Lab Rats: The New Addition

Welcome Home

  "Welcome home, Lyrica," says Uncle Donny as we stop in front of a big, beautiful mansion. My eyes practically feel like they are going to pop out of my head. It is so beautiful! I see my Aunt Tasha sauntering toward us excitedly. "Welcome home, guys," she says, happily, engulfing us in a hug. "I'm so glad you're back!" "Thanks, Auntie Tasha," I say. "We're glad to be back!" She lets go of us and shakes Daddy's hand. Then she hugs Uncle Donny and kisses him on the cheek. I watch the couple embrace and I get a flashback.

  My mother and father are hugging and embracing. I go to hug them, but they disappear. I gasp and fall back as the flashback ends and I find myself in Chase's arms. He looks at me, concern in his beautiful brown eyes. "Are you okay," he whispers. I nod, breathless, "I-I'm okay. Thanks." He lets go of me and I grasp his hand. He entwines our fingers. Holding Chase's hand calms me down. I suddenly realize that everybody is looking at me with concern. "Are you okay, sweetie," Auntie Tasha asks. I nod, "I'm okay, Auntie." She nods and gives me a warm smile.

  I keep a tight grasp on Chase's hand, which has become my 'life line,' now, and we all start walking around as everyone gives me a tour a of the mansion and the lab. The last place we visit is a big, roomy, beautiful bedroom that is mostly Royal Blue and Pearl White. "Welcome to your room, Lyrica," says Uncle Donny. My eyes widen, "My room?" "Yup," Uncle Donny replies. "I fixed it all up for you," Auntie Tasha adds. My eyes fill with tears of joy. I turn around and engulf Auntie Tasha and Uncle Donny in a big hug. They hug me back. "Thank you so much," I whisper. "No problem, sweetie," says Auntie Tasha.

  "We're happy to help," says Uncle Donny. I hug them for a few more seconds and then let go and smile. Later, Bree and I are chatting away as we paint our fingernails and toenails. I am using a light, natural pink, and Bree is using hot pink. "So," Bree says, mischievously as she paints her nails. "Have you seen any boys that you think are cute yet?" I look at her and smirk, "I think you know the answer to that question." "Is it still Chase," she asks. "Yup," I reply, proudly. "Why do you like him so much anyway," she asks. "Well, I don't know," I reply. "Maybe it's his eyes. Or his smile. Or his hair. Or his sweet, funny personality. Or.......his brain."

  Bree looks confused, "His what now?" "His brain," I repeat. "Chase is really smart and I like his brain." Bree's expression looks like a mix between happy, amused, confused, and disgusted. I smile brightly at her and wait for a reply. "Okay," she says, awkwardly. "Good to know."
After I spend some time with Bree, I find Adam and Leo arm wrestling. Leo is actually doing well, so he is probably using his bionic arm. I sit and watch them for a few minutes. Then I get bored and wander into Chase's room.

  He is scribbling something on a piece of paper and, once again, mumbling some Mathematical mumbo jumbo that I don't understand at all. Or maybe it's Science. I have no idea, but I still find it highly attractive. I find myself standing and staring at him, listening to him and watching him be his usual, adorable genius self. Suddenly, I blurt out, "I like your brain." He stops what he is doing immediately and looks at me, "What?" "I like your brain," I say again, nervously. He looks confused. I sigh, "Look, what I mean is, you're smart. Really, really, really smart. It's what I like most about you."

  His whole face turns plumb red and he smiles the widest that I have ever seen him smile. "Well, th-thank you," he stutters. "That means a lot to me." I smile and nod. He smiles back. "Well, I guess I'll see you around," I say. He smiles shyly. "Yeah," he says, softly. "See ya." We smile and stare at each other for a few seconds. Then I exit the room with a big, ridiculous smile spread across my face and skip into the kitchen where it smells like Auntie Tasha is cooking something delicious. "Mmm," I coo. "What's cookin'?" "Mashed potatoes and gravy," Auntie replies, cheerfully.

  I skip over to her side and inhale the sweet scent of the mashed potatoes as the hot steam blows in my face. "Thank you so much, Auntie Tasha," I say, greatfully. "You including me like I'm part of the family and treating me so kindly is one favor that I will never forget...Mom." "Oh, you're welcome, Lyrica," says Auntie. "You're always welco- Wait a minute. Did you just call me-?" She stops talking mid-sentence as I engulf her in a tight hug. She hugs me back. "Well, sweetie, I'm flattered," Tasha says. "I would do anything for you." I hug her tighter. I am really gonna like living here.