Adora couldn't remember how long she had been staring out of her window. She knew she went to bed around ten maybe, though it was six now and the sun was coming up in the distance. Her head was glued to her pillow, both hands under the silk. Adora didn't stay up late often, but now she couldn't help but not roll over and sleep. The window was rather big for a bedroom, with laced curtains tied to each side. It gave a view of the backyard, some small gardens that led to a dock and there the ocean stood with calm waves.
Adora remembered sneaking out with her brother and swimming late at night, their mother catching them and angry. Though Eden couldn't seem to stay mad at them. Adora rubbed her eyes and sat up, stretching and yawning. It wasn't entirely too early to wake up she hoped. She removed her blankets and trailed to the bathroom, dipping her hands in the warm water and splashing it on her face. Rubbing sleep out of her eyes.
As she dried her face, she looked into the mirror and shook her locks from her shoulders. Her face was thin, little cheekbones and a small nose. She wiped her face of water and made her way downstairs. Adora's door creaked open, she silently tip toed down the hall and down the stairs. Adora reached the kitchen, no one was up moving yet. She beamed as she hurried to the fridge, opening it and taking out the strawberries.
Her mother hated when she ate all of the strawberries, but no one existed in this moment for Adora but her and the bowl of red sugary fruit. She sat criss cross on the cold floor and began eating them one by one. She looked out the tall window beside her. The view reached the round driveway and the water out front. Adora could almost smell the nauseating ocean water. They had lived their house since Adora was two and her brother Daniel, was four. She hadn't liked it growing up more than she did now.
The scent almost made her want to puke a times, it would be so strong coming through the window. She was glad all the windows were closed this morning. Adora continued eating the strawberries until she got to last one. She thought about saving it, but instead she ate it. She got up and set the bowl gently in the sink, until she saw something move outside. Daniel was standing ways off, in small area of sand.
Adora quickly grabbed a small blanket and wrapped herself, trailing as fast as she could at a quiet pace. As she reached the end of the driveway, she was able to walk faster. Her feet hit the cold sand, it made her want to stay there. But she continued until she stood by Daniel, looking off onto the ocean as Adora had been doing only an hour ago.
"It's early." Adora spoke after a while, "You usually aren't up."
Daniel shrugged, "I wanted to swim, clear my head but the water was cold so here I am."
"How long have you been out here?" The sun had only come up as she began to get out of bed. Adora wondered how long Daniel had been standing there, if he stood in the dark just staring at the ocean. How odd, She thought to herself. Adora put her hand gently to Daniel's shoulder, hoping it would signal some response.
Daniel just stood there, in some daze as he just sighed, "Not long I promise. It was getting light when I came out."
That gave Adora some comfort. Daniel was two years older. But yet, Adora felt protective over him. He had the same honey brown texture she had in her hair, only his hair was much more curled. Little wasps say on his forehead and he looked on. He had better cheekbones and a sharper chin. She thought she'd cut her fingers on his chin if she had ever touched it a certain way. Adora laughed, which caused Daniel to look at her and smile.
"What are you two doing out here?" The voice made Adora jump, both of then turning to see their mother walking towards them. She wore a soft black cotton robe and her hair was pinned up. "It's freezing out here and nearly eight o'clock."
Eden wrapped her arms around Adora and Daniel. Adora felt warm inside. She leaned into her mother's chest and breathed in her light perfume. It was rose scented, something that heavily comforted her. Both of Eden's hands patted their backs as she led them back inside. Adora watched Daniel look back to the ocean, like he was expecting something to happen. Adora wished she could read his thoughts. She had a funny habit of overthinking what others were thinking.
Eden walked around the couter and opened the fridge. Adora and Daniel both seated themselves on the bar stools, already had removed their blankets. Adora sunk into her seat, slightly bothered at not being able to tell what Daniel was thinking. Daniel was much more quiet than she was, more pessimistic and mistrustful. It was something Adora despised about her brother. Out of all the good, his personality and attitude towards life was her least favorite.
Why couldn't he be like me, She had thought. Adora was kind and sweet and trusting and loving of everyone. She tried her hardest to be, like her mother was. Yet her brother was the odd one, even her father was kind. She had remembered a month ago, when his best friend had died. Daniel had argued he had been murdered, as a set up, but that only hurt her father and caused Adora to snap on him. Her father, Bennett, had been so nice when he shook hans with Cillian St.Clair, he told him how sorry he was for their loss and if her father needed anything, he would always be there.
The ride home was silent that night, no one talked and Adora sobbed the whole way home. Daniel was now as solemn as he was that night. It worried Adora a lot. That night, he had poured out of the car. She watched him shove his hands in his pockets as he went inside. For the next couple of days, he didnt leave his room. Adora didn't blame him. She wanted to hide too, but felt obligated to comfort her parents. Something she assumed Daniel didn't feel.
Now, Daniel looked to the livingroom, bored and quiet. He seemed lost in whatever he was thinking. It made Adora upset. She wanted desperately to know what he was thinking. But she knew if she asked, he'd only say nothing or act like he was stuck in thought to begin with. Adora wished he was more open. They were siblings, siblings were honest with each other.
She looked at his hand resting on the counter, Adora had half a mind to hold it. But she didn't. Instead she looked to her mother who now was pouring orange juice into a cup and going on about some business deal.
Her father entered the room too, and her mother began speaking to him instead. Adora turned to Daniel in hope he'd get the hint and speak to her. He didn't. Instead he kept to himself and stared off into the distance. I hope one day you'll tell me what you think, of anything, Adora thought to herself.
