Austin and Ally the college years

Chapter Fifteen: A New Morning

It was a sunny Saturday morning, the kind that filled the house with a warm, inviting glow. The clock on the wall ticked softly, its rhythm providing a comforting backdrop to the sounds of sizzling and chopping coming from the kitchen. Austin was up early, determined to whip up a breakfast that would not only fuel his body but also clear his mind.

He stood at the stove, the aroma of freshly cracked eggs and crisp bacon filling the air. Austin had always found solace in cooking, a skill honed over years of trial and error, as well as some helpful guidance from his mom. Today, he was making a hearty breakfast—a classic American spread of scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and fluffy pancakes topped with fresh berries.

As he expertly flipped the pancakes, his thoughts drifted back to the letter from his mom. He still felt a mix of emotions about his newly discovered sister, Emily. Reaching out felt like a daunting step, and he wasn’t sure if he was ready for the conversation that lay ahead. What would he even say? How would she react?

“Maybe I should just wait a little longer,” he muttered to himself, pouring a generous amount of syrup over the pancakes. He tried to shake off the uncertainty, focusing instead on the breakfast in front of him. He added a sprinkle of powdered sugar to the pancakes and set the table, feeling a sense of accomplishment with each small task.

Just as he finished plating the food, he heard the front door open and footsteps echo through the hallway. A moment later, Ally appeared, her hair slightly tousled from sleep but her eyes bright and curious. “Wow, it smells amazing in here,” she said, taking in the sight of the breakfast spread.

Austin grinned, his spirits lifting a little at her arrival. “Thought I’d try my hand at breakfast. Hope you’re hungry.”

“Absolutely!” She walked over to the table, eyeing the fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon with appreciation. “You’ve really outdone yourself.”

He gestured for her to sit, pouring her a glass of orange juice. “Thanks. I figured we could use a good start to the weekend.”

As they settled down to eat, Ally dug into her pancakes, savoring the taste. “So, any plans for today?” she asked between bites, glancing up at him.

“Not much. Just thinking about what to do next with… everything,” he replied, his voice trailing off. He didn’t want to burden her with the weight of his thoughts just yet.

Ally looked at him with understanding, sensing the hesitation in his tone. “About Emily?”

Austin nodded, pushing a piece of pancake around on his plate. “Yeah. I don’t know… I keep wondering if reaching out is the right thing. I don’t want to mess this up.”

“Have you thought about how she might feel?” Ally asked gently. “I mean, finding out about you must be overwhelming for her, too.”

“Yeah, that’s true,” he replied, taking a sip of his orange juice. “I guess it’s just all so new. I’m still processing it myself. I don’t want to come off as just another complication in her life.”

“Maybe reaching out could help you both,” she suggested. “You have a chance to get to know each other. It might mean a lot to her.”

Austin mulled over her words as he chewed thoughtfully. “You really think so?”

“I do,” she affirmed, her voice steady. “You won’t know until you try. Just be honest with her about how you feel. That’s what matters most.”

He looked at her, appreciating her insight. “Thanks, Ally. I’ll think about it.”

As they finished their breakfast, the atmosphere in the room felt light and filled with potential. Austin knew he had decisions to make, but having Ally by his side made the process feel a little less daunting.

Once they cleared the table, Ally suggested they go for a walk in the nearby park. Austin agreed, thinking that some fresh air might help clear his mind even further. As they got ready to leave, he couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, today could be the day he made the first step toward reaching out to Emily.