Harper's POV
I wake up to the sun peeking through the curtains, making the room all bright and warm. My blanket is wrapped around me, and I'm still holding my stuffed bunny, Flopsy. Trey is snoring a little from the other bed, and Taylor's sprawled out, her leg sticking off the side of her bed like always.
I blink a few times, feeling kind of funny. Something's different today. Usually, Y/n comes to get us in the morning, but she's not here. It's quiet. Too quiet.
Slipping out of bed, I grab Flopsy and tiptoe down the hall. Mrs. Lewis said we were staying with her for a little while, but I don't like being away from home. I miss Y/n already.
I peek into the kitchen, expecting to see her, but only Mrs. Lewis is there, making breakfast. She looks up and smiles when she sees me.
"Good morning, Harper," she says, her voice all soft and gentle, like when I get hurt, and she tells me I'll be okay. "Are you hungry? I'm making pancakes."
I nod, but my tummy feels funny. I climb up onto the chair and put Flopsy on the table. "Where's Y/n?" I ask, my voice tiny, even though I don't mean it to be.
Mrs. Lewis stops stirring the pancake mix for a second, then smiles again. "Y/n had to go away for a bit, sweetie. She went to Melbourne to see your mom."
"Why?" I ask, frowning. "When is she coming back?"
Mrs. Lewis comes over and sits next to me. "She's not going to be gone long. She just wants to make sure your mom's okay. She'll be back soon, and I'll take care of you until then."
I hug Flopsy tighter. I want Y/n. I don't like it when she's gone. She always knows what to say, and she gives me hugs when I'm sad. Mrs. Lewis is nice, but it's not the same.
Trey and Taylor come into the kitchen, both looking sleepy. Trey climbs into the chair next to me, rubbing his eyes, while Taylor stumbles over and leans against the table.
"Where's Y/n?" Trey asks, his voice sounding all confused.
"She's with Mom," I say, even though I don't like saying it. "She's coming back, right?"
Mrs. Lewis nods. "Yes, she is, Harper. Don't worry."
Taylor looks up, her eyes wide. "But why didn't she take us?"
Mrs. Lewis sighs softly and pats Taylor's head. "Because the hospital isn't a fun place to be, and Y/n knew you'd be happier here with me. We'll have fun today, okay? I have lots of games and toys we can play with."
I don't feel like playing, but I don't say that. I just want Y/n to come back. Trey starts picking at his pancake when Mrs. Lewis puts the plate in front of him, but he doesn't eat much. Taylor plays with her fork, and I just sit there, hugging Flopsy.
I don't know when Y/n's coming back, but I hope it's soon. Everything feels wrong without her.
Trey's POV
I poke at the pancake with my fork, but I don't feel like eating. My tummy feels weird. Usually, Y/n makes pancakes, and they taste different. These ones are good, but not the same.
"Why didn't Y/n say bye to us?" I ask, looking up at Mrs. Lewis.
Mrs. Lewis looks at me, then at Harper and Taylor, who are sitting quietly. "She had to leave early this morning, Trey. But she'll be back soon, I promise."
I don't like that answer. Y/n always tells us goodbye, even when she has to go to school or do big kid stuff. She didn't this time, and it makes my chest feel tight.
Taylor's not eating either. She's just moving her fork around on her plate, making lines in the syrup. She looks at me and frowns. "I want Y/n to come back."
"I know, sweetheart," Mrs. Lewis says, her voice soft like when we get hurt. "She'll be back soon."
I don't know when "soon" is, but it feels too long. I push my plate away and slide off my chair. "I don't want to play today," I mumble.
Harper looks at me with her big eyes, holding Flopsy tight, and I know she doesn't want to play either. Taylor stands up and grabs her crayon box from the table.
"I'm gonna draw," Taylor says, but she sounds sad too.
I sit on the floor by the couch, pulling my knees up to my chest. I don't even know what I want to do. Maybe I'll just sit here until Y/n comes back.
Mrs. Lewis kneels next to me, brushing my hair back. "Why don't we read a book together? You and your sisters like stories."
I shake my head, hugging my knees tighter. "No. I just want Y/n."
"I know you do," Mrs. Lewis says softly. "But Y/n's doing something very important right now. She's taking care of your mom."
"But she takes care of us," I say, feeling my throat get tight.
Mrs. Lewis pulls me into a hug, and I press my face into her shoulder, trying not to cry. I miss Y/n. I don't like this at all.
"It's going to be okay, Trey. I'll take care of you until Y/n comes back. You're safe here."
I sniffle but don't say anything. I don't want to be safe here. I just want Y/n to come back and make everything feel normal again
Taylor's POV
I don't feel like drawing anymore. The colors aren't making me happy like they usually do. Trey is sitting with Mrs. Lewis, and Harper's playing with Flopsy, but it feels too quiet. I look over at the TV where Mason and Lincon are watching one of their movies.
They're sitting on the couch, looking all serious like they're too big for everything. I walk over, holding my crayon box, and stand in front of them. Mason gives me a look, kind of annoyed.
"Taylor, move. You're blocking the screen."
I ignore him and sit down on the floor right in front of the TV, opening my crayon box. "I wanna watch something else," I say, even though I don't really care. I just want them to talk to me.
Lincon sighs. "We're watching this, Tay. Go color or something."
"I already did," I say, grabbing a green crayon and starting to draw little circles on a piece of paper. "You guys are boring."
Mason groans. "Why do you always have to bug us?"
"'Cause you're not playing with me," I say, turning to face him. I can see Mason's eyes roll, and Lincon just shrugs, staring at the screen again. They're both acting like they don't hear me.
I stand up and sit next to Mason on the couch, kicking my legs a little. "Why aren't you at school?"
"We're staying home today," Mason says, still not looking at me.
"Why?" I ask, even though I know they probably don't want to tell me.
Lincon shrugs again. "Just 'cause."
"You never stay home," I say, pushing at Mason's arm. "Are you in trouble?"
"No," Mason says quickly, but his voice sounds different. "We're not in trouble, Taylor. We're just staying here today."
"Where's Y/n?" I ask, swinging my feet off the edge of the couch. I don't know why, but I really want to know when she's coming back.
"She's in Melbourne, remember?" Lincon says quietly.
I frown, thinking hard. "Why?"
"To see Mom," Mason says, his voice kind of flat. "She had to go."
I blink at him. "But... when's she coming back?"
"I don't know, Tay," Mason mumbles, looking at the TV again. "Just leave it."
I cross my arms, feeling frustrated. "You guys are no fun. Y/n would play with me."
Lincon looks at me finally, but his face is sad, not mad. "We miss Y/n too, Tay. She'll come back soon, okay?"
I don't say anything. I don't like this. I don't like any of it. I slide off the couch and go sit by my crayons again, but this time, I don't feel like coloring at all.
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YOU ARE READING
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RandomWhat happens when your parents die and your left to raise your siblings until someone unexpected comes along. NOTE: none of these pictures are my own