Ariana wasn't asleep.
She had been lulled awake by the sounds of the busy street outside, of the bustling crowds and the scent of coffee that now wafted from outside her door and enticed her to come to the kitchen. She lay awake at least five minutes before Amber and Lacie began their scream fest, grazing her smooth forehead and warm belly with gentle hands. Her eyes were trained on the ceiling and her heart beating rapidly from the nightmare she experienced only an hour prior.
It was always the same nightmare. She would be asleep. She would be in some imaginary world where love was real and there was no such thing as heartbreak. And then there would be pain, a sharp pain that would snatch her from her world of bliss. Try as she might to ignore it, it suffocated her - consumed her. Then there was blood and it took her so long to realize that the shrill sound that left her ears ringing were own screams. That was how Aria truly woke up in the mornings and at least this time, she didn't actually wake up screaming.
After a few minutes, she kicked the blanket and sheet off her body, revealing the oversized jersey she wore and the black shorts from her cheerleading days. Running a hand through bed-messed hair, she slipped into the slippers she pulled out yesterday and headed out herbedroom door. She heard little Amber talking to one of the guys and ignored the pang in heart, painting on a sleepy smile when she entered the kitchen.
"Morning, guys," she exclaimed, voice still slightly raspy from sleep. Hazel eyes met doe-brown and Aria smiled at the exuberance in Amber's eyes.
"AUNTIE AWIIIIIII!!!" Amber couldn't pronounce her Rs that well, but her exclamation of excitement at Aria's presence only had her smile widening. Aria hoisted the child up into the air, pressing her thumbs into the child's belly which led to fits of giggles to the ticklish toddler.
"Good morning, love. Thanks for the wake up. I really appreciated it." Over Amber's head, Aria tossed Lacie a playful yet menancing glare. Retribution would come. "But now, Auntie needs coffee." She grinned at her friends good-naturedly, a dimple appearing on her right cheek.