"Okay, Annabelle, time's up. Let's get you cleaned up. Blaire, you'll help her," Mom announced, gently lifting Annabelle from her seat.
"Yep!" Annabelle grinned and nodded, before waving at me. "Bye, Papa!"
Returning the wave, I watched as Blaire took over, guiding Annabelle away. With a new white bag slung over my shoulder, I turned to the mirror, adjusting my appearance. I gathered my shoulder-length black hair and tied it back with a black elastic band. "I'll probably stand out again," I murmured, admiring myself.
"So sad." Christina smacked the back of my head playfully before heading out. "Bye, Mael! Bye, Mom!"
"Your skirt!" Mom's voice carried from the kitchen, but Christina was already gone. "If I see her at the Academy, she's in for it…"
Grabbing a plate of pancakes that my mom handed me, I thanked her and took two, savoring a bite of one. As I turned to leave, Mom's hand patted my hair.
"Mother?" I looked back at her.
