Stepping Stones

Delightful Dinner

*Third person*

The boys looked at each other as their sister marched up the stairs.
"Oh my god. What have we done?" Dean said with his head in his hands.

Both sets of twins had tears brimming at the sight of their sister. None of them realised the impact they actually had on their sister growing up until now. They thought she was just grieving like any child would, but clearly she was suffering more than they could even imagine.

"We have to find the rest, there's clearly more" Zach said rubbing his face. "I'm the oldest I'm meant to help everyone and I failed!" He shouted slamming his fist on the couch arm.
"Don't be hard on yourself brother, we all passed off her behaviour" Dean said putting his hand on his, distressed, brother's shoulder.

Meanwhile Skyler was in her room sobbing hysterically. No matter how many things she bought for herself, she hated her life, she would even go so far to say she wants to end it.

Her brothers finding out about her habit hasn't helped either. To be honest she couldn't think straight and felt quite light headed.

*Sky's POV*
I can't believe it. My head is spinning. They were never meant to find out. Ever.

What do I do? I shoved my bags into the corner of my closet, and crouched down in there. How do you live this down? This is so humiliating, they're gonna hate me. Oh my god.

I heard my door open, but stayed in the closet. "Skyler, where are you?" Zach said. I kept quiet and hoped they'd leave. I mean it's a pretty far fetched idea but a girl can wish. 
"We just wanna talk okay, you need to give us the rest" Dean followed up Zach. Great so there's more of them.
"I don't have anymore" I lied straight through my teeth.
"We know that's not true" Zach replied. Dean opened the wardrobe door as I had given away my hiding spot by replying to them.

"Come on out" he says beckoning me to come out.
"No" I say staying sat down. Dean came in, moved a few items and stood directly in front of me. "Come on bug, you know we can't do nothing about this" he said using my childhood nickname that he gave me. I sighed and grabbed his outstretched hands and hauled myself up.

Looking straight to the floor, I don't have the energy to make eye contact, the stupid disappointed looks are killing me. I came out and found them both stood there waiting. Sighing again I shakily walked to my bed and crouched down opening a box made to look like a book. Routing through the antiseptic wipes, bandaids and gauze I found the remaining blades and grabbed them. Placing them in Zach's outstretched hand. "Thank you. Well done monkey I'm sure that wasn't easy" he said using my nickname from when I was younger and hugging me. I hugged back, this whole situation just makes me feel sick, it was awkward and embarrassing.
"Let me put my pyjamas on and I'll be down in five" I mumble out. The boys nod and leave, "I'm just gonna wait outside your door okay?" Zach said to me. I nodded going towards my pyjamas drawer.

After I put my unicorn onesie on I walked out of my room, greeting Zach on my way out, he placed his hand on the small of my back leading me down the stairs. Walking to the seats in the living room, I plop down on the squishy cushions using the blanket there to bury myself, trying to drown the embarrassment I feel.
"I'm sorry" I say shutting my eyes, taking a deep breath.
"Don't apologise, we should be the ones apologising. We're so sorry Sky we failed you" Zach said sitting next to me, hugging me.
"You didn't fail me. It's just been hard" I sighed.
"I know. It's been horrible" Alex chimed in. I grab the remote and turn on the television on. I flick through the channels and decide on American Dad to lighten the mood.

After a while of watching "What do you want for dinner?" Dean asked standing up.
"Chicken pasta bake" I say smiling at the thought of one of my favourite dishes.
"Pizza" Luke and Noah say at the same time.
"Mm I like the sound of pizza" Alex agrees.
"No we have junk food all the time I'm sick of it" I grimace at the thought of poor pizza. Don't get me wrong I like it but not all the time.
"Sky's right. Chicken pasta bake would be good and healthy" Zach said. I smile in triumph.
"Just 'cos she cuts herself doesn't mean we should just agree with her on everything" Tyler interrupted.
"I hate you" I spit, the tone sounding fully convincing, but inside I just want him to hold me like he used to, whenever I'd had a big argument with my dad he would always comfort me.
"Right back at you, you brat" His venomous words felt so real, I knew deep down there wouldn't be any saving this relationship. One of the hardest parts was not knowing why he suddenly woke up one day and chose to hate me.

"Tyler what is wrong with you. Just stop" Alex looked at him with disgust at what Tyler had said.
"Why should I? It's clearly just for attention" Tyler responds.
"Doesn't matter whether it is for attention, people don't cut themselves unless they're severely struggling. But I think if it were for attention we would've found out when it started you idiot. Now stop it or you're grounded" Zach chimes in. I bury myself further into the blanket, wishing the cushions could swallow me whole.

I drift off to sleep with the boys talking amongst themselves, as the older three went to go cook. I wake up to the smell of cooking, the pasta smells so good, I can't remember the last time I had it. "15 more minutes" I hear James yell from the kitchen area.

I go to sit in my usual spot at the table in between the two sets of twins. I look at the food, it smells and looks amazing. I want to neat it so badly, but a voice is screaming in my head to stop, I mustn't. But then again I chose it. "What's up Bug? Is it okay, I used the recipe I used before" My head snapped up at what Dean had said, my childhood nickname, that I haven't heard in years. My heart felt fuzzy and warm at the name. "Yeah, it's fine, thank you" I couldn't suppress the small smile as I responded.
"Want me to cut it up into smaller portions like I did as a kid" Elliot nudged me smiling.
"Yes" I looked at him with a stoic expression, he looked shocked and started to cut my food up, I couldn't help burst out laughing. "I was joking you idiot" I laughed. His cheeks turned pink as the others laughed at him, "I knew that, just wanted to take us back" he muttered. "You're such a salty little boy, that was funny you silly boy" Alex laughed putting his twin in a headlock and a ruffing his hair up. "Get off me you cretin" Elliot pushed him off harshly as Alex continued laughing.
"Naww little baby sister got her food cut up, you happy now baby sis" Luke cooed. "Yes oh so happy" I tried to respond in a baby voice but broke character immediately laughing in response to his teasing.

We continued to laugh and eat. Maybe I could start building a relationship with them again. Maybe?