Bad For Me

Snippet of another book

Haven nodded, but the frown remained. "If I apologise to Harmony, can I have a packed lunch please?"

"If you apologise I'll give you both lunch money."

Haven's eyes widened in surprise and he grinned. "Really?"

I bit my lip to contain a laugh. Their dad had generously given me lunch money to last them the week so they didn't have to take a boring old ham sandwich and fruit every day.

"Yes. She should be done in the bathroom so go get ready." I said and he let out a pleased whoop and left the room. Too easy.

I headed downstairs to the kitchen to have my morning tea, passing Clover who still looked half awake but was eating cereal. I set up the kettle then headed over to the living room where he was.

"How you feeling about today?" I asked and he shrugged, his pale blue eyes finding mine.

"Just hoping my teachers are nice. How about you?"

"I'm going to try and stay out of trouble for once."

Clover snorted. "Good luck."

I rolled my eyes at him and headed back to the kitchen, making myself a cup of herbal tea. I'd taken one sip when Harmony came to drag me to her room to do her hair. I was finishing off her braid when I heard Genesis shrieking, causing my heart to drop.

"Get some breakfast." I tell Harmony, running a hand over her hair and speed walking towards my mum's bedroom.

I opened the door and took in the scene in front of me. Genesis was sat on the floor, his face red and wet with tears. Mum was looking at him with disgust and annoyance on the other side of the room, holding her precious canvas.

Using past experiences to guess, I'd say Genesis was attracted to the bright colours she'd painted and wanted to take a closer look. This caused Mum to freak out because God forbid anyone touches her sacred art.

"Get your brother out of here, he's making a racket." Mum snapped at me over her son's distressed cries. I stared at her for a moment before doing what she said. I hoped my stare said what I was feeling.

I picked up Genesis who immediately calmed down in my arms. "Its okay, Genesis. Mummy wasn't trying to be mean." I told him in a sing-song voice, risking a glance at my mum who was staring directly at us.

"You'd better call that babysitter as well; I have errands to run as well." She added on, delicately placing her canvas on the stand.

"Then take Genesis with you."

"I can't, he's too noisy."

Genesis was actually a really calm baby. He was only noisy around her because they barely spent any time together.

"Well I told Sarah she wouldn't need to come today cos you said you'd look after Genesis, it's too late to call her." I explained and Mum shrugged.

"Then stay at home and look after him."

"I have school!" I was appalled. She waved a hand dismissively.

"It's just the first day; you won't be doing any actual learning."

"Yeah, but-"

"Look, all this talking is doing my head in. Just sort it out, alright Domino?" She said in an exasperated tone and entered her bathroom. I glanced at the time; we had thirty minutes until school started. There was no way I'd be able to get ready in time.

"I guess it's you and me at home today." I told Genesis in a fake cheery tone. At the sight of my smile he grinned and touched my cheeks.

I headed downstairs where everyone was just about ready. Harmony was tying her shoelaces and Haven and Clover were play-fighting.