𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐒 𝐃𝐈𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 - 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧

11. the pollywog

THE NEXT MORNING

Aubrey woke up slowly, the smell of bacon somewhat alarming her. Hopper never cooks. She sat up and realized she wasn't in her room at her dad's, but her mom's. Panic quickly ensued as she realized her dad probably had no idea she was even here.

"Oh shit!" she got up fast, hurrying to the kitchen and grabbing the phone.

"Aubrey, I called him already, don't worry." Her mom said to her.

Aubrey set the phone down, "Thank you, sorry." she relaxed a bit. "I... was he mad?"

"No, don't you worry, okay?" Joyce told her, "Come sit."

Aubrey nodded, walking over to the dining table and sitting down as her mom sat a plate in front of her.

"Also, I've lost my keys again." she smiled at her, Aubrey snickered.

"Mom, come on, I got you that key holder-"

"Not in any of our rooms." Will came down the hallway, Jonathan following behind him.

Joyce went to the couch, checking under every cushion and pillow, "Check some more!"

"We're looking, mom." Jonathan checked her coat.

"Yeah, we're... we're looking." Will checked his book bag.

"Totally looking." Aubrey took a bite of her bacon.

"A-ha! Found 'em!" Bob then yelled, walking down the hallway, Aubrey jumped at his voice, not even knowing he was here. She exchanged looks with Jonathan.

"Do you feel better, Aubrey?" Will asked her as Joyce thanked Bob.

"Oh, yeah. A lot better, bud." She gave him a smile.

"Can you take Will to school today? I cannot be late again." Their mom then asked Jonathan.

"He's staying over now?" Jonathan whispered.

She ignored him, "Can you just take Will, please?"

"I can take him." Bob offered then.

"Will you make sure he gets in okay?"

"Yeah, of course." Bob smiled, "What do you say, big guy? Wanna go for a ride in the Bobmobile?"

Aubrey nearly choked on her juice, containing her laughter. "I should get going, my bag is at my dad's." she sat up.

"Honey, just try and hurry. Do you need a ride?" Joyce asked her.

"No, no, you're gonna be late." she shook her head.

"Jonathan could give you one?"

"I'm fine, really." Aubrey insisted, she hugged her mom, "Love you, see you later."

"Love you too."

"Bye guys." she waved off her little brothers, ruffling her hand through Will's hair. Her walk turned into a full on run down the streets as she was going to be royally late now.