Found (New Earth Saga)

Ch. 9

"Hey little sister!" Jacob said with a playful smirk.

"Always with the height jokes," Morgan replied, shaking her head and smiling up at Jacob.

What was he doing here? Was this normal for him to be here? Everyone was acting like this was all normal.

How did Morgan keep her cool around all these giants? I guess she has had many years to get used to it, for according to her it wasn't always easy. She made it look easy. I'd yet to see her cower or flinch at a single movement around here. Meanwhile, I was still at a tension just sitting at dinner.

"Jacob brought River's assignments for the next few days over, so we insisted he stay." Blue said.

"Who knew you would be over here?!" Jacob spoke to Morgan.

"Well, this is MY family in less than 8 weeks,"

"Oh, what's happening in 8 weeks?" Jacob replied, joking as if he didn't know about Morgan and Trent's upcoming wedding.

Everyone laughed at Morgan and Jacob's joking. They seemed so normal... It made me keep sneaking glances at Trent, even locking eyes with him a few times. Is this how he and I could have been if I hadn't been stolen? I suppose I would have my own back and forth with my sibling. We'd joke together, but then also be able to support each other, just as Morgan had done for me earlier. Could I talk with Trent the way I talked with Morgan one day?

"How's Parisa doing?" Morgan asked Jacob.

"Why does everyone always assume I know everything about Parisa?"

"Because you totally do," Trent replied, laughing.

"Okay. She's totally fine. The boyfriends over being overly nice to mom and annoying dad, so that's good. I'm honestly jealous of River. I'm not allowed to push Parisa cuz she's short,"

Trent burst out laughing while Blue and Thomas didn't seem to find the line of conversation funny.

"I'm really sorry to Parisa. When we go back to school I'll apologize to her, I promise," I announced, speaking up for the first time all dinner.

"That sounds like a great idea," Thomas agreed.

"I'm sure you can smooth things over with her. I was telling River the story of when I punched Aaron in the face and broke his nose,"

"I forget about that more than I should," Trent replied. "Who would think Aaron would be standing up in our wedding?"

"Exactly. Wendleton High can bring out the best and worst in people sometimes,"

"It'll get easier, River. The first day is always kind of weird, even for those of us who've known each other for years," Jacob added, giving me a genuine smile.

I stayed pretty quiet for the rest of dinner, and enjoyed Blue's amazing cooking, and the energetic conversation. Trent and Jacob bounced off each other like siblings when they talked. Clearly Trent had been spending time with Morgan's family since before I was even kidnapped. Everyone here slid into a rhythm they've been playing for years. Everyone but me.

At the end of dinner, Trent's hand came forward and Morgan climbed into his palm with ease. Watching how good Morgan was at not flipping out made me jealous. I wished I was as brave as her. I live in a house of giants... life would be so much easier if I was as brave as Morgan.

Unexpectedly another hand came towards the human table, landing palm up in front of me. My eyes grew wide looking at the palm, and then up at Jacob who was smiling at me.