ℒ𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒪𝓃 𝒯𝒽ℯ 𝒟𝒶𝓃𝒸ℯ ℱ𝓁ℴℴ𝓇 [𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟏]

𝟐.𝟏𝟎- 𝐌𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐢 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞

˚✧.⋅₊˚ ‧ 🩰⋅୨୧ ⋅🦢 ‧₊˚ ⋅.✧˚

["Dance To Express, Not Impress"]

Emily sat on the couch, quietly fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, the events from earlier still weighing on her. She glanced over at Derek, who was focused on his video game, and Molly, who was lazily scrolling through her phone. The memory of what she'd overheard on Christmas came to the forefront of her mind, and before she could stop herself, she spoke.

"I heard Mom and Ezekiel talking about the presents," Emily mumbled, her voice almost drowned out by the sounds of Derek's game.

Derek paused, turning his attention to his little sister, while Molly's eyes flicked up from her phone. There was an uncomfortable silence that lingered for a moment before Derek finally spoke.

"Yeah? What about it?"

"They were saying how it was awkward for Ezekiel because Kaiya and Kayden didn't get anything, and it made him feel weird. But I get why, you know?" Emily explained, her voice getting smaller as she talked. "It's not their fault, but it just felt...strange."

Derek rubbed his temple, "Yeah, I heard more than that," he said, sounding heavier than usual. "When Mom was talking to Grandma and Grandpa, they were arguing about the gifts. I wish I hadn't heard it."

Molly groaned, setting her phone down beside her, "Ugh, I wish Mom hadn't told them to leave. It made everything so awkward. Christmas is supposed to be happy, not a drama fest."

Derek let out a sigh and glanced over at his sister, "They were talking about Dad," he muttered softly.

Molly immediately tensed at the mention of their father, her fingers clenching the edge of the cushion, "Why?"

Derek hesitated for a moment, then shrugged, his gaze shifting uncomfortably, "I don't know."

Emily frowned but stayed quiet. A part of her wished they could have all just stayed longer, tried to ignore the tension, but she stopped mid-thought, her mind flashing back to the night their dad had hit their mom. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably, and she fell silent.

Molly, oblivious to Emily's turmoil, sighed, "Well, I didn't overhear anything and was never told anything."

Derek huffed, his fingers tapping nervously against the armrest, "Kayden was asking me about the new baseball glove, and I didn't know what to say."

Emily nodded in agreement, remembering how Kaiya had been "helping" her set up the ballet bar in her room, "Kaiya was asking a lot of questions too. I felt...bad."

Molly shrugged, "If they want presents, maybe they should have alive grandparents," she said flatly, the words hanging in the air like a weight.

Derek suppressed a laugh but quickly straightened up, his face growing serious, "Don't say stuff like that, Molly. Remember what happened the last time you did?"

Molly sighed and waved her hand dismissively, "Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry or whatever," she muttered, though it was clear she wasn't entirely sorry. "But let's be real-our grandparents aren't their grandparents. They're not Kaiya, Kayden, and Daniel's family."

The conversation died down after that, the awkwardness lingering in the room. Emily glanced at the clock and stood up, brushing her hands on her pants, "I have to get ready for dance," she said softly.

"Yeah, same. Cheer," Molly added, getting up with a stretch.

Derek grabbed his basketball shoes from beside the couch, "And I've got practice. Big game tomorrow."