Welcome to the Family

Chapter 3

            I blinked my eyes a few times and rolled over on my side, glancing at the time on my phone. It was almost three in the morning, and that meant my alarm would be going off any minute. I closed my eyes and held my breath for a moment, then turned my light on. I planned ahead and showered the night before and had everything packed and ready to go. After my alarm sounded the second time, I hit dismiss, then texted Charles’ number, just to remind him that’d I’d pick him up in a half hour.

Once I was out of bed, I pushed my blankets back to look like I made an attempt to make the bed. Then I grabbed the pile of clothes I had set out last night to wear on the ride there. My outfit consisted of black leggings and a big sweatshirt. I had no intent of impressing anyone, especially since Harvey’s graduation wasn’t until Friday, and it was only Wednesday. I continued getting ready to leave, putting on deodorant, brushing my teeth, quickly throwing my hair up, which took less than ten minutes. And then I grabbed my two bags, my small carry on, and my purse, and hopped down the stairs- as quiet as I could of course. But to my surprise, Liv, my dad, and Kars were already awake and Liv was making breakfast. It smelled like bacon and eggs and every breakfast food I could imagine. “What’s the big occasion?”

I chuckled, lifting Karson up and patting down his messy hair. “I thought it’d be nice to take you to the airport.” My dad said, still in his clothes from yesterday.

“I’m okay with driving myself- Charles  is coming along, so I don’t know if you want to be around him.”

Karson was not a morning person, which didn’t surprise me. He was almost three and even though he could talk, he liked using facial expressions more than words. I sat him back down in his highchair and then found a seat beside my dad. Liv sat the plates of food down when I decided to invite Charles over, so he could have some food.

Less than 15 minutes later, a quiet knock came to the door, followed by the door swinging open. “Come on in, Charles.” My dad said, finishing up his coffee.

“Sorry sir. Lar, are you bringing your Xbox?” Charles said, gnawing off a bite of bacon.

I shook my head, “probably not. I mean, Harvey has one, Tayler has one, I think we’ll be fine.” Standing up, I pulled my leggings up and then sat back down in my chair. “I am bringing my laptop and modded controller. And of course my headset.”

My dad tapped his watch and walked to the front door. I jogged up the stairs and double checked to make sure that I didn’t forget anything. I turned off the lights and grabbed my neck pillow from my bed. As I turned around, I bumped into a solid object, knocking me back a step. “Shit,” I looked up and it was Charles. “Yes?” I asked, stepping aside and placing my hands on my hips.

“Nothing, you still have that picture I gave you?” I turned to where he pointed.

“Our graduation. Yes, of course.” The picture was of me kissing him on the cheek and Tayler giving him bunny ears, and Harvey with his arm around my waist. I snorted, “do you remember the time you slept over and you slept walked into the kitchen and spilled chocolate milk all over yourself?”

“Oink oink,” he playfully grabbed my sides, “and have you forgotten the time that you made me drive to the store during school because you got your period?”

I pushed him away, “hey you owed me after I got you out of being grounded.” I rolled my eyes, “who smokes pot in their own house, when they know they’ll get caught?”

“We both had embarrassing moments. Let’s just leave it at that.” Charles had a grin on his face, “wait, remember the time- ” I put my hand on his mouth.