Bend The Rules• njh

21⌝ Enough

{Warning: Self H*rm is mentioned in this chapter, reader discretion is advised}

Song of the Chapter- Maybe by Lewis Capaldi

"Are you sure they're bringing the casseroles," I heard my mom ask cautiously from behind me as I put my peeled potatoes into the pot of boiling water.

"Yes they are, Danielle already said it's packed up and with them, stop worrying," Anica spoke up in reply to my mom. A sigh of relief escapes my mother at her statement. I turn the heat up on the stove, causing a small hiss to come out, shoot I must've spilled water. "Hey Toni, are you okay," my Aunt Anica questions as she comes up to me, "You've been awfully quiet this whole morning and we've barely talked.

I turn to her, her kind eyes filled with a hint of worry, all her features soft. "I'm sorry, it's nothing to do with you I'm just," I say before trailing off. She gives an encouraging nod, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. I continue on, my voice a bit hushed, "I'm just trying to keep my head low and just not speak up. Don't want Amanda saying anything."

"I totally understand, if you need anything just tell me," she assures before she heads off, going to fulfill whatever things we need done before we all eat. Aunt Anica and I were always close to each other, but never as close as I was with Amanda when I was younger. But as time went on, I grew to avoid and eventually resent Amanda. Anica was always so kind to me, especially after Luke's death. Her whole family stepped forward and helped me. They would come and visit and try to get me out of the house, which worked some of the time.

I stir the potatoes in the pot for a quick second before placing the lid atop the pot, a sizzling sound coming out. "You sure you know what you're doing over there," a familiar, menacing voice snarks out to me.

I roll my eyes at Amanda's remark, luckily she can't see me. I check on the dish in the oven as I reply back to her, "Yep, been making mashed potatoes since I was twelve, I think I got it." I start to say something else that I shouldn't before my mother catches me with a warning glance. She knows me too well.

"Elijah says they're about ten minutes away and bringing the casseroles," Gabi's voice eased our worries on the subject.

My mother exclaimed in relief as she mixed together items in a bowl, "Thank god. Because we're running a little bit behind." The kitchen is an chaotic yet organized mess. There's like different stations almost for each food item, utensils are everywhere but aren't littered around. It's a confusing thing.

"It's alright mijah. You're doing a lovely job. Everything will be fine," my grandmother reassures my mother as she steps out from the dining room and into the kitchen. She pulls my mom into a gentle hug, and holds her shoulders as she smiles at her. My mother mutters a quiet 'thank you' before getting back to mixing. My Bela then directs her attention towards me. "Where's your sister? She needs to help a bit," she questions, looking around I remember where she went.

"Putting Scarlett down for a nap. But she's gonna help me set the dining table in a bit," answering her concern before I head into the living room. Gabi is sprawled out on the couch, Harley on her lap while she preoccupies herself on her phone. I plop down onto the couch next to her feet, "So cuz, how's life been? What's it like being a junior?"

She sets her phone down, and looks at me, her brown eyes peering through her glasses, showing how clearly tired she is. "Stressful as hell. My grades are alright, the classes are just getting progressively harder, on top of that I have to prepare for college," she gives a long sigh, looking off at a wall, probably thinking, "But I'm just glad I have this break to just unwind." She continues to stare off before continuing on, her mood changing to a bit peppier state, "Good news is that my boyfriend is being scouted for baseball. He's already got an offer from San Angelo which is awesome. But what about you Toni? Our family and I haven't really heard much about you."