You wake up to the feeling of being poked. Keeping your eyes closed, you listen to the conversation that is taking place in front of you.
"Well? Does she seem hostile?" sounds a hushed, nervous voice.
"No, she seems harmless enough."
"Enough?"
Well, I don't know anything about her, Perr. I don't know her blood type, I don't have hair samples, I don't know her-"
The ginger twins were interrupted by a loud yawn coming from the hallway. Laura emerged in the living room, completely disregarding the scene in front of her as she made her way to the kitchen.
"Uh, Laura? Do you know who is sleeping on the sofa?" The high-strung one asks.
Laura pokes her head out from the kitchen. "Oh! That's Carmilla. She broke into the house last night looking for food, so I decided to make her Mac and Cheese because she was obviously hungry, then I found out that she doesn't have a place to stay so I decided to let her sleep on the couch. Just for the night, of course." She finishes.
"Wait, hold on. So you caught a girl sneaking into our house, stealing our food, and you decide to cook her dinner and offer her a place to sleep?" LaFontaine inquires.
"Yes."
You've taken this time to pretend like you've just woken up, stretching and feigning a yawn. Sitting up, you take in the full situation. You see one ginger wielding a rolling pin, a look of intimidation flashing through her eyes. Then you see the other ginger, hair unkempt and a studious look across their face.
"Hello, there." You say, rather awkwardly. You allow your eyes to drift towards the familiar face.
"Good morning, creampuff" You smile.
"Morning." She says with a grin. She introduces you to the two gingers, the high-strung one being Lola Perry and the scientific one being LaFontaine.
"Hello." Said Perry, still holding on tightly to her rolling pin.
"I don't know about you guys, but I'm starving." Said LaFontaine, heading towards the kitchen.
Laura waltzed towards the couch and plopped down onto the cushion next to you.
"So, Carmilla," she began. "Do you maybe want to shower before breakfast?" She asks you.
You look at her for a moment. "Are you trying to tell me I smell?" You deadpan.
The look of horror that flashed across her face broke your act. You erupted in laughter.
"I'm just joking, cutie. Sure, I'd love a shower." You smile.
"Okay, great! It's the second door on the left down the hall. And, um, can you leave the door unlocked."
You falter as you stand up, looking at the woman sitting next to you.
"I, um, why?"
"Because I was thinking maybe I could wash your clothes for you. I mean, I bet you don't get the chance to do that too often. So, I mean, if you'd like. I totally get it if you'd-"
"Cupcake." You halt her rambling. "Yes. You can wash my clothes. Just be careful with my pants." With that, you strode to the bathroom.
You take a moment to figure out how to work the knobs in the shower before turning it onto the right temperature. Letting it run for a moment, you begin to peel of your shirt, setting it on the sink for Laura.
You're slipping out of the legs of your pants when the tiny woman walks in, her face immediately going red when she discovers her error.
"I am so sorry, I figured you'd be in by now!" She squeaks, eyes never leaving you.
You smirk, mischief glinting in your eyes. "Nothing you haven't seen before, cupcake." You let out.
Her face gets impossibly redder. "I definitely haven't seen that. Trust me, I would remember."
This causes you to raise an eyebrow. You smile then, handing over your pants, along with your shirt.
"You can collect my delicates in five minutes, if you'd like." Smile growing as fast as the red spreading to Laura's ears.
"Okay. I will leave you fresh clothes on the counter." She shrills, before rushing out of the room.
After your shower, you dress into the clothes left for you on the counter – a pair of dark grey sweatpants and a Taylor Swift hoodie – and leave the bathroom.
You find everyone in the kitchen, finishing up breakfast. Perry's setting the table, LaF is finishing the eggs, and Laura is pouring drinks.
"Hey." Laura greets you.
"Hi."
"Grab a seat. Danny will be here soon, and breakfast is almost done."
You do as your told, sitting at the nearest seat. Laura brings you a plate, and a glass of orange juice.
"This is what I eat, except I smother my hash browns in ketchup. I don't know how you want it. Or even if you want it. So I decided not to."
"You ramble a lot." You state. You see the girl hesitate. "It's cute."
Laura smiles brightly, but before she can say anything, the door opens to greet a 10 foot tall redhead.
You eye her eerily, unsure of the newcomer.
A wave of "Hey Danny" washes through the apartment, while the amazon makes her way to the kitchen. She immediately lays eyes on you.
"Who's this?" she asks.
"This is Carmilla. She-"
"She's a new friend." LaFontaine interjects.
"Oh, hi. I'm Danny." She promptly holds out her hand.
You hesitantly shake it. Danny immediately takes interest in the food, loading her plate.
You glance and Laura and she's smiling at you, absentmindedly.
After breakfast, everybody gathers into the living room.
"So, Carmilla." Danny looks at you. "How did you guys meet?"
"I, uh," You stutter.
"Laura bumped into her. At the store. And they just clicked." LaFontaine said, with a snap of their fingers.
You and Laura both glanced at LaF before glancing at each other. Laura looks confused, but you're relieved.
"Oh, neat. Laura's always had a knack for picking up strays everywhere she goes. One time," Danny launches into a story.
You laugh bitterly to yourself. 'Stray' is a correct term for yourself.
You steal another look at Laura, who is laughing and blushing at the story Danny is telling. And your heart warms at the sight of her.
You sit and listen to the story is telling, grinning to yourself about the adorable things the small brunette has done.
Soon the storytelling comes to an end, and everyone begins to stand up
"Okay, we all have finals to get ready for." Laura says, turning towards you. Danny exits and the ginger twins head down the hallway towards their room. Laura lingers for a moment.
"Hey, I want to talk to you when I get back. I should only be gone an hour or so. You can hang around here until I get back." She looks at you hopefully.
You smile at the offer. "Of course I'll be here when you get back." You declare. She smiles triumphantly.
"Good. I will see you later, then."