TBD

Chapter One- SUP JAYDEN

Jayden

I get woken up by Richard, my black cat, pawing at my face, meowing. Moving her off me, I get out of bed and open my curtains to let the sunlight in. I pause for a moment as I appreciate seeing the sun shining brightly across the forest as the birds start to fly about. Turning around I then glare at Richard, who continues to meow, looking up at me with her big blue eyes. I grab a hair elastic and put my hair up and out of my face. Richard begins to scratch at the door, and I move to open it to let her leave.

The instant the door creaks open, then the annoying cat bolts out. I scowl and grab my empty teacup from last night which I had forgotten to bring downstairs before I fell asleep. Slipping on fluffy slippers and following Richard out of my room, I go down the stairs to the kitchen. Putting my cup in the sink, I grab the kettle, filling it with enough water for three people, then I proceed to turn the stove on, and place the kettle over the hot surface.

I look at my slippers to see Richard staring up at me again. She starts to meow at my sleepy-eyed face.

"Calm down Richard, Jesus," I mutter, moving to the cat bowls. I bend down and grab the spoon to scoop kibble into her and Nickel's bowls. Richard immediately begins scoffing it down.

I grab a large frying pan hanging from the wall and place it on the stove beside the metal kettle. I rummage through the fridge to find some eggs and bacon to start on breakfast. A few moments later, I hear a door open and shut upstairs and our stairs creaking as one of my best friends, Natalie, enters the kitchen. "Morning," I say, not turning from the stove.

"Good morning, Jay, what are you making?" Nat asks.

"Eggs and bacon. Want some?"

"Yeah. Thanks Jade,"

I nod and continue cooking. As the kettle starts whistling, Natalie leans forwards and takes it off the hot stove, proceeding to grab 3 mugs for us. "Milk and sugar please, Nat," I lightly command. She grabs the sugar jar from the cabinet and the milk from the fridge just before I remind her, already knowing exactly what to do.

After I finish making the bacon for the girls and eggs for all of us, I place each plate around the small, circular table in the kitchen and start eating with Natalie. Right when I wonder where Nickel could be, Chloe, my other best friend, comes clumsily stumbling down the stairs with my grey and white cat, Nickel, in her arms. I spare her a look and gesture to the steaming plate and her special cup of mint tea ready for her.

"Oh my God, scrambled eggs with ketchup! Thank you," Chloe gasps with gratitude, sitting Nickel on the table as she plops down on her wooden seat. Nickel instantly hops down and goes over to her bowl to eat.

When I finish eating, I take my plate to the sink and place a vinyl on the record player. Natalie finishes shortly after and takes her dish to the sink. She goes back up to her room after depositing her dishes with Richard in tow.

Chloe finishes her plate last and takes it to the sink, starting the tap to fill up the basin. "Your turn for dishes, Clo," I remark.

"Shut up, I'm doing it," she mumbles, grabbing the already wet sponge in disgust.

I laugh at her facial expression and open the curtains and windows around the first floor of the cottage, letting the light breeze travel throughout the rickety house. I climb up the dodgy stairs and turn right, walking down the short hall to my room, changing into a thin shirt and loose shorts for the warm spring day. I head out of my room and walk to the bathroom on the left side of the second floor. I brush my hair and teeth and stare at myself in the mirror, wondering how my life came to this peaceful bliss.