I woke up at 9 on the dot. I went to shower and brush my teeth as my daily morning routine and put on a tank top and some shorts. I put my hair up in a messy bun since it was way too hot to leave it loose. As I went down the stairs I could smell Edwin's favorite breakfast dish. Bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich in a butter toasted croissant.
"Good morning." My parents and sibling greeted me. I was surprised Edwin was up and ready long before me. At least that means no more fighting for the bathroom in the morning.
"Good morning." I said smiling. "Breakfast smells amazing mom."
"Thanks honey." She replied with a big smile on her face. I sat in between Edwin and my dad, just like old times, at the breakfast table. It felt really awkward being all together in the same room again. Edwin and I didn't hate each other anymore which was probably what was causing my parents to be so quiet this morning.
"Your mother and I were thinking, hopefully before Edwin goes back to the military-"
"Army." I corrected.
"Army?" My parents both asked at the same time with confused expressions on their face. "What are you talking about Elizabeth?" My dad asked. Edwin glared at me. Oopsies...
"Army...military...whatever. It's the same thing." I said pretending to be unaware of the differences.
"As I was saying," my dad continued and Edwin let out a sigh of relief, "I was thinking maybe we could go on a family vacation. By the way, they are NOT the same thing, Elizabeth."
"HAHA! A family vacation. Me with Edwin? You're hilarious." I said glaring at my dad and avoiding the topic.
"Save it Elizabeth. I heard the two of you talking last night." My mother said.
You didn't hear everything mom. I thought to myself. You guys don't even know Edwin is in the Army not the military.
"Whatever you heard...it's wrong." Edwin said.
"You're not fooling anybody." My mother said setting the table for breakfast.
"I see you dyed some of your hair blonde." Edwin told me. "I couldn't see that since we were talking with a small amount of light last night. And you've grown a lot."
"Yes, puberty is a marvelous thing." I said smirking. "And I dyed the bottom half blonde."
"Clearly not so marvelous for SOME people." He said taking a bite of his sandwich.
"Oh, you mean people like you?" I asked taking a sip of my fruit punch.
"Who's this 'you' person? Is he your new imaginary boyfriend?"
"That's really corny." I said scrunching my face.
"Well excuse me. There aren't any little girls I can make fun of back at the base." He said and I glared at him.
"I am not a little girl." I said.
"Ok, shorty."
"Ok, skyscraper." I mimicked him. "You're only a year older than me."
"You're only a foot shorter than me." He mimicked back. I ignored him and finished my breakfast. Our parents didn't say a word. They just watched us go back and forth eating their own breakfast. I bet they're happy their son and daughter get along even though they still make fun of each other. I guess it's our 'thing'.
"You're on dishes duty today!" I yelled towards Edward as I put my dish in the sink.
"Mom showed me how to use the dishwasher actually." He said putting all our plates in the dishwasher.
