Into My Own

Twelve

Sunday morning came far too early for my taste.

I woke up and found myself cuddled at the very bottom of my sleeping bag next to an unidentifiable pair of feet.

Tommy was drooling a few feet away.

Oakley was cocooned up in the corner.

Ryker was snoring like a freight train on the other end it the tent.

The rest of the boys were already up and--from the sounds of soft conversation and sizzling bacon--cooking breakfast.

I slowly made my way outside, trying not to trip over the virtual carpet of people.

Charlie was sitting on the cooler with his elbows resting on his knees. I plopped down next to him and leaned my head on his shoulder.

"Good morning." Charlie smiled at me.

"Morning." I mumbled into his shoulder.

"Nice bed head," Shawn commented.

"Thanks," I yawned, my voice scratchy. "I get that a lot."

"I made breakfast!" Landon shouted, proudly waving a plate in front of my face.

"Is it edible?" I asked cautiously.

"Well, none of us have died yet," Charlie shrugged.

"Okay..." I carefully took a bite of bacon. "Not half bad."

"See! I told you!" Landon yelled victoriously.

"I think I'm gonna let you cook more often," I commented with a straight face.

He immediately froze and scowled at me in shock. "You wouldn't."

"Try me."

"I quit!" He yelled, walking away.

"But Landon! Your food is soooo good!" I continued egging him on.

"So is yours," he pouted.

Tommy stumbled out of the tent rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Morning, Tommy," I called out, shifting my attention.

"Mornin," he raised a hand in acknowledgement.

Landon handed him a plate and stuck his tongue out at me.

Tommy began chowing down without even batting an eye.

We all stopped talking and concentrated on eating.

I leaned my head back on Charlie's shoulder and began to doze off.

I was just about asleep when I felt him shift and I toppled off the cooler, smacking the ground.

"Son of a.." I began to yell.

The boys began laughing hysterically, adding to the ruckus.

Ryker, Matt and Oakley ran out of the tent in alarm.

"What happened?" Matt yelled, his voice cracking.

"Coda fell off the cooler when I went to get up." Charlie explained, scratching his neck sheepishly.

I let out a muffled groan and rolled over onto my stomach to get comfortable.

"That was frickin loud." Oakley stated.

"Yeah. She's fine though. You guys want some food?" My brother asked.

"I cooked!" Landon yelled proudly.