Unexpected

• Chapter Twenty-Five •

"A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself."
-Jim Morrison

• • •

The plan for today is to head to Abel's at around two ish to join him in the pool. I'm not completely sure if dinner is part of this whole shindig but I'll just see how it goes.

Now, the issue I am currently facing at 9am in the morning is my clothing choices. I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard since I'm just going to his house but I also want to look alright since it's possible I might meet the parentals. On top of that, I also have to decide on swimsuit that Abel will see. I don't exactly hate my body, but I do sometimes struggle with not comparing myself to others with more toned physiques and believe that I'm not what someone would want.

Moving on, the three musketeers (Rolo, Rani and Ana) are coming over in like an hour to help me out.

In the mean time, I'm going to shower and do some of the chores that are assigned to me.

I head downstairs after dressing up to get started and run into both of my parents drinking coffee at the breakfast bar.

"Good morning mum and dad."

"Morning Keziah." My mother replies.

All my dad does is grunt. Glad to know talking to me is such a struggle.

"How was work last night?"

"Tiring as usual." My mum says with a sleepy smile. Most people say we both look a alike with our similar skin tones and high cheekbones. The difference is that she has hair styled in a shoulder length  black weave with glasses. Even though she's reaching 50, she honestly doesn't look a day over 35.

"Was everyone begging you to stay again?" I ask.

"Mmhm, especially the younger ones. I worry for the older kids though, I sometimes think they feel more unwanted because of their age. But I'm trying my best to find each and everyone a loving home."

I nod my head and smile in response, feeling happy that she enjoys her job.

"What about you dad?"

"Nothing too different, just the usual difficult patient."

My dad on the other hand is like a whole 3 shades darker than I am. When I say charcoal, I mean charcoal. He's bald but usually wears hats to cover it up. He's kind of toned and slim in a way. I personally don't think that I look much like him but my mum says we have the same smile and photogenic nature. What can I say?

Omari and Nolan both come running down the stairs at an alarming rate.

"Boys! What did I say about running down the stairs!" Mum exclaims.

"Nolan keeps launching his tennis balls at the back of my head!" Omari rubs the sore spot on his head while glaring at Nolan.

Like the baby he is, Nolan runs to dad and climbs in his lap pretending to act all innocent. I can see right through him.

All of a sudden, Marcel enters the kitchen dressed up and ready early for once on a weekend.

"I'm going to see Tenaya!" Marcel grabs an apple from the fruit basket and heads towards the door.

"Can you take your brothers with you!"

Marcel freezes when he hears this and slowly turns around.

"Why?"

"Because they're your brothers and Tenaya isn't the only person in that family last time I checked." My mum replies.

Marcel groans loudly and takes dramatic steps up the stairs to wait for Omari and Nolan to get ready. He's so ridiculous. I bet he just wanted to spend time with Tenaya alone. Sucks to be him.