Bound to You

Chapter 8: Changes

“Good morning everyone!” Darcy said brightly as she stepped into the Lynch’s very crowded kitchen. She glanced up at the clock on the wall; it was almost 10:00 a.m. No wonder she was wide awake. “Good morning sweetheart.” Her mom said as she approached. She leaned down to quickly peck her cheek before continuing into the living room to sit. “Ok everyone…get your food and get OUT.” Stormie instructed loudly, pushing Mark and Ryland in the direction Darcy’s mom had left. She caught sight of Darcy and smiled happily. “Morning, dear! Sleep well?” she asked. Darcy nodded as she made her way over to where Stormie stood. “Like a baby.” She placed two waffles on her plate and began looking around, trying to find the syrup bottle. “Has anyone seen the syrup?” she called towards the crowd in the kitchen. Seconds later a muscled arm reached around her and placed it next to her plate. She turned around to see Riker walking away from her towards the living room. She turned back slowly to face her plate. Had he just done something…nice? Actually acknowledged her presence for once? “What’s up with you? You look like you just saw a ghost.” Rydel laughed from beside her. Darcy snapped out of her thoughts and turned to look at her. She hadn’t realized that Riker’s unexpected pleasantness had shaken her outwardly as well as internally. “Oh…I just…thought I saw a spider. That’s all.” She lied smoothly. She gave Rydel a reassuring smile. “Um…excuse me.” A male voice piped up from behind. They both turned around to glance behind them. Rocky was standing with his arms crossed. “Yes?” Rydel asked expectantly. He gestured to Darcy. “What is that?” he questioned, pointing to the red beanie she was wearing over her tousled ginger hair. She reached up and pulled it down farther on her head. (http://www.polyvore.com/relaxed_13/set?id=101615161&lid=1584637) “Oh come on Rocky, I’m having a bad hair day.” She grumbled. He re-crossed his arms. “You have more beanies than I do!” he cried. She shrugged feebly. “But this one matches my sweats.” She said, looking down at the Georgia yoga pants she was wearing. He sighed and waved his hand dismissively. “Just put it back when you’re done.” He mumbled. She grinned and stretched up to quickly peck his cheek as she walked into the living room. “Thanks, Rocky!” she called over her shoulder. “Yeah yeah…” she heard him mutter. Rydel giggled from behind her as she followed her into the living room. Darcy stepped inside and glanced around. Her parents, Maci, and the rest of the Lynch family were all scattered throughout the room. Her mother patted the empty space next to her on the couch. “You can sit over here, darling.” She called. Darcy turned around to look at Rydel. She shook her head as she made her way over to where Mark was sitting on the floor. “I’m fine, sit with your parents.” She assured her. Darcy crossed the floor and settled in between her parents on the couch. “Sleep well?” her dad asked through a mouthful of waffle. She nodded. “I did. Did you guys? I hate that we had to stick y’all in a hotel last night.” Her mom shook her head. “Don’t worry about it, dear. We were fine.” She assured her. Darcy nodded silently and took a few bites of her waffle. Everyone in the room sat quietly, munching on their breakfast. She could tell they were all still exhausted from the party last night. Seconds later she heard Ross come stomping loudly down the stairs. “Morning everyone!” he called. He stepped into the living room and made his way over to where Darcy sat. “Morning, beautiful.” He said, smiling sweetly. Darcy giggled. “Ashley’s still asleep Ross, you’re good.” She said reassuringly. He immediately dropped the act and flopped down to sit on the arm of the couch next to her mother. “Oh, thank God.” He breathed. Maci laughed. “Is it really that bad?” she asked curiously, glancing back and forth between her sister and Ross. Darcy shook her head. “It really isn’t. It’s just-” “Tiring.” Ross finished. Darcy nodded. “What he said.” She stiffened when she heard another set of footsteps pattering down the stairs. She glanced over at Ross. “Ashley.” She whispered. He nodded & immediately stood up and came to sit down on the floor in front of her. He pressed his back against the couch and rested his head lightly on her knee. She ran her fingers absentmindedly through his hair. Ashley dragged herself into the living room a few seconds later. “Morning guys.” She mumbled. She flopped down onto the floor next to Ross. Darcy laughed. “Good morning, sleeping beauty.” Ashley stuck her tongue out at Darcy before turning to face Mrs. Davis. “When does our flight leave?” she asked tiredly. She glanced up at the clock on the wall. “It leaves at 2:00. And it’s 10:30 now so we need to leave here around 12:00 at the latest.” She instructed. Ashley nodded obediently. Darcy glanced over at her mother. “I wish you guys could hang around a little longer.” She said quietly. Her mother nodded as she patted her knee. “I know, sweetie, I wish we could too.” she replied. Her dad nodded as well. “You know, Maci’s birthday is coming up at the end of April, so you’ll have to fly home. It won’t be too long.” He assured her. She nodded her head slowly. “I know…” she said absentmindedly.