.
"Hey, Tsu-chan~" Karma whispered in her ear.
Fia shrank in her seat, feeling her body temperature rise. What does he want now? She was startled to find a popcorn kernel pressed against the corner of her mouth. She shot him a questioning glance.
"C'mon. Isn't this what big brothers do~?"
I swear the horns are back. She begrudgingly accepted after the fourth buttery poke to her cheek and made sure to make an exaggerated "mmm~!" sound.
If that hadn't been bad enough, he kept waiting for the tensest moments of the plot to arise just to poke her side at the worst moments. She would squeak loudly, only to get shushed by the rest of the audience, and "comforted" by her dear, lovely, wonderful, zippity-do-dah big brother Karma. When the credits began rolling onto the screen, Fia was all too eager to get home.
"Thank you for taking me to the movies, big brother Nagisa~" she sang, bouncing on her heels as she imagined her own little sister might do.
Nagisa sweatdropped. "It's not a problem, but are you alright? You seemed really antsy during the whole movie."
"No problem! It was a blast!" Fia giggled. If only I can get them to take me home now... Fia planned. "But I'm reaaallly tired now so can we please go home? Pwetty pwease with sprinkles on top?"
"That sounds like a great idea!" Karma interjected, throwing his arm around the smaller girl's shoulders. "We should go to the park. For ice cream. Where we can show off our adorable little sister!"
Nagisa frowned. "I don't think that's a good idea Karma."
"Aw, c'mon, Nagisa. One stop won't hurt."
With that, the trio found themselves in one of the campus's quads.
D-did he really have to choose a place where I would be recognized?! Fia thought with dismay. Ironically, at that moment, she saw Jelavic strutting by. The blonde caught sight of Fia and shot her a wink. She deadpanned. SHE'S DEFINITELY GOING TO HEAR ABOUT THIS FROM ME.
"What are you looking at?" Nagisa asked curiously as he gazed around the quad.
"If you don't hurry, your ice cream might melt, Tsu-chan." Karma's words were light-hearted but his eyes screamed mischief.
"R-right. W-what would I do without you, big brother?" she stammered. Fia sighed. As much as she hated to admit it, today was the perfect day to be outside. The warm blanket of air made by the late afternoon sun was one of the things she loved most about early autumn. Peeling the wrapper off of her waffle cone, she took to eating her soft serve. When she closed her eyes, it almost felt like nothing had changed at all… Like… She was still living in the days when every hour was bathed in a warm glow and her brother…
"Fia?"
"Huh?" Olive eyes opened slowly. She found Nagisa and Karma looking at her with concern.
"Are you okay? You looked like you were about to pass out and you have a little…" Nagisa pointed to her cheek.
Her hand naturally moved to feel her cheek, where she found a cold sticky substance. She looked down to see that she had also accidentally dropped her cone. "Oh…" Fia trailed off. If he were here, he would have - she was startled by a rough texture on her cheek. She found Karma wiping off the ice cream with a napkin. "K-Karma?"
Nagisa spoke up. "Are you sure you're alright, Fia? You looked like you were about to cry…"
Fia hung her head for a moment in thought and realized her eyes really were going blurry. I… I can't cry… No, I'm not alone anymore, so I can't… Fia looked up and the water that had welled up in the corners of her eyes ran down her face, much to the boys' shared alarm. "I'm sorry if I made you worry," she said softly. "I'm fine, really." Her face turned upward towards theirs and she smiled from the heart. "Thank you both, for a really fun day."
The boys sighed in relief: one more so than the other, afraid that he'd pushed her too far with his taunting. After enjoying the sunlight for a few more moments, the three of them decided to return to their apartments-hand-in-hand at Fia's request.
At about three, Haven returned to an empty apartment, which she was grateful for. As soon as she closed the door, she slid to the floor and just sat there for a few moments. After taking several deep breaths, she stood back up and headed for the kitchen. She placed her bag on the counter and was about to open it when someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Haven called, hoping it was some random person she could shoo away.
"It's me," Benny's voice called from beyond the door.
"Oh," Haven went back to the front door and opened it part way. Sure enough, there was Benny, with his dark brown hair and eyes the color of caramels.
"Can I come in, Haven?" Benny asked as he stepped into the living room.
"Well, you're already in here," Haven mumbled.
"I thought you had plans today, Haven," Benny said as he plopped himself on the couch, leaving ample room for someone to sit next to him.
"I just got back," Haven replied as she closed the door.
"So, what are you up to now?" Benny asked.
"Not much," Haven went back to her bag on the counter, removed the tupperware container, and proceeded to wash it.
"I've been enjoying my classes so far this year, what about you?" Benny asked to break the silence.
"Sure," placed the tupperware to dry and began on the other dishes in the sink.
"Want me to help?" Benny began to get up.
"I've got it," Haven replied and Benny sat back down. The conversation came to another long lull.
"I got a pet the other day. I named him Ven. You should come over and see him," Benny said.
"Sure, when's a good time for Tsu-chan and me to come over?" Haven continued washing dishes. Just how much had they eaten while she was gone? The stack was twice as large as usual.
"Well, I was thinking that maybe just you and I could hang out," Benny mumbled, softly.
"Sorry, I couldn't hear you over the faucet," Haven called.
"Oh, nothing. Whenever is fine," Benny called back.
"I'll notify you before we come over," Haven said.
"Yeah, do that," Benny stood up. "Well, I'd better get going. I still haven't finished that paper for Monday." He walked out of the apartment quickly.
Fia unlocked the door to apartment 1-11 and pushed her way inside with a sigh. It was good to be back. She let out an audible groan of relief. "I can finally say that I completed my assignment!"
"Assignment?" Nagisa asked as he closed the door. "Is that what that was all about?"
She sweat-dropped and began to pull her pigtails out of their ribbons. "Y-yeah. Ms. Jelavic gave us all acting practice for the weekend and I got stuck with the role of 'little sister.' S-sorry…"
"Why are you apologizing?" Karma asked with a slight smile. "You made today much more interesting."
She laughed dryly but let it go for the moment. Fia was content just to be with people who didn't question her many quirks. "Glad to be of service," she replied sarcastically. "I'll cook dinner in a little bit, so just sit tight for now, okay?" she said as she turned to go to her room.
"Can I help?"
Fia turned, expecting to see Nagisa, but she found Karma looking at her with serious eyes instead. "S-sure…" Fia disappeared through her doorway and changed clothing, thinking about the day's events. She slowly made her way over to Haven's bed, where she was surprised to find a lump of blankets that wasn't on its computer. Poking the lump gently, she asked "Angel, are you alright?"
"Uh-huh," she called from beneath the covers. "Mom said 'thank you and the food was delicious.' Also, Benny came over. He wants us to see his new pet." Haven sounded outright miserable.
"Oh, that should be fun. I'll, uh, leave you to your lumping. Dinner will be ready soon, okay?"
"Uh-huh, uh-huh."
Fia sighed and made her way outside to catch the last glimpses of the setting sun. She pulled her cellphone out of her pocket and held the first speed dial key. Putting the phone to her ear, she waited. One ring. Two rings.
"Mia bella?" a deep voice asked.
Fia smiled softly. "Hi, Papino… It's been awhile."
The man on the other line chuckled. "So it has. Have you been well, amore? You normally don't call out of the blue like this."
"Yes, I'm doing well. I have new housemates! One is really calm and easy to talk to. The other-well…"
"Is he messing with you? I can take care of that in an instant," he said with a hearty laugh.
"I can manage," she giggled. "He's really not all that bad when you get to know him a little. Papi? Do you still think of-?"
"Ogni giorno, every day. Have you been thinking about him?"
"A little bit…" Fia trailed off.
"He would be very proud of you-just like I am now," her dad attempted to reassure her. Fia opened her mouth to speak but hesitantly decided against it and closed her eyes with a soft sigh. "It seems like your mother is angry again. I might get into some trouble if I don't run now. Was there anything else you needed?"
She laughed. "You might get into even more trouble if she figures out you ran. Would it be okay for me to make one of our family's signature dishes?"
"Of course! Do you even need to ask?" His voice radiated with pride.
"Well, a… a friend asked to help."
"GIOVANNI! YOU LET THEM DO WHAT?!"
"Oops. I'm in trouble now! Wish me luck! Kisses!" She heard a kiss through the phone.
"Ciao," she murmured as the line went dead. Fia sighed and reluctantly went back into the apartment, where she found Karma waiting at the kitchen counter. He smiled at her and she waved back before running to grab her favorite apron and one for him. As she returned to the kitchen, she saw that Nagisa had joined Karma.
"Hi, Fia," the bluenette said as he waved.
"Hi, Nagisa." She paused to tie the knot on her own apron and toss Karma his. "Can I ask you for a favor?"
"Sure, what is it?" he asked.
"Would you check on Haven for me? I don't think she's feeling very good," Fia said regretfully.
Nagisa nodded and made his way to the girls' shared bedroom
Nagisa walked into the girls' bedroom tentatively. He could tell which side belonged to which girl immediately. The only unifying feature of the room was the set of glow-in-the-dark stars plastered to the ceiling. Fia's side was almost completely spotless, cute but not overtly girly, and had a small mural of pictures and paintings above her bed. The other half was a computer geek's haven; in one corner, sat a corner desk with a grid of nine monitors and a keyboard on one side and a stack of three laptops and various other techy items that Nagisa didn't recognize on the other. In the other corner of the room, a wardrobe and several chests of drawers were pushed against the wall next to a simple bed with a large lump in the center. Nagisa assumed that was Haven. He pulled the swivel chair from in front of the desk over to the bedside and sat quietly. They stayed like that for a few seconds until Haven poked her head out from under the covers.
"What's a normal family like, Nagisa?" she asked timidly.
"I don't really know. I only live with my mother," Nagisa replied.
"Is she nice?" Haven asked.
"We don't exactly see eye-to-eye."
"Oh. I don't see eye-to-eye with my mother either."
Haven and Nagisa sat in a comfortable silence. Neither one spoke, but words weren't needed. Just knowing that there was someone else around, that they were not alone was enough for now.
Karma put on his apron, then looked down between the pink frills and the embroidered heart. "You're not serious, are you?"
Fia pulled her hair back. "S-sorry," she started, "I got it for Haven, thinking we could make sweets together, before I realized that she can't cook at all."
Karma surveyed the kitchen. "I noticed."
Fia was really surprised by how easy it was to work next to Karma when he wasn't antagonizing her. He seemed to understand perfectly what she was looking for and always handed her the right spices. "How do you know so much about spices, Karma?"
He paused then looked at her with a smile. "I have my own spice collection. I don't mind cooking so it seemed almost natural. What about you?"
"M-me? Well… I'm fr-I'm Italian and I came to love cooking, just like my dad. Pass the timo, please?" He shot her a curious look. "Oh!" Fia blushed slightly. "I mean the thyme."
Karma let her grab the container from him but he didn't let it go. When she looked up questioningly at him, she found that he had a playful expression.
"I take it your last name, Timo, means 'thyme' then?" he asked.
"Si. Now hand it over before we overcook everything!" Fia responded flatly. She had heard this joke enough as a child to know that she didn't exactly appreciate it.
"Oh, c'mon. We have the 'thyme'' for it, don't you think?" he teased.
"D-don't you dare start this with me, Karma," she groaned.
"But I'm having the 'Timo' my life!"
"My name represents an important herb, not a manmade construct-"
"We always have the 'thyme' for a few jokes." Karma poked Fia's cheek her namesake's herb. "It's no fun to watch you cry."
She looked up at him and finally sighed. "I guess your karma isn't as bad as you make it out to be."
The redhead sweatdropped. "That was just as bad."
Fia began laughing. "I know, but you know-" Fia took a second's pause before putting her face an inch from his. She laughed and pulled back as she got the startled-and-slightly-flustered look she was hoping for. Remembering how he had treated her on the first day they had met, she put her hands on her hips and said, "you're not bad looking, you know that?" She laughed. "At least your surprised face isn't."
He growled slightly and opened his mouth to speak but both were interrupted by the beeping oven. The two looked from their dish in the oven to the other and both broke out in light laughter.
Narrator: Wow, I was tired when I wrote this…
Fia: Dio! What even happened today…?
Karma: You ate an elephant's share of food?
Fia: (face flushes) Sh-shut up! You had just as much as I did!
Karma: (laughing) You really are too easy to mess with. Seriously though, want to cook again sometime?
Fia: … You mean that? (beams a smile at him)
Karma: Sure, but I'm not wearing that apron again-
Fia: (pouts) But it's cute! (laughs) I'm kidding, I won't ask you to wear that again.
Gio: (tears stream down cheeks) I'm sad that I didn't get to see mia bella dressed so cutely-
Haven: What is he talking about Tsu-chan?
Fia: (blushes) U-uh…
Karma: Well-
Fia: Karma, please!
Gio: I want to know too, mia bambina~! Your cheeks are so red!
Fia: DAD! YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE UNTIL A LATER CHAPTER! (pushes him out of commentary box in embarrassment and sighs) He's so childish!
Karma: Coming from the girl with glow-in-the-dark stars?
Fia: They're cute and the next best I have to the real thing! What do you keep in your room?
Karma: (malicious grin) You really want to find out?
Fia: (cringes) N-not really… I'm too exhausted and I respect Nagisa too much. I think I'll get to bed. Maybe you should get some rest too, Narrator.
Narrator: After the next chapter preview. Thank you for bearing with me through the stranger chapters! As a special treat, I'll update this thing sometime tomorrow. In the next chapter, we meet Ven and clothes go flying? Hon hon hon!
