Everything I Didn't Say

t h i r t e e n

THIRTEEN

"HEY, LAZY ASS get up!"

A rough hand shook my shoulder, jolting me from my pleasant dream like a crack of lightning. Groaning, I rolled over and buried my head underneath my pillow. "Go away Xavier."

"Isla, Mom says you need to get up right this minute or she'll personally come and drag you out of bed. It's your choice" Xavier said cryptically before I heard my bedroom door close over, signalling he'd left.

I snuggled back into my covers which still held my body heat and closed my eyes. No sooner had I begun dozing off than I was being awoken rudely again – this time by my mother shouting at the top of her voice.

"Isla Rose West you better have your dainty ass downstairs in ten or I'll come up there with a jug of water!" she threatened.

Grumbling, I finally managed to drag myself out from my comfy cocoon and checked my alarm clock. Jesus, it was only ten o'clock. How dare that woman wake me up this early!

Staggering to my feet, I ran a drowsy hand through my bed-head and stumbled across my room to my window. Fumbling with the curtains, I finally managed to push them open and let in the pale sunlight.

Across the space, Jared's curtains were open and he was reading on his bed in just a pair of grey cotton sweatpants. No shirt.

I blinked, wondering if I was dreaming for a moment.

After a moment, he noticed me across the way and got up off the bed, discarding his book. He walked over to his window and slid it open. He leaned out, shoulder muscles rippling as he leaned on the sill.

He motioned for me to open my own window and I did so shakily. He was shirtless ... wow those abs-

Stop it Isla!

"Good morning. I see you're finally awake" Jared greeted, smiling.

"Shut up. This is early for me" I muttered, rubbing my eyes.

"This is not early" Jared stated, raising his eyebrows. "By the way, you do realize what day it is right?"

It took me a moment but then my memory triggered and I realized why Mom was acting so frigid about getting me up. It was Thanksgiving today and we had guests arriving at noon. Of course.

"Oh god" I muttered in horror. "I completely forgot!"

"I guessed" Jared chuckled. "Well, I guess I'll see you in two hours right? Preferably when I'm wearing a shirt and you're not in your pyjamas."

"Yeah" I laughed anxiously. "See you then."

I turned away from the window and trudged downstairs. I could already smell the turkey cooking away in the oven and when I entered the kitchen, I realized Mom was in the middle of a food meltdown. Vegetables, sauces and raw potatoes littered the island where I usually ate breakfast and Mom was rushing about, checking temperatures and tasting stuff from pots and pans with a wooden spoon.

When she caught sight of me, she let out a breath of relief. "Thank god you're awake. Now, make yourself something light for breakfast and start getting ready. Wear something nice, maybe that red dress I got you a couple of weeks ago?" she said in a rush, barely breathing between words.

I decided it would be best to get out of her way after Xavier came down in just boxers and a shirt and she yelled at him, saying people could arrive at any minute and see his privates (even though we still had two hours to spare).

I quickly ate a piece of toast, caught up with some trash TV and then went upstairs to take a bath.

One of the simplicities of life that I enjoyed most was taking long, luxurious baths. That and colourful and fluffy socks.