Diabolus: The Lost Phoenix

Chapter Ten

KEVIN WOODS

We all were woken up by Beverly, 6 A.M. when the sun was only rising up. She stormed into my room, screaming and jumping like a little girl who's first tooth just fell out and she was expecting a Tooth Fairy; but the only fairy she got was me, wearing purple boxers and yawning. She pulled the sheets out of my bed and me, together with them.

Because she had a surprise.

When she forced me to put my sweats on and dragged me to her room, which is clearly bigger than mine; all of us were already there, all sleepy, yawning, tired and angry.

"Can we make it quick, I really want to sleep for five more hours..."

"Definitely. What is going on?"

Lexi lays down on the bed, when Aaron does the same and places his head on her chest; but she aggressively pushes him away, making him fall out of bed.

"Ow!"

"Keep your distance!"

I take a seat on the beige leather couch, right next to sleepy Brooklyn dressed up in her khaki sweats, her hair tied in a messy bun; but she still looks incredibly cute.

"So what's up?"

Beverly and Kai stands right in front of us when Kai pulls out a bottle of champagne and wraps an arm around Beverly's waist; who's still smiling like a little girl. She raises her hand forward, showing us and incredibly beautiful diamond ring.

"We're getting married!"

"What?"

"Are you serious!?"

All the sleepiness disappears when my eyes widen and I jump on my feet, like a huge dose of caffeine was just poured into my system. I feel the corners of my lips rising up when a honest happiness for my brother fills up my stomach; I have never thought he would be ready for this step.

Not because he wasn't ready to commit; he is already committed, to all of us. He built a big family, he worked hard to bring us all together, and he takes care about us all; I didn't even think he had time to plan a proposal. To be brave enough to take the next step.

Deep inside my head, it makes me realize I'm not like my brother at all. On the inside, I'm still just a boy, locked in a basement for eight years; afraid, frightened and with no hope. Everyone says that I've changed, but in reality... I'm still a coward.

"Guys, congratulations!"

I wrap my arms around Beverly, pulling her into a tight hug while others congratulate Kai and he opens the bottle of champagne. We drink straight from the bottle - there's no need to be courteous at the moment; we're all family, celebrating on 6 A.M., just being happy; and these moments are rare. There were losses, pain and heartbreaks in all of our lives, so we learned to appreciate every moment we can spend being happy.

Because we know it won't last long.

We taste the bubbles, like they were a real proof of our excitement and joy. The laughter, cheerful voices spread around the room and probably, around the whole hotel; but I don't think that any of us cares. How many moments like that we'll have until anything will fall apart again?

Happiness is such a fragile thing. It's like a glass, transparent, invisible; and if you won't hold it too tight it will leave your hands and shatter on the cold ground, leaving you with nothing but regret. I learned to appreciate every moment, lock the memory of everyone's smile, everyone's laughter inside my mind, in case I will never hear it again. Life is as fragile as happiness, and that's what we all do - holding on everyone so tightly, protecting each other, being a real family.