A coldness surrounded my body, causing me to shiver as I awoke in a quiet, seemingly unfamiliar room. It was a while before I noticed that I was laying in the bathtub, now full of ice cold water. The realization had swept over me, like a wave that crashes onto shore, I had fallen asleep.
I arose quickly, trying my best to escape the cold net of water that clung to me like glue so I could finally get some rest. My neck and back had begun to ache, my tired eyes started having trouble processing the surrounding world. Slowly, I grabbed one of the white, fluffy towels from the tall black rack beside the tub and wrapped it around my body. A trail of water followed me as I approached my closet.
I looked inside the already open closet door, trying to find pajamas. I picked an old t-shirt, grey sweatpants along with a pair of underwear. I shrugged off the towel that had draped around me, letting it drop to the floor with a soft thud. Then proceeded to put on my outfit for the evening.
Immediately after getting dressed I made my way to the bed and plopped onto the grey sheets that swallowed me up. Everything felt calm for once, no fighting, no loneliness. I smiled to myself, happy that for once, everything felt right. Yet, a constant thought that seemed out of reach continued to press on my mind. With little effort, I ignored it as though it held no importance. My eyes slowly fluttered shut and darkness beckoned me into sleep.
****
Birds chirped happily as the sun cast a golden glow throughout my entire room. A faint knock sounded throughout the room as I lay, tangled in the cozy bed sheets that entrapped me. The door to my room creaked open as my mother peeked through it.
"Makayla," her voice was quiet and gentle as she spoke, "are you awake?" Her brown, wavy hair was carefully put into a tight bun that showed no imperfections, sections of it gleaming from the sunlight. Tiredly, I rubbed my eyes attempting to wipe away the drowsiness that had adhered to my mind.
"Yeah I'm awake," I stretched my arms towards the ceiling and flipped my feet over the edge of my bed, feeling the drowsiness begin to wash away. "What's up?"
"Well," my mother entered my room, a sense of pride radiating off of her as she strode towards me. Her footsteps were a soft beat against the hardwood floor. "I was wondering if you would want to go to town with me today. It would be nice if we could meet new people, maybe you could even meet a new friend!" She smiled, revealing her straight, pearly white teeth.
"I wouldn't mind," I said truthfully. "but aren't there things that need to be done?"
"Oh don't worry your father, Jackson and Chase will take care of unpacking," she looked at me expectantly, "so what do you say?"
"I'll go as long as it isn't too much of a hassle for everyone," I stated.
My mother's beautiful face lit up, she smiled gleefully, "Then I'll leave you to get dressed! Chase shall be up in a few minutes to serve you breakfast."
I shook my head in protest, "It really isn't necessary, don't I usually make my own meals, and serve them to myself?"
"Makayla," my mother walked towards me, her sense of happiness fading away, bit by bit. "I would like for you to get used to this type of lifestyle. I know it's hard for you but please just try." With a slight tenderness she placed her porcelain-like hand upon my shoulder.
"I'm just... not sure if I can. I'm truly grateful that we got this new house, this new life, but I would rather be able to do the small things I've always done."
"I know, you've always had to do things on your own for the sole reason of your father and I not being there for you or for Jackson. You've helped us raise him to be a sweet, quirky boy. You've fed yourself along with him, and on top of that you've done many other things that your father and I never could have done," her grip on my shoulder tightened a bit, causing wrinkles to stem out from that area, "I just want you, and Jackson to have a better life then what we previously gave you."
"Mom…" She pulled me close to her, the scent of vanilla encapsulating my nostrils. My mother almost always smelled like the purest of vanilla, or the caramel scent of creamed coffee, a smell that made you feel comfortable and calm.
"Please, for me and your father at least try," her voice was full of emotion along with a silent plea as she spoke softly, still hugging me close. I closed my eyes slowly, holding her against myself.
"If it will make you two happy then," I paused, letting out a heavy sigh. "I'll try my hardest to accept this new way of living." My mother let go of me, smiling, her pearly teeth being revealed yet again.
"Thank you, I hope you'll come to enjoy the life you should've had all along! Now then-" a gentle knock sounded against the fancy wooden door that stood tall and mighty at the front of the room. We both swiveled our heads in sync, looking towards the sound.
The door creaked open slowly, causing the golden door handle to glint in the sun's rays, creating light that reflected onto the opposing wall. Slicked back coal black hair, and forest green eyes were soon revealed to me as Chase steadily opened the door. In his hands a silver platter with small intricate designs lining the entire border.
"Mrs. Clark," Chase's voice was as smooth as silk, deep, steady, just as I recalled from before. "A Mrs. Torini Lewis is waiting for you at the front door, she wishes to speak with you about today's affairs." The way he spoke created an air of professionalism to his already proper physique.
"Ah yes, Makayla, after you have breakfast and get prepared I would like for you to meet Mrs. Lewis. Your father and I became acquainted with her when we first took a look at this house. She is quite nice, I believe you would enjoy her company," my mother gave me a quick peck on the cheek, then strolled quietly out of my room, closing the door behind Chase.
The quiet taps of Chase's feet against the hardwood floor filled the silent room. In the distance, the faintness of birds chirping could be heard. Ringing began to sound in my pale ears, allowing me to hear the constant beat of my heart.
Chase gently set the glistening silver platter on my white bedside table and began to spread a creamy yellow layer of butter upon the light brown pancakes. All of which towered above the silver platter. A deep, low growl erupted from my stomach as I sat, mounted in place, my mouth gaping at the near perfect pancakes. A golden drizzle of maple syrup cascaded down from its silver container creating a small pool of gold form on top of the tower of pancakes. The golden pool began to flow like a waterfall over the slightly crisp edges, onto the white porcelain plate below.
A small laugh escaped Chase's pink lips, breaking his composure for a split second. He lightly shook his head, setting down the syrup container on the platter. I looked at him with an affable smile.
"Must you look at the pancakes so intently? You'll end up drooling at this rate," a smile crossed his face.
My eyes wandered over every item upon the tray, a clear glass contained sparkling orange juice. The sun's glint reflected a rainbow of color on the silver platter below. The tower of pancakes stood on a porcelain plate, and two pieces of toast lay beside it.
Chase grasped the plate gently, taking it into his gloved hands as he placed it on my lap. A silver fork lay on the plate right beside the taunting food.
"You may eat whenever you'd like, I must speak with your mother. I shall return shortly to retrieve your dishes," with a quick bow he spun around and walked out of my room. I paid little to no attention when Chase left, as food was the only thing on my mind.
Within a few measly seconds of Chase handing me the food, I had scarfed it down as though I was a wild animal who hadn't eaten in weeks. The creamy butter melted upon entering my mouth. I shivered with delight. I picked up the orange juice, drinking it slowly, savoring every drop.