As soon as they saw us being escorted out they were out of the line to the karaoke and over to us. Now standing outside in the cold darkness both dad and Clara had their arms crossed over their chest only Clara looked more awkward than anything. Dad was tapping his foot against the ground as he started his children down and I let my fall down in shame to my shoes.
He looked mostly angry but I could tell he was disappointed. Not only, by the way, his shoulders had slumped but also the look on his face told it all. And I never wanted to see that look again.
"So? Is anyone going to tell me what happened?" Dad asked and I couldn't help but notice how his eyes went from me to Noah a few more times than needed.
When nobody answered he asked "Well?" His voice was raised. It made my eyes go wide by his tone. I can't even remember when he used that tone last.
Cole cleared his throat "Dad, we just couldn't decide which flavor we wanted and it got a bit heated"
"Let's take it in the car. I don't think this will continue tonight" Dad said turning to talk to Clara. She needed in agreement.
"Yes, I think you're right," Clara said. They hugged each other and whispered some words to each other. As they talked I glanced over to Masie. Playing around with her hair she looked rather amused as to what had happened.
"Let's go then" Dad didn't even turn to us as he made his way to the car. I shared a look with my brothers before we walked behind to the car with our tails between our legs. Dad's really upset and that affects us too.
When we were all seated in the car we all just sat there for what seemed like minutes. The awkward tension was killing me and someone needed to speak up now before I die from it.
"Dad..." Mason said but he didn't continue when dad shook his head.
"Let's not.. Let's take it at home" He turned on the engine and drove out of the parking lot.
° ° °
I couldn't sleep.
Right now sleep felt impossible. It felt like a stone was weighing me down and all I wanted was to get it away.
I let out a sigh and sat up. I looked over at my digital clock on my bedside table. 01:53. Throwing my covers off I walked out of my room. I tried to stay as quiet as possible as I walked across the hall in hope not to wake anyone. Making my way down the stairs and into the kitchen, I opened the fridge making the light blind me for a second. I settle for making for warm milk. Grandma always tells me when I'm over at her house that some warm milk can get my sleeping in no time.
After warming it up in the microwave I sat down at the island and took a sip.
"Can't sleep?" A voice broke the silent making me jump and yelp. I didn't think anyone was up this late. Turning around Luke stood there.
"Jesus, you scared the crap out of me"
Luke cracked a smile "Jesus can be scary"
"You know what I meant" I rolled my eyes but smiled nevertheless. The first smile since what happened today. When we got home we didn't actually talk. Dad just walked in and took off his jacket calmly then just went to his study.
"What are you doing up so late?" I ask.
"I could ask the same" Luke said and sat down opposite of me. I looked down at my glass of milk with a frown.
"I feel bad" I almost whispered out.
I could hear Luke let out a breath "Me too" He said and took my milk and drank from it. I tried to snatch it back but he just smacked my hand away.
"Stop I'm trying to drink"
"It's mine, get your own" I insisted and took it.
"But it's so far away" Luke whined stretching his arm out for it from his seat. Rolling my eyes I muttered "Lazy ass"
A silence stretched out over us and I felt the need to say something. "How're things with Adam?" I asked. I noticed the corners of his mouth went up into a bigger smile.
"It's been great. Adam's really caring and understanding with my situation. Even though I can tell he hates having to sneak around I'm thankful he does it because I don't think I'm ready yet. Even though I really like him I'm not sure how everyone's going to take it. Are our brothers going to tease us as we do with Cole and Jasmine? or are they going to treat him completely different because he's a guy" Luke let out a sigh and buried his hands in his blonde mess of hair "I'm just scared. And what if they treat me differently. I mean you don't which I'm happy about. Thanks by the way-"
"Why are you thanking me? Luke, you liking a guy doesn't change you and I'm just happy for you. Don't thank me for something that you shouldn't have to be thankful for" I told him and Luke stared at me.
"What?" I asked after he just continued to stare.
Instead of saying anything he broke a smile and brought me into a hug. " I love you, you know that"
Wrapping my arms around him I let my head rest on his shoulder "I love you too"
We let go again and sat down and let silence once again take over. Luke reached over to take my glass of milk again but I whacked his hand away. I don't know how long we sat there but in the silence, my mind wandered off to dad again. I let my head fall and I stared at my hands on the island.
"I feel bad" I whispered.
"Me too" Luke whispered back.
"We should do something. I hate seeing dad like this"
"I know. He was really upset"
"Yeah, Clara seems nice though"
"Yeah Maise too"
"Maybe we could come up with something in the morning when everyone's awake"
"Sounds like a good idea. I really don't like seeing him like this"
I nodded in agreement and with a small "yeah" I drank the last of my milk. I stood up and put the glass in the dishwasher.
"Come on, let' go to bed," Luke said, slinging his arm over my shoulder.
° ° °
When I woke up again it was from a knocking on my door. Groaning I turned in my bed so I was laying on my stomach. The knocking continued but I didn't have any energy to go open it.
"Marble! Breakfast. Now" Noah said followed by his footsteps as he walked away.
I opened my eyes again and stared up at my ceiling. Dad's probably gonna be down there like he is every day. Is he still mad? should I hug him like I usually do or is he going to ignore us? Seeing as he were yesterday I don't think he's gonna be in his best mood.
When I was out of bed I tied my hair in a bun to get the hair out of my face and made my way down the stairs. It wasn't much noise in the kitchen and when I got there I noticed why. Noah, Cole, Luke, and Mason were sitting at the table, eating while dad was standing by the stove making eggs. I stood at the entrance for a while, staring at dad's back.
Should I hug him?
I really want to hug him. Not only to say good morning but to in some way say sorry.
But maybe he doesn't want my hug?
Oh, what the heck, just do it, Lara.
I walked up to him and hugged him from the back.
He didn't turn around and when I thought he was going to ignore me he turned around and hugged me back. I let myself sigh in relief. Resting my head on his chest I whispered "Good morning"
Dad kissed my forehead and whispered back "Morning Chipmunk" Even though I was relieved he said it I noticed how he wasn't smiling and how he didn't meet my eyes when I looked up at him.
I don't know why but that made me feel like I wanted to cry. To know that he wasn't his normal self and it was me that caused it.
I bit my lip and kept my eyes on the floor. Taking my seat at the island I grabbed some bread and spread butter on it. Taking a slice of ham I put it on the sandwich and took a bite. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I looked up to my left to see Cole.
He gave me a kind of sad smile and I smiled weakly back.
"So I'm leaving for today and comes back Sunday around lunch sometime," Dad said breaking the silence.
I furrowed my brows. He's leaving? Is it because of us?
"Yes. Thanks, dad. I promise that it will be clean when you come back" Mason said.
That's when it hit me. Halloween. It's today. I've been so caught up in my thoughts about this that I forgot about Halloween and their yearly party that is taking place later today. How could I forget? All the houses on our street are covered in Halloween stuff.
"Good" Was all dad said and the rest of breakfast was pretty much silent.
As I was making my way up the stairs after breakfast Mason calling my name made me stop. I turned around and raised my brow in question.
"Get dressed," He said.
"Why?"
"We have some stuff we need to buy"
"Didn't we just get stuff when I left the hospital?"
"Yeah, but we need more stuff. I'm guessing you want to join or you can stay home alone"
I thought about it for a second before nodding "Sure"
"Okay. Be down in fifteen"
° ° °
"Lara! Come on!" Mason screamed at me for a second time. I was rushing down the stairs with one arm through my jacket while Mason was threatening to leave without me.
"Okay, okay! Chill! I'm here" I said to him.
We got into Mason's car and I sat in the middle between Luke and Noah. I looked over at Luke and he gave me look.
I mouthed 'what?' which he rolled his eyes to.
'let's tell them about our plan' He mouthed back and I nodded.
"Guys. Luke and I want to make it up for dad" I said which caught everyone's attention.
"What did you have in mind?"
I looked at Luke and he shrugged "Um I don't know we haven't planned anything yet but I want to do something for him"
"Yeah, I've also thought about that" Cole asked.
They all nodded in agreement and just as Mason drove into the parking lot.
"Let's discuss this after the party" Mason said as he got out of the car. "That way we can focus on one thing at the time"
For the remainder of the day, I helped out before the party would start. The house was really turning out amazing. We had fog machines, spiderwebs from the floor to the ceiling, lights in different colors, Mason even fixed a guy that would come to DJ. As I was pouring Cheetos in a bowl Noah said "It's really sweet of you to help out"
"Of course why wouldn't I?" I asked.
"I just mean considering you won't even attend, it's sweet of you to take your time to help"
I stopped mid-pouring and turned to Noah. "What?"
"I said; I just mea-"
"I know what you said! What do you mean I won't attend, of course, I will"
Noah snorted "No. No, you won't"
"Yes. Yes, I will"
"Do you really think we would let you attend after what happened last time we trusted you"
"Bu-But I didn't mean to get drunk then!"
"Just like you won't mean it today?" He asked.
"So I'm going?"
"No"
"Come on! That's so unfair!"
"Life's unfair!"
"What's going on?" Both of us turned to Mason who was standing with a big skeleton in his hand.
"Noah's telling me that I won't attend tonight"
"That's because you won't"
"Why? I promise not to drink"
"Marble no one wants to babysit you tonight"
"Then don't. I can take care of myself perfectly fine" I put my hands on my hips and Mason put him on his hips to mockingly. I feel so stupid. Of course, they won't let me go, why would I think they would let me if I helped.
"Lara, you're not going. End of discussion" Mason said want walked off.
I clenched my fists and dropped the bag of Cheetos on the table and stormed up the stairs.
I'm going to that party. End of discussion.
° ° °
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-Rose🌹