Lemon Meringue and all Things Sweet

Chapter Four

The smell of pancakes delightfully seeps into Scarlet's messy room. I shift up against the headboard bearing an attack of hands, belonging to the zombie laying beside me.

"No, no, no what time is it? Go back to bed," the zombie groans. Normally, I would comply; neither of us were morning people. 

"I think your parents are home, Scar. I smell pancakes," in the four years I've known Scarlet, her parents never cooked. Ocean hated cooking just as much as Henry. We eat sugary cereals most of the time, if we even manage to get up before noon. Scar scrambles up beside me. The burst of energy tells me she's having a similar thought. 

"My parents don't make pancakes," she gets out of bed, her hair matted to her head, having dried overnight. I follow swiftly behind her.

We arrive to the kitchen greeted by the unlikely image of Charlie, once again shirtless, standing in front of a frying pan and Billy hunched over the counter on one of the stools- thankfully, fully clothed. 

"Since when do you cook?" My investigator investigates. I stay within the entrance that separates the living room and kitchen.

"Relax, it's just box mix and I have no idea how long it's been sitting in the pantry. But beggars can't be choosers, so you will enjoy it." He replies, still focused on the  buttery goodness in front of him. 

"We cleaned your little friend's candy mess from last night. I swear it was like a whole party worth of wrappers, how are you guys not chubby?" Billy mumbles, head still cocooned in his arms. Clearly they had some fun last night. 

"Hey, no fat shaming us. I'll kick you in the nuts." My blunt girl says as bluntly as ever. 

"A simple 'thank you' would suffice," he groans lifting his gaze towards my girl. I wonder if she notices his eyes scanning her length- or lack thereof.

"Thank you," I smile. Charlie turns around upon hearing my voice.

"Ah, you're awake, good." He brings the pan towards the plates that were set out on the counter next to Billy. We all sit down, Charlie standing across from us, choosing not to sit.

"I made yours with chocolate chips. I figured you'd like it sweeter. Consider this a peace offer and we'll forget about last night." He glances towards his sister who sheepishly would accept anything for warm, buttery, sweetness. 

Forget about everything? Does that imply our secret deal too?

Before I can think about it, my growling stomach had me shoveling my stack into my mouth. The door unlocks and the sound of Ocean's soft, motherly voice floods the living room. 

"Ah Henry, look at this! All of our beautiful children sitting together. Oh Billy, glad to have you." She put her bags on the table and stands behind Scar and I, planting kisses to our heads like she'd been gone more than a single evening.

"How was your night?" Charlie asks, popping the last bite of his pancake in his mouth. He eats his pancakes without utensils and no syrup. Noted. Wait why noted? 

"It was pleasant. Your mother had people from other tables laughing by the end of dinner." Henry chuckles, looking at Ocean as if he's holding the juicy details to himself. 

Henry was a real estate agent, but he always jokes that Ocean is the real partner behind his success. She attends every work function and where Henry lacks in the social arena, Ocean thrives enough for the two of them. 

"So summer is ending, and Lem and I were wondering if we can go to a Sophomore bonfire next weekend." My clever girl can sense that this was the perfect time to ask. I didn't really want to go but Scar insists that it's the best thing we can do before Sophomore year. "We'll get to know the people who will be throwing all the parties; this is how we'll get invited." She cased about a month ago. But really, I know she just wants the chance to stake her claim on Ben publicly.