Chapter nine

Sighing to myself in the mirror, I ran down the stairs to the kitchen where my mother waited for me.

"I don't know what to do!"

She exclaimed with a spoon in her hand, flailing her hands around. Going all the way around the table to get to her other side I avoided being hit by the utensil.

"What's wrong?"

"The meat pie isn't going how I wanted it to."

"Meat pie?"

I asked a little frightened by this.

"Ma, you already cooked us a feast for kings; leaving out the taste of course, but otherwise we have more than enough food."

She looked at me with a sad expression, bottom lip perked out and trembling

"Why do you wanna make a meat pie?"

"Because I want to impress our neighbours."

"Well, that's not really-"

Interrupted by a terror-filled scream coming from the backyard, I looked out to the outside.

"I think that was Syl"

I said to my mother, she didn't look all that worried though. She was too focused on the sunken pie sitting on a silver tray.

Her shoulders sagged down the wooden spoon resting on her chin. She hummed in thought.

"I'll just go check things out."

"Maybe I used the wrong flour, or was the temperature too high? Maybe I should've..."

Walking out of the kitchen I left my mumbling mother to her thoughts.

I didn't have the energy for this, at all.

"Keith, come in here!"

Oh great, call dad to help make matters worse. He's just as bad at cooking as you!

Making my way to the back door that lead to the yard I called out to my sister.

"Syl, you okay?!"

Walking towards the playhouse where I last saw the two six-year-olds I knocked on the small door.

"Syl, are you in there? Can you please open up?"

"No! Go away!"

My eyes widened in shock taken aback by her words. Sylvia wasn't one to be mean not unless someone did something mean to her.

And since I haven't done or said anything to upset her the only other possibility was that, that Lukas kid did something to her.

I swear I'm gonna punch that, cute little freckled boy, in his chubby adorable face!

"Come on. You know sisters are always there for each other!"

I received silence in return as an answer.

"I'm not leaving until you open the door"

Silence.

"I mean it!"

"...Promise not to get mad."

My brow lifted in confusion. Why would I get mad at her?

"Okay. I won't be mad."

"You have to sister promise."

I laughed at that and shook my head at the cute little girl but agreed nonetheless.

"But we have to shake on it for it to be a sister promise."

"...."

"You're gonna have to open the door."

"...Just a little though"

I laughed again at her cuteness. Even when mad she was still super cute. The cutest in the whole universe.

"Okay, just a little."

Behind the door, I heard the shuffling of small little feet moving about. It sounded like she stacked a chair or two in front of the door to block the entrance.

Something that would work, if her door didn't open to the outside. So she practically locked herself in.

Oh lord, she was adorable...this kid.

Slowly the door was left ajar. Patiently waiting for her to act, a tiny slim hand sneaked out from the inside.

"Here."

She said in a small voice reaching out her pinky finger. Crouching down to her level I copied her gesture, wrapped my finger around hers and intertwined our fingers.

"Sister promise."

"Sister promise."

We both said at the same time, shook our hands and fist-bumped sealing our promise to each other.

"Well, now you have to come out and tell me what's wrong"

I stood in front of the house, bent down to its level with my hands on my knees.

"...It's really bad"

I rolled my eyes at that. The last time she said she did something remotely "bad", she accidentally stepped on a ladybug.

It was so adorable when she came home crying her eyes out, saying that she was a murderer and should be locked in jail for a long time.

When I tried to comfort her, she screamed saying that the fairies were gonna be very sad.

She was just so adorable, I couldn't help but both laugh and aww at her!

Remembering that made me nearly break out into laughter all over again.

"I'm sure we can work together here. It can't be that ba-"

Before I could finish my sentence she swung the door open revealing herself and my words caught in my throat as my mouth hung open in a large "O". My eyes widened in horror at the sight before me.

You know when you think, "She's a toddler, her version of bad is sticking your tongue out to an adult"

Well, this wasn't that.

This standing before me was bad.

"Sylvia...what the fudge"

She slightly flinched at my harsh tone, but you'd say the same thing if you saw this.

Now before we even started the night with all the getting dressed and ready for dinner, Sylvia had her long, wavy hair in two braided pigtails.

Now, however, she looked completely terrible.

The left braid was much, much shorter than it previously was, her honey-brown locks were no longer a colour I recognized.

Swirls of blue, pink, green, red, and yellow decorated her head from her roots to her ends.

She looked like a freaking rainbow. And not the good kind!

Whatever was used to colour her hair like the blood of a unicorn, was definitely not done properly.

The blue mixed in with the red making a gory, muddy brown. Many of the colours overlapped with one another. Making it difficult for me to even call it a child's rainbow.

It looked more like a depressing rainbow of crushed dreams than a charismatic world full of wonder.

"Okay, Uhm...maybe we could...or like put on a...I mean it's not that...we should just...yeesh"

Balling my hand into a fist, I bit into it. Stifling the scream that begged to be let out. I couldn't panic at least not in front of her or else she'll start panicking.

"Okay, I don't think it's that...bad?"

It sounded more like a question than a statement.

Yeah, she and I both knew I was lying through my teeth but she had to give me the benefit of the doubt.

I mean I didn't scream out in panic or anything. I was staying as calm as one could be in this situation.

"Unholy shi-"

Yeah, I can't finish such a sentence in front of a child even if it's in my head.

She glared up at me with tears lining her eyes, cheeks puffed up like a chipmunk her hands balled at her sides in tiny fists of fury.

"Oh my gosh you look so adorable"

I let out without thinking. Usually, she'd be ecstatic the second someone called her adorable or cute, but never when mad.

The last thing she ever wants to be called when angry like this is adorable.

"I'm not adorable, Clover!"

"Okay, okay, shush. We don't want anyone seeing you like this. So keep it down alright."

By instinct, the girl covered her mouth with both her hands and nodded in understanding.

I internally laughed at that. She always does that when told to keep it down.

Placing my finger over my mouth gesturing for her to keep silent I turned to the back entrance that seemed further than what I originally remembered.

"Alright, let's move."

Tiptoeing across the yard we carefully made our way to the entrance of the house avoiding being seen from the kitchen window.

Gesturing for her to move in front of me the little girl ran to my front. Hands still covering her tiny mouth.

You know...I kinda wish I didn't tell her to move. Cause as soon as she did, I nearly lost it, my composure that is.

Behind her head, written in big, glittery pink were the words, "Lukas was here".

Now I know I should be a good sister and tell Syl about it but, I was too busy trying not to laugh out like an idiot.

I can't say the constant shaking of my shoulders and body didn't give me away.

Biting my lips hard to prevent a laugh from escaping, I cupped a hand over my mouth.

At first, I didn't know that I had unconsciously stopped walking. As soon as Syl noticed my absence behind her she turned to me in question.

"Why'd you stop?"

She whispered to me.

It was at that moment I chose to stay silent. I knew that if I said a single thing, I'd burst out into nonstop laughter. The worst kind of it.

So playing it off, I removed the hand over my mouth yet kept my teeth biting on the lower lip to prevent any noise from escaping. Cause that'd just trigger me.

Instead, I opted for shaking my head as if saying nothing was wrong.

She looked at me in doubt, hands placed on her hips eyes lowered. I felt like I was being interrogated.

No words needed to be said, her eyes said it all.

Clearing my throat, I said to her in the most composed voice I could muster.

"We should hurry to my room before mom calls for us."

It sounded more strained than composed, but far better than laughter right now.

Rolling her eyes at my sudden odd behaviour she turned back around and I silently laughed to myself.

Pushing the kitchen door open, I saw my mother preoccupied with the oven and my father doodling with a piece of cardboard box.

Don't ask me why, not even I know.

Taking their momentary distraction to our advantage we ran to the stairs leading up to my room.

"Hey wher-"

Pushing a confused Vanessa out of our way, I slammed the door to my room shut.

A second after doing so I heard a soft knock coming from the other side.

"U-uhm, Clover? I think you forgot me."

The soft voice of my little sister spoke through to my side.

My eyes widened at the realization that Sylvia wasn't in the room with me, but was instead locked out. An easy picking for the vulture.

If mom sees her, both she and I are screwed.

Throwing the door open I quickly grabbed the tiny person by the arm pulled her inside and again shut my door securing it with a lock...just to be on the safe side.

"Who forgets their little sister?"

She asked with a frown, I nervously laughed while scratching the back of my head.

"Sorry, now let's do something about...that"

I gestured to her wild "Barbie Dreamtopia" hairstyle.

A few minutes later we emerged from my room. I looked down at my sister who now adorned a bunny-eared hat.

That was the best I could do.

"Yeah, we're screwed"

She nodded her head in agreement but still happily made her way downstairs with a smile, presumably to continue playing.

Oh, how I miss the days of youth.

"Dinner time!"

Mother announced from downstairs. Bracing myself for the worst I made my way toward them.

Seeing the grownups already settled in at their seats I took my usual spot across my mother's chair.

However, instead of my mom sitting in front of me, it was the weird bro-con.

Oh great, what fun.

The weirdo just kept glaring at me, drilling a hole into my forehead.

What gives lady, I'm not trying to get your damn brother.

For the first time, I'm not going after a hot guy I see and instead of being congratulated for it, I'm being targeted.

What the heck universe?!

Mom gave Sylvia a look that said take off your hat, but she shook her head in refusal.

She glared at her, warning her to listen or else she'd get it. But Syl, against her better judgment, chose to ignore her.

Not wanting to cause a scene in front of our guests, mom turned to place the food on the table with the most strained smile I'd ever seen in my life.

Yeah, she was trying hard not to go wild.

"Alrighty then, let's dig in"

She said as she sat down on her spot, next to dad.

Looking down at the meal before me, I cringed at the thought of the taste.

The food looked fairly decent, and for the first time ever...edible.

However, looks could be deceiving and in this case that say could very much be applicable.

Picking up the spoon I scooped up a bit of food and slowly brought it to my lips but stopped halfway at the feel of something touching my hand.

Looking down at it my eyes widened in horror at the hand of Michael making circles around mine.

Frightened by this, I jumped up in a panic.

It seemed like the tablecloth had somehow caught up on my dress, causing the plates to fall onto the laps of our distinguished guests.

Mom rose to her feet in a frenzy,

"Clover! What are you doing?!"

Panicked, my eyes widened in terror and I was at a loss for words.

"I-I didn't mean to-"

"Well, you did!"

Turning to our guests, her face softened in guilt and a little bit of embarrassment.

"I am, so very sorry. Here let me get a towel."

As she was about to leave, her elbow bumped into Sylvia's hat, causing it to fall onto the floor.

She's doomed!

Everyone's eyes on the table widened at the sight and my mom...well she just lost it.

"Wha-what happened?! Sylvia Thea Klein, explain right now young lady!"

Sylvia looked frightened for her life, with good reason. Have you met my mother? This woman is crazier than Harley Quinn.

"It was Lukas!"

She screamed pointing in his direction. Nice, throw him under the bus sis.

"No, it wasn't!"

"Yes, it was!"

"Nah-ah!"

"Ah-ha!'

The two toddlers quarrelled with each other.

"Enough, both of you. Sylvia you know you're not supposed to play with your hair, and Lukas my daughter's head is not a toy!"

"Hey, how dare you speak to my son like that!"

Margaret, Luka's mom defended.

"Well, maybe you should teach your boy some manners maybe that way he wouldn't go off cutting other kids' hair off like that!"

"Excuse me? I'll have you know that..."

While the two bickered their husbands sat quietly at their respective seats, both shaking their heads at their wives.

"O-oh, you think just cause you're rich you can do whatever you want?"

"Yes I do actually"

"Oh really then"

With one swipe of her hand, mom picked up a huge chunk of meat with her spoon and threw it at her opponent's face.

"Wha-what?"

"Whatcha think of that huh?"

Margaret glared at her, swabbed a large chunk herself, and threw it at mom.

Dodging the attack, the meat landed on her wedding photo that hung on the wall across. Sticking on the frame, I watched as it slowly slid down the glass cover and made its way down to the floor.

"Ooh, now it's on!"

The two exchanged blows and dad still sat immobile in his position.

I stared at the two bickering grown women having a food fight and noticed that the two toddlers had also joined as pieces were thrown at each other.

"Sto-"

My words were cut off by the sudden piece of smashed potatoes stuck over my right eye.

Mouth agape I looked at the red-haired girl snickering at me.

Angered, I took a hand full of food from both mine and Michael's plate, combined them into a giant ball of food and chucked it at her face.

The force of the impact caused her to fall backwards off her chair, face full of mashed food.

Slowly she got up scraping the food off her face, sneered at me with deadly eyes, and went in for another attack.

Blows were exchanged between the two of us, somehow Michael was caught in the crossfire and was left covered in heaps of food.

By the end of the night, the dinner table had turned into an all-out food warzone.

The kids were throwing food, the moms were no better and the dads had taken shelter underneath the table. I, leaving all morals behind was doing the same thing.

Some dinner this turned out to be.

Suddenly an ear-piercing noise came from the kitchen.

Everyone stopped in their tracks to cover their ears from the noise assaulting their eardrums.

"Does anyone else smell that?"

Dad asked from his hiding spot. Mom's eyes widened in terror and within the blink of an eye, she was out of the dining room and into the kitchen.

Running after her, the sudden smell of smoke assaulted my nostrils. Coughing and waving away the smoke I looked at my mother.

"Ma, are you alright?"

"Clover quick, get the towel, take out the lasagne in the oven!"

She rushed out orders while preparing a wet cloth.

Doing as she instructed, I took out the charcoal block.

Yet somehow, the damn thing caught on fire.

Mom and I both screamed at the flames, panicking at what was happening.

Without thinking 'cause I'm stupid and I'm panicking here, I chucked the giant charcoal right outta the window and into mom's white rose bush.

...I have to admit that was a bad idea on my part. Why?

Cause the bush caught on fire...yeah.

Mom looked at me with wide eyes, I shared a similar look. Only mine was of concern for my own life.

I was so damn screwed.

"Can I have some ice cream now?"

Syl asked from the kitchen entrance.

******

So yeah, that's what happened.

Gotta admit though I originally didn't wanna go to dinner, but I'm glad I did. It was a total disaster but also kinda fun.

And look on the bright side, at least I didn't have to eat mom's food.

That's a win on its own.