The scent of frying eggs and buttered toast filled the small kitchen as morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, cutting golden strips across the wooden floor. Linda moved briskly from counter to stove, humming softly under her breath. It was her first day back at work after weeks of forced rest, and though her body still carried the weight of recovery, her determination made every movement sharp and purposeful. She flipped the eggs with practiced ease, then scolded herself for overthinking the presentation of breakfast on a weekday. Still, she wanted her children to eat something hearty before the chaos of the day began.
At the dining table, Sophie already sat quietly, her small hands folded neatly as she waited. She wasn't entirely used to the rhythm of this house yet, but she had gotten into the habit of coming down earlier than the rest, perhaps to avoid the scramble that always followed. When Linda set her plate in front of her -- eggs, toast, and a glass of milk -- Sophie smiled politely, whispering a soft thank you before picking at her food.
Linda glanced at the clock and frowned. "I swear, the way you kids sleep…" she called loudly toward the ceiling. "Like logs of wood! Honestly, you'd think the house is a morgue with how dead silent those rooms are in the morning!"
She wiped her hands on a dish towel and poked her head toward the staircase. "Ethan! Up! You'll be late for work!"
From upstairs came the shuffle of hurried footsteps before Ethan stumbled down, tugging his shirt over his head, his hair sticking up at odd angles. He plopped into a chair, reaching straight for toast, earning himself a sharp look from his mother.
"You couldn't even wash your face first?" she muttered, shaking her head.
"I'll splash some water at work," Ethan replied with a grin, already chewing. "Besides, Mom, last week on the job..I've earned the right to look like a mess. It's tradition."
"Tradition my foot," Linda shot back, swatting at him with her towel.
Just then, Maya and Tessa dragged themselves into the kitchen like two ghosts, their eyes half shut, hair disheveled, and postures sagging. Tessa yawned so wide her jaw popped, while Maya slumped into a chair with the grace of a dropped sack of potatoes.
"Well, look who decided to join us," Ethan teased, raising his brows at them. "And I thought I looked bad. Maya, you look like you lost a fight with your pillow."
Maya lifted her fork with eggs already on it and stared at him while slowly slicing into the food like she was visualizing something else entirely. Her glare was sharp, her movements deliberate.
"Careful, Ethan," she said flatly, "or I'll imagine this fork is going through your skull instead of this egg."
Ethan clutched his chest with mock horror. "Violence before breakfast. My sister, ladies and gentlemen."
Tessa laughed weakly, but quickly slouched into her plate, too tired to get involved.
As they ate, Maya grumbled, "Why did they have to cut short your leave anyway? You're still not fully well, Mom. Can't they get someone else to cover?"
Linda sighed, sipping her coffee before answering. "The company's short on hands, and I've already been away too long. They're being generous letting me ease back into it. Besides, I'm leaving Sophie in your care while I'm gone." She looked at Maya pointedly. "So don't kill each other while I'm away. That's the only thing I ask."
"Mom…" Maya began, but Linda cut her off with a firm wave of her hand.
"No buts. It's final." She grabbed her handbag, her work badge clipped neatly on the strap, and kissed Sophie lightly on the head before heading toward the door. Ethan followed soon after, shoving the last piece of toast into his mouth.
"Later, zombie squad," he called over his shoulder, slipping his shoes on before hurrying out after his mom.
The house grew quiet as the door shut behind them. Maya leaned back in her chair, staring across the table at Sophie, who stared right back. Their eyes locked in a silent battle until Tessa, still chewing, broke the tension.
"So… what are we gonna do all day?" she asked lazily.
Sophie stood to take her empty plate to the sink, rinsing it with quick, precise movements. Without turning around, she tossed her remark over her shoulder, her tone sharp. "How about brushing and bathing for a start? The whole house is starting to stink of you two. We might need some disinfectants. Gosh."
Tessa froze, the insult hanging in the air like smoke. Slowly, she turned to Maya, her eyes wide. "What… what did she just say?"
"Ignore her," Maya muttered, not bothering to look up from her plate.
But Tessa leaned back and sniffed her own breath, recoiling instantly. "Oh my god. That's disgusting," she muttered to herself before hurrying off, mumbling about needing a toothbrush.
Sophie returned to the living room, flipping the TV on with the remote, her posture relaxed as if she hadn't just lobbed verbal grenades into the kitchen.
The quiet didn't last long. A sudden chime of the doorbell echoed through the house. Sophie glanced at the door, then at the stairs, and finally pushed herself up to answer it. When she pulled it open, a tall young man stood there holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a white box in the other. His sharp features softened with uncertainty as he stared at her.
"Uh…" Logan began, looking Sophie up and down. "Is Maya here?"
Sophie blinked, not recognizing him. Her eyes darted to the flowers, then to the cake box, and she let out a little squeal. Turning toward the stairs, she shouted, "Maya! You've got company! And he came with flowers and… cake!"
Maya appeared at the top of the stairs, her expression instantly hardening when she saw who it was. She came down slowly, her eyes locked on Logan.
"What is it?" she asked flatly.
Logan straightened, trying to keep his tone polite. "Hi, is your mom home? I was hoping..."
"She's not home," Maya snapped, cutting him off before he could finish.
He hesitated, then offered the bouquet forward. "Then maybe you could give these to her, along with the cake. Just… send my regards..."
"Your regards will be sent. Goodbye." Maya pushed the door shut in his face before he could finish.
Logan stood on the porch, blinking in disbelief. But just as he was about to turn away, the door creaked open again. His chest lifted with a faint hope, a smile tugging at his lips.
Maya reached out, snatched the cake box from his hand, and said bluntly, "We'll take the cake." Then the door slammed shut again.
Logan exhaled a long, frustrated breath, staring at the closed door as if it had personally insulted him.
Inside, Maya walked to the kitchen, already peeling open the cake box. The sweet smell of strawberries filled the air. She smiled faintly to herself. "Mmm. Strawberry. My favorite."
From the living room, Sophie's voice piped up, casual and teasing. "I like strawberry too, you know."
"No one asked," Maya shot back, licking frosting from her finger before carrying the cake toward her room.
"Stingy," Sophie muttered under her breath, sinking back into the couch.
Upstairs, Tessa suddenly squealed so loudly it shook the walls.
"The fuck is wrong with you, Tessa?!" Maya yelled from her room.
Tessa's reply came bubbling with excitement. "I know where we're gonna go today! Get dressed!"
Maya groaned, standing in her doorway with the cake in hand. "You know, the whole point of breaking news is actually saying what it is."
"You'll find out when we get there!" Tessa called back gleefully.
Maya shook her head, muttering under her breath as she retreated into the room. "This better be worth it."
The house hummed with new energy, the suspense of whatever Tessa had planned hanging over them like a secret about to break loose.