Golden Hour- Cole Walter

Chapter 7

This morning was a bit harder than most. It was my dads birthday. I used to go into his room crazy early and lie on top of him, bothering him until he got up. I would shout happy birthday a million times as i grabbed his hand to pull him downstairs. I had set up presents and cake on the table and put a little party hat on him. He would be unable to stop smiling and laughing as we all sat around, eating cake and explaining the stories behind the presents we got him. It used to be perfect.

I had woken up to the sound of the Walters bustling around. I pulled a pillow over my head and tried to pretend nothing existed. That didn't work because i soon had Danny busting through my door, shaking me to get up. I groaned and threw my arm out in an attempt to hit him away.

"Jesus Eden, what happened to your hand?" He asked, holding it and inspecting it. I pulled it away as i sat up. I forgot my knuckles were still sore.

"Just playing a stupid game last night." I lied as i swung my legs over to the side of the bed. He laughed a bit before making his way to the door.

"Mom told me to come wake you up, she made breakfast and wants you to have time to eat" I nodded as in the mornings i'm unable to have a proper conversation. He left and i was alone. I just spent a few moments looking around, registering everything around me, putting off getting up. My eyes fell upon a ring on my table. I stood up to look at it. It was the one me and my dad had matching. I wonder if he still wears his. I put held on to it because while i may hate him now and it is his own fault, somewhere he is alone, celebrating his birthday. I wanted to still feel some sort of connection. I got dressed and headed downstairs.

"Morning sweetie, sleep well?" Katherine asked. I nodded with a small smile.

"Good, help yourself to some breakfast" She smiled brightly. I don't know how but Katherine always has a brilliant smile any time of the day. I set the ring on the counter as i picked up a plate. I was putting some fruit on my plate when i heard a snap and someone laughing behind me. I turned to see Parker with a bolt cutter and my ring in half. I froze and just stared at it.

Cole saw Parker with the bolt cutters and ran over, grabbing them out of her hand.

"Where did you get those? That is not a toy" Cole said. He looked up at me, noticing i was still in shock. He looked down at the counter and saw the ring in half. Katherine had come in at that point and by looking around, she'd put the pieces together.

"Oh sweetie i am so sorry" She said as she placed a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off and smiled.

"It's fine" I muttered as i rushed out of the room. How has this day gone so bad and i've been awake for less than an hour. Parker was such a brat. Who the hell goes around cutting metal? She didn't even apologise. I sat on my bed and collected myself for about 10 minutes before going back downstairs and outside by the car.

Throughout all this i had managed to not notice all the texts from Carson.

7:00 Morning

7:14 How's your hand?

7:20 A bunch of us are cutting school after lunch to go to Dylans lake house, wanna come?

7:30 I'll see you at school

I felt bad for not replying but i'll see him at school as he said. I had managed to forget about the kiss until then. I cringed thinking about it and then thinking about the moment with Cole. What was i last night? I had no idea how i was gonna figure this one out.

I put my phone away and took a deep breath. I sat in the car in silence. Everyone else had loaded in and they were all talking about their own stuff. No one noticed that i couldn't even move a muscle, my thoughts had completely consumed me i forgot i existed.