Rude Awakening

That bed is shit.

Dinner was odd, lively, but not much of substance was said, just how the flight was, how fluent is our English, things like that. Shame really, this side of our family seems pretty fascinating. It's a thing of mine, people tend to be pretty boring really, I like to learn the fun bits and, if they're good looking, the really fun bits... After that it's no fun anymore... It sounds cold, but it's why I avoid relationships, no point in building up a girl's expectations just to let her down.

I'm getting introspective, this is what happens when I have to wait for so long for a shower. Turns out, sharing a house with five women means you get to go to the back of the line. Finally, Marie exits, leaving me a chance to get in the bathroom... After admiring her in a towel. Hey, it's 2042, the world's a bit more accepting. That said, given we're freaks of nature, does it even count? Questions for later.

I have to rush through my shower, which is a shame, I usually like to enjoy a shower after exercise. I managed to get a bit of a work-out in this morning, just some basics, not like there's a gym here, but enough to work up a sweat. After getting clean, I return to my room and find a new uniform laid out on the bed, along with a note.

'You're gonna look so handsome in this! -Pop'

Sometimes Poppy reminds me of a kid, sometimes of an old woman, very rarely her actual age though... Maybe it's a youngest triplet thing, maybe that's why she's such a Rouge fan... More questions for later. I pull some boxers and socks out of my drawer, putting them on followed by my uniform. Eh, I can pull this off. Black trousers and blazer, with matching tie on a white shirt? Makes me look like I'm wearing a sharp suit, whoever designed this has some style.

I run some product through my hair to give it some life and apply some foundation and eye-liner. Yeah, I wear make-up, I don't get guys that don't, men are pretty hideous by default, why would we handicap ourselves further? Finishing it up, I take a look in the mirror. The girls aren't gonna know what hit them.

I grab my empty school bag and stuff my wallet and phone in my pockets before exiting the room and heading downstairs to find... No one. I get in the shower last and finish getting ready first? Now I'm worried that I haven't put enough effort in. Fuck it. I head into the kitchen and rifle through the cupboards looking for something for breakfast. There's bread... Toast? I can't think of anything less appetising.

"We only got here last night, there hasn't been a lot of time for shopping." Marie's deadpan voice informs me. "They do breakfasts at the school, Mum gave me enough funds to get us all something."

I turn to face the sudden arrival. "By the time they're done it'll be time for dinner." I scoff, hunger overriding my sibling loyalty.

"Deal with it." Is the only response my cousin offers. Did I do something wrong or something?

"Are you always this standoffish?" I ask bluntly, I refuse to be treated like shit just because we're **** to live together.

"Do you always stare at girls' arses when they walk away?" She counters. Fuck, thought I was more subtle than that.

"In France, that's basically a standard greeting." I reply, and just for a second I think the corner of her mouth moves, at least I'm making some progress.

"In Britain, it means you're not getting breakfast." She growls, but is cut off before she can follow up with the killing blow.

"Breakfast!?" Poppy's voice chimes as she enters, followed closely by Rosie. The girls' uniform is pretty similar to mine, but trading the trousers for a skirt. "I could absolutely go for some breakfast."

Marie, undaunted by her failed verbal ****, waves for us to follow her as she exits the room, then the house. We follow her down the street and around the corner to the front gate of the school... Damn, that's convenient, I can see why people would like going here.

The school seems pretty empty, I guess we are a little early, at least the canteen is staffed. Despite her threat, Marie has no qualms when I get a plate, or when I receive a full English, that's interesting, I guess she gets more angry the happier she is... Reminds me of Rosie.

We take a seat and begin eating while casual conversation commences.

"So, how many people have you guys fucked?" Marie asks, causing me to **** on a piece of bacon.

Did I say casual conversation? I meant deeply personal and invasive conversation. "You're not one for etiquette, huh?" I manage to get out between coughs.

"Etiquette sucks. It's more fun to just talk openly." Marie spits back at me. I mean, I agree, but still, tact has its place.

"None." Poppy admits. Not exactly a surprise, she's basically terrified of boys and she's never expressed interest in girls. She's always seemed too pure for that kind of stuff.

"Poppy, you don't have to answer." Rosie cuts in, her tone as angry as usual. "It's none of her business."

"So you haven't either then." Marie surmises, that one does surprise me. Don't get me wrong, both my sisters are beautiful girls, but Rosie in particular was always the one the guys fawned over. Guess boys always want what they can't have. "You gonna complete the trifecta?" She asks me.

"Sorry to disappoint, I don't kiss and tell." I repeat. The actual answer is one, Toni, but I don't want to give Marie more ammunition. "Why don't you tell us your number?"

"Zero. I was just curious." She answers immediately. What? I thought from her tone she was looking to flout her experience... Was this a genuine attempt to get to know us better? "That was fun. We should do this again sometime." She decides, returning to her food.

Is everyone in our family a complete weirdo? I sure hope so.