Alright…

Once upon a time, I was planning to update, since I hadn't done that for so long.

But my laptop said "Fuck Slenderman" and decided to break down itself. Yeah, what a bitch it was.

Then, I got to borrow my dad's computer. But my life joined my laptop and said "Fuck Slenderman" as well. Basically, I'd got to study my ass off because it was time for my midterm exams.

…

Okay, I'll stop. XD

But seriously, I'm very sorry for not updating for literally… a year?! Damn.

Anyway, I'm here now, so let's start.

Enjoy!

Chapter 13: Mine (part I)

"Brrrrr!"

I mumbled quietly as I curled up into a ball in a thick blanket, shaking like crazy while trying to warm up in front of the fireplace. Seriously, because I always knew a fact that winter is cold as hell, I'd prepared lots of thick sweaters and coats before I went to Slenderman's place. But I didn't expect it to be this cold in the deep forest where his house was. Even my favorite comfy socks didn't help my frozen feet.

As I was bringing my mug of hot chocolate to my mouth, I let out a small sneeze, trying my damn hardest not to spill any drop of chocolate out in the process.

"Are you okay there, Konna?" Trender, who was sitting on the sofa, turned away from his book and looked at me. "This is the fourth time you've sneezed within the twenty minutes."

"I'm f- Achoo!" Another sneeze cut me off.

"Well, that counted as the fifth time." Trender added.

As I continued shaking, slim fingers slid up my right arm, sending a totally kind of chill up my spine. Looking over, I saw Smexy grinning at me while sliding his hand up and down my arm.

"My my, you seem pretty sick. I can't stand seeing such a beauty like you going through this." He said in his usual deep voice. "Anything you need, dear~?"

"Um… uh…" I wasn't exactly sure how I should respond to that. "N- No thanks, I'm okay on my own. This is kind of normal for humans to get cold during this time of year anyway."

That reminded me of the jealousy I had when I saw the Slender brothers going in their normal outfits in this kind of weather, since their species don't feel cold at this temperature.

"Oh, it looks like your chocolate had gotten cold. Let me get you a new cup."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome~"

He gave me a playful smirk before taking my cup and going toward the direction of the kitchen. I let out a small sigh and rest my chin on my knees, admiring the red glow from the fire in front of me. I then checked the calendar on my phone. Hmm… two days before the 25th, Christmas was just around the corner. That actually got me excited because it's one my favorite holiday-

"HEY KONNA!"

The loud childish voice of Splendor was heard as he jumped onto me, wrapping his hands around me. Surprised by the sudden pressure on my back, I nearly fell face to face with the floor.

"How do you feel now? Cold? Happy? Sad? If you're sad, then play a game with me!"

"I'm not really sad, but… okay. I'm kind of bored anyway."

"Great! I'll go get the checker board!"

"Oh my god, not checker again." Trender face-palmed from afar. "Why always the checker? Don't you have anything better to play?"

"Oh come on, big bro! Checker is fun!" Splendor pouted as he put down checkerboard. "You're the one talking! You're always about books, fashion and sitting on the sofa!"

"Oh, Splendor dear. You're way too young to understand the value of books and the beauty of fashion. I wish you could be more mature like me- Hey, you listening?"

We had already started playing, as Splendor told me to ignore his brother's "rambling". Shaking his head with a little hidden smile on his lips at the childishness, he turned back to reading, leaving us be.

"Oh my goodness! You won again?!" Splendor gasped in disbelief. "That meant you've won three times while I just did once?! Unbelievable!"

"I just got lucky somehow." I chuckled, scratching the back of my neck. "Normally, I would've given up after five minutes."

"Okay, let's play one more time! But now, whoever loses will-"

"Hey, you two." Smexy stepped in, cutting Splendor midway. "Sorry to intrude, but… Splendor, can you help me make dinner?"

"Dinner? It's dinner time already?!" Looking up at the clock, we both realized it was almost six at night. "Alright, I'll come."

"Wait…" I said as Splendor sat up. "I can help. I'm staying at your house anyway, so I think I should do something to help."

"No no, you don't need to, friend." Splendor said, putting his hands on my shoulders to stop me. "You're staying at our house means you're our guest, so we're the one who are supposed to treat you so."

"Yes, you're correct." Smexy said. "Beside, a human lady like you would get real cold if she gets out of the blanket now. So leave this to us."

"Okay. Thank you very much."

"No problem!"

Splendor cheerfully said as he walked away with his brother. I returned my gaze back to the fire, alone again. Well, not until a minute later, at least.

"Konna dear, would you mind if I sit here?" Trender voice was heard from behind.

"Not at all." I replied as I scooped myself over the right side a little bit, leaving space for him to sit down.

"I'm not cold, as we've told you. But I have to admit that sitting in front of the fireplace during a winter night has such cozy and romantic atmosphere of its own."

"Yeah." I smiled, eyes looking as the fire flickered. "I love it when a novel or movie has this scene, two people sitting next to each other in front of a fireplace while it's snowing outside."

"My my, I didn't know you have such artistic mind." He said in a voice filled with admiration.

"Thanks, you do have it too, you know."

"Thank you, Konna dear. I appreciate it."

We sit together in silence until he spoke up again. "Hey, while you were playing checker with my little brother, I found this style of clothes that will fit you."

He flipped open the fashion magazine he was holding in his hand and stopped at a certain page. I'd seen this kind of clothes combination before and it was quite trendy recently. My friends were going into shops after shops, looking everywhere just to get every piece of clothes for the whole set.

"Yes, it looks nice, but I don't think I will look good in it."

"Oh, what are you saying?" He patted my back. "I, as a fashion expert, am sure that it will surely look good on you."

"Haha… I guess…"

"If you don't believe me, I will make the entire set for you."

"Wha- You're kidding, right?" I chuckled.

As we were looking at the magazine together, a sudden weight was put onto my head. Glancing over my side, I saw Slender, kneeling beside me.

"Slender!" Trender said. "It's improper to put a mug onto a lady's head!"

"Well, I was about to give the mug to her properly, but you two seemed to be sooooo into the subject that I don't want to interrupt."

With that said, Slender lifted the mug off my head and gave it to me. I stared at it and him for a few seconds before taking it with both of my hands, mumbling a small thank. It was my mug from before, but filled with fresh hot chocolate. I guessed Smexy asked him to give it to me.

"Hey! Dinner's ready!" Splendor called out loud from inside the kitchen.

Hearing him, we all headed toward the dining room. Everything was pretty good that night, except Slender. He seemed… troubled about something. From the moment he said he didn't want to interrupt me and Trender, I'd noticed something's off about him. Even during dinner, he said fewer than he usually did and mostly stared at me all the time. I tried to stay cool and not to mind that.

But honestly, I was kind of worried.

To be continued…