Velvet Walls

Chap.5, Sunlight.

The warm sun hits my face and forces my eyes open. I stretch and sit up in my bed. The sunlight makes the light-yellow walls of my room glisten. I want to stay in my bed forever, I never realized how peaceful my room is when the window is open. I stare out the window at the beautiful mountains and smile as I realize today is the first sunny day I've seen here. In fact, it was the first sunny day since my birthday a week ago. I take it as a good omen. Another sign that I've made the right decision. I reach for my phone to check the time, 7:00 am. My official workday starts at 9:00. I dress in what I assume is appropriate, a short casual plaid dress over a black top and shorts. I don't know how to dress to take care of kids. I tie half of my hair up with a matching plaid ribbon, so it doesn't fall in my face while I'm working. I finish getting ready and do a quick once-over in the mirror before deciding I look presentable enough to go upstairs. Breanah's bedroom door is closed, but Lorah's is open. I peer inside and see it's empty. And I thought I was a morning person. I decide to take the main staircase. The main kitchen/dining room is empty. I find Lorah sitting on a couch reading in the "fancy" living room.

"Everyone's eating upstairs." Lorah says before I can ask her where everyone is. I thank her and going to the main staircase. I'm honestly excited. I've never been upstairs before. I'm sure it'll be beautiful if it's anything like the other two floors. I hear voices as I reach the top of the stairs. No one has noticed me yet, so I take in my new surroundings. The kitchen is very much homier than the downstairs one. It definitely looks like people use it, but in a good way. It's more decorated and less modern than the downstairs. Delia's doing, I assume. There's also a smaller living room. This one looks less regal, but it still looks like it's worth more than my entire apartment at home. Although I guess I don't really live there anymore.
There are also four doors alongside a wall beside the living room. Knowing this house, they could lead anywhere. I finally step into the kitchen. Alistair is the first to notice me. He doesn't say anything and instead nudges his mom, who's sitting beside him.

Delia gasps, "Oh! I'm so sorry dear, I didn't even think to come get you for breakfast."

"It's alright. I haven't been awake for very long."

She nods, "I get it. Donivan isn't a morning person either."

"Oh, really?" For some reason, that surprises me. I guess that's why I don't see him at breakfast, though.

All of the kids (and Breanah), excluding Lorah, are here. I assume Gijon and Ira also decided to sleep in. Delia gets up from her seat.

"Take my chair, honey, I'll get you something to eat." Delia goes into the pantry.

The empty chair is next to Alistair, I'm about to reluctantly take my seat, but Breanah stops me.

"Wait! Viola can sit next to me," she pulls out an empty chair next to her, "I'm sure she'd prefer to sit by someone who actually talks to her." Breanah sassily smirks at Alistair.

I immediately look to see his reaction. He's silent for a second, angrily glaring at her.

"Or maybe, she'd enjoy a peaceful breakfast without someone talking her ear off the whole time."

I'm taken aback by that; I can't help but laugh a little. One of the only times Alistair talks, and it's to deliver a witty comeback. I guess that says a lot about him.

Breanah throws up her hands, pretending to be exasperated. "Okay, Mark the Snark. How about we just let Viola decide where she wants to sit?"

"Thanks, Bree." I say through giggles. I've never heard the phrase "Mark the Snark" before.

"Fine." Alistair says before staying silent for the rest of breakfast.

I whisper to Breanah, "Do you two always bicker like that?"