For Rylie

Chapter 3

When the glowing numbers of my alarm clock flicked over to 5AM I sat up, grabbing a hoodie off the floor and pulling it over my head, welcoming the warmth it brought.

I couldn't bear lying in bed and waiting for sleep that wasn't going to come, so I stood up, got a hold of the corner of my duvet and dragged it with me down the hall and to the lounge room.

Once dumping the duvet in a heap on the couch, I padded through the house and back to the kitchen, flipping the kettle on and sitting on a stool to wait for the water to boil.

I rested my heavy head on my arms which were on the cool marble of the counter.

Why can't I sleeeeeep?

It wasn't the first night I hadn't been able to sleep and from past experiences I knew it wouldn't be the last.

The kettle made a 'ding' noise signalling that it had boiled, so I got off the stool and climbed up on the bench to get a mug, my jumper rising a bit as I stretched.

I jumped back to the floor, got a tea bag and then filled my mug with hot water.

After a minute I took the teabag out and put it in the trash, then made my way slowly back to the living room.

I turned the news on then collapsed onto the couch.

I snuggled under my incredibly warm duvet and sipped on my peppermint tea as I waited for the sun to rise.

After an hour of depressing 'breaking news' stories I heard someones footsteps in the house and I heard the kettle turn on.

I set my empty mug - which I had been holding only for warmth - down on the coffee table and untangled myself from the covers.

Walking to the kitchen, I saw my father sitting at the counter with a coffee in one hand and the newspaper in front of him.

He looked up when I walked in, his light brown hair now streaked with gray messily sticking out at all angles.

"Good morning, kiddo," he smiled sleepily as I went around the counter and poured another cup of tea.

"Morning Dad," I responded, pulling my hair out of my ponytail then going back to sit opposite him.

Lines around Dad's eyes appeared as he frowned. "What are you doing up so early?"

I shrugged. "Couldn't sleep."

Dad nodded in understanding and his eyes went back to the paper, scanning the words. I doubt he was actually taking any of the information in.

Sometimes I think he just read the paper because it was what normal father's do.

"The news is so boring," Dad groaned after a few minutes of silence, closing the paper and throwing it to the other end of the bench.

The sun was coming through the window and I smiled. Hopefully it wouldn't be as cold as it was yesterday.

I laughed at my father's immaturity and he frowned, jutting his bottom lip out like a five year old.

"Why are you laughing at me?" He asked in a kids voice, making me laugh even more.

Dad smiled widely as Kye rounded the corner to the kitchen, already dressed in dark jeans, a white t-shirt and a hoodie that was hanging open.

I looked at the clock above the stove and it read 7:30. Kye usually isn't out of bed until at least 8.

"Huh, Kye? What are you doing up?" I asked as my sleepy headed little brother sat on the counter and rested his head on his arms.

"Stupid sun is too bright," he mumbled.