Integrity

I woke up in warm sheets. Sunlight filtered through a small window. The early morning light was shining directly on my face. I remembered where I was. Angela’s house. I turned over and saw clean clothes hanging on the clothes rack. Either she typically has male guests, or she put those out for me. I swung my feet over my bed. The dream I had threw me a curveball. I paused and tried to remember it. Gosh darn, it was so clear when I woke up. I can already feel it slipping. All of a sudden, it was gone and I didn’t miss it. Must have been something strange. Anyway, more pressing matters is to have a good day hanging out with Angela! I know I’m supposed to train my pathways, but I’m more excited just to see her. There is something so intimate about early mornings with someone, planning to spend the whole day together.

I kinda still feel the awkwardness of missing my chance yesterday. I really have to stop thinking about it. It has gotten under my theoretical mental skin. I push this thought aside and stand up. I get dizzy, my head swimming from the change. I feel a dropping sensation. Oh man, maybe a side effect from…

From what, I don’t really know. That’s as far as my train of thought went in that direction. My vision cleared and I regained my balance, continuing forward towards the clothes. I get dressed, mind blank. How peculiar, I think to myself, as I put on shoes.

I open up the wooden door and realize I don’t know my direction around the house all too well. I do, however, know where the bathroom is, so I head there next. I open the door quickly without thinking. Standing there before me, a naked form…

Nope, just kidding. That was my imagination. The bathroom is empty and I look at myself in the mirror. Weirdo. I wash up, wondering how today will play out. I really want to get progress on developing my power. I have no idea how it will work, or what it will be. I know it will probably won’t show up today, but hopefully I can get some tips and understanding from Angela.

I exit the bathroom, freshened up. I come to a standstill in the hall. Where am I going? Is she awake yet? I don’t think anyone else is here, so it should be fine to wander around and take a look at the place finally.

I soon get lost, walking around in unfamiliar halls. The woodwork is breathtaking. I pass closed doors and I wonder to myself if I’ve passed them before. I feel like I don’t want to chance opening them up incase my fantasy becomes a reality. That would be very awkward. I don’t want to risk knocking on closed doors all around the house because I don’t want to wake her up just yet. If I get bored of this, maybe I will change tactics. For now, I just wander aimlessly in the magical treehouse.

The light wooden walls grow deeper as I continue on. It’s not that the house is that big, but the small corridors and sporadic winding contribute to the mystical quality this house is starting to gain. I think I’m near the center, for the wood surrounding me has gained an ancient smell to it. I run my hand along some cabinets and am surprised to lift my fingers up with a thick layer of dust built up. It actually is ancient in this area of the house. As soon as it got interesting, I saw a familiar place of the house. One turn lead me right back to where I was. I was in front of the bathroom yet again. Disappointed I didn’t figure out anything on my own, I turn back. I go to head back to where I was, but the turns throw me a loop again. I don’t remember exactly which one got me to the corridor with the dark wood. It takes me a bit to realize I’ve been winding around the same set of hallways since then. How peculiar that I can’t just retrace my steps. Frustrated, I turn around again to go back to the bathroom. I whip around a corner and am stopped in my tracks.

“Ben!” A familiar, feminine voice sings, “There you are. How did you sleep?” Angela was standing in the middle of the hallway. She was dressed in what I guess would be a nightgown. It draped down past her knees and had flowers stitched along the edges.

“I’ve never slept better,” I responded cheerily. Right after I say this I think back to when I took a nap with my head on Madison’s lap. Oh man, that was an experience. I don’t think much can top that. But, regardless, the sleep I got tonight was much needed, so my point still stands.

“That’s great to hear. Were you headed for the bathroom, or may I?” She asks politely. I shake my head and sidestep, letting her pass. The thin hallways make it so she brushes past me closer than usual. After she is out of sight, I bite my lip for noticing that she wasn’t wearing a bra under her nightgown. I wait for her to get out of the bathroom, mostly because I don’t know where anything is.

She shows me to the kitchen once she finished. She gestures for me to have a seat and I slip into the bench, waiting at the table. She cracks eggs and fries them in a pan. I watch her as she cooks. She looks over her shoulder at me and I blush a deep red. I turn my face away but it was too late; I was discovered. Even when I’m not looking at her, I can see an image of her cooking for me in my mind. Making breakfast in the early morning, just us. It’s straight out of some romance novel. My mind cringes at the comparison. I would be the last person to show up in a romance novel.

She sets the plates in front of us. Steam rolls off the surface of the freshly cooked eggs.

“Smells delicious, thank you!” I politely compliment her cooking as I pick up a piece and blow on it. We both eat our breakfast with light conversation.

“So what is in store for us today?” I ask aloud. She finishes her bite before responding.

“I’d like to show you something fun, something exciting.” She smiles, clearly not going to go into any more detail than that.

“Ohh, I can’t wait!” I respond, smiling back at her. She giggles.

“If we finish eating, there’s no need to wait! We can head out right away.” She finishes her breakfast and I follow suit. We both go back to our rooms to get dressed.

✶

She stands at the door. She has a light dress on, thin straps reveal her dainty shoulders. I hug her good morning. When we let go, she jumps excitedly and her hand slips into mine. She subtly leads the way, but we walk side by side.

I love walking, especially with other people. We really get to see the sights, feel the wind, and be in friendly company. A new day feels like I’m seeing the city all over again, its dazzling and masterful architecture reaching into the sky. We aren’t headed directly for it, but we travel parallel with the city. On one side of us, the skyscrapers stand rigid. On the other side, trees swaying in the wind form a stark contrast from the industrial wall.

“I’ve been thinking…” My voice utters, of its own will. Wonderful. I cornered myself. I’ve got to say what’s on my mind now.

Her face turns towards me, her smile glowing in the beautiful morning light.