THEIR ROOM WAS MORE luminous than the last time I'd seen it, except that this time, no girls were flocking all over them in the bed. There were just the four of us here, and they made me sit on the small yet sophisticated table on the other side. Teas and cups were already prepared.

The three of them sat on anywhere near their direction, though I noticed they were too tall to fit in every chair they sat on.

We remained in an awkward silence, though I doubt that they enjoyed every bit of it. My lips turned into thin lines, and I patiently waited for them to start making their teas so I could make mine.

After a couple more minutes, Enrique broke the silence. "We are interested and baffled by the reason you gave us a moment ago. What did you mean about Mr. Gibson and the thing about being on-watch?"

I gently put my hands on my mouth while clearing my throat, slipping my blonde hair behind my ears. "I'm afraid the question was too private for my liking."

Calvin seemed to be widely entertained by the choice of my words, and he took my cup, making the tea for me.

"You're quite a clever little lamb, are you not?" he fussed, his red velvet eyes fluttering in fascination.

"I admit that my knowledge, which might be considered wisdom, was owed to Sister Diana for her enlightenment during my youth. But the privacy was something that even the not-so-brightest bulb will be fully aware of,"

Darius was the one who shifted on his chair and ran his fingers through his hair. His demeanor was completely lent to me, observing every detail of my features.

"Here's your tea, our beautiful lamb," Calvin spoke calmly, lending me the cup.

I bid my words of gratitude, and I began sipping the contents. The three of them made their own tea, and I curiously glanced as they put some strange precipitate on their drinks; it turned their red eyes into a satisfied darker shade.

"What's the powder on your drink?" The words tumbled on my tongue before I could prevent it.

"It's our guilty pleasure; everyone has their own," Enrique answered.

I never bothered asking the same question again. I held the porcelain cup in my hands with grace and ease. I thought the student's behavior here was the strangest thing I have yet to decipher.

There's an obdurate silence again before Calvin's eyes twinkled with amusement, "What a lovely night and lovely guest we have here." He bemused, pretending to be a warm host. His hands dipped the tea pouch sensually as he beheld at me.

"I have a question," I hastily cut in, ignoring Calvin's quip.

"You can ask us anything," Darius assured.

"Why doesn't anyone visit the Music room? I mean, why don't we have a music class?"

"For the first question, nobody visits the music room because it's boring. There are only a few here who have taken a liking to music. The second one is because if we have a music class, we might as well have to sing pious songs since London had fully devoted herself to the almighty," Calvin nonchalantly spoke; his words seemed to be displeased by the thought.

"What's so bad about the idea?" I asked.

"How about you be a good little lamb and tell us why Mr. Gibson set you on watch?" Enrique queried, changing the topic expeditiously.

My insides cringe from the tension, "I may not as well trust the three of you, honestly. I have some things going on that are meant to be kept." I said curtly, mixing the content of my tea with a small spoon.

"Is it because of our youngest brother?" Darius suddenly enquired.

I froze on my spot, and Calvin and Enrique smirked.

"Fine, Alda had spoken to the head of the student discipline. She told him that I was staying in Dominic's place, so he grounded me in my room until the headmaster decided."

The three of them seem to bemused by my sudden confession-though their faces appear to be aware of my state, they find it more appealing to set me on edge.

"We knew it, all of it. The first time we smell Dominic's scent's fragrance to yours, he really is serious about caging you on his possessive territory. Typical." Enrique spoke to no one in particular.

"What made you hate him so much?" I ask.

Calvin straightens himself up, looking abruptly stiff from his trifling chair. "It's not him we hated; blood is thicker than water. But hatred withstands them all. We despise his control; he always gets what he wants. It made our brothers and even us gravely jealous."

I've sensed the building conflict in the air and softly drink my bittersweet tea, waiting for the three of them to change the topic.

Darius played with his spoon and spoke curtly when he grew bored, "The performance was three days apart. Are you already excited about it, lamb?"

My chest heaved, and I winced at the word 'performance.' It's the small word that brings my worst nightmare.

"I'm not quite sure about my enthusiasm about it. But I was assured that I did my best in practice," My voice turned sorrowful and pained; even I could hear it.

Calvin stood up from his chair followed by his two other fraternal brothers, cornering me in a small circle. I looked up, and Calvin softly held the side of my ears while he stood behind me, whispering too close, "I'm sure that you can make it. It will be our pleasure after all if you join our social class," he said, about the popular group.

"I don't want to leave my friends..." I spoke honestly; I even prefer to be as low as possible.

Enrique muttered his low and deep voice in my left ear, "But we wanted you so badly, you might as well re-consider the idea."

"After the play...your peers will finally notice your presence. You will be the most desired in this school, after all, you're the most beautiful woman we've ever seen standing here in this place...and the only pure and sweet in nature," Darius enchanted.

Their uttering voices sound like a temptation in the air. But I made my blue eyes downcast, and the offer didn't even ignite my inner desires.

When I returned to my place, the coldness welcomed me again, and the shivers started to crawl against my skin. Midnight tea with the triplets was perplexing my state more than it should be. But I shouldn't have to let it invade my sanity alone.

I closed the door behind me softly and let the things sprawl out as it is, directly walking towards my bed.

It's already 2am; I should be asleep right now. I fixed my bed in the slightest to awaken my slumber side, tucking myself in while the clock ticking echoed eloquently in the air. I looked up at the ceiling while the soft blanket covered my whole body and the pillows were as soft as clouds, yet not enough to make me fall asleep.

I continue to gaze at my ceiling, uncomfortable yet tired.

...Till I heard some scratches coming from my closet.

A low and incoherent whisper of a feminine voice was vibrating to the silent air and I put the blankets on top of me, disregarding everything and blaming it for my lack of sleep.