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Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Night has fallen. She couldn’t sleep. She can’t sleep. She has to stay awake so that she would greet them when they came back. They’ll be back soon. They said so to her. That’s why she’ll wait. She knows how sad it is when your home but there’s no one to greet you there. That’s why she’ll wait. So that they won’t be sad. So, they won’t feel lonely. Even if she must wait for hours for their return.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
It is now the dead of night and she’s still awake. They’re not home yet so she can’t sleep. It’s scary here, waiting at the living room –The house is too big; it’s scary. The ticking sounds from the grandfather clock keeps her at the edge of her toes. Even so, she won’t run to her room –It was the same as the house, too big for her liking, too big to feel safe. She must wait until their return. Then, she can sleep. Then, she can rest. Then she can hope they’ll be there the next day.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
She jolts from her sleep. Oh no! She slept! She couldn’t sleep. Not until their return. Oh no, oh no. Now they’ll be sad since she fell asleep and didn’t greeted them. She hurriedly rushes to the doorstep only to find nothing that shows someone arrival. She blinked. They’re not back yet?
She turns, squinting her eyes to get a clear look at the clock’s hand and frown. It’s about 6 in the morning but they’re not back yet. Did something happen to them?! Is that why they haven’t return yet?! She thought in horror but stop herself by giving a good slap on the cheeks. Get a hold of yourself, Aria. You need to trust them more. They’re the best of the best. They won’t get hurt. I’m sure there’s a good explanation to all of this. She went back to the living room with steel resolve though can’t help herself from worrying for those two.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Clack. Creeeak.
A bright smile stretches across her face, the raven rush towards the door. “Ah, welcome back, Will-” She blinked. Oh. It’s not them. It’s their teacher. “Miss Cabrera, welcome back.” She politely greeted, masking her disappointment. “It’s unusual for you to be here with your busy schedule. Is there something you need? Or maybe you finally have time to train us?” Her brown eyes sparkle with excitement.
It’s true, Miss Cabrera might be their teacher but she’s also super busy with lots of stuff. That’s why she rarely stays with them despite she had to like the rest of the teachers. Sometimes she would visit to check on them or need assistant with something (usually from them, not her). She really hopes Miss Cabrera would finally have time for them (her). It’s a bit boring (lonely) with nothing to do.
“No, I still have duties to finish.” The older woman answered curtly, her eyes flickered around the room. Looking for something –someone.
“Oh.” The only word she could utter without showing her disappointment. She knows fully well what’s she’s looking for. It won’t hurt to hope she’s wrong right?
Of couRse, yoU cAn’t. Of coUrse, iT huRts. “Can you tell me where’s William and Arthur? I need their assistance with something.” Her eyes finally focus on her. Or is sHe?
“Um, sorry Miss Cabrera. I’m not sure where they are. I don’t think they have arrived yet.” The raven answered with a wry smile. You coUld dO beTter tHan thAt.
She raised a brow, “They haven’t arrived yet?” She repeated the raven’s words. “I think you got it wrong. They have long arrived, Aria.”
That brought shock to her. They have? But-But “They’re not here!”
“Where are they then?”
“I-I don’t know…” It really confused her. They said they’ll be back soon and Miss Cabrera they have! But they’re not here… “Um, I could find them now! I’m sure they’re not far! I could-”
“That’ll be fine, Aria.”
The raven looks up from her rambling. “Huh?”
“I could find them myself.” The teacher turned, excusing herself. However, stopped before stepping out the door. “Aria, you are the leader of the group.” She spoke a fact. “You need to know the location your teammates at all times. Remember that. I want a full-report on this by tomorrow.” Out she goes in search for the two Princes.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Aria was confused, like she was having an out-soul experience. They say they’ll be back soon. But Miss Cabrera said they have but how come they’re not here? They said-
Oh. Oh. Now she gets it. They said they’ll be back, but they never said they’ll be back here. Here and here are two different things. She only mixes them up. They are back just not here. They didn’t lie. They didn’t break their promise. (But since when did they promise?)
Silly hEr. Silly heR. How Oh so foolisH of her to miX thinGs uP. She looks up to the grandfather clock. It was near noon. Teatime is getting near. She needs to get it ready quick. Maybe they’ll be back for tea. She can’t let them be disappointed there’s no tea at Teatime.
She hurried to the kitchen, hoping they’ll back soon. Just like every time of the day. She’ll wait. Until they returned. She should do the report as she waits too. Maybe when she finishes then they’ll be back. She could only hope.