Family Sunday

Ring!

My alarm rang.

I stretched. "Agh!" I glanced at my calendar.

"Sunday..." I mumbled.

Then my door creaked open.

Lily peeked through a tiny gasp escaped her lips.

"GOOD MORNING!" she squealed, jumping straight onto my bed. I caught her and started tickling her until she was giggling all over my blanket.

Oh right... today's family day.

My phone buzzed Lucas was calling me. 

But before I could even reach for it, my little sister snatched it up and answered for me.

"Hi! Rose is busy today. She belongs to me now!"

Then she hung up and we burst out laughing together.

Just perfect my little sister with her ponytail, like a little horn. That's my little devil.

Ahh... I love my sister. She's so adorable.

Mom's voice floated up from downstairs. "Breakfast is ready!"

I looked at Lily. "Race you to the kitchen!"

We both dashed down the hallway, laughing and bumping shoulders until we crashed into the dining room.

Mom had made us sandwiches.

Dad sat at the table, coffee in hand, quietly watching the news like always.

Mom glanced at us, half amused, half worried. "Careful, you two."

Dad barely talks at home. He's calm like a statue, but Lily's voice can out-loud the entire TV.

"So..." Lily mumbled, mustard on her cheek and legs swinging back and forth under her chair.

"Can you help me with my homework later?"

Oh crabs! I still have my own assignment to finish.

Should I just invite Lucas over?

Mom's eyes narrowed at me. "Thinking about Lucas again?"

"N-no way!" I snapped back.

Lily cackled so hard she rolled off her chair, laughing on the floor like a tiny goblin.

I glared at her. "If you dare laugh at me again..."

She looked up at me all wide-eyed and innocent.

"Fine. Laugh all you want."

Breakfast was filled with laughter and crumbs everywhere.

Then, study time.

I helped Lily with her homework at leaving room while trying to sketch the perfect dress at the same time.

Petting my cat blue. 

Mom came over and sat beside me, peeking at my sketchbook.

"Hmmm... maybe add a bit more flow in the front, to balance with the back?" she suggested casually.

I stared at her. "Since when do you know anything about designing dresses?"

She let out a tiny laugh. "Oh, I know a thing or two..."

She brushed my hair behind my ear, her voice soft and a little nostalgic.

"You know... you look more like..." She paused, staring into my eyes.

"More like me than you think."

Then she stood up and went to sit beside Dad. At dinning table.

"Eh? What was that about?" I murmured to myself, my pencil still hovering over my sketch.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Lily with her jaw hanging open, staring at Mom stroking my hair.

I turned to her with a grin. "What?! Jealous?"

Her face puffed up like a blowfish. She scuttled over and curled up in Mom's lap.

"Ugh! Golden child," I muttered, rolling my eyes.

A flashback flickered in my mind.

I was five, playing at a small playground.

Dad pushed me on the swing, and Mom stood nearby, watching with that same warm smile.

I don't remember him too well...

Just his dark hair, and a love so warm I don't think I'll ever feel it again.

A single tear fell onto my sketchbook, smudging my design.

"Ugh! Now I have to resketch it..." I groaned, then rushed back to my room.

That night, I video-called Zera.

"How's your designer project going?" I asked, slumping on my bed.

Zera flashed me a big smile. "Mine is perfect! I'm so happy with everything. And Larry? He's been super supportive."

"Lucky you, girl. You have your baby genius and your brain. 

Meanwhile, my partner is completely useless."

Zera gave me that look.

"Are you sure? Or... did you just not pick up his call?"

"Eh?!" I blinked at her. "How do you know!?"

She giggled. "He called me after that."

"Oh... right... traitor..." I muttered under my breath.

"What was that?" Zera asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh! Nothing! Nothing at all!" I said quickly, grinning so wide my cheeks hurt.

"Hmmm... do you think he did something after that?" I asked.

Zera look at me smirking.

"What Can I not asked!?" I squeaked. She laughed.

"Probably fighting with someone somewhere."

I stared at Zera in shock. "What!? How!?"

She burst into laughter. "Just kidding! You were worried, weren't you?"

"Ugh! Never mind. Good night!" I huffed, then hung up before she could tease me more.

After that, I found myself scrolling through my phone.

A photo of that dress I saw at the mall.

A picture of me and Lucas... wearing matching couple outfits.

I let out a sharp sigh.

"Do I...?" I mumbled, staring at Lucas's goofy face in the photo.

Suddenly, Ring!

Lucas's face popped up on my screen.

"Oh my—!" I nearly dropped my phone.

"Hi. Rose." His voice was calm. Too calm.

"Hm..." I answered lazily, pretending I didn't care.

He chuckled softly. "I know I didn't help much today. But... 

I believe in you. I know you've got this. You're going to win tomorrow. Goodnight... 

and good luck."

"Thank—"

Beep. He hung up.

"What!?" I stared at my screen. "He's never this calm before. 

Did he hit his head or eat something weird?!"

I threw my phone onto my pillow and buried my face under my blanket.

"No way. Why am I even thinking about this?!"

Next day. School day.

Mom stood by the door, watching me rush out.

"Good luck, my little Rose!" she called.

"Bye, Mom!" I yelled back, running down the street, heart pounding with a mix of nerves and excitement.

"Good morning, class!

I believe everyone has done their best for their dress designs.

I've looked through all your work very well done!

So today is the day to make your imagination come alive!

You'll have a sewing machine, fabric, and your partner to work with.

I'll give you one hour and thirty minute. start now.

Good luck!"