I slowly pulled open the door, taking a glimpse down the hallway. The popping sound of cooking hot oil from the kitchen echoed, alongside the aroma of delicacy. I slowly walked towards the stare.
I walked down the stairs stretching my head forward towards the kitchen. I stood still a few steps to the floor, staring through the rails. There in the kitchen, Mr. Robinson stood, mixing something over the stove in a frying pan. It smelt delicious!
"Lola!? Oh, you're up?" Mrs. Robinson spooked me from behind. Mr. Robinson turned around in our direction, he stared at me than his wife, "Nah, she's still sleeping".
He grinned. Mrs. Robinson rolled her eyes smiling, "Meanie". She walked down to the living room and then the kitchen.
"C'mon, Lola" she signalled me smiling. I slowly got up from the squatting position and walked to them. I stretched my head up noticing what he was cooking.
"Sardine and butter sandwich", Mr. Robinson said smiling as he pulled the pan of refried sardine to the table. Already set we're slices of bread and two containers of butter. He picked up a cooking spoon, carefully dishing the sardine into a big bowl.
"So Lola, how was your night sweetie? Did you sleep well?" Mrs. Robinson asked smiling. I stared at her with an emotionless expression.
Mr. Robinson turned to her then at me. "Oh um..." She cleared her throat, "I mean, did you have a good night?" I gave them long cold stares, then slowly nodded.
"Splendid!" She giggled. Mr. Robinson completely emptied the pan, and then picked up a container of butter. He began to scope out the butter into the same bowl.
He used a wooden spoon and mushed the mixture. I stared at him surprised and frightened. He picked a slice of bread, gently spreading it over it.
"It's okay, Lola", Mrs. Robinson interrupted my thoughts, "It tastes extremely better than it looks, and don't worry, he's preparing it not me, so it's not horrible", she smiled.
I felt so relieved she knew...
"Okay, c'mon, let's get you ready for the trip!", She clapped her hands excitedly as she walked up to me. "Let's go", she directed me to the stairs.
Thirty minutes later, they were already stacking the truck with our supplies and camping gear.
"That's the last one", Mr. Robinson exhaled, shutting the boot of the car. Mrs. Robinson pulled open the front passenger seat, turning to me.
"Yippie! You're gonna love it", she stretched out her arms, pinching my cheek. They got in and started the car.
...
We arrived at the campsite in about two hours. It didn't take up to an hour for our camps to be set.
They played some country music, sang, and danced. I sat down next to the fireplace staring at them with a dull face.
I refused to eat anything but drink water.
"Come on, Lola? Come dance with us?" I stared at them, then stood up. I turned to my tent, which was right next to theirs.
I zipped it open and walked in, completely ignoring their eyes on my back.
As I zipped up my tent, I could hear Mr. Robinson hiss. I sighed and walked to my sleeping bag, clutching my limbs together beneath it.
Nighttime came, and the music just got louder. It seemed like the camping wasn't meant for me but for them. The air was filled with laughter and giggles.
I could hear them play around and chase after themselves like children. Tempted to look, I got up. I slowly pulled down my zip, peeping through the tiny hole.
I could see them cuddling, with Mrs. Robinson in his arms and her head on his chest, they stared down at the Ipad in front of them smiling at the screen.
I figured they must be watching a movie. I slowly inhaled, preparing the pull down the zip and walk up to them, but something stopped me.
I took one more glimpse at them, seeing the smiles and enjoyment on their face. I knew if I walked up there, I'd probably make the atmosphere awkward with my cold silence and behaviour...
But I tried... I tried to speak when I'm around them, but something makes me nervous and I remain quiet, that same thing made me step back and zip up my tent.
I didn't want to be rude and annoying at the same time to them I knew I had already done wrong by walking away from them.
I decided to go back to my bag and stare at the darkness of my tent.