White to Red

Above The Clouds Of Pompeii

I wake up extra early so I can think about stuff more. I want to see Dad but then I don't think I'm ready. And of course, I have to consider Ellery too, this must all be so stressful for her.  We exchanged our phone numbers so I  grab my phone and text her.

Ellery 

Me: Hey. I'm not sure that you're up yet but I just want to know how you're feeling about all this. 

Ellery: Hey, I'm so confused and stressed and upset! Basically, I'm feeling all the bad emotions. It's hard to go from perfect family to... This.

Ellery: But how are u?

I cringe slightly at her use of "u" I've always preferred to use the full words instead of abbreviations. 

Me: I'm OK. I'm happy to have a sister and to know why he left us. But it's upsetting. 

Ellery: We should meet at Switzer's after school, so four? 

Me:  sounds fine.

Ellery: OK see u then! have a good day at school sissy  

I sigh and turn off my phone. Diana is still asleep, I smile at how peaceful her face looks and a small ball of jealousy tightens in my stomach, I know I shouldn't be jealous but it's hard not to be. Diana has the life I wish I had I do my breathing exercise and calm down a little bit. I go to YouTube and search up my favorite song Above The Clouds Of Pompeii and turn my sound on as quiet as possible with me still being able to hear. 

"We built our home out on the slopes Pompeii beneath, she lay above How she haunted our home How she haunted our home."  I sing softly along. "You were God in my eyes above the clouds, above the skies you were God in my eyes. You were God." I fall into the song. I love singing, I don't consider myself good at it not that I consider myself good at anything. I sing the song, once, twice and almost a third time when I hear soft applause. "You have such a beautiful voice!" Diana beams proudly. "Thank you, babe." I blush, usually, I wouldn't except the praise but I know Diana will ignore me if I try to tell her I'm not a good singer. "What's the situation with Ellery?" Diana sits up. "We texted a tad and decided to meet at Switzer's at four," I tell her. "Sounds good. Would you like me to come with you? I understand if not since this is a family matter." I shake my head, "I think I need to get to know Ellery alone." 

Diana and I start to get ready for the day, her routine takes a lot more effort than mine, she takes about ten minutes to find the perfect outfit then thirty more on makeup and ten more on skincare. I just throw on any clothes that I have (I have barely any) and put on my glasses and voila I'm ready. I leave Diana to get ready and head into the kitchen for breakfast. Robin isn't there so I start making myself breakfast. I make some pancakes with the pancake mix I find in the cabinet. "Rowen! Darling," Robin squeezes my shoulder. "Thanks for making breakfast."  I nod and hand her a plate with pancakes. "We really need to take you clothes shopping! You're always wearing practically the same outfit.  How about tomorrow?" Robin chows into her food. "Sounds good." I smile and hand Diana her plate. 

School is normal as always so I don't think I really need to go into it. 

I walk into Switzer's and see Ellery. "Hey... Sister." She gives me a big bear hug. "I'm still adjusting to having a sister." Ellery then sits down and shoves me down into the seat across from her. "It was SO hard saying good morning to Dad." Ellery chuckles. "I literally shoved him out of the way so I could get my eggs." She looks quite happy and the jealousy ball twists angrily in my stomach. You should be the one shoving him It tells me I try to ignore it and respond: "He deserves to be shoved!" She laughs at that too. "Y'know I was mad and sad and all that stuff for awhile. But I've always hated being the only child. Mom's always busy with modeling and Dad is busy with work too. So I am quite happy to have a sister. That's why I'm laughing and smiling a lot." Ellery explains. Before I can respond a server comes and we both order shakes. "Well, you have a half-brother too." She claps her hands together at that. "Awesome!" I feel very awkward because happiness is definitely not the reaction I was hoping she would have. 

After a tiny bit of her squealing over random stuff,  and us discussing when would be an appropriate time for me and Dad to meet again. We say goodbye and hug.

The jealousy ball making me feel awful the whole time.