Alarm blaring, I'm startled out of my sleep. Groaning, I roll over while pulling my pillow over my head. You'd think I would be used to waking up sleepy by now, but I doubt that'll ever happen. Although I love my job, the extra work I put myself through is thoroughly draining. Finally gathering enough energy to lift my arm, I slap my alarm clock off and enjoy the silence. It's short lived though. Not long after my alarm was rudely interrupted by me I hear my brother and sister screeching in the living room. Raya's probably antagonizing Tora again, I think and snicker.
Although Tora and Raya are twins they are complete opposites. While Tora is more reserved and quiet and notices lots of things, Raya is loud and rowdy and is usually stuck in her own world. At least my father and I know that as long as they're together, Tora will take great care of Raya and vice versa.
Even though I know my siblings are young I still have no idea how they wake up so early, energized and LOUD. It could be worse though, they could wake up everyday fighting instead of playing so I won't complain. I love both of those kids to death.
I think back to when Mom told me I was gonna be a big sister. We all thought it was just going to be one new addition to the family, and were all as equally surprised when the doctor informed my parents that they were having twins. Although this was great news to my young ears, I was so young that I didn't see the look that passed between my Mom and my Dad. I didn't notice at first how I was the only one that squealed and jumped for joy after hearing this news. However, as the days went by I noticed my Dad sitting with his head in between his hands, shoulders hunched over. Stress just seemingly seeping from his pores.
And Mom? Well, she was in her room most of the time. She was always sick, she always looked drained and after only 3 months, her doctors recommended she start and remain on bed rest. It was difficult watching the change in my parents but they did everything they could to make sure I still felt loved and got accustomed to our new "normal".
But now? Well now it's getting hard to pretend everything is fine around the twins. Father and I don't want them to worry about anything that's going on and offer them reassurances every night on mom's condition, and while they're satisfied I can't help but feel as though I'm losing both of my parents. The stress of everything is starting to weigh on me, but I put a smile on my face for my family. I'd do anything for any of them.
Lost in my train of thought, I sigh. It's getting hard to put food in the house and keep track of all of the bills. Dad just got fired from his latest job and Mom's been sick since having the twins, even though she had them 9 years ago. She's never recovered fully and she hasn't opened her eyes and spoken to us in 2 years. We all thought she was getting better because she was getting her color back and her eyes started to shine again and she started to gain some weight back. She even had gotten some of her old energy back and we'd play around and be silly like old times, but all of that progress went down the drain and the doctors could never tell us why.
It's aggravating you know, to take your loved one to people who are supposed to know how to help them, just for them to tell you they don't even know what's wrong. They keep telling us that they think her pregnancy was just too much on her body, and she never recovered from it. Every time the doctors say that I see my Dad place the blame on himself because he got Mom pregnant, but she didn't have this problem when she had me, so I don't know why he'd start blaming himself just because problems arised now.
Both of my parents' hair are graying. My dad has so many frown lines on his face that it's hard to recall his energetic smile or picture the smirks he used to throw my moms way when he wanted to tease her. Seeing my parents now, the way they are, they're almost unrecognizable from my childhood and it makes me sad. I hate the way things are right now, but I can't let it get to me! I have to stay positive, not only for my siblings and my Dad, but for me as well. If I let things get to me now then we're doomed. I can't do that to them.
My thoughts are interrupted when my door is forcefully opened by Tora as he tries to run to me to be saved from Raya. Raya's not having any of it though and they both tumble into my room and land on the floor. I stifle a giggle and hiss at them, pretending to be angry. "I thought I told you little tornadoes I had work today."
Not falling for my 'attitude' Tora jumps on my bed and clings to my leg with silent, pleading eyes, begging me to save him. Raya on the other hand, gives me a suspicious glance and says, "Ruraaaaaaaaa, we know you woke up a while ago. You've just been laying here!" She says to me accusingly. "You promised us you'd play with us last night but when you got home you went straight to sleep!" She continues with a pout on her little lips.
She uses the same tricks on me that I used to use on Dad and it makes me laugh. How could I say no to those eyes or that pout? It's impossible! So being the total sucker that I am and feeling bad for going against my word, even though I was completely exhausted, I tell Raya to give me a second to shower and get ready for my day. While I'm showering I smell something burning and guess that Raya's probably trying to make waffles in the toaster and failing miserably. My suspicions are confirmed when I heard Tora groan and say, "Why don't you wait for Rura? She actually knows how to make food edible!" Which causes me to laugh uncontrollably. One way to take Tora out of his quiet shell, is to mess with his food. The grumpiest, scariest monster has nothing on Tora if you ruin his food. Then again, this situation will turn nuclear soon if I don't hurry because Raya has this talent of bringing out the wildest side of people.
Quickly brushing my teeth and then putting my long brown hair into a ponytail I quickly find something to wear. Dragging a golden sundress out of my closet I slip it on hurriedly and take in the sight before me. Raya has officially tried to make ALL of the waffles in the freezer and Tora looks about ready to strangle her with his bare hands, twin bond down the drain. Burnt waffles litter the counter and some are even on the ground as Raya missed the garbage drastically when she "threw them away".
Shooing the kids from the kitchen, I make them some eggs and pour them some orange juice and grab myself a granola bar. After they ate, I played with them for what seemed like 30 minutes but was really close to two hours and hurried out of the house to make it to work on time. I got a job when I was 15 to help my dad, even though he told me it wasn't necessary. I told him I wanted to help and for the first time, I seen tears spring to his eyes while he thanked me and told me that I wouldn't have to work for long. Two years later and it feels like my Dad has given up hope, more so now than ever since he lost his job.
Day by day Mom's condition gets worse so I'm more determined than ever to keep my job and find other odd jobs to earn a little extra cash. I've done every neighborhood job you could think of from babysitting to mowing lawns, shoveling driveways and cooking for the elderly. I've even cleaned people's houses and cars, and even got paid to be some demonstration dummy at the local martial arts place. The instructor felt so bad about my bruises and his rough students that he decided to give me private lessons in self defense and lets me use the gym whenever I have time. Dan, the instructor, even gave me my own key!
I snap myself out of my thoughts when I arrive at the shop and notice that it isn't open yet. Marcy, the older lady that owns the shop, must be running late. Good thing I have a key for a situation just like this! Unlocking the front glass door, I make my way towards the back of the shop and set up for the day. Donning my apron, I start wiping down the tables and chairs before making my way to the counter and register to wipe down that area as well. I quickly get started on some of the baking for the day and set out some of the treats Marcy and I made the night before in anticipation of this morning.
Technically I'm just a waitress here but I took on much more of the responsibilities and Marcy has just learned to let me do it. In the process however, she decided she would pay me more, no matter how much I protested, so I just learned to...well you know, let her do it. Besides, who am I to say no to the extra cash right now?
I wonder what Marcy is up to this morning? I hope she isn't sick or something, she's never late. She didn't even call the shop to check in yet either. Since it's still early I decide not to worry too much because if anyone knows that life happens, it's me. With that also being said, since it's so early, there's no customers, and I'm bored. After a good 10 minutes of leaning on the counter in the back of the shop, I decided I'd play some music while waiting for Marcy or a customer.
When "Diamonds" by Sam Smith comes on I hum along and sway my hips to the music, lost in my own world. When the bell above the door rings, I turn around with a smile expecting it to be Marcy, but that smile quickly falters when I look up and see a rugged looking man with ice blue eyes and inky black hair. His stance and his aura are not welcoming and he fills the shop with a cold air. Upon closer inspection, I notice that this stranger's eyes contain hints of silver in them and they're very unfriendly. That's when I notice that I've just been staring at this man without speaking, probably looking like a complete idiot. I really, really hope that that's not drool that I feel in the corner of my lips.
I lower my gaze, pink staining my cheeks, trying to hide my embarrassment after staring so unashamedly. Besides, the fascination is clearly only one sided, as the man practically glares holes through my face, daring me to waste more of his time.
When I look at him again, I really notice his height. Gosh he's so tall! Heartbeat unsteady, I slowly look down and check the rest of him out, completely forgetting my earlier embarrassment. This guy is built! Hot damn, he must work out every day! I think, blushing furiously. Even then I doubt a simple workout would get him this large. His biceps must be the same size as my head. Even bigger! Looking back into his eyes I see a bit of warmth in his gaze, but that's quickly smothered when he sees me looking back at him.
Snap out of it!
Hoping I don't seem like a creepy stalker I ask, "Hi sir. Is there anything I can help you with?" My voice comes out lower than I expected and I frown before clearing my throat subtly. The intimidating man just stares at me and I start to get uncomfortable. Probably from all the effort it's taking me to not look at this man's body again. And again and again.
Even though his eyes never leave mine, it feels like his presence gets stronger somehow, filling up the entire shop. It's like the very air around him dares others to come and interrupt his time here. I gulp.
"Where is Marcy?" The man snaps at me, glaring. Eyes of ice somehow turning molten with those silver flecks. His tone brings me out of whatever fantasy I was living in at the moment.
Confused as to why he's asking about Marcy, and so aggressively at that I ask, "What can I do for you?" When I don't get a response from him and he continues to stare I raise my brows at him. "If I can't help you then what business do you have with Marcy? Is there a name and message that I can leave for her, she's not here at the moment." I tell him, with a slight bite to my voice. This man may look great but his attitude sucks. Even though his aura is dangerous and he gives off a powerful vibe, I'm not afraid of him. As a matter of fact, he can go fuck himself, I think with my eyes narrowed at him.
Seemingly confused as to why I'm not cowering in fear or being meek, the man before me looks at me much more closely. Which just makes me all the more uncomfortable and I start to sweat as my temperature rises. For a second it feels like something shifted underneath my skin and I itch badly. "Excuse me." I say, running into the kitchen to itch my arms and splash some cold water on my face.
Returning to the counter, the man hadn't moved an inch from where he was before I went into the kitchen and I sigh, because I had hoped he left.
"When Marcy gets here, tell her Kade was looking for her." He says to me while turning around to leave, without waiting for my response. I huff. This guy acts like he rules the world and it really rubs me the wrong way. His looks are the only thing going for him. "Could definitely use some matters." I mutter to myself. Shaking my head to clear all thoughts of Kade, I decide I will never lose myself like that at the shop again. No more dancing.