Unhinged √

29.

   Travis is not by my side when I wake up on Saturday morning. Due to the nature of his job and his overachiever attitude, the mornings I wake up to him by my side aren't that frequent but now I can't help the initial panic that sets in. I told him everything last night, every question he asked, I tried to answer truthfully and not once did his expression change.

I expected him to be angry or disappointed at the least but all I caught was the hurt when he asked why I had never mentioned her to him. It wasn't a big deal really, we were occupied by our jobs most of the time and the little time we had together,i didn't want to spend it roping him into a problem that I had readily danced into.

Ingrid wasn't a problem but her situation was and I had made the decision to help her, there was no need to get Travis involved especially after what he had been through. Their situations were similar, they had both lost parents under devastating circumstances and I feared it could be triggering for him.

     I try to get myself presentable before leaving the room, especially after finding out that it is already 9am. The house is mostly quiet but there are husky murmurs coming from the kitchen area so I move in that direction. Travis is sat on a stool by the counter watching Pokello stir batter for what I am willing to bet are cupcakes. She learnt to make them from Meghan's oldest sister and no one can resist them.

Travis is shirtless and his slightly high afro still looks bed tousled which means he came here immediately after he got out of bed.

"Morning". I greet even though it is obvious they had heard me coming. Their conversation halted seconds ago so I assume it had been about me.

Pokello tries to smile at me but it appears as a grimace and I can only be grateful that her brother has his back to me. I cannot imagine what his expression is right now.

"Morning".
The silence that ensues is evidently uncomfortable for everyone.

"Do you want cupcakes? It should be enough for everyone but Meghan eats like a cow. I could try to sneak some away for you". Pokello proposes and I fear that my sigh of relief is too loud. For a moment I was scared that whatever Travis had been telling had ruined every chance of her ever speaking to me again.

"Says the pregnant buffalo who I caught scarfing down cold chicken wings at 1am". Meghan makes her way into the kitchen with Zayn at her side, looking too awake at 9am.

"I am housing two humans in my tummy, bitch".

"You can't keep milking that cow, glutton".

"Okay, I have had it_" Pokello puts down her spatula, looking ready to crack her best friend's skull open.

"Meghan, will you stop?" Newt scolds as he rushes into the area with yellow flip-flops that must be for his wife. Pokello looks relatively less angry at the sight of him.

"Do not pay her any mind, babe. You are just fulfilling your responsibilities by ensuring our pumpkins don't starve".

Suddenly, it seems like everyone is talking at once.

"It's just funny how easily ticked off she gets now". Meghan laughs

"Wasn't funny when you shaved my arm hair off because it suddenly felt ticklish". Zayn accuses.

"I thought I told you not to call them vegetables". Pokello glares at her husband.

"You still holding on to that? You needed the wax and_"

My attention has long shifted to Travis who looks like he is getting whiplash just being in the same space as all of us.

"Okay!" He booms so he can be heard over the ruckus. "I am going to go take a shower".