Love...or Life?

Chapter Eight: Breakfast Is The Most Important Meal Of The Day

Yawn.

A small grunt escaped from my mouth as I stretched my stiff arms after sitting up from my sleeping.

I glanced over to my skull clock and squinted. It read 8:49.

I felt my feet brush against the carpet before placing them upon it, allowing them to carry the remainder of my body around.

Wandering over to the wardrobe across the room that held my clothes, I clutched my hairbrush that was laid upon the ground. I assumed that it had fallen from my desk.

I tugged open the left door and was greeted by my reflection in the mirror inside. My scalp was massaged as the bristles of the brush glided through the long, blonde locks of mine.

After every tangle was defeated, I placed down the brush and pulled off each item of clothing that hung on my body. I was only wearing a pair of blue Eeyore pyjamas that I had overgrown. After pulling on a tight bra and a random pair of knickers from my drawer, I then grabbed the first clothes I saw from my wardrobe and practically threw them on. I ended up sporting a pair of wet look jeans and a loose white Bring Me The Horizon tee.

My hair stroked my palm softly as I gripped it gently to tie it into a messy high ponytail. The ends laid comfortably on my left shoulder in its natural, beachy waves.

I gave the top of my ponytail one last tug to tighten it and made my way to the kitchen where I could already hear my mother crashing pots and pans together.

As I entered the draughty room, I noticed my brother sat at the dining table shoving spoonfuls of Krave into his mouth messily. I wrinkled my nose and sat almost opposite him. When he saw my face cringe, he looked at his spoon and tried to aim into his cake-hole more delicately.

I watched my mother stop scrubbing the dishes once she saw me and she greeted me with a smile after turning to face me.

"Good morning, Victoria! What would you like for breakfast? I'm cooking up some bacon and eggs for your father and I if you'd like some too?"

I debated to myself for a second before replying simply with one sentence.

"No thanks, I'll just have some toast."

Her mouth slowly shut and straightened in surprise and her eyes widened slightly after processing the information.

"OK that's fine, darling. How many slices?"

I held my hands up and shook my head gently towards her.

"No, I'll do it."

Her mouth slowly closed and she cleared her throat. Nodding her head, she awkwardly walked back into the kitchen as I followed.

She scooted aside to the oven where the bacon and eggs simmered within a frying pan that sat upon the oven top.

I clutched the handle of the bread bin which was on the opposite side of the kitchen-thank God.

All I wanted was to be in my own personal bubble.

After picking up two soft slices of Hovis, I popped them into the silver contraption that was my toaster.

The awkward silence commenced as I waited, and waited for the bread to toast. I felt my mother's gaze upon me as she flipped the bacon strips. Remaining silent, I just stared out of the window to avoid conversation.

To my surprise, it started one.

"Darling," she spoke softly. "If you want to go into the garden after breakfast, feel free."

It was obvious that she had spent a while carefully choosing her words. I joined her eyes with mine for a second, before turning around and staring at the toaster instead. I heard her take a deep breath before continuing.

"You don't have to stay inside all the time. I know you don't really have anyone to, you know, 'chill' with but..."

I cringed when she tried using slang.

"...you can always get out on your own. Besides, it'd be nice to get some fresh air-"

She was interrupted by the ping of the toaster. I quickly retrieved my breakfast before buttering messily in a rush. I grabbed my plate and I headed to the dining room but I was stopped by my mum grabbing my free arm. She turned me until I was facing her and she placed her hands on my face. My eyes went from the ground to her face.

I never really look at people, because I get afraid of starting eye contact, but when I do I really study their features.

My mother had wavy blond hair like myself, and it was tied into a messy bun. Her eyes were bright green and she had a pale complexion but completely clear of blemishes. She had slight ageing marks around her eyes but she still looked youthful. Her eyebrows were tidy and she was about an inch shorter than me. I definitely looked a lot more like Dad.

"Victoria...you know we are your family right? You can talk to us. I've realised that you haven't been eating much and I really hope you're feeling okay..." she stopped for a moment and held back a few tears before continuing with a small sentence.
"You know that, right?"

My eyes met hers and I stared for a minute before I nodding my head quickly. She placed a kiss upon my lips and released her gentle grasp on my cheeks. She slowly stepped away, towards the oven again but not once stopping our eye contact until she reached it. When she retrieved the eggs and bacon, she turned her head towards the food which was my cue to leave.

I took a seat opposite my father who was reading the newspaper. He peered over the paper once he realised I was there and his face remained completely blank.

I had never really gelled with my father. He was always at work and he always was very wary and serious whenever he was home.

Like did with Mum, I began studying his features. I definitely looked more like him. I had his piercing blue eyes and his strong cheekbones. I also had my height from him. In fact, the only thing different about me and him looks wise was his milk chocolate, sepia hair. Despite the looks, we were complete opposites for personality.

I quickly finished my meal before Father was even served his, just so I could escape human interaction for a little while.

***

After washing up my plate and butter knife, I stopped for a moment and considered what my mother had told me.

I don't usually abide by other people's commands or offers. I usually make decisions myself, and myself alone. But this time I thought to myself...

Should I go outside? Not even to town, but just to explore the area?

After making the decision, I felt glad for eating something at last, for I was to explore that day. Like people say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

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Wheewwww that was a long chapter! Hope you enjoyed, and I hope you didn't mind me uploading two chapters in one night :)