Adopted By Popularmmos

Chapter 21

"Alex, baby?" Mommy called, I fiddled with my fingers, sitting cross legged on the plush sofa. I peaked at my her from beneath my lashes, her messy brown hair tucked lazily into a bun atop her head. "Why don't you eat something?" She asks me, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. My eyes flicked back down to my fingers, I picked at my nail beds absentmindedly. Every time I though of putting something in my mouth, I heard the thud of Jalen's body hitting the ground.

I remember her choked off sobs and wails of pain as they carried her off, I fought the vile that rose in my throat. "I'm not hungry mommy," I whisper, trying not to think of my sister calling out my name with that horrible sing song voice of her's. My mommy sank, her head dipping, she gently touched my hair and pressed a tender kiss to my forehead. "Do you want to talk about it?" She whispered against my hair, her voice rumbling against my skin. I shook my head slowly, running my finger over the curve of my knuckle.

"Okay," she sighs, flashing a worried look to Daddy. He smiled at me. "Alex, we're going to film a video if you want to join us," He chimed, a smile evident in his voice. My eyes flicked up for a moment, and I felt something other than the numb emotion coursing through me flicker within me. "What kind of video, daddy?" I asked, the ghost of a smile in my voice. He smiles at me as if in victory. "Well, we were thinking about just eating big pieces of chocolate again, those are surprisingly popular," He says with a snigger in his tone, I can't help but laugh a little myself.

"Or we can play Minecraft if you prefer, or order a bunch of toys for Cloud to unbox," he offered, making a smile grace my lips. As if on cue, the furry kitten leaped onto the couch and nuzzled against my leg, purring softly and curling up against me. I lightly stroke his soft fur, feeling an alien sense of joy at the sight of him. But then I thought of Jalen, in the hospital without a mom.

She isn't able to play games or eat chocolate, why should I divulge in that luxury while Jalen goes through a pain I can't even begin to understand? The smile fleets from my lips and I lift my hand from Cloud's fur, he meowed in protest but I just lay my hands in my lap, my head falling. "You can do it without me, Daddy," I whisper, going back to picking at my nail beds. He sags, blatant defeat on his face. He reaches forward and holds my small hand tightly in his own. "Sweetheart, if there is anything at all we can do for you. Tell us," He tells me, his eyes desperate and full of hurt. I look away.

He sighs, standing up and shaking his head at my mommy. She wraps her arms around herself, about to turn around and walk with Daddy behind her when I say, "There actually is something you can do for me," I say so quietly I don't think they hear me, but their heads perk up and they're both at my side. "Anything, Alex,"

"Take me to see Jalen,"