Chapter 2: Something about the Food

The girls stepped into Shine's home and shut the door promptly.

The snow was coming in heavy since they left the school, and the cold air was quickly canceled out by the heated up home. Frannie stripped from her coat and placed it on the rack, quickly kicking off her boots and making her way to the kitchen.

Shine took a deep inhale of the scent of muffins and cinnamon rolls, and what seemed to be pasta. What was being made with it, she wasn't sure.

Spaghetti, or Alfredo? Or maybe something new.

Pleeeeease be alfredo, Shine thought.

"Nice of you to join us again, Frannie." Shine entered the kitchen and sat at the table. Frannie was standing by the stove, watching the pot of boiling pasta with hungry eyes.

Shine's mother stepped from the sink, drying her hands on a flower apron. Her brown hair was in a bun, hazel eyes glistening in the light of the kitchen. She reached to about five foot five in height. A bit taller than Shine, as she was only five foot four.

"Where's Dad," Shine asked.

Her mother sighed frustratedly as she moved towards the cutting board and began to chop up pieces of garlic. "Working as usual. He'll be home late, so it's just us four tonight."

Shine perked up at the word four. Her eyes simmered visibly with happiness. "Wait, he's home?! In January?! I thought Orion wasn't supposed to be back until May!" The excitement was bubbling in her voice.

Orion was a prodigy child. Gifted athlete for nearly any sport he touched. Tall. Handsome, with a jawline that could chisel diamond and a gaze that would move mountains. He was a year older than Shine, and got recruited into basic training months ago. Word was he wasn't making any visits until early spring. How happy Shine was that that news turned out to be wrong.

The two were inseparable as children, and had a strong bond with one another. Shine often wondered why they got along so well, but would push it from her mind whenever the question would come back up.

As if on cue, an obnoxiously loud yawn filled the kitchen. Shine and Frannie looked towards, Frannie fanning herself and wiping the quickly forming drool from her lips.

There he was.

Shirtless, in his pajama pants, bright skin and toned muscles and abs on display for any and all to see. His dark hair was messy as if he had just gotten out of bed.

A notable contrast compared to Shine. Her long black hair matched Orion's shade, but her eyes and skin were different. She was a lighter shade of coco color, and had violet eyes that pierced the darkest nights.

His eyes opened and the yawn ceased. He noticed Shine first and smiled at her, casually walking over and leaning in front of her. "Hey there. What brings you to my home?"

"Shut up. I should be asking you that since you haven't been here in months." Shine closed her eyes and sat back in her chair.

Orion chuckled and stood straight, grabbing a shirt from one of the other chairs and slipping it on. "Fair enough. Hey, Frannie."

The blonde was at a loss for words. She looked between the small family, then leaned over and whispered, "Ya know… Thank you for pushing such a good looking baby out of your honey pot, Claire."

Shine's mother laughed at her comment, stopping her knife so she wouldn't accidently cut herself. "You're welcome," Claire whispered back.

Frannie took her seat at the table next to Shine. Orion sat across from them, and the three began to talk. Minutes passed into their pointless conversation, and Carrie placed the plates down for all of them. She sat at the end of the table, clapping her hands together and exhaling. "Alright. Dig in."

Shine celebrated silently to herself. Chicken and Shrimp pasta with garlic alfredo sauce and cinnamon rolls. From the first bite, her taste buds were in heaven. Frannie watched her friend, before beginning to eat herself.

Orion was the last of them to dig in, his eyes on Shine most of the dinner.

Occasionally, she would catch him watching her, but ignored it. If anything, she just assumed it was him being excited to see her again. Home is where your family is after all.

"Oh yeah. Shine, Frannie. I have a bunch of extra money in my account. Want me to take you two shopping tomorrow," Orion asked.

The two glanced at one another, then nodded quickly, almost choking on their pasta strands.

Shine swallowed, grabbing her cup of water and drinking quickly, before placing it down and exhaling. "That's probably the best news I've heard all day. You sure you wanna do that? We'll make you go bankrupt."

"Of course. Anything for my little sister," He replied.

Shine beamed happily, yet in the back of her head, something made her stomach churn about his attitude. The way he spoke to her seemed a bit odd, but she didn't care. Despite that, she pushed the thoughts away. When they spoke, as well as they were with one another, it always left her feeling odd. It didn't matter to Shine in the end. She was just happy to have him home.

"So, noon then?���

"It's a date," He said.

"Uh no." Frannie chimed in. "If it's a date, I'm not sharing."

The table erupted in laughter, so much Shine almost fell from her seat. It wasn't that funny initially, but the air in the house made everything seem so relaxed. The wind howled against the house outside, and from the window, the snow was raging and coming down hard.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a good day to be out. Doubt the snow will melt that much, but it's still nice to get out. Weekend, I'm ready for whatever you want to throw at me. Shine inhaled once more, and pushed all thoughts from her mind except for her meal and the conversation that began to brew.