Mine

Chapter 11

You guys are probably extremely mad at me for not updating. :/

I'm sorry; I had semester finals and stuff...

Anyways... I think this chapter is pretty good and I hope you like it.(:

~Kendall

***

"Damn it! William and Jackson Smith, you put those water balloons down right now!" came a shrill, angry voice.

That was the first thing I heard as I stepped into my former home. I held back laughter as I looked at my father. He was scowling at the white, wooden swinging door that was located towards the right section of the large, grand room we had stepped into.

Cocking an eyebrow, I looked between him and the door in which the noise was coming from.

The next thing heard was the sound of a splash. Next, came along the high-pitched scream of a woman. The musical laughter of two young men followed.

Muttering profanities underneath his breath, my dad began walking towards the door with determined strides. 

Crossing an arm over my torso and holding my hand to my mouth so I wouldn't create noise, I stayed where I was. I deemed it unwise to investigate the situation.

"Damn it to hell! What did you two do?" my father's deep voice shouted, followed by more laughter from the men I'd previously heard.

Cocking a hip and tapping my foot, I struggled to keep the laughter that was bubbling in my chest from escaping. My gaze stayed trained on the door, feeling too out of place to make myself comfortable.

"Nothing of bad intent! We're-" one of the man's' voices started.

"Cleaning the kitchen." an identical voice finished.

I assumed these voices belonged to my brothers. Their mischievous tones wouldn't had been tolerated by a king had they not been of close relation. 

"How does soaking your mother include cleaning the kitchen?" my dad's replied, exasperated.

"She was in the way..." the first one struggled to find an excuse.

"You boys are twenty-four years old! Don't you think you should have gotten over the pranks by now?"  dad admonished with disbelief.

"Hey, you can never be too old for fun," the second one cockily replied.

Deciding to busy myself as their bickering continued, I began walking down a dim-lit hallway located on the opposite end of the room. Doors were scattered all the way down, but my attention was focused on the pictures decorating the walls.

The first photograph I saw was of myself as a child. I was in the forest, dressed in a red velvet dress that went down to my knees and white tights. The snow surrounding my small frame lead to the obvious observation that the photo was taken during winter. Next to it was another old photograph of me positioned next to my brothers. I was laid down in the crib that I had previously seen in my bedroom and my brothers were being lifted up to see me, too short to see inside themselves. Their expressions showed awe as the gazed upon the sleeping bundle of blankets.

Sighing, I pressed my forehead against the frigid glass. 

I wished I hadn't missed out on a life with my true family. My memories of any time here were nonexistent and I felt horribly cheated of a fate I desperately desired.

Abruptly, the arguing taking place in the kitchen came to a stop. Confused, I hurriedly returned the way I'd entered.

Sitting down on the white couch that was positioned against the wall, I sat and waited for the jabs to start up again. Yet, as I sat there awkwardly for many long minutes, no signs of movement or sound came from the room.