He says"Hi."

1

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It has been seven years since Dad died. In that time a lot has changed. Mom didn't take it well in the beginning. She struggled to move on but two years later, she found love in my stepdad, Arthur. He is a good guy, a real old school gentleman, despite him currently being 46 years old. He treats my mom well and he has been a good father figure to my little brother, Marcus.

Mom and Arthur decided to have a child together and then came our half sister, Kate. At 5 years old, her outgoing, rambunctious attitude was the biggest source of joy in our now blended family.

With all these growing positives and after all these years, one would think I'd be used to all these changes, but I'm not.

I still think of all the memories I had with my father, from time to time. How he'd wake me up for school with a little song. And the fact that even in my groggy state I would always sing with him.

Despite being given the opportunity of having, another father. I just could not bring myself to move on from my grief. It would have felt like I was replacing Dad in some way. Because of this fear, my relationship with Arthur had not  progressed further than a distant friendship or close acquaintanceship.

I felt guilty for this for a while. But it was kind of too late for me to improve things. I was a year away from moving out of the house so it would just be a waste of time for the both of us. So, I just left things as they were. I was not as if we hated each other. So, why exhaust ourselves?

***

"Ana-Lia, Querida! Can you please come down for breakfast?"

"Sim mãe, I'll be there in a minute!"

Knowing my mom, she wouldn't want me to take long. Standing up I scrambled to get dressed. I slipped on a pair of black jeans and one of my dad's old flannel shirts. Along with some red converse. I tied my hair into a messy bun. After, I grabbed my messager bag from my desk chair and my way downstairs.

Marcus, Kate and Arthur were sat at the table and eating already. Mom was busy setting aside last of the dirty dishes.

"Good morning, everyone." I said, walking into the kitchen.

"Bom dia, querida." Mom replied.

"Hey there, champ."

"Hi Arthur." I said with a monotone voice.

Despite me giving up on progressing our relationship, Arthur still been trying to fill the father role. I understand he meant well but I just didn't see him in that way.

I made my way to the table and sat down. Mom made eggs with tofu sausages and a side of mini fruit parfaits. My mouth watered and my stomach grumbled at the sight. I immediately scarfed it down, enjoying every bite.

"Hehe"

I looked up to my the source of the giggles. And found that they came from Kate.

"What is it?" I asked.

"You eat like a piggy."

Heh, cute.

In response, I made a few pig sounds. Which were rewarded with more giggles. Feeling accomplished, I went back to my meal.

"Another satisfied customer." Mom said, as she patted my head.

She went over to her seat and began eating. From there, sound of cutlery softly colliding with the plates filled the air. The silence was pleasant.

That was until...

"Ana-Lia?"

Looking up I faced, my stepdad.

"Yeah, Arthur?" I asked.

"I was wondering if you'd like come to the mall with me after school."

"What for?"

"You know, just to help me do some shopping. You could even get some new clothes while we're there." He offered.

"I'd love to, Arthur. But I'm already meeting up with Noah, after school. Plus, I'm not really a fan of shopping." I replied.

He responded with a quick 'oh, no problem' before going back to his food. I felt the tension get a bit thick. To avoid any awkwardness, I finished the lasted of my breakfast and quickly got up.

"I have to get to school you guys, I don't want to be late."

My mom knew that it was still a little too early to go and asked me to stay longer.

"Come on Ana-Lia, at least stay with us for a bit longer." She said with a sense of slight anticipation in her voice.

"Não, obrigado ,mãe. You know we always meet up with Daniel before school. Thank for breakfast though."

My mom, not wanting to start an argument just left the subject and let me go. I said my goodbyes to Arthur and Kate as I went to the front door.

"Are you coming, Marcus?" I asked, waiting for him at the doorway.

"Yeah I'm coming, see you later, everyone."

He scrambled to stand up. With that, we set out to meet Daniel but considering what had just happened, I knew that I would have deal with a chat with a certain concerned little brother on the way there.

Can't wait.