Oceans and Emeralds

Chapter 4

I spent most of last night talking to mom and watching TV until going to bed. We talked a lot about the situation with dad and what we're going to do now. I'm staying here while mom tries to sell the house and find one she can pay for with the job she has. After brushing my teeth and putting my zip-up hoodie and jeans on, I find mom still sleeping on the pulled-out couch bed.

Instead of waking her up, I make eggs while everyone sleeps. Trying to use my newfound powers to crack the eggs, I only manage to get one successfully cracked before the next one goes flying into the wall. After cleaning up the egg from the wall I crack the rest of the eggs regularly. When mom wakes up we both get some while Arthur and Tammy sleep in their room.

"Do you have classes with your friends?" Mom asks as we sit on the counters with plates filled with eggs.

"Yeah, I think I have at least one of them in each class. Or most. Why?" I answer curiously.

"You'll need help staying in control of your powers for a while. Especially at school, so having a friend there to keep you in check is a good thing." She explains.

"Why especially at school? I can control myself." I defend. "I'm not gonna hurt anyone."

She gives me a look as if to say "Really?"

"Okay. I see your point." I touch the scar on my neck.

"That still healing good?" She nods to my neck.

"Yeah." I nod as I remember that day so perfectly. "That really was my fault, wasn't it?" The food on my plate suddenly seems less appealing.

"Your power caused the fire but it was not your fault. You didn't know that would happen and didn't try to make it happen." She puts her plate on the counter and comes to stand in front of me before lightly moving my chin up to make me look at her. "It wasn't your fault." I nod and she gives me a loving smile before kissing my forehead softly.

"Thanks, mom." I smile.

"I love you." She states the obvious.

"I love you too." I smile and my phone makes the Kim Possible notification sound from my bedroom.

"Was that your phone?" Mom asks with an amused look.

"Yes. I change the notification sound because I can. Don't judge me." I tell her.

"Not gonna." She puts up her hands in surrender as the sound goes off two more times. "Go see who's blowing up your phone." She backs up and I set my plate down before grabbing my phone and sitting in the same spot.

"Jessie wants to know if he can bring Leah over while Moe and Tayler are at cheer practice." I paraphrase the message.

"Are you asking me if they can come over?" I nod. "I'm sure Arthur and Tammy will be fine with it." She shrugs and I tell Jessie it's okay to come over. We both continue eating as Tammy wakes up and starts making coffee before getting a plate and sitting at the island.

"Still like a competition?" Mom asks me with a smirk.

"Obviously." I nod. "Why?"

"Wanna see who can finish first?"

"You're on!" With that, we both start shoveling eggs into our mouths while Tammy rolls her eyes.

"You're gonna choke." She states and eats her eggs casually.

I make a weird noise that sounds similar to "Okay." As I shove food into my mouth. After a moment I finish the food on my plate and set it on the counter before jumping off and throwing my hands in the air with my mouth full of eggs.