Connection || p.h

n i n e

I was in the kitchen, sitting at the table whilst eating my toast. It seemed like a calm morning.

'Where you going?' Mom asked from behind me and Gramps.

'The café.' Zoe told her.
'I can still do that, right? Drink coffee? Have friends? Exist? Come on, Aubrey.'

'Zoe!' Mom said.

'Wait. I wanna exist, too.' I heard Rosie from upstairs.

'Ugh! Hurry up, Rosie.' Zoe shouted up the stairs.

'Coming, I just-- I can't find my shoe.' Rosie shouted back. Zoe pulled me up and took me up the stairs with her to help get Rosie's shoe.

_________________

Zoe told me the plan as we made our way to the café.

'Can you hurry up, please?' She asked Rosie. Zoe walked over to a poster about Firefly on a shop's window.

'I thought we were hurrying up?' I asked.

'Stop... The press.' Rosie said, randomnly.

'What?' I asked.

'I just can't believe it.' Rosie said.

'Rosie.' Zoe said.

'Spill it!' I shouted.

'Mia just invited me to a sleepover.' Rosie said.

'That is the big news?' I asked.

'Jealous much?' Rosie asked.

'No! Mia gets on my nerves. She practically uses anyone new she mets. For instance, you. And has them around like her little minion. She tried to do it to us the first day we arrived here.' I shouted.

'Anyways... Why would anyone invite a ten-year-old to a sleepover? Ah! Unless she-- .'

'Unless what?' Rosie cut her off.
'You think she's trying to get at you? Maybe she likes me.'

'She called Mom from camp.' Zoe said.

'It was an honest mistake.' Rosie backed Mia up. I was fed up.

'It wasn't! Mia hates us. She's only being nice to you so she can use you to her advantage. Stop backing her. I heard the conversation you had yesterday. You aren't sisters but us three are. You're going to choose her over us. I mean, how gullible are you. She's using you! It isn't that hard to see.' I shouted to Rosie before storming off to the café. I couldn't have anymore drama.

Once I arrived at the café, I collapsed in the nearest chair to me.

'What's wrong with you?' Jade asked.

'Mia. Rosie.' I replied.

'Becky. Could you get me a coffee and a breakfast option of your choice. Zoe dragged me from my toast.' I said.

'On it.' Becky walked off to get my order ready.

It was ready as soon as Zoe and Rosie walked through the doors. Rosie walked over to Mia's table whilst Zoe walked over to us.

'You okay, Aub?' Zoe asked.

'Mia just gets on my nerves. I just don't want Rosie to end up as one of her little minions.' I said.
'Thanks, Becky.'

I placed a ten pound note on the table.

'Put however the food was in the till and keep the rest.' I told her.

'Thanks!' She exclaimed, running to the till.

'Looks like Mia's holiday project is going well.' Jade said.