The Beauty in Time

10

◿𝙼𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚠◸

"Matthew! Matthew!" Morgan's squealing at me the moment I open the front door—as if she was just sitting there waiting for the knob to jiggle.

He excitement to see me seems like it's normal as she beams up at me and continues chanting for my attention, but it's not. It's anything but normal for fifteen-year-old Morgan. Now, four and ten-year-old Morgan—that's a different story. She used to be ecstatic to see me. That's really died down over the years though.

It's suspicious.

"What?" I mutter cautiously as I slowly close the door behind me. I start walking around her just in case she's stalling me in a trap.

She quickly follows me. "Okay! So, Mom said I can go with you today if I finished all of my chores on time. I did, so can I go with you today instead of next week?"

I narrow my eyes at her suspiciously as she quickly follows along on my side. "You're going to stop going to karate early?" I question. She loves that class for some reason, but I'm not taking her.

"It's fine. I'm not missing anything." Morgan dismisses quick.. I only hum at that and wander into the living room. My mom smiles at me from the couch. She knows what Morgan's begging me for already.

"You're cool with this?" I ask without greeting her or anything. I drop down on the recliner like it's mine.

My mom clearly doesn't care for the fact that I haven't said hello or anything, but she says nothing about it. "I think it's okay." She decides thoughtfully. She leaves the final decision up to me—Probably because she doesn't want to have to be the one to tell Morgan something she doesn't want to hear.

I sigh and look up at Morgan who stands by the chair, eagerly waiting my reply. I roll my eyes at her. "All right, go pack up." I demand, nodding towards the stairs. Morgan laughs menacingly to herself as she bolts away and towards the stairs, dirty blonde hair smacks me in my face the moment she spins around. I quietly scoff when it does, recoiling a little. "She's in a better mood." I point out on a hum, looking back at Mom.

She nods. "She's been happier lately."

I squint. "Better not be a boy." Mom scoffs at that, but smiles as she waves me off.

"The hell are you doing in my chair?"

I shoot up from the recliner without a second thought. "I was warming it for you." I weakly offer, backing up to drop down on the couch next to my mom. She'll protect me.

Dad's eyes narrow as he slowly lowers himself down onto his chair. "Where's my goddamn lighter?" He grumbles.

I sigh and reach into my front pocket. He holds his hand out, so I toss it to him. "I was also keeping that warm for you."

"Quit stealing my shit, Matthew." His tone is harsh, so I back down quickly.

"Hey, hey," Mom frowns, holding her hand up to stop his cursing. I glance away from both of them.

"Hey, I was going to return it." I defend myself slowly. "I didn't steal it."

"You stole it." Dad dryly insists. I technically stole it.

"I lost my other one, and yours was right there so," I pause and shrug, like it's his problem and not mine. I didn't lose it, someone took it from me. I don't even know what she did with it. It's gone forever, I think.

"Okay! I'm ready!" Morgan calls out from upstairs. I hear her start jogging down, more excited to go with me than she usually is. She probably already had her bag packed.