What It Seems | Wattys 2023

Chapter 4

The sun was rolling in and my body was warm and snug, tangled in blankets. I flipped over and mashed my face into my pillow. After minutes of not being able to fall back into a slumber and sleep for the rest of the day, I rolled over and checked my clock, reading Saturday, 10:43AM. It felt refreshing to sleep late since I haven't done since Sunday.

I laid on my stomach and began scrolling through my social media accounts. Nothing intrigued me so I locked my phone and placed it on my nightstand. I stood from my bed and stretched as I walked to the bathroom to brush my teeth.

Once I was done, I walked into the kitchen to see what Aiden was up to. He was lying on the couch - one foot swung over the back of the sofa and the other on the floor, bouncing up and down. He was on his phone.

"Boo!" a deep voice exclaimed. I sighed while listening to the two laughs.

"What are you cooking?" Baylor asked, leaning over the kitchen island behind me.

"Food." I pulled out a pack of bacon and the carton of eggs. Along came the cheese, peppers, and onions. I was going to make myself breakfast even if it was an hour shy of lunch hour.

"I'm hungry," Baylor whined.

"There's food," I replied, then cracked two eggs into the bowl and began to beat them. I heard another set of footsteps scuff against the floor.

"What're you cooking, sis?" Aiden inquired, standing over my shoulder.

"Breakfast," I answered and began to place strips of bacon in the pan. The sound of oil began popping and I pulled my hands away from the pan. I pulled out a chopping board and began to dice peepers and cut up an onion.

I fixed my plate and a glass of orange juice. I poked a fork into my cooked meal and made my way to the living room. I turned whatever Aiden was watching to We Bought a Zoo. I propped a pillow on my stomach while my legs were resting on the ottoman. I sat my plate on the pillow and began to stuff my mouth.

Aiden and Baylor were making their way into the living room, having a joke between the two and laughing about it.

"What kind of sappy crap is this?" Baylor asked. I rolled my eyes at his comment and continued to watch the movie. Now it feels like there are two Aidens living here.

"Turn it," Aiden demanded, snatching the remote from my side.

"Can you not?"

Aiden tossed the remote to Baylor, causing more agitation to boil inside of me. I walked to Baylor's side of the room to try and repossess the remote. He threw it to Aiden and they both burst into laughter as I ran back between both.

I gave up and headed to my bedroom instead.

***

I grabbed my shoulder purse as I began making my way out of the apartment with determination to get away.

"Where are you going?" Aiden wondered, craning his neck from the kitchen. I pulled on my boots and grabbed my apartment key.

"Can't I have some me-time? I have to tell you everything. You're not my father, Aiden," I hissed.

"I may not be your father, but I have the right to know where you're going," he answered.

I began to open the door to walk outside until a push to the door occurred.

"Thanks Baylor."

"Move," I sent daggers to his brown eyes, trying my best to threaten him.

"Not until you tell your brother where you're going."

I groaned. "You two are very aggravating."