In Sync

Chapter 6

I hear arguing coming from downstairs when I wake up. Getting up, I make my way down the stairs to see what's going on.

"Do you know when James is arriving?" Mom asks Dad, pulling the phone away from her ear.

"Noon, I think." Dad sits at the table with a notepad, scratching things off a list.

"What are you guys doing?" I ask, taking a seat beside dad.

"Making sure all of your brothers arrive before the gala starts. We don't need a repeat of last year." Dad returns to his former position and writes something down. "So James will be here at noon..."

"With Eleanor and Elodie?" I ask excitedly. Elodie was my 4 year old niece and I almost never get to see her.

"Yes," Dad replies. "What time is Lucas coming?" He asks, turning to mom.

"Before that?" She says hanging up the phone. "I honestly don't know."

Dad sighs and writes it down.

"Where's Jake?" I ask, but before I get a reply, the front door opens.

"We're home!" Jake hollars and makes his way to the kitchen. I hear two sets of footsteps and when they round the corner, my eyes set upon Aiden.

"Aiden!" I jump up and run into his open arms. "You're here!" My voice is muffled.

"How's my little sis doing?" Aiden asks when I pull away.

I place my hands on my hips. "I'm not little." This causes Aiden to grin.

"Davis. You're 17, I'm 23. There's a 6 year difference. I think that entitles me to calling you my little sister."

I mumble something unintelligent under my breath. "Where's Sydney?" I ask, referring to his girlfriend of 2 years.

Aiden just shrugs, running his hands through his messily styled hair. "She decided it was time to 'see other people.'"

"Oh." I reply.

"Ya." He replies.

Mom breaks the semi awkward silence. "How about I make some coffee and we catch up in the living room, ya?"

++++

At 5:30, I decide it's finally time to get ready. Walking into my bathroom, I pull all my makeup out and plug in the curling iron.

Throwing my hair up in a messy bun, I begin my work.

At 6:15, I walk back into my room with my makeup done and my hair curled.

Walking to my closet, I grab the dress and lay it on my bed. Next, I take it out of the cover to let it breath. To be honest, I don't know why this has to be done, but Mom said it had to be done.

I walk back to my closet and find the box that has the silver heels. I bring them over too.

Stripping down, I pick up the dress and step into it. It is a little heavier than I remember. Well, beauty hurts as Mom always says.

Slipping my heels on, I go over to the vanity and find a pair of earrings. I wasn't a big fan of statement necklaces with dresses, so the earrings would have to do.

I look over at the clock. 6:20.

I quickly make my way downstairs so that I am not blamed for being late.

At the bottom of the stairs, Mom, Dad, Jake and Aiden are waiting.

"Took you long enough," Jake says, smiling. "You look beautiful by the way."