Beyond the Ordinary

Chapter 77

A/N - Corey's outfit^^

❅ ❅ ❅ 

COREY 

I woke up to Kate's arm draped over my chest and Max's soft snores. Dogs snore?! I found myself thinking. I glanced at Kate's clock, the time reading, 10:02. Damn, it's ten already? I carefully removed Kate's arm from around my waist and she released a soft sigh before rolling over, cuddling Max.

Smirking to myself, I grabbed my bag and headed down the stairs, tiptoeing so that I wouldn't wake the others. "Oh, hey, Corey right?" Kate's father greeted me, somehow knowing to whisper.

"Yeah, nice to meet you, Mr. Ross," I whispered back, heading into the spare bathroom to get ready.

Zipping open my bag, I pulled out a tan and white striped off-the-shoulder crop top and a pair of faded jean shorts and white flats. Once I was dressed, I combed a brush through my long hair before pulling it up into a high ponytail, then brushing my teeth. Once I was all ready, I left the bathroom, shutting the light off behind me.

To my surprise, Kyle was already seated at the table, talking to Kate's father. I dropped my bag onto the floor next to Max's bed and Kyle turned around, "Oh, it's just you," he said, feigning disappointment.

I stuck my tongue out at him, but he'd already turned around, resuming his conversation.

"Yeah, she's so good at math. Like, numbers come so easily to her," Kyle exclaimed, biting into a slice of toast.

"Corey, how do you like your pancakes?" Kate's father asked. "I'm not much of a cook so don't get your hopes up too far," he said with a light chuckle.

I smiled, taking a seat next to Kyle. "I don't have a preference," I responded, making him sigh in relief.

I turned to Kyle. "Amy's still sleeping? Damn, you must have worn her out last night," I said, winking.

Kyle blushed and coughed. "I'm not sure I know what you mean," he said, sipping his glass of water awkwardly.

"Here you go, Corey," Kate's father said to me, sliding me a plate with a pancake on it. "Let me know when you want another one. I've got plenty of batter."

I nodded, biting into the pancake softly. "Um, Mr. Ross, do you have any more water?" I asked him once I'd swallowed the bite.

Kate's father nodded, taking out a glass from a tall cabinet and took out a water bottle from the fridge, pouring the rest of its contents into the glass, handing it to me. "Here ya go."

Suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me, and Kate came up to us, still wearing her pajamas, before taking a seat in the chair next to mine. "Why didn't you wake me?" She asked, yawning.

I shrugged. "You looked so peaceful."

She chuckled. "Frick you."

"Sorry, but isn't that Axel's job?" I asked, resisting the urge to laugh.

Kyle snorted while Kate's father raised an eyebrow at me.

I coughed. "Um, sorry, Mr. Ross."

He nodded at me and slid a glass of water and a white pill towards Kate. She took the pill with ease, while Kyle just stared at her.

"What was that pill for?" He asked her.

"My diabetes," Kate responded, not sounding ashamed at all.

Finally, Amy emerged from behind us, tapping my shoulder. "Um, do you mind?"

I turned around in my seat to face her. "Well good morning to you too, I'd ask you how you slept, but I'm sure it was really well considering what I heard," I smirked.

Amy turned bright red and shifted awkwardly on her feet. "You're in my seat."

I grabbed my plate and glass. "Sorry, didn't realize it had your name on it, my bad."

She sat down beside Kyle and I took the empty seat beside Kate. "Where's Max?"

She shrugged. "On his bed."

I turned my head, and sure enough, Max was laying down on his gray dog bed, chewing on the head of what looked like a frog chew toy. "Poor frog," I muttered to myself.