Fifty Shades After

Chapter 26: Switched Sides

James is wide awake now, most likely because he smells the food. And it smells heavenly.

Mom and Phoebe are seated and Mom is resting her cheek on her hand while listening to Phoebe lecture about a new piece she's practicing on the piano.

That's her third song. Me? Well, Mrs. Matte recommended I'd reconsider playing another instrument. Harsh much? I kept my mouth shut though. I knew if I ratted her out, Dad would've fired her. But I like her. She keeps it real.

"What's cooking?" I stand behind Mom. "Gail made flapjacks and scrambled eggs."
- "And I made banana smoothie!" Phoebe raises her hand. Yes! My favorite! "You know me so well, little lady." I bend to kiss Phoebe on the head and take a seat beside Mom. James sits next to Phoebe and she wipes his cheek with her thumb. "Your face is swollen." She says wearily.

James glances at me for answers and I shrug. "I was asleep." He stutters. Phoebe frowns. The door to the kitchen opens and Gail walks in with two plates. Mom stands to help. "Where did you guys go?" Phoebe changes the subject. "We went to buy video games." I answer and she giggles at me. "But you don't play video games!"
- "Well, I do now!" I huff.

Dad arrives and takes a seat next to me. "You weren't playing, were you?" I raise an eyebrow and he chuckles. "Almost. I didn't know you liked the Assassins Creed series."You know about them?" I ask. "Elliott." He smirks. Ah. Say no more. "I don't. A friend recommended them."
- "From Denver?"
- "No. Some guy I met in the video game store." His expression changes. "What's his name?"
- "Adam."
- "How old is he? Does he go to school?" Suddenly, I feel this small talk transition to an interrogation. "What's his mother's name?"
- "Whoa, slow down, officer! I don't know that. What's this sudden interest in my new friend's background? Can't you figure that out for yourself?" I say jokingly and he frowns. "Sorry. I was only curious." Mom and Gail walk in with more plates.

We sit on the left side of the lengthy table, facing the porch and clear, blue sky. The topic of yesterday's party surges. Apparently, Dad's company funded it. No big surprise there. He's the model's god daddy. And as soon as I think about Sophie, I'm in a foul mood. I chug my smoothie. Too bad it's just banana.

"Good morning, everyone." Ava walks in with a jean jacket wrapped around her hands, denim shorts, and a black shirt, with folded sleeves.

What?

"Oh! I'll serve another plate!" Gail says standing up.
- "Oh, no, Gail, it's okay. I ate with my parents already." Ava takes a seat in front of us. "You look pretty, Ava." Phoebe says with a mouth full. I think that's the first time Phoebe has spoken to her directly. Ava seems to notice too, judging by how surprised she is. "Thank you, Phoebe."

For some odd reason, I can't seem to turn away from Ava. She seems so different. No more short skirts? No more small blouses? Not that I enjoyed them, I'm just so used to it. This sudden change has me, well, overwhelmed.

"What is that on your shirt?"
James asks and she looks down. "Oh, it's the Arctic Monkeys. I met them in concert." She beams.

"No way." I gape with a mouth full of flapjack and she giggles. "How did you manage to meet them? Their concerts sell out fast!"
- "You're kidding." She smirks. I tilt my head in confusion, however, I recall this morning with James, then I get it. "Oh." She and James laughs. I turn to Mom and shrug. She gazes at me with loving eyes. She loves how uncomfortable I seem when the topic of money surges. "Sometimes I forget you didn't grow up with a golden rattle." Ava says. "Maybe I should take you to a concert sometime."
I chuckle. "The Killers are touring in Europe in August." I mention. There's no way we'll be able to attend a concert in London."
- "Europe? Then it's settled. Can we go, Uncle Christian?" My smile disappears.