Chapter: 2... Trouble Stirring

ALICE P.O.V

15 September 2034, Project Z, After school.

"Nicole why'd you leave me here alone, this morning?" I asked as we got into our room.

Nicole shrugged slightly and smiled. "You took too long..." Her tone clearly showed that something was amiss.

"What's his name?" I asked with as much venom and ice as I could master. 'You are way too protective … Shut up' I hissed at my thoughts.

Nicole frowned furrowing her perfect brows. "The fuck you talking about Alice?"

I shrug slightly holding my hands up defensively. "Apologies for assuming." I flopped onto my bed and grabbed a book.

Nicole wandered out of the room towards the living room as I kept pretending to read. Tears slowly streamed down my cheeks, leaving a burning trail in their wake. 'Why am I even crying about this? He is just a useless asshole who wants attention...' I hissed, wiping away my tears.

A soft knock came from the door, startling me. "Yes?"

"Alice?" Leo's gentle voice drifted into the room.

"You can come in Leo." I placed the book next to me on the bed as I sat up.

Leo poked his head around the door making me smile. 'Why does this make him look so cute?' I wondered as I kept staring at him.

Leo slipped into the room closing the door behind him. "You doing ok?"

I sighed. "I am 100% fine, thank you, but I am asking your permission, as eldest, to kill Alaric … uhm … Please?"

Leo laughed. "I think Jayden beat you to it."

I stare at him puzzled. 'Jayden?' Leo took a seat next to me on the bed and gently patted my head. "Looks like you are a worthy cause to protect." Leo joked.

"I don't need protection." I hissed venomously.

Leo laughed holding his hands up in defense. I smiled. "Thank you, Leo." I said softly as I bowed my head.

"You sure you're ok though?" Leo asked, looking me up and down.

"I promise I am fine." Leo nodded as if satisfied, before leaving the room again.

I sighed and laid back down, before long falling asleep...

NICOLE P.O.V

I stare blankly at the T.V., the guy from school constantly mauling in my head. Every feature of him makes my stomach flip and my heart flutter. Piercing lilac eyes and a super muscular body.

"Wipe the drool from your mouth Nicole." Jayden's voice broke my fantasy making me scowl.

"I am not drooling you simpleton. I am watching T.V." I hiss annoyed, yet playful.

Jayden laughs and pats my head. "Where's Alice?" His voice takes a subtle worried tone as he mentions Alice. 'O no, what happened?'

"In her room, Leo was there a while ago I don't know if he has left yet or not, but I'm sure it'll be fine if you pop in..." I plan my inquisition carefully, taking a big breath. "Sooooooo, did something happen today? Something interesting or weird perhaps?"

Jayden eyes me carefully. "Nothing interesting." He rushed before heading up to Alice. 'I knew it!! Something did happen!!'

Seconds later a bruised and slightly battered Alaric storms in and immediately heads to his room, slamming the door shut with a deafening 'bang'. I hiss. 'SOMETHING DEFINITELY HAPPENED!!' I shout mentally, hastily making my way upstairs stopping just outside our room.

"Alice . . ." Jayden's voice is faint but audible. "He won't do that again any time soon. I promise you that." I listen carefully. 'Do what?'

Alice stays silent for a minute. "Alice?" Leo's concerned tone sends me flying into the room.

"What the hell is going on?" I hissed receiving 3 extremely confused and shocked stares.

"Nothing..." Alice frowned

I glare at the 2 males, trying to bore into them with my eyes. "Alaric kissed her." Leo cracks. 'YES, IT WORKED!! Wait … WHAT!?'

I hiss, my whole body radiating outrage. "WHAT!?"

Jayden steps closer, patting my head. "It's been sorted, just making sure that the little lady over there is ok." He smiles completely putting my rage at ease. 'How'd he do that??'

"I'm okay guys, really. It was only a kiss." Alice smiled but the truth was just as visible as the forced line on her face.

I nod to Alice and sjoo the boys out. "She's fine guys, we need to do our homework now so... See Ya!!" I close the door quickly behind them, turning to Alice again.

"What?" She asks, rolling her eyes exasperated.

I point to my ears and to the door. "We need to do homework… Well I need to and you need to help me."

Alice nodded and we started on our pretend homework till we were both 100% sure the boys were gone. "I can tell it was not nothing." I say poking her forehead playfully.

"I am fine really Nicole, it was just unexpected and worst of all, I liked it." Alice sighs. "I got so angry at him I started crying."

I nod. "I get that Alice, I'm sorry I don't know what to say to make you feel better."

"I'm fine, I am over it now, JUST REALLY PISSED OFF." Alice hisses loudly, venom practically dripping from every syllable.

I smile. "That's the Alice I know and love." We start laughing and start on our ACTUAL homework . . .

ALICE P.O.V

16 September 2034, Project Z, Early Saturday Morning.

I stare up at the roof, anger boiling inside me. 'I am gonna Kill him.' I hissed silently as I got out of bed dragging on some baggy sweat pants and an extra loose T-shirt, pulling on socks and running shoes.

I glance quickly at Nicole's sleeping figure before heading out the room, down the stairs and out the front door, blasting music in my ears. I start running, as fast as I can. Trying to run away from everything that happened.

After about 3 laps I stop hunched over and huffing. 'Aren't we supposed to be amazing and strong? Yet we have so little stamina, well not really, but I did not want to stop yet...'

A hand on my shoulder made me jump.

"Jayden?" I glare at him.

"Geez if looks could kill." Jayden joked, lifting his hands defensively.

I smile at him. 'Say thank you to him for sorting out Alaric...' I glare at my mental self. "Thank you."

"What for little lady?" Jayden stared at me confused.

"Taking on Alaric." I bow my head slightly.

Jayden smiles a million-dollar smile, which completely weakened my knees, and doing a gallant bow. I start laughing. "Silly Knights aren't allowed in the kingdom." I tease.

"Nope, we don't belong in the kingdom, but I do belong in your kingdom." Jayden winks.

"Only if you can keep up." I laugh as I start running again.

"H-hey!! No fair!!" Jayden shouts from behind trying to catch up.

I laugh as my legs carry me faster and faster by the second. 'Godda love the Zelba Gene.' I grinned.

"Slow poke!" Jayden teased as he passed me.

"What!? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!" I hissed as I pushed myself harder trying to keep up with Jayden.

Jayden slowed to my pace. "First one back at the house wins." I nod, and we start racing back...

20 minutes later.

I hiss at Jayden. "Soooooo, what does the winner get?"

"A date?"

"With who exactly?" I feel a tinge of excitement. 'Please say it's me... No, don't say it's me!... Indecisive brat!... Shut up...'

"Earth to Alice!" Jayden waved his hand in front of me.

"Hmm?" I stare at him confused.

"Would you please go on a date with me M'lady?" Jayden did his gallant bow again making me giggle.

"Fine, Fine… ONE date." I curtsied back smiling brightly.

Jayden laughs and heads into the house with me following just behind him. "Hungry?" I whisper as softly as I can, trying my best not to wake up anyone who might still be asleep.

"Starved." We laugh as he and his stomach make the exact same statement simultaneously.

"Pancakes ok?" Jayden nods and I set to work, grabbing the ingredients and start mixing and stirring and finally cooking.

A while later the pancakes are finished. I dish some for Jayden and myself making sure there are lots to spare for when the others finally awaken from their tombs. I hand him His plate and flop onto the couch with my own plate. We chatter as we eat joined seconds later by a starved Leo.

"Morning Leo." I chirp. "Pancakes?" Leo nods and dishes some for him. His messy hair made him look like a cute oversized lion. I smile and finish the last piece of my pancake.

"Morning you two." Leo rasped sleepily, nodding to us.

I find myself completely distracted by his naked torso. 'Geez why the hell were we thrown in with 3 super attractive males.' Distracting myself I get up and grab Jayden and my plates.

"That was delicious, thank you M'lady." Jayden smiled. "Sorry Leo, but I am going to get in the shower now." Jayden got up and left for the bathroom.

Leo nodded and brought me his empty plate as I started with the dishes. "Need help? I hate washing up, but drying dishes I don't mind." Leo gave me his 5-star smile as he grabbed a dish cloth.

"Sure thing Leo, I'd love the company." I continued with the dishes humming softly.

"Beautiful voice Alice." Alaric's voice slithered through the Kitchen.

"Pancakes are in the silver thing there." I ignore his statement.

"Thanks." He said as he grabbed some for himself.

Leo stared him down with glaring eyes and expanding chest. I hid my smile while secretly enjoying this man's intimidation. I am extremely happy he is always close to keep his twin in place. I continue to hum, while continuing to wash the dishes, denying Alaric's continuous offers to do it instead. Eventually, the dishes have all been washed and dried.

"Brat." Alaric spat irritably.

"How is denying help being bratty exactly?" I ask giving Alaric my most innocent smile manageable.

Alaric's glare could've killed me, or at least that is what I thought. I flip my hair with as much attitude as I can master, just like Nicole told me. Leo stared, at the ready to drag his twin away if things got out of hand again.

"What's all the noise for?" Nicole yawned next to me. 'HOW THE HELL CAN SHE APPEAR AND DISAPPEAR WITH NO ONE NOTICING HER!!??' Trying my best not to jump at her sudden appearance I hand her the last few pancakes.

"Here, your favorite." I pat her head.

"Thank you!!" Her eyes light up as she squeals and practically jumps the poor. defenseless, unknowing plate.

"Be careful! And don't eat the plate!" I yell after her, but to no avail.

"Geez, is she always so 'childlike'?" Alaric asked through a yawn.

"Only when there are pancakes involved ..." I chuckle.

Leo pats my head. "You can go now we'll take care of her plate I promise."

I smile brightly. "Thank you! I really wanna go shower."

"I'll join." Alaric chipped in making me throw a dish cloth at him.

"No fucking way in hell!! NOT EVEN IF YOU WERE THE LAST SURVIVING MALE BEING ON THIS FORSAKEN PLANET." The twins started bubbling in laughter making me smile. "Anyway, see you guys in a bit." I jog up the stairs and into our room grabbing my clothes and heading straight for the shower.

30 minutes later.

I huff as I fall, fully clothed and sparkling clean, onto the bed. "So lazy." I whine to no one in particular. I close my eyes humming a soft tune and revising what had happened in the last few hours. I went for a jog… Jayden almost gave me a heart attack … I thanked him… We raced… I lost by like 5 millimeters… He asked me on a date… I said yes...

I freeze "SHIT I SAID YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I scream into the nearest pillow. ′ What the hell is wrong with me!? Nothing … I have only known him for what? 3 days? … It's just as friends calm down …′ Nicole's voice from beside my bed dragged me back to reality.

"I heard screaming! Are you ok? Do I need to karate chop someone's ass to kingdom come?" Nicole babbled.

"Calm down, calm down, no one's ass needs chopping, and since when do you even know how to karate chop someone's ass, you can barely lift one leg without landing on YOUR ass." I stare at her slowly reddening face.

Nicole silently grabbed her clothes and headed to the bathroom hiding her face behind her bedridden hair. "Remember to wash and comb your hair!" I call after her.

"Yes mom!" She calls back making us both snicker.

I get up very sluggishly and drag myself out of my room and back down stairs. Leo and Alaric were sitting on the couch watching T.V. Jayden was sitting on the opposite couch reading. All 3 male heads turned to me as I walked in sitting on the free single couch.

"Feeling better?" Jayden flashed his million-dollar smile.

"Showers are amazing for miraculous healing." I joked.

We all shared a laugh. "So, what are today's plans?" Leo asked, pulling his long legs onto the couch and crossing them.

"Sleep." I muttered yawning.

"Reading." Jayden waved the book around.

"Not being anywhere near home." Alaric announced.

Leonardo smiled. "I was thinking of asking Alice to teach me how to cook."

I stare at him wide-eyed trying my absolute best to keep my eyes in their perspective sockets.

"Will you?" Leo asked, smiling.

"Sure, I don't mind one bit. Just tell me when and what." I smile trying to hide the disappointment. 'Well now… There goes sleep'

Nicole emerged from the stairway. "I am going out guys see you when I get home."

"DON'T STAY OUT TOO LATE!!" Me, Leo and Jayden said in unison sending the whole room in roll after roll of laughing fits.

Nicole waved at us and headed out the door, with Alaric leaving seconds after. "Well now." I huffed. "I am going to try and catch up on my Z's boys. Leonardo? When do you wanna start the lesson and what do you wanna learn?"

Leo tinged red. "When you awaken."

"And the meal?" I pushed when he ignored it.

Leo took a deep breath, and whispered. "Scrambled eggs."

I stifle a laugh. "Haven't you been making that for years now?" Jayden asked, surprised.

Leo turned a shade of red I had never seen before. "Store bought."

Jayden stayed quiet for a bit. "That explains it." He uttered eventually.

"Explains what?" Curiosity finding its way past my tongue.

"Why Leo's food always tastes like shit." Jayden said absentmindedly as he continued reading.

Leo huffed annoyed, which made me chuckle. I bid my farewells and headed back to bed. I grabbed my book and continued reading, eventually drifting off into a deep slumber.

2 Hours Later

A loud thump filled the interior of our room. I yelped in pain as I hit the ground. "What the fuck?" I uttered in confusion rubbing my bruised behind. A gentle, but sturdy knock echoed from the door.

"Alice? Everything ok? We heard a loud thump." Leo's soothing voice drifted to my ears from behind the door.

"I am fine, sorry for startling you. I think ..." I hesitate, but embarrassedly continues. "I think I fell out of bed while I was asleep."

"Can I come in?" The concern in his voice was palpable.

"Sure." I replied slowly getting up from the floor.

Leo peeked into the room cautiously. "There you are. You sure you're ok?" Leo glanced up and down at me as if he was checking for any visible sign of injury.

"I promise I am 100% fine." I smile as brightly as I can manage. "Want to start your lesson now?"

"Yes, Please!!" Leo exclaimed with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement.

I smile again and head towards him. "Then let's go!" I enthuse giggling.

We march playfully down the stairs to the kitchen. "Leo, grab two eggs, one fork, milk ..." The list goes on and on. Leo dutifully keeps bringing every ingredient.

"First you have to crack the eggs into a bowl, making sure when you put the eggs in, every unwanted part is removed, such as an actual chick, eggs shell and millions more." I explained slowly and took him through practical with my own egg and then giving him his egg.

"Do you get it so far?" Leo nodded and copied me to a T.

I smile as we move on to stage 2. Once he finished his observation and practical, and once he understood stage 2, we did stage 3 and so on and so forth.

Leo puffed out his chest proudly when he produced a plate of scrambled eggs that actually tastes good. Unlike the first 6 attempts.

"Well done Leo! This really tastes amazing!" I praised.

Leo blushed slightly. "It's all thanks to your brilliant teaching." He thanked and bowed slightly.

We shared a laugh before starting the cleaning. "Where'd Jayden go?" I asked when I could not see him anywhere.

"Outside … Reading." Leo said as he stuck to his drying duty.

I nodded and made a special mental note to take him some juice later. Leo and I chatted for almost 3 hours, well actually it was like 3 minutes, but never stop a creative mind while in exaggeration mode.

"So, do you like animals?" Leo asked.

"Yes, I love animals, all kinds of them, someday I want to have my own animal farm, filled with every type of animal I could possibly own." I smile, lost in my own little fantasy land.

"Same, I wish I could have a farm just like that as well. A place for the wild ones, and the domestic ones and then one for my pets, just because." Leo nodded.

"Hey!! We should make one huge farm together, filled with animals, especially homeless animals." I dreamed enthusiastically.

Leo and I laughed. "It's a deal we will call it "The Rescue Animals.""

I hissed slightly. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! FLOOFY FLOOF-KINS"

Leo shattered in laughter. "Floofy Floof-Kins it is then."

I smiled brightly. Maybe, just maybe it won't be nearly as bad as I first thought...