Dating the Dead • lrh

15. happy

They were completely ignoring me.

After a rather uncomfortable introduction, I don't know about Ashton Irwin, I'd rather go back up the hill and stumble on the grass. Shelby and Ashton were hanging out with the kids, helping them with breakfast. It was a bit after seven in the morning and the children were already active.

And yet no one was paying me any attention taking pictures on the side of the cottage we were in.

I spotted Harper on the other side of the cottage. He was sitting behind the table where the big pots were. Three boxes were stacked on a separate table behind him.

Shelby and Ashton served the porridge a while ago and now they were helping the younger kids with their food. I walked towards Harper who had just finished his plate of porridge.

"Give me the camera and get involved out there. Shelby's too distracted to drag you herself," he said then took a swig from his glass.

"How would you know?" I asked, sitting next to him.

Harper smiled. "Because she's living the moment to even think about anything else. Right now, Molly," he pointed at the little girl in blonde braids Shelby was feeding on her lap, "who's only three years old, is more important than an eighteen year old kid who didn't know quite what to do with his life."

"You don't know that," I said, trying to keep my voice even. "I'm doing perfectly fine."

"That is not what she thought when she broke into your window this morning." I gave him an irritated look and was about to retort when he continued, "I should know because she changed mine, too." He smiled to himself, as if recalling a good memory. "Point is, that's what she does, Shelby, she'll change your perspective about life but she's not going to spend hers making sure that you are 'living'. You gotta do it yourself. Now get out there."

Harper took the camera from my hands and tugged on Shelby's backpack I did not realize I was still carrying. I scanned the area, the children were eating happily and Ashton was going around, pouring water on empty glasses. Shelby was still helping the little girl, their wide smiles made my own lips curl up.

I heard a shutter sound and I turned to face Harper, who took another photo of me. He widened his eyes and motioned his head to the hall. I haven't even taken a step when a little boy, who I think was six years old, approached me.

"Um, wee you hep me iit?" he said, flashing a toothy grin.

I scooped him up in my arms. "Where's your table?"

The kid pointed to the empty table next to where Shelby was. I shook my head as we made our way over there. "Hey," I said to Shelby once I sat down.

"Oh hi, good of you to join us," she beamed at me while little Molly had her hands on the table, whacking her plate with her spoon.

"Yeah, I-"

I wasn't able to finish my sentence because the kid had knocked the glass of water over. Shelby stood up immediately but they already got wet.

"Woopsie," the baby blonde said.

Shelby stood up with Molly in her arms. Ashton was quick on his feet and rushed with a cloth while I couldn't even get up to help.

Even more when the kid on my lap started shoving porridge on my open mouth.

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