I.. Is It My Fault?

Chapter 11

(Clay's pov)

Rash dropped us off at home and we said our goodbyes.
"See you guys on Monday." He said before he drove off.
Me, Eli and Dave walked into the house and I closed the door behind us.
"We're back!" Eli called out.
"Shh!" Brian said when he came into veiw from the kitchen. "The kids are asleep."
"Oh, sorry." She said.
"You guys have fun?" He asked as we followed him into the kitchen.
"Yeah, it was awesome!" Dave said with his usual enthusiasm, seeming to have already forgotten Brian's warning.

"What about you, Clay?"
"Y-yeah. It was a lot of fun."
"He jumped from the roof into the pool with me and Rash." David said as he searched the fridge. "There any food, I just realised I haven't eaten all night."
Brian chuckled. "Yeah, your mother thought that might be the case, so she left some stew in the pot." He pointed to the pot on the stove as he said it.
"Yes!" Dave said as he made his way to it.
"Where do you hide your energy?" Brian asked in amusement.
"Huh?" Dave asked innocently as he opened the pot.
Eli had retrieved three bowls from the cupboard and spoons from the draw.

"Well, you guys seem to have this under control. I'm off to bed. Don't stay up too long." He said before hugging each of us.
"We won't." Eli said. "Night dad."
He smiled and moved through the hall after ruffling my hair. Dave served us up the stew with some potatoes and bread along with it. Eli grinned as she decided to grab a bag of doritos from the cupboard and a bottle of ketchup.
She grabbed more bread and scattered the doritos onto three slices. She added ketchup onto the doritos and crushed up whatever was left in the bag.

She scattered the powder over ketchup and doritos and put the other slices of bread on top. She then grabbed a knife from the rack and cut the sandwiches in half.
"There we go. Spicy dorito and ketchup sandwiches. Don't knock 'em 'til you try 'em." She said to me with a wink.
It did sound strange but I thought I'd try it out. I picked up one half and bit into it. Holy fuck! It was gorgeous. The way the ketchup complimented the heat of the dorito, and the powder fit with the bread. It was so good.
We ate the food while laughing about the events of the night.
Tonight felt like we were bonding like a proper family. I dunno it just felt like we were closer than before.

I even managed to come out of my shell a little. Somthing that doesn't usually happen.
After eating we each went upstairs, taking turns brushing our teeth, then went to bed. I fell asleep happy that night. Quickly, but happy.

(Rash's pov, earlier)

I woke up early. I had planned on going for a run around town, like I usually did on a weekend.
I got out of bed and pulled on a pair of loose sweatpants and shirt. No one else should be awake this early. I pulled my shoes on and opened my door. I aslo grabbed my wallet incase I decided to head to the coffee place in town on my way back.
I stepped out and headed downstairs to the front door. I stretched out my limbs and took off jogging at a slow pace. I ran down the end of my street and turned the corner, crossing the street.
I picked up a little speed and continued on through the town. I passed a few faces so I smiled and waved as I passed them.

After some time I was running at full speed, already on my third lap of the town. I was out of breath before I reached the coffee place in town. There were actually a couple scattered around, but my favourite was Coffee Central.
Luckily it was open by the time I got there. I took a few big breaths before opening the door and stepped inside. The little chime went off and the girl behind the counter looked up and smiled at me.
"Hey, you're back!" She said, still smiling.
She was a nice girl with dark brown hair. She was the same age as me, or a little younger. I'd seen her around school. Her name was Sarah.

Her mother owned the coffee place, and her mother owned it before her. It was a nice little family business. A lot of places round here were like that though.
I smiled back as I approached the counter.
"What can I get ya, Rash?" Sarah asked.
"Um, how about a chocolate mocha surprise." I said.
It was the thing I'd gotten the first time I came here. She smiled at me like the first time.
"Coming up. Anything else?"
I looked at all the cakes and biscuits and other assorted treats under the counter.
"Yeah, I'll take a blueberry and caramel cookie. Actually.. Make it two."