That one Walter boy~ Cole Walter

05. Nuclear snitch button

Once arriving home, all but the quiet clinks of cutlery against plates was to be the heard. This was nothing like the usual mayhem. "Is there anything left? Because I am starving." Cole launched his jacket onto a hook and lead us into the kitchen.

"You know you're supposed to call if you're running late, right?" George bellowed from the head of the table, "That's almost like the whole reason you have a phone?" He said sarcastically.

Katherine watched our every move, "Where have you guys been!" As I was about to say something, Cole shovelled a large bit of chicken into his mouth and blabbered out, "Yeah, uh, we went to the watering hole."

It felt as if everyone was glaring at me, I assume they heard about the 'snitching'. I tried to speak my peace, "Listen, I-"

George interrupted me, "Excuse me." He brought the attention back to Cole, "You know anything about a bet with Isaac this morning?"

Still with his mouth stuffed, Cole shook his head "No. No, doesn't ring a bell." George frowned, "I didn't get that." Katherine- who was sat beside George- looked shocked, "Seriously, Cole?"

Cole tried to play it off, "It was a joke, okay?" We sat in silence, I examined Jackie's shocked face. To think we spent so long bonding with Cole to find out he was one of the main culprits.

Alex broke the silence, "Maybe ask Jordan what he's got on camera." He avoided eye contact with everyone and gathered up a mouthful. Everyone began to freak out at him, "Dude seriously?" Isaac yelled. Jordan- who was sat beside Alex- exclaimed "You just had to bring me into it..."

"Look Jackie, I don't even know what to say, I'm sorry!" Katherine spoke over the chaos that played away at the opposite end of the table. Jackie shook her head in bewilderment, "I have to fix my hair..." She dashed out the room. "Can I at least help?" Katherine began to stand up before Jackie sat her down with rude denial.

As soon as she had left the room, all eyes returned to me. Now I had everyone's attention, I tried to calm their angry thoughts but was again disrupted by George, "Jordan! Go get the camera."

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Alex, Cole and I were the last to leave the table. As each boy got up, they left us with a nasty glare. "They'll get over it tomorrow!" Cole said reassuringly, leaving the table.

Now it was down to me and Alex. For a sombre second, we remained there in silence. Awkwardly we locked eyes and both went to say something. Alex laughed, "You go first!" I shook my head, "No, I was just going to say that I'm gonna go check up on Jackie's hair!" He ushered me to stand up, like what he was going to say was unimportant.

I got up and smiled as I walked away. Stopping in my tracks, I was intrigued to hear what he was about to say, "What were you gonna say just then?" I turned to face him again.

He opened his mouth to speak but paused, "What Cole said is true. They will get over it tomorrow." He said bluntly. I silently disagreed and he could tell by my facial expressions, "I mean it, I know that they all like you being here."

I shook my head, "They don't seem like they do..."

"You and Jackie both bring order and organisation to the house." He said, which again surprised me, "That is all Jackie, I'm a mess." I said admittedly. "I've noticed you always put yourself down against Jackie. You shouldn't." He smiled comfortingly. "No I don't-" Alex cut me off before I could blab out anything more, "Goodnight Evelyn."

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Morning shortly rolled back around again. Jackie forced me out for another run she said that we needed, "To blow away the cobwebs."

Once we returned, we entered through the back door which leads onto the kitchen. Most of the boys were in there eating breakfast, I didn't spot Cole though.

Jackie and I bundled some breakfast together and I sensed an unexpected chill in the air which contrasted with our sunny run. I glanced to the all-boys group at the table, their collective gaze sent a wave of discomfort my way. The clatter of dishes and aroma of brewing coffee were overshadowed by unspoken tension that was carried over from last night.

Jackie got the same impression, "Hold on, is everyone mad at us?" She must of been unaware of the disapproving glances we got last night.

"Well you two did press the nuclear snitch button!" Nathan said beside us. "Well I did the snitching, sorry guys!" I smiled sarcastically and they huffed at my unapologetic attitude.

"And Alex... They are mad at him too!" Nathan said kindly, drawing our attention to Alex. He mimicked my sarcastic smile and saluted comedically.

"They'll get over it..." Nathan tried to reassure us but I was told the same thing last night and they most definitely hadn't forgotten.

"Hey girls, how are you doing this morning?" Katherine bumbled into the room. "Yeah we're okay. Just went for a run!" Jackie spoke up, drawing Katherine's attention in, "Well your hair looks awesome." She now glanced between us both, "And listen, I promise there's gonna be no more pranks. Period." She turned to the table of boys, "right guys?" Isaac was the only one to respond, "Yup!" He replied unenthusiastically.

"You saw the video?" Jackie asked Katherine and I raised my eyebrows remembering her angry response to it last night.

"I did! And Isaac is gonna pay for your hair dye out of his allowance!" She smiled maliciously at him, "And he and Cole owe you an apology!"

Jackie and I smiled but all the boys Ignored her, "Isaac." She whispered, persuading him to apologise.

"I'm sorry Jackie!" He sneered at her and she kindly replied, "that's okay." But with no sense of forgiveness in her voice.

Katherine aggressively pealed an apple, "And I've been thinking now that there are 3 girls in the house!" She looked between Jackie and I, "The downstairs bathroom is just for Jackie, Evelyn and Parker!"

Jordan spoke aloud, "That's Benny's!" Katherine rolled her eyes in response, "And Benny." She stretched out her words to exaggerate her exasperation, "Jackie, Evelyn, Parker and Benny's!" She smiled at there gloom faces.

Suddenly Lee stood up, "They literally just got here." He slammed the table, "And then they get the biggest room and their own bathroom?" He huffed.
Katherine looked appalled, "Excuse me?"

I turned the catch Jackie's displeased face, "Really Katherine. Forget it." She placed down her glass of orange juice and dashed out the room.

"I just knew you'd take their side!" Lee glared at me as he ran out the back door. "Lee?" Katherine calls out but he doesn't respond. "Alex?" She then shrieks after him as he swiftly escapes the room too.

"What just happened!?" She glanced hopelessly around at the remaining troop. "I have no idea.." I replied unused to this everyday chaos.

Seeing the way everyone acted in that situation really reminded me of myself. It was like Lee was seeking out attention from his mom but just not receiving it.

I really thought I lacked attention living in my quiet home with my immediate family but amongst 10 kids I've discovered it's exceedingly harder to find it.