Invisible Strings

Chapter 13: Hidden Places

Isadora woke first. The light was pale and gentle, spilling through the curtains in quiet ribbons that swayed across the wooden floor. For a moment, she didn't move, just lied still, listening to the steady rhythm of Hannah's breathing beside her.

It took her a second to realize that Hannah's head had somehow found its way to her shoulder during the night. Her blonde hair was a tangle of soft curls against Isadora's arm, the faint scent of her shampoo, something floral and faintly citrus, mixing with the morning air.

When Isadora shifted slightly, Hannah groaned. A small, muffled sound. Then she buried her face deeper into the pillow.

Isadora smiled, amused. "Good morning to you too," she murmured.

A quiet grumble was all she got in response.

"Come on," Isadora teased gently. "It's not even that early."

"Mmm," came Hannah's voice, soft and groggy. "Too bright."

Isadora turned onto her side, propping her head on her hand to look at her. "You know, for someone who's supposedly an early riser, you're putting on quite the show."

Hannah peeked up at her through one squinted eye. "You talk too much in the morning."

Isadora chuckled quietly, brushing a bit of hair from Hannah's face. "Maybe. But only because someone looks too cute when they're half-asleep."

That earned her a small, sleepy laugh from Hannah before she turned her face back into the pillow again. Though Isadora caught the faint smile, she tried to hide.

"Fine," Isadora said, dramatic and fond. "I'll make breakfast. But if you don't get up, I'm eating all the pancakes myself."

There was a beat of silence, and then Hannah's muffled voice, "You wouldn't."

"Try me."

Hannah sighed, still not moving. "...Maybe I'll just have coffee."

Isadora laughed quietly to herself as she slipped out of bed, the floorboards creaking softly under her feet.

Isadora chuckled to herself as she glanced over her shoulder at Hannah, who was still bundled in the blanket like she was trying to merge with it. "Alright, sleeping beauty," she said, walking over and tugging gently at the edge of the blanket. "Up you get. You can't supervise breakfast from bed."

Hannah groaned but finally sat up, rubbing her eyes. "You're really making pancakes?"

"Of course," Isadora said, smiling. "What kind of hostess would I be if I didn't?"

Hannah smiled faintly, her voice still soft from sleep. "A normal one?"

Isadora laughed and held out her hand. "Come on."

Hannah hesitated for only a moment before taking it, and Isadora pulled her gently to her feet. The movement brought them close, closer than either expected. For a heartbeat, neither said anything. Walking over to the counter and stove, which were covered by the morning light. Then Isadora, her tone light but her touch careful, slid her hands to Hannah's waist.

"Up," she murmured, lifting her effortlessly onto the counter.

Hannah blinked, startled but smiling. "You could've just asked."

"Where's the fun in that?" Isadora teased, stepping back with a grin as she turned to the stove. "Now, you get to sit there looking pretty while I do all the work."

Hannah tugged the blanket a little tighter around herself, trying to hide the faint blush on her cheeks. "That doesn't sound very fair."

"Oh, it's perfectly fair," Isadora said, pulling out a mixing bowl. "You're the moral support. I'm the muscle."