The dinging my phone wakes me up the next morning.

Saffron snuck into my bed at some point in the night, probably after a nightmare, currently cuddled up with me under the blankets. Her soft snores fill my room. I check my phone to see that it's 10:45.

Wow. I knew we were all tired but this is the latest I've slept in months. I check my texts, the first one from Ella last night.

Ella
Stell got drunk and made a fool of herself in front of James. Now I get to do damage control by myself.

Scar
How's she handling it?

Ella
Surprisingly well, James took us home last night. Picked her up bridal style and everything. I've never heard Stella giggle so much in my life.

I laugh quietly, careful not to create too much noise. That's something I would've loved to see. Stella so rarely does anything that makes her seem unscary. Loads of black clothing and yelling can do that to a person.

Scar
How romantic

Damn, I would've paid to see Avery's reaction to that. I can already picture the meltdown that followed. The second message was from Ashton, who texted me over an hour ago.

Ash
Good Morning

Scar
Morning, you're up early for someone who partied.

The reply takes a while.

Ash
I left... got bored

Scar
You? The king of conversation. Based off this last week I would've thought you never stopped talking

Ash

The conversation wasn't very stimulating

I roll my eyes, what a weirdo.

Ash
Do you want to hang out today, there's a park I found that's full of graffiti

I reread the message, surprised by his invitation. It's Saturday, why on Earth would he want to hang out with me.

Scar
Where at?

Ash
In some neighborhood called Oak Hill, on the other side of town I think.

I drop my phone as I read the name, that's a place I haven't thought of in a while. I hastily type out a reply.

Scar
I tend to steer clear of that area. And I think I'm gonna hang at home today.
Sorry Ash

Ash
Don't worry Scar, I need to unpack anyways.

I say goodbye to him, setting my phone on my dresser. The need to pee taking over my desire to stay in bed.

I gently remove the covers and tiptoe to the bathroom. Determined not to wake Saffron, who's an extremely light sleeper compared to the rest of us. After I do my business and put on my glasses I head back out to find her awake on my phone.

"Whatcha doin' li'l one?" I ask, silently wishing I had been quieter, now she'll never go back to sleep.

"Nothing, just snapping Stelly." She says before posing for a picture. Doing what she had declared to be her signature pose, lips pursed and eyes looking up. The embodiment of sass.

I chuckle as I snag my phone and take a picture of the two of us. We have messy morning hair and sleepy eyes but I post it to my story with the comment, Morning Snuggles

I put my phone away, wanting to spend some quality time with her. It's rarely just the two of us alone, something I'd like to change eventually.

"How was your week, Squirt?" I question as she crawls into my lap.

She sighs dramatically and I prepare myself for a story. "Well, Dasher Williams tried to get me in trouble again."

I gasp in mock shock, a smile toying on my face at the mention of the little boy who clearly adores Saffron. This game's been going on since Pre-K. "What did he do?"

She rolls her eyes. "He tried to blame the knocked over bookshelf on me." She says in a can you believe it tone.

I giggle at the clear obliviousness she has about the situation.

"But don't worry, I punched him in the gut and told him if he tried to get me in trouble again it would be worse." She informs me confidently with a flip of her hair.

I gasp again, this time for real. "Saffron Valley! What have I said about punching people?" How could someone so little be so violent?

She shrugs, "You said I could in self defense and this was definitely self defense. I could've gotten a timeout." She flails her arms out for dramatic effect, a little Sage in the making.

Ah, the glorious days of time out being the biggest concern. I can't scold her further because for a seven year old she's got pretty solid logic.

I begin to braid her russet locks back, humming an old song as I go. Her hair is gorgeous. The color was a perfect shade, looking like liquid copper as it moves through my fingers. Unlike mine, which was naturally brunette with different shades of blonde and russet, falling in spiraling curls that never set right. She got the better end of our genetics.

"Oh my gosh, I almost forgot!" She exclaims, jumping a little in the process.

I wait for her to continue, fearing for more stories of physical violence. We really should find her a hobby.

"I made a new friend."

A joyous smile breaks out on my face. "Really?"

Saffron's shy around other kids. Partly my fault since she interacts more with teenagers than others her own age. It also doesn't help that our family's naturally socially awkward.

None of us can handle people very well. Sage and Silver do a better job than the rest of us but that's how they've coped. If people thought they were loud and talkative then they wouldn't look any further. Even though they still get panicked at times.

It was nice that we all had built in friendships.

We were each other's best friends but even further Sage and I had the girls. Thankfully the twins bonded with Sam at a young age and have been inseparable ever since. But with Saffron, there was no one for her.

"Mh hm, her name's Ronnie Valdez. She's six and she started school on Thursday."

"Awesome! I'd love to meet her some time Squirt." My mind thinks back to Ashton's little sister, perhaps she knew her too.

She turns back to me, flashing a toothy smile. "Really?"

I tug on her now finished hair, "Really."

*****

Turns out no one in the Rhodes residence wants to do much today, everyone migrating up to my room to watch movies. We're all able to fit on my king bed and I have a larger flat screen and surround sound. I got spoiled when they created my room.

My art supplies are all on the right side of my room, set aside so no one, including me, can knock them over. I have bookshelves that go up to the ceiling with one of those really cool ladders. Pictures of all sorts cover my walls.

Pictures of life with our parents. Ones of us laughing on vacation or smiling on Christmas Eve dinner at the Hollens house. There are images of the girls and I throughout the years. Added in are pictures of life after my parents, reminding me that I am doing a good job. The five of us laughing in the park and another of us after Sage's last baseball game of freshman year. Artwork collections for from everyone added to the mix.

My room is more like a piece of art than properly decorated, a collage of everything I hold dear.

We debated over what to watch before finally settling on Moana. A family favorite. I look around at my odd bunch of siblings as we all belt, "How Far I'll Go," doing more screaming than singing.

We're all in our pajamas, a box of cold pizza momentarily forgotten on my dresser. Sage's feet in my face while Sterling's leg is on my stomach. Silver and Saffron on either side of me. I'm completely uncomfortable and loving every moment of it.

There's no fighting or arguing. Just five kids who love each other enjoying each other's company on a lazy day.

A day well spent in my eyes.

*****

Later that night I get a text from Karen, ruining my entire day.

Bitch
Thanksgiving dinner is at 6:15
DO NOT BE LATE AND DRESS APPROPRIATELY

I let out a groan of frustration. Thanksgiving is three weeks away and I'm already dreading it.

Dinner with the family can ruin any holiday.

*****

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To celebrate here is a chapter full of fluff and cuteness posted earlier than usual. Don't worry though some stuffs about to go down
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