Thirteen Summers

eleven

J O S E P H I N E

Ever since I started studying on the weekends with Roman, I found myself struggling a lot less in class.

It had now been a month since I'd started summer school which meant this was my last week here. At the end of this week, I'd be sitting my entrance exam for highschool.

Roman had been strict on me completing my homework correctly, and studying on my days off. On those days, I'd tag along to the office with my brothers, like I did that first week

I was in Roman's office the majority of the time, when he had a break he'd sit with me and help me do my work.

Other times, Cameron would stop by me and make sure I was alright, he wouldn't stay long though, he was much too busy.

Also Kai, who had clearly been forced to do so, would peek his head in to check that  I was still in one piece.

During lunch, we'd all eat together in the restaurants. Like we were this day.

"Hmm.." I pondered, looking over the menu before settling on one dish, turning to Cameron who'd asked me. "I'll have Chicken Tenders and Fries, please."

Kai sat across from me, his face scrunched up. "Why do you always read the menu as if you don't get the same thing every single time?"

"I don't know." I shrugged, closing the menu and placing it in the middle of the table.

"Why do you always get the same thing?" He blinked, he looked truly baffled.

I shrugged yet again, not answering. I looked out the window, the view was beautiful, I don't think it's something I'd ever get sick of.

"Your sister's just a picky eater, she'll grow out of it soon enough."  Cameron spoke in lieu of my silence, his eyes were on the menu before they slowly lifted to face me. "Josephine."

"Yes?"

"Why don't you try something new today, hm?" Cameron kindly suggested, lowering his menu.

"No, thank you." I shook my head with a smile, then I looked back out to the window.

I didn't notice Roman and Cameron exchange looks when I denied because of course, I wasn't aware that the latter wasn't asking but rather he was telling me.

"Josephine, I think it'd be good if you tried something new." He mentioned again, this time there was no doubt that I was being told. "Have a look at the menu and pick something else."

I stared at Cameron, confused. He didn't say anything, he simply placed my menu back in front of me.

I looked to Roman instead, my eyes pleading but clearly he agreed with our eldest brother.

Reluctantly, I opened my menu and took a look at the other dishes. I blinked back tears, an uneasy feeling washed over me. I don't know why I felt this way, I didn't mean to be so dramatic.

I didn't even know what most of the things on the menu were. There were words I recognised, like Fish then they'd be followed by something random like Florentine.

Like what on Earth is a Fish Florentine?

Anyways, I didn't even like fish.

I didn't realise how much time I was taking until the waiter came and took everyone else's orders, I still wasn't ready. Even when the drinks had arrived, I wasn't ready.

"Next time, okay?" Cameron sighed, gently taking my menu away from me. He called over the waiter and then ordered for me, "Chicken Tenders and Fries."

I'd just have to hope he'd forget the next time.