Autumn Secrets ✓

O n e

“Hannah!”

My brothers called me in unison as I gingerly flipped a golden brown crusted pancake.

“Just a minute!” I replied to ease the hungry boys while they groaned in response.

I shook my head and smiled at their immature behavior. Even Dennis could be a baby when he was hungry.

My brothers weren't some spoiled brats who wouldn't cook for themselves, but I just didn't want them to.

I lifted the breakfast tray from the squeaky clean kitchen slab and walked towards the dining table.

The boys' faces lit up at the arrival of their food, and I couldn't help but chuckle at that.

I set the breakfast on the wooden table and playfully ruffled Seth's neatly brushed hair to annoy him, but he, being the sweetest he was, didn't bother over his now messy hair.

There would always be a kid like him who wouldn't give a reaction if we annoyed them, thereby making our efforts pointless.

“Hannah, you should allow us to make our own food. Otherwise, we all would die of starvation one day,” Dennis said while cutting his pancake in urgency.

I rolled my eyes, “No, I'd rather not want this place on fire.”

I thought we were over this topic.

“Oh, c'mon! We know the real reason as much as you do.” Asher huffed.

I sighed.

He was right. The actual reason why I didn't want my brothers in the kitchen was because... my parents had died in a domestic fire explosion when I was only six.

Strangely enough, I wasn't triggered by fire, but I couldn't handle it when my loved ones were subjected to any sorts of fire.

“Hannah, come sit.” Levi motioned me towards my chair, noticing my sudden change in expression.

I smiled and complied.

“I'm sorry,” Asher muttered while chewing his food.

I snickered, “It's fine, Ash. How could I be upset when you eat like a baby panda?”

“Panda? No, I think pig suits him better,” Joshua said, making us burst out into laughing, even the serious Levi, but Asher looked offended.

And just like that, there was no room for sadness in our happy family.