11| little

Claudia

I move around the kitchen like it was mine, like I had been here for the longest time. I slip my apron on and continue to cook breakfast.

"I see forever in your eyes,

wishing on dandelions that I-"

"Who's beautiful voice is that I hear?"

I gasp. "Grandma?" I turn around and see my beautiful grandmother right in front of my eyes. She was aging pretty well for a woman her age. She looked as if she was at peace and content. Her hazel orb held a twinkle whilst her other, held a whole story. Literally.  "Oh, yes it's me," She smiled. Her wrinkles showing when she does that.

"What are cooking in here? It smells delicious,"

"Well, I made your favorite; Chicken Enchiladas,"

"Ah, you know me so well, little Claudia,"

"I'm not little anymore grandma. I'm an adult now.

"No. The Claudia I know is just a small little girl," She utters. "Claudia, my child, where's Selena?"

The sound of my mother's name, shatters my heart. I gulp, feeling my nose burn and I know the tears are about to come out.

Why am I such a crybaby?

Why do I have to be this sensitive,?

I crouch down, to meet her eyes. Her hands were on her lap and Anna's had her hands wrapped around the wheelchair. "Grandma," The tears nearly blur my vision. "Mom isn't with us anymore," I whisper.

"What?"

"Mom died, Grandma," I reach out for her hand. "And she's looking after us, don't you worry. She's at peace," Sydney doesn't say anything else. Her lips were sealed and the smile she had a minute ago, was gone. "Well, can I still have one of those enchiladas?"

This brings a sad smile to my face.

My mom loved enchiladas.

"Of course you can, I'll give you two, because you deserve it," And just like that, she smiles again.

"That won't be necessary, I already have someone doing that for her," Someone else says.

"Mr Rivera," I nod. "Good morning," I say anxiously. Releasing a shaky breath.

"I thought we were done with the formalities, Claudia?" I try and ignore the fact that he didn't greet me back.

"Oh, I'm sorry then Mr Riv- Luciano," I correct myself quickly. I noticed him twitch but I don't know if it was my head playing with me because his face went back to normal in, inhuman speed.

I frown slightly wondering what would've cause him to twitch so suddenly. Was it what I  said or-

"Claudia?"

"Yes, Grandma?"

"Are you ok? You became so quiet all of a sudden," She states the obvious. I look over to Luciano who's looking elsewhere  but his hands are balled up in a fist on the counter.  I'm about to come up with a reason  but a nonchalant  voice saves me. "Good morning  everyone!" A blonde appears out of nowhere.  She smiles brightly  as usual, her curly hair was tied in a bun, she wore an over-sized shirt that was unfamiliar. I squint  my eyes.

Making a mental note to ask her about that.

The shirt went well with her cami crop top and the black leggings.  She was glowing as usual  but this time it was different.

I don't think I'd been so glad to see somone so early in the morning.  "Ah, Diane my child. It's been so long since I've seen you,"

"Oh, Nana. I know," She sighs, hugging her.

"Well," I finally decide to speak up. "Does anyone want breakfast?"

"I do," Isaak appears in the kitchen. Dressed in a white tee and black basketball  shorts.

Was I missing something? I reckon I was. "I think we all do,"  We all look into the direction of the voice and my eyes land on a elderly woman. She was short but stood tall.  Her black afro was tied back. Showcasing her grey strands even more. Her brown skin glistened. She smiled brightly at everyone.

Luciano was the first to speak up. "Raven?"

"It's me my boy," She makes her way towards him and when she's finally close, she hugs him. Isaak joins the hug and I swear I heard Luciano utter the word, "Nana."

"Okay, that's enough," She sniffles, wiping away her tears once they part. "I missed you boys," She says. "We missed you too, Ma, " Isaak grins.

"Everyone, this is Raven, our mom," Isaak introduces Raven. I pull my brows together.

They didn't share the same last name.

Or had I missed something?

Diane smiles brightly. "Hello Ms Johnson, I'm Diane. Claudia's friend," My eyes widen at what she had just done.

I gulp looking at Ms Johnson. She was truly a beautiful woman. "Ms Johnson," I nod with a smile. "I'm your son's  nurse," I say.

"Oh I heard a lot  about the both of you,"

"You did?" Diane and I both say in unison. Simply confused. "Yes my sons-"

"Okay, that's enough," Isaak cuts her off. "Oh look, he doesn't want me saying anything to you beautiful girls,"

"It's good to have you back Ms Johnson," Anna smiles.

"Why are all of you so shy? Come hug me," She opens her arms. Diane, Anna and I all hug her at once.

"It's nice to meet you, Ms Johnson," I smile once we part.

"Oh kids, please. Call me Raven. For the last time, I'm not that old you know. I can still move,"

"Come on guys, the food is getting cold," She says.  I then remember.  "Okay then," I turn around. Ready to dish. "You all sit down and I'll prepare- "

"I won't be having breakfast," A voice says. His eyes are far away and his emotionless face had returned.

Just like last night.

□□□

"I'm met with his stormy orbs that seem so far away. He doesn't even look at me as his eyes flicker elsewhere. He inhales slowly and he twitches. His actions are distracting and I don't even know if he realizes that. "Do you need something?"

I nearly stop breathing.

I-

What should I say?

"No, I-"

"Then why are you here?" His question shocks me. I try not to hint at anything that I was affected.

"I-"

"Can't you talk? Or do you have a disability too?" I frown at this. "Mr Rivera I-  I don't know why you're acting like this," I say honestly.

"I don't know. Maybe I want someone just like me," He says. "Someone who understands?" There was something in his eyes. Something I couldn't quite read. I tried my best to figure it out but he turned his head elsewhere as if he felt me staring.

"Do you love staring at people?"

"No.." I trail off. Not being able to finish the rest of my sentence.

I guess it just happens because you're dangerously handsome?

"Then why am I your victim?" His eyes finally meet mine. It was so unexpected, I couldn't help but smile.

I then remind myself, he asked me a question.

"Why victim?"

"Forget it," He says and that's when I hear the thunder roar. My body shudders, I hold the robe tighter to my body.

"Why are you really here?"

Well, I was scared and came looking for you.

"I- I got lost," I partly tell the truth. He chuckles.

"So you do understand?" He says and then I remember his words; "Can you talk or do you have a disability too?"

Oh.

"In any case go back to your room. Tomorrow you can have a tour,"

"Goodnight then," I smile but it doesn't reach my eyes. "Night," I ignore the fact that it came out so cold and empty and just slowly walk back to my room.

□□□

"Oh my son, are you sure you won't join us for breakfast?"

"No, ma. Maybe dinner,"

"Don't lie to me Luciano, I know when you lie."

He sighs stressfully. "I'll try okay? I'm heading out now. Isaak?" Isaak follows behind him, probably going to talk about something important.

"Let me help you," Anna says once the brothers were both out of sight. "No it's okay, sit down," I reassure her. "Yes, Claudia's right" Diane stands up. "Let's just say it's your morning off,"

Then Diane begins to help and hands out the plates to everyone.

"Ms John- Raven,"

"Yes?" She looks over to me with a smile.

"Does your son ever eat?"