Trailing Stars (Trailing Stars #1)

Chapter 3

Mom nods slowly, giving me a small smile. "We could do that, but if you want to do something else, Mona, let us know. We can even go back home if you want."

All eyes are on me. Mom and Dad look expectant. Hannah's expression is carefully neutral. Kate's eyes flicker between all of us like she's waiting for something big to happen. I take my time swallowing my pancakes, gagging at how sweet it is.

Home, huh? I don't know if I'm supposed to feel anything about the suggestion, but I really don't. Just a weight settling on my chest, and I don't know what to connect it to or if I want to even explore that much. It's just... there...

I give a tight-lipped smile. "There's nothing wrong with tradition."

Mom and Dad exchange glances, but they smile at me. So does Hannah before they quickly look away. Kate pours orange juice into a glass and that's the only sound in the house for a while.

***

By noon, Kate declares that she's bored and wants to do something, so Mom and Dad suggest getting out of the house. I grab my wallet, phone, and ice skates—because there's no way we're not ice skating when all of us are here—before meeting everyone outside.

Mom and Dad are already in the front seats, and my sisters are in the back, leaving me a window seat. I take a deep breath before climbing in and shutting the door. Once we're all in, Hannah gives Dad directions to the nearest park. I keep my eyes on the passing scenery, counting my breaths and listening to my family talk.

I sit up a little when we pass by Poems and Tales. The open mic is tonight, isn't it? I haven't given it much thought since Nathan and Clara invited me considering... I glance at my family and back out the window. But now that I am thinking about it, I'm still not sure if I want to go. So maybe it's better if I don't say anything about it right now.

When Dad parks the car along the street, we pile out. The first thing Kate does is fall backward onto the snow with her arms and legs outstretched to make a snow angel. Dad falls next to her. Every time his arm swings back and forth, his hand grazes Kate's head, so when they stand, it looks like the bigger angel is making sure the smaller one is still there.

I'm sure that's something Dad would do even if a certain child isn't an angel.

Once Kate and Dad are back on their feet, they race towards the lake. Mom and Hannah trail behind, and I stay between the four of them. I hear my name a few times from behind me, but when I glance over my shoulder, it's obvious they're talking about me, not to me. I pick up my pace. I'd rather not hear what they have to say about me. Good or bad. And I'm sure there's a lot for Hannah to say about me even if I'm "just perfect."

By the time I get to the lake, Kate and Dad are already on the ice. I watch them do tricks and race each other while I lace my skates up, my fingers fumbling the closer Mom and Hannah get to me. I don't hear them say my name anymore, but the potential of it hangs in the air and makes my fingers stiffer than the cold air ever could.

Mom chuckles, kneeling to help me. "Has it been that long since you've skated?"

Good alternate explanation, Mom. I shrug, rubbing my hands together. "I think it's been a month or two."

Morgan's and my rule was always to skate with someone. But after he died, I kind of didn't have a choice but to skate on my own, especially once I came to live with Hannah. Sometimes she'll come skate with me, but she's usually too busy for that. And it's not like anyone at school wants to come with me, so it's better to not skate at all.

Mom finishes tying my skates for me and pulls me to my feet, giving me a worried look. "Be careful on the ice."

I nod. "I will be."