Unexpected

[9] Baby Steps

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't really updated again. :/ I had meant to post this on Valentine's Day, but my weekend was pretty busy... Hopefully this chapter will make up for it though! Thank you for reading! :)

Clara.

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It seemed like recently my days alternated anywhere from okay and functional to a sobbing mess curled up in my bed. When I woke up on the morning exactly a week from when school would start, I could tell it was going to be a long day. My heart felt heavy from the moment I opened my eyes. I suspected it had something to do with school quickly approaching, and the idea of not having Mom there to see me start junior year. I woke up early that morning, so I decided to go downstairs and make breakfast for everyone. I had a large stack of Belgium waffles warming in the oven by the time Dean sleepily tromped down the stairs. He pulled up a chair at the breakfast bar and sat down.

    “Are you okay?”

    I shot him a quick glance, shrugging as I continued to mix the fruit salad.

    “I’m fine. Why?”

    “No reason… It’s just that you’ve made enough food to feed an army and I know you tend to cook when you’re upset. Want to talk about it?”

    Pursing my lips together, I swallowed down the lump that seemed permanently lodged in my throat and leaned forward.

    “It just hit me hard today I guess, for whatever reason… Mom being gone. I keep thinking about school, and how she isn’t going to be there to see me graduate, or go to college, or…” I trailed off, wiping away a stray tear and sniffing.

    I heard footsteps and looked up, expecting to see Mark but receiving a shock. Rachel’s hair was up in a messy bun, but she was actually wearing clothes today rather than Mark’s robe.

    “What are you doing here?” The question came out harsher than I intended, but I couldn’t honestly say I cared.

    Rachel sent me a sour look and poured herself a cup of coffee before sitting down a seat away from Dean. I just made a face back and straightened up, returning my attention to preparing breakfast. I wondered if Mark was still going to propose to her, or if he already had. A small bit of relief filled me when I sent a glance at her left hand and noticed there was no ring. That didn’t mean for sure that they weren’t engaged, but I had a feeling that Rachel was the type to demand a flashy ring to go with Mark’s proposal.

    I reluctantly added another setting to the dining room table for Rachel. When I came back into the kitchen Mark had joined the small group gathered there, all dressed for work in his button up shirt, designer jeans, and styled hair.

    “Breakfast’s ready,” I announced, setting the platter of waffles on the table beside the bowl of mixed fruit.

    “Put a shirt on, son.”

    I heard Dean try to protest, but our dad sent him a stern look and I had to bite back a smile as he huffed and went upstairs. When Dean returned he sent a glare at the back of Rachel’s head and sat down beside me. We exchanged looks, silently shooting waves of dislike across the table at Rachel. If she wasn’t here, I knew Mark wouldn’t have cared whether or not Dean was properly dressed. We’d had breakfast many times with Dean half naked and no one had dropped dead yet.

    “This is delicious, Kodi, thank you.” Mark said as he reached for his third waffle. I just nodded and poured myself another glass of orange juice.