Beautiful Things

Chapter 11-Breakfast

WHEN I WOKE UP, Oscar was gone, and all I could think of was his whisper, his voice, his eyes, him. I braced my elbows on the bed behind me, shaking my hair out so it fell around my shoulders. I let out a breath, watching as a cloud of water vapor puffed from my lips. I wished I could take a picture of it.

I stood from the bed, stumbling a little as my legs were slightly sore. I was still fully dressed from what I wore yesterday. I glanced around, and noticed folded clothes that lay in a pile on a small rocking chair. I smiled, and graciously picked them up. The shirt was a small maroon tank top and for bottoms I had been given generic shorts. It was better than nothing, I decided, and put them on. I didn't feel comfortable taking a shower in someone else's home, so I thought I'd just take one when Brian brought us home.

I pulled my flip flops on, and hurried down the stairs and into the living area. Oscar was there, and he smiled when I came down.

"Hey," he said, and walked over to me. How can someone be so pretty? It was hardly fair. I'd love to be half as attractive as he is. Maybe a guy would have more than my personality as a reason to love me, I added morbidly.

"Hi," I responded, smiling at him. I mean, how couldn't you? I pushed thoughts of Xavier to the back of my mind and focused on here and now. My philosophy is that one must keep moving forward, never looking back unless it's to reflect. Right now, I wouldn't look back. I refused to. This was my summer, and a breakup-even if it was one that tore my heart in half-wasn't going to ruin that. I came here for my Father, for Brian, for me.

"Do you want breakfast? Brain's already in the kitchen."

"Sure," I smiled, remembering I still had to ask him about his Grandmother's and his conversation. Although, maybe it was fated that I didn't get an answer last night. Maybe it's kind of creepy I overheard his conversation and maybe I just shouldn't ask about it, after all.

"Okay. Follow me. Also, I want to talk to you later." I nodded at his request, hoping it meant he'd just tell me what I overheard and I wouldn't have to re-ask him.

Oscar led me to a small kitchen that was rustic but absolutely gorgeous, and it certainly had a Grandmother's charm to it. I glanced to my left, and saw Brian sitting on a tall stool while eating cereal. I slid in beside him.

"What's up?" I asked. I would tell him about Xavier when we were alone.

"Um, eating? Idiot." He muttered, but gave me a good natured smile and ruffled my hair. I shot him my signature venomous look, and took a big bite out of his food. "Hey!" He narrowed his eyes at me, and shielded the rest of his food from me. Lucky for him, I wasn't a breakfast person, so I walked back to Oscar's side instead of eating anything.

"Turns out I'm not that hungry. Seeing his face in the morning," I threw my arms toward Brian, "takes away my appetite."

"You do realize we are twins!" I heard him call after me.

"Not identical, thank God!" I yelled back, and left before he could get any other remark in.