A/N: Ah, so we have reached Chapter 3 of the wonderful and ever so magical story of mine. Forgive me for taking so long, damn internet crashed and I just got it fixed. Let us read what will happen to our beloved Autumn now...
Knowing When to Panic
Chapter 3
I started to gawk at them as they started to examine my stuff. I felt uncomfortable with them looking at all of my personal belonging with such fascination, but what could I do? Probably the best course of action to take is to feed them something.
"So…" they all look up at me, eyes wide and curious. I nervously chuckle as they stare at me, "Who wants some pancakes?"
Jack blinked several times and said, "Pan-cakes? What are pan-cakes?"
I stared at them, please God don't tell they have never heard of pancakes, maybe they have a different name for them, "Um, well you know… hot cakes, fluffy delight, flat bread, Autumns favorite breakfast food ever, the list goes on and on."
Elizabeth looked like she had a small smile playing on her face when she said, "Is this supposed pancake a type of New York breakfast?"
I nodded, "Sure something like that."
"Well then we would be delighted to have some," Elizabeth said warmly.
"Great!" I said cheerfully. I love to make breakfast; it seriously is the best and most important meal of the day in my opinion. And pancakes are my specialty. I walk over to the opposite side of the basement kitchen like area we have and start put the ingredients together. I knew how to make pancakes off the top of my head easily.
Mary walked towards me staring and said in a shy voice, "Uhm, Autumn?"
"Yes dear?" I said, I feel happiest when I am in the kitchen.
"Why isn't your maid here doing that for you? Is she ill today?"
I repress a snort, "That is so cute. You think I can afford a maid? Do you not see where I live?"
She looked around the basement, and over at my tye-dyed sheet, and said in a slightly embarrassed tone, "It is rather modest…"
"Modest is not the word for it, it is definitely not your Pemberly though, I'll give you that. I love my home though, you know?"
Mary nodded, "Yes, I love my home too."
I smiled at her, "Home really is where the heart is! Do you want to help me?"
She looked at my messy counter and the now gooey pancake mix and said in a slightly nervous voice, "That is what we're eating?"
I looked down at it, "Yes but I still need to add some cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger."
She still looked really nervous; I couldn't understand why. "Is something the matter? Do you have allergies or something?" I asked suddenly concerned.
She shook her head, and said in a halting voice, "Is it… healthy… to eat something… like that?"
I blinked several times and started to laugh, realizing why she was panicing, "Oh dear God child, we're not eating it like this! No, no, no! I'm cooking it first."
"Oh… does it look any better after you cook it?"
"Oh much better," I said with laughter still in my voice. I have to keep reminding myself that these people are from a different dimension.
"I heard laughter, is everything alright?" Jack came walking towards us with a look on his face I couldn't describe.
Mary rolled her eyes at me, and said, "Yes Jack, don't worry we are not having too much of a good time."
"Yes, God forbid we laugh too much we may start getting gray hairs," I said going along with Mary, who giggled at what I said.
Jack stiffened up and said, "That is not what I meant. It's just that I did not want you messing up the food or getting distracted."
"Trust me on this one, I can make this recipe with my eyes closed."
"Yes well, try not to fool about anymore, I would be pleased and surprised if that food is good after all your silliness." He said sternly.
I stared at him, was he for real? Did laughter bug him that much? That's funny seeing that if he hadn't laughed I would have never found him and Francois. Hm, maybe I should remind the little prat.
"Autumn? Are you almost done?" Mary asked me.
I blinked, (I've been doing that a lot lately… blinking) "Oh yeah, we just need to cook it now." I pulled out a large skillet like thing so I could cook about three pancakes at a time. Mary continued to watch me as I cook, I didn't mind she was really quiet. I started to hum a song from Lord of the Rings. You know the one where Pippen had to sing to the Steward of Gondor, I really liked that song. (A/N: I am such a Lord of the Rings nut… Nilkanowen: I'm a bigger one Me: It's not a competition as to who's the bigger nut Nil, I was just letting the readers know not to be surprised if they see more LotR references, or Harry Potter for that matter. Nil: Whatever, I'm still the bigger fan…) I finished up the batter quickly because once you get a skillet started they only get hotter so they cooked pretty fast.
"Get 'em while they're hot!" I yelled.
They all looked up at me as if to say, 'I beg your pardon?'
I sighed, "Foods ready."
They walked over to where I had set up the food on a little table, the forks and silverware where all set and I gestured for them to sit. They all sat down and looked at there food. I smiled at them and said, "Go ahead, and eat."
Mary was the first to try her pancake; she let a slow smile come across her face, "This is really delicious Autumn!"
I smiled proudly, "Oh if you like it with no syrup, you love it with syrup!"
"Seer-up?"
I laughed, and got my ever so faithful Aunt Jemima's Syrup out and poured some over her pancakes, "Try it now."
She took another bite and her eyes widened in shock, "Oh my, it's delicious! Autumn you are quite clever!"
"Not really," I said modestly, "It's not like I came up with it or anything…"
"Oh, but your very good at it!"
"Thank you," I said with a small smile playing on my face.
"Hm." Jack said.
I look over at him, "Hm what?"
"This is interesting…"
"What is?"
"How did you make that once gooey stuff, fluffy little cakes?"
"Haven't you ever seen how bread was made? Or anything for that matter? It never looks good till the very end?"
"Is that true?"
"Is what true?"
"That something never looks good till the end?"
"Usually, why?"
He stared at me for a moment and then said, "No particular reason."
I shrugged and ate my pancakes. I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and let out a panicked squeak, I still looked like crap! I run out there and they are still eating ever so politely and I say, "Can you give me fifteen minutes? I need to freshen up a bit." I grab some clothes and run into the shower. I quickly jump out and get dressed as I try to brush my hair it hits me, How am I going to tell mom? How am I going to take care of them? HOW am I going to tell mom? How long are they going to be here? HOW THE HELL AM I GOING TO TELL MOM?!
I don't know what to do, I am kind of scared, and I think I'm going to throw up. I think now is the best time to panic as any other…
A/N: Okay kiddies that's it, it's much shorter I know but I kind of just wanted to put this in. I'll try, genuinely try to get the next one out ASAP! I don't think my internet will be cruel to me any time soon so no worries!