The Questioning Moonlight

Chapter 1

I feel a low but long vibration come from my phone. My alarm is yelling at me to get up. Groaning, I reach over to my side table and pick it up. I press the snooze button and sorely sit up. I rub my lower back were my newest brace is. My new doctor said it should be healed by now but whatever, I honestly think its pretty cool to have. It's a conversation starter. 

I slowly stretch and stand up, slowly rubbing the bridge of my nose. Ruffling my hair, I stagger over to my closet. Old, old, new, old, bingo. I pull out my overly worn sweater that I got from Hawaii a few years ago. The beaches there were so pretty. The water warm with beautiful schools of fish swimming around my legs. 

The door to my room was cracked and I could already hear Dennis and Charlie playing some kind of videogame. I don't think those two have even slept yet. Shrugging it off, I pull on my trusty old, ripped black jeans. I put my phone in my jacket pocket and walk out into the hallway. Something seemed different. Usually Jonathan would be up already cooking breakfast downstairs but, there was a still silence. I begin to tiptoe downstairs and found him laying on the couch, shirtless and asleep. His breathing seemed a bit rough like he has been running. Did he go to the gym? Probably, I told myself. 

I knew Ivy was still asleep but she would wake up in about a half an hour, knowing her. I slid my neon socks against the tiled floor into the kitchen. I opened up the pantry, looking for anything that looked appealing. I hear a quiet groan from behind me and the creaking of the couch. Dang it, he's awake. Jonathan hates it when I sneak a snack before any meals without his permission. 

"Ula, what are you doing up so early?" he asked me, pulling on his striped tank top over his torso. 

"I have highschool registration today, Jon." I looked over my shoulder and saw him frown slightly, watching him rest his elbow on the arm of the couch. 

"Is Ivy taking you or am I?" he yawned, covering his mouth. 

"Ivy said she would but, I wouldn't mind if you both came," I replied, slowly closing the pantry. Of course the door gave a loud moan. Stupid thing. He sighed and stood up, walking over to the kitchen from the living room. 

"What do you want for breakfast, kid? Pancakes? Waffles?" he asked, looking into the fridge for ingredients. He was way taller than me. I was only five feet and six inches but, he must be around six feet! My skinny frame was nothing compared to his. 

"Um, I'm not sure. Can I just have icecream?" I teased as I sat on the counter on the island that separated the living room from the kitchen. 

"No kid, you can't just have icecream. I'll just make apple and cinnamon pancakes since I know you'll eat those like there is no tomorrow," he said. 

I have to admit that Jonathan is a pretty awesome guy. He may seem like a brute but he is truly a sweetheart. I smile and nod in his direction. "Sounds great to me!" 

From upstairs I could hear the disapproval of Charlie and Dennis but, I just laughed to myself. Those dorks always got to choose what was for breakfast. This was a rare occasion for me! At random, this sharp pain hit me hard again in the lower back. I let out a sharp gasp and held my brace. Jonathan quickly put the batter on the stove and walked over to me, his face full of concern. 

"Your back again?" he asked, pulling up my jacket only to expose my back. He was trained in CPR and first aid so I trusted him. 

"Yeah," I stuttered. I felt him loosen the brace and brush his thumb over the wide scar where a piece of glass cut me. I shivered at the feeling and bit my lip, not wanting him to know it hurt. He sighed quietly and mumbled something to himself, carefully securing the brace again. He glanced and the clock and asked me when the registration started. I told him at ten and he nodded. 

"I'll go get your brothers so we can all eat together. Ivy said she wasn't feeling that good last night so I'll just take you. Make sure not to let the pancakes burn, kid," he said as he pranced up the stairs. I looked over to the pancakes and slowly licked my lips. I could tell this was going to be a good day.