surprises

➢ Surprise 22

     Silence.

     I was met with a room of stone cold silence.

     And let me tell you, I didn't like it. Not one bit.

     My fingers felt sticky on the leather couch, staring at four very blank faces. I guess this was their surprise to take in and make something out of.

     Mr and Mrs Miller were standing in the doorway, each of them sporting similar faces of concern, for the boys, who just learnt my little story, and quite possibly for me, who just spilled my guts out to them, only to have no response. Yet.

     "Crap, Faith."

     I looked over at Lachie who was now slumped over, his arms resting on his knees as he peered up at me, strands of his brown hair falling in front of his eyes. I offered him a grim smile, looking as the other boys were now looking at me with the same sort of hopeless look on their face, and Mason was scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

     "Shouldn't, um, Carter know?" he muttered.

     "Well, he kinda figured it out, on his own.." I trailed off, really hoping this depressing subject of conversation would come to an end.

     Who really wants to talk about death? It's not something that many people would prefer to talk about. I, for one, just wanted them to know, for everyone else's sake, not for mine. They shouldn't have to keep a secret like that from their family, I was simply not bringing it up and scooting around it.

     Rider slowly pushed his body off the couch and ruffled my hair, as he plonked back down again next to me. "Is there something you would like us to do with this information?"

     I shook my head dismissively "Not really, just general knowledge, I guess. Tuck it away, and save it for necessary occasions." I said, hoping to steer off the minutes of great depression and maybe get some food, perhaps a cupcake, or some chips---

     My delicious thoughts were interrupted by my phone blaring on the table, dirty paws echoing though out the large room, as I pushed myself off the couch to grab my phone which was vibrating on the glass table. Quickly sliding my thumb across the screen I brought it to my ear. "Hello?"

     "You take forever to answer your phone!" a voice screeched into the phone.

     "Sorry. Anyway, is there anything you needed, or?" I questioned to Ally, a smile tugging at my lips.

     "Yes! I need you to open your damn front door 'cause I've been standing out the front for about fifteen minutes, and yes, I was knocking. Also, it's freezing and you make the best hot chocolate." she albeit exclaimed. Whoops.

     "Ok, gimme seventeen seconds and ill be there."

     "Not that you're being exact or anything..."

     "Goodbye Ally" I drawled out, hanging up and jogging to the front door.

     I opened the large wooden door to see Ally shivering on the front step, dressed in an oversized woollen cardigan, leggings, and knee-high ugg boots. And I thought I got cold easily. She made her way inside, rubbing her arms with her gloved hands, giving me a one armed hug and followed me into the living room.

     "Hi Aunt Lizzie"  Ally waved, as Mrs Miller gave her a friendly smile.

     "Haven't you ever heard of a doorbell?" Mason sneered, as Ally huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.