Suddenly, I Am Rich

It was the best night that Gray had had. Early in the morning, Gray blinked awake. The soft morning light slips through his slightly opened curtains, blinding his vision a little.

For a moment, he didn’t move. He just lay there, staring at the ceiling, feeling oddly light. His body should’ve been tired after everything last night, but instead, he felt strangely refreshed.

It was as if even if he was tired, he felt so energetic.

Beside him, Selina was still asleep. Her breathing was hollow and deep, and her hair was slightly messy from sleep. One of her hands was in his stomach, hugging him to sleep. She looked peaceful and completely at ease.

Gray turned his head slightly, unable to stop the small smile that was slowly showing on his lips.

’Last night was... something else,’ he thought.

But before he could even let that thought sink in to his mind, the sound of loud banging suddenly erupted from his bedroom door.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

”Brother! Sister Selina! Are you awake now?! Hello?!”

Gray nearly jumped out of bed when he heard Lily’s voice. Selina was also startled beside him. Her eyes snapped open as she let out a small gasp.

”W-what’s happening?” she mumbled, still half asleep.

”Oh no...” Gray groaned under his breath, already recognizing her tone.

BANG! BANG!

”Brother?!” Lily’s voice came again, louder this time. ”You’re so mean, brother... You left me all alone in my room!”

Gray and Selina froze for a split second. It was just long enough for them to exchange a look of mild panic.

”Please tell me the door’s locked,” Selina whispered quickly, sitting up.

”It is,” Gray replied, scrambling out of bed. ”But she sounds like she’s seconds away from breaking it down.”

Selina covered her mouth, trying not to laugh as she straightened the blanket on her body. She quickly brushed her hair back, knowing it was a mess. Fortunately, they took their own time yesterday to dress up before sleeping or else...

”I’ll get it,” Gray hurried to go to the door. He rubbed his face once before unlocking it.

As soon as he opened it, he saw Lily standing in front with her arms crossed. She puffed her cheeks out like an angry little kitten. She was still wearing her princess pajamas from last night, her hair slightly messy, but her expression was full of fire.

”Brother! You’re so mean!” she exclaimed out loud in a sulking tone. ”You left me all alone in the room! I thought we were all having a sleepover! Why is it only you and Sister Selina here?”

”Uh... good morning to you, too?” Gray blinked, completely caught off guard.

”Don’t ’good morning’ me!” Lily huffed again before stomping her foot lightly. ”You two forgot about me!”

Behind Gray, Selina was already trying to contain her laughter. She got up from the bed, smoothing her hair and walking toward them with an apologetic smile.

”Oh no, Lily, of course we didn’t forget you,” she said sweetly, kneeling slightly to meet Lily’s eyes. She knew it was only she who could appease her anger.

”You fell asleep first, remember?”

”...I did?” Lily blinked, her frown softening just a little as she thought about it.

Selina nodded, smiling warmly. ”You were so adorable. You didn’t even make it halfway through the last movie that we were watching. We didn’t want to wake you up because you looked so peaceful and pretty in your sleep.”

”Really?” Lily’s pout started to fade, replaced by a shy grin because of all the compliments she was receiving.

”Really,” Selina repeated, her tone playful now. ”You were sleeping like the cutest little angel I’ve ever seen.”

Lily’s eyes sparkled instantly. The sulking in her expression was now completely gone. ”I am an angel!” she said proudly, puffing out her chest.

”Of course you are.” Selina giggled softly.

Gray leaned against the doorframe, shaking his head in quiet relief. ’Crisis averted,’ he thought.

But Lily wasn’t done yet. She looked between the two of them, eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion.

”Still... you two look suspicious!”

”S-Suspicious?” Gray blinked.

”Uh-oh,” Selina whispered too.

Lily pointed at the bed dramatically. ”You were both sleeping there! Together!”

”Hey, hey—it’s not what it looks like.” Gray held his hands up immediately, trying to think of words to explain.

”Then what is it, huh?” Lily squinted at him.

Gray opened his mouth, but Selina beat him to it. She smiled calmly, tilting her head slightly.

”We were just keeping each other company, Lily. You know how tiring it was last night. Just like you, we must’ve just fallen asleep while talking.”

Lily looked unconvinced for a second... before suddenly nodding.

”Oh! Okay!”

he answered as if thinking of it made her realize that maybe their words were really possible. After all, she really did sleep accidentally yesterday.

”That was easier than I thought.” Gray exhaled quietly.

Lily just sighed before staring at her brother. She gave him a pointed look.

”Next time, you should wake me up, brother! I don’t want to miss out on the fun!”

”...Yes, Lily.” Gray put on a smile on his face as he nodded.

Lily puffed her cheeks again, still unconvinced by Gray’s easy answer.

”No, that’s not enough!” she said stubbornly. ”You have to promise me, Brother! You won’t start the sleepover without me again!”

Gray blinked, scratching the back of his neck. ”A promise, huh?”

”Yes! Promise me!” Lily insisted, holding her little pinky out in front of him like it was a sacred oath.

Gray couldn’t help but smile at her serious expression. ”Alright, alright. I promise, Lily. Next time, I’ll make sure we all stay together, okay?”

Lily tilted her head, still not satisfied. ”Hmm...” Then she turned to Selina and grabbed her hand, too. ”You have to promise too, Sister Selina! So both of you can’t break it!”

Selina laughed softly, ”Okay, I promise too,” she said, curling her pinky around Lily’s. ”Next time, we’ll all stay up together, no matter what.”

Lily’s pout finally faded into a big grin. ”Good! Then it’s a deal!”

Gray looked at her before shaking his head in amusement. ”You’re really something else, Lily.”

Lily just giggled proudly, crossing her arms again. ”Of course I am!” Then, as if nothing happened, her eyes brightened suddenly. ”Okay, let’s just eat breakfast now, Brother! I’m hungry!”

Gray blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic.

”Breakfast already? You just woke up.”

”I’m still hungry!” she said before grabbing both of their hands. ”Come on, come on! Let’s go!”