Don't Do It

T h r e e : Pretence

•Arianna's POV•

I arrive at home only to find that there's no one here. Mom and Dad are still at work, and Steven's still at kindergarten. I probably have about a good two hours to myself until they make their return.

After locking the front door and going upstairs, I randomly decide to have a bubblebath just because I haven't pampered myself in a long time. I am tired of overthinking and personally this is way overdue.

Dressed in my bathrobe and holding my toiletry bag, I exit my bedroom and walk into the bathroom, my hair tied into a messy bun. School is a drag; it's a miracle how I can still even walk at this stage. And you want to know the most amazing yet annoying fact?

No matter how many hours I sleep the night before, I always end up waking up even more tired than I was when I went to bed.

I fill the bath with hot and cold water so that I can get into it after a minute or two. In the meanwhile, I prepare my soap and expensive shampoo, placing them on a tiny stand near the bath.

The bath is nearly full so I turn off the taps, stripping off my bathobe so that it falls on the carpet, and pouring a lot of foam bath. I take my phone and play my favourite playlist since I'm planning on being in here for a long time.

I get inside the bath and use my facecloth to scrub my body, letting the warm water run down my back. It feels so good that I actually let out a moan of satisfaction whilst the scorching hot water cascades over my skin. My muscles relax and in that one moment, I forget about how crappy my day was and just enjoy the music.

×××

"Ari, it's supper time!" Mom informs me, yelling from the kitchen. I'm currently doing my homework whilst I'm lying on my stomach, on my bed. I groan because I've been disturbed from doing my Pythagoras sums. "Coming!"

Leaving my Maths books messily on my baby blue bed sheet, I push myself up and slide my feet into my slippers. I don't feel uncomfortable in my silk shorts and oversized T-shirt which ends right where my shorts end.

I remove my glasses and throw them beside my books. While I'm scratching my head I make my way downstairs, towards the living room, and a heavenly smell starts to linger in the air.

It's Mom's homemade meatballs — the best meatballs on the planet. The only time she cooks this is when she's in a really good mood, and fortunately for me, that's tonight.

This is a big shock, because she literally had the worst morning ever due to Steven and his tantrums. So what on earth could've heightened her day?

Sitting down on a chair by the dinner table, I patiently wait for the rest of the family members to come and join me. "I know what that smell is," Dad says as he sits by the edge of the table, sniffing the air, and I let out a hearty laugh.

"It has to be your mom's amazing meatballs." he continues, laughing at his antics. He stops when he receives a message through his phone, checking it and typing back a reply.

Mom comes out of the kitchen holding two plates and places one in front of Dad and me. "Enjoy." she says and goes back into the kitchen to collect her food.

With my mouth drooling, I stare at the beautiful masterpiece before me. The long bundles of spaghetti are covered with large meatballs and sauce. There are bits and pieces of parsley decorating the dish.

Mom sits down opposite me and it doesn't take me long to notice that there's a member of our family who's missing. "Where's Steven?"

"He's asleep. So let's enjoy the peace and serenity while it lasts." Mom retorts with a small smile. It quickly fades when she clears her throat and extends each of her hands for me and Dad to hold. "Let's pray."