Cabin Fever

11

I wake up in bed by myself, I don't really remember much from last night. I sit up, surprisingly without a headache but my stomach is screaming at me to feed it. I slowly get up, noticing I'm in different clothes. I check the time on my phone which is charging on the nightstand.

It's only 5 am. I can't even go back to sleep, so I just wander down the stairs. I can tell that I'm in Billie's house and I sigh. I go to open the fridge and am surprised that there's actually food in here. Enough to feed everyone actually, so I get started on making breakfast.

I decide to make waffles and pancakes with bacon, toast, eggs, and potatoes. I know I don't have to make all this food but it'll keep my mind occupied and that's exactly what I need. I get started on the pancakes and waffles, while some are cooking I look for pans.

I find a big baking pan with a wire rack and start the oven. I set it on a low temperature and as I finish each pancake or waffle I put them in so they stay warm. After that I start on the potatoes since it'll take a bit. While they're cooking I start cleaning up the rest of the house.

Taking down the inside decorations and wiping up spills. I get a big trash bag and just wipe all the empty cups and dirty napkins into it. I don't want to leave the potatoes on so I check them and they're almost done. I start on the bacon while it finishes and once the potatoes are done I start on the eggs with the bacon grease that I've poured off.

I put the bacon onto the pan in the oven as well and put the pan of eggs on the second rack in the oven. I don't really like eggs so instead I grab two pancakes and some bacon. I make myself some toast and slather jelly on it before digging in.

I finish that pretty fast and I wash my plate before heading outside to finish cleaning. No one is up yet so I'm undisturbed and left with my thoughts for now. Which isn't bad because I need time to think before talking to people. It actually isn't as messy as I would've assumed so it doesn't take me long to finish.

Once I'm done I tie the bag up and leave it by the porch. I decide to do Delia's yard too considering it's only 6:30am. It's about 7 when I finish her yard and I tie the bag sitting it next to the other. I head into the house and through the kitchen to wash my hands and start coffee, waiting to start the kettle for tea.

I hear footsteps coming down and peek my head around to see Lana coming downstairs. Directly behind her is Mina and then Audrey. Billie is slowly dragging her feet making me giggle to myself. They still haven't seen me yet so I just stay quiet and watch them.

"What's that smell?" Audrey asks sniffing loudly, "probably Delia making breakfast. How the fuck is she such a goody two shoes after a night like that?" Billie grumbles. "Please. For the love of god, stop talking" Lana says. I see Mina try to hide her big smile as she listens to them bicker.

"You know what... that's coffee" Mina says and everyone gets a bit more pep to their step. I watch as they enter the kitchen and practically fight over mugs to get coffee. I pulled the sugar and creamer down so they could just make everything right there.

Mina is the first to turn around and see me, she smiles and I put my finger to my lips. She nods in understanding, her face becoming neutral so she doesn't laugh. Audrey turns around next and blows the cover before I can stop her. "AGHHHG HOLY SHIT" she screams and they all look at her and then the direction she's facing.

They see me and all start laughing as I'm just leaning against the wall watching them. "Relax, drama queen. It's just Alicia" Lana says putting her hand on her head while sipping her black coffee. "Oh ok JUST Alicia but had you turned around and saw her watching you unannounced you're telling me you wouldn't be scared?!" She exclaimed in annoyance.