The Coach's Daughter

Chapter 28

Saturday morning I woke up in the same position I fell asleep in. The only difference was that Alex's arm was hanging off the couch and resting on my head.

I cautiously moved Alex's arm off my head, my hand out of Charlie's, and Henry's head off my stomach. I tip-toed into the kitchen, to make breakfast. I pulled out the ingredients for french toast; bread, milk, eggs, cinnamon, and bacon.

Once the food was finished, I loaded it onto two plates and set the table. I quietly walked into the living room, and saw that all three boys were still sleeping.

I can eat in peace for once, I thought, smiling. I sat down at the table in the kitchen and filled my plate with three pieces of french toast and of bacon. Once I finished eating put my dishes in the sink, and grabbed one last piece of bacon before entering the living room.

I sneaked around the boys and was in front of the stairs when somebody grabbed my arm. I turned around, and found myself face to face with Charlie.

"Did I wake you?" I asked, whispering.

"No, I woke myself up," Charlie replied.

"Okay. There's french toast and bacon in the kitchen if you want some," I told him.

"Thanks. Where are you going?" He asked.

"I'm going upstairs to get ready and check on my dad," I answered.

"Okay, I should be getting back soon so my parents don't have to deal with the twins all day," Charlie said.

"Okay, just tell me when you're going to leave and I'll give you a ride," I replied.

"I will," Charlie said with a smile. "I'm going to go eat."

"Have fun," I smirked.

Charlie stuck his tongue out at me. He half-turned, but then turned back, saying, "I forgot something."

"What?" I asked.

Charlie leaned in and kissed the tip of my nose. "Good morning beautiful."

"Good morning handsome," I replied, kissing his cheek. "Now go eat."

"Okay, okay, I'm going," Charlie said, turning and going into the kitchen. I went upstairs, and into my room.

I found a pair of black athletic yoga pants that ended below my knee, along with a white v-neck t-shirt and threw it on. I headed into my bathroom, grabbing my hairbrush. I brushed out my hair, now dry from my shower last night. Rolling a hair tie onto my wrist, I flipped my head, so I was looking at the floor, my hair falling around my face. I gathered my hair in my hands, flipped my head again, not being upside down anymore and tied my hair up into a messy bun. I put on some deodorant, and stepped back into my room.

I steered myself to my bookshelf, looking for the book I was wanting to reread. "Where is it?" I mumbled. I scanned the shelves, looking for the familiar print of the title and author. "Ah, there it is," I exclaimed, pulling it off the bookshelf. I stared at the cover, running my eyes over the familiar lines of the bike and two bodies sitting on it, the blocked letters in red, reading "Sarah Dessen," and the blue swirled font of the title, "Along For The Ride." I stuck it underneath my arm and headed for my father's room down the hall.

Cautiously I opened his door and peeked my head in. I saw my dad laying in bed, his eyes closed, breathing deeply and slowly. Sleeping. I smiled, and quietly closed his door, and walked back downstairs.

As I stepped into the living room, I could tell that the smell of my cooking had woken the rest of the boys up. Nobody was laying down. I could vaguely here forks tapping plates, and mumbled talking.