Chapter 114 Saturday Disaster

Chapter 114 Saturday Disaster
         ANDY'S POINT OF VIEW

Saturday mornings were supposed to be quiet.At least, that was what I had always liked about them.

No school bells. No teachers shouting across hallways. No students  with unnecessary noise. Just a few extra hours of sleep before the day officially began.

Unfortunately, my throat had other plans.I woke up slowly, staring at the ceiling as I swallowed and immediately regretted it.

My mouth was completely dry.I frowned and reached toward the small table beside my bed, where I usually kept a bottle of water.

My fingers searched around the table but nothing.....I opened my eyes properly and looked over.

The bottle was there.......Empty.

"Seriously?"I grabbed it and shook it anyway, hoping that somehow a few drops would magically appear.

I sighed and dropped it back onto the table.

For a moment, I considered calling one of the maids to bring me another bottle, but then I remembered it was Saturday. They were probably already busy with their various duties around the house.

Besides, getting water wasn't exactly a difficult task.I pushed myself out of bed and walked toward the door.

The moment I opened it, I looked down the hallway.....it was empty.

Usually, there was always someone moving around the house, but this morning, everyone seemed to have disappeared.

I stepped out and closed my door behind me.

As I walked down the hallway, I could hear faint sounds coming from downstairs. It sounded like someone was moving things around, but I couldn't make out what they were saying.

I didn't pay much attention to it.....All I wanted was water.

I made my way downstairs, running a hand through my messy hair as I descended the staircase.

I was halfway down when I heard something that made me stop......Laughter.

I blinked surprised,It sounded like my mother's laughter.

I stood still for a moment.....That was strange.

After everything that had happened yesterday, I had expected Mom to spend the entire morning locked away somewhere, probably staring into space and refusing to talk to anyone but she was laughing.

Actually laughing.....A small smile found its way onto my face before I could stop it.

At least she was feeling better.Maybe yesterday's argument had finally made her think about everything I'd said.

Maybe she was finally starting to come back to herself.....I continued downstairs, following the sound toward the kitchen but the closer I got, the more confused I became.

There was another voice mixed with hers....A male voice.

I frowned.

Who was she talking to this early in the morning?

I reached the kitchen door and paused.I could hear Mom laughing again.

I couldn't remember the last time I'd heard her laugh like that.Curiosity got the better of me so pushed the door open and immediately froze.

My mother stood near the kitchen counter and beside her was Axel.For a few seconds, I simply stared at them.

Axel was holding a plate in one hand while Mom was arranging a few things on the counter.

Both of them turned toward me.....My mother smiled.

"Good morning, honey."I looked between the two of them.

"Mom?"She raised an eyebrow.

"Yes?"

"What is going on?"She laughed softly.

"Nothing serious."I glanced at Axel again.

He looked completely comfortable standing there, as though he'd been living in this house for years instead of barely arriving yesterday.

Mom picked up another plate.

"I was just trying to make breakfast."She nodded toward Axel.

"And believe me, he has been trying to help me."Axel smiled.

"And believe me.....he has been surprisingly helpful."She looked at him for a moment before turning back to me.

"He's actually very funny too. I didn't expect that."

I stared at her.

"You didn't expect what?"

She shrugged.

"I don't know. I just..." She smiled at Axel.

"I think I actually like his company."My eyebrows lifted.

"Mom."

"What?"

"You barely know him."She gave me an amused look.

"And yet somehow, I've already spent more time talking to him than I expected."I looked at Axel.

He simply smiled.

There was something about the way he seemed so comfortable that bothered me.

Yesterday, he had been a complete stranger.

Today, he was standing in my mother's kitchen, helping her prepare breakfast and making her laugh.

How had that happened so quickly?Mom picked up another cup.

"Come on, honey. We're almost done."

I didn't answer.

She walked toward the kitchen entrance, and Axel followed her, carrying the things she'd handed him.

"Axel, can you take these to the dining table?"

"Sure."

He took the cups from her without hesitation.

Mom smiled.

"Thank you, Axel."

"You're welcome, ma'am."

I watched them walk past me,I still hadn't moved.Axel was already halfway through the doorway when he suddenly glanced back.

Our eyes met then he smiled.

"Good morning, bro."I stared at him.

Bro?I slowly frowned.What was wrong with this guy?

I didn't respond.

Axel simply shrugged and continued toward the dining room.

I remained in the kitchen for another second before following them.

As I walked into the dining area, I saw that breakfast had already been arranged across the table.

There was enough food to feed twice the number of people sitting there.

Mom had clearly put effort into it.I glanced at her.

She looked different from yesterday....lighter and happier.

And for some reason, seeing her like that made something inside me relax.

Maybe this wasn't going to be as terrible as I had imagined....Maybe.

I pulled out a chair and sat down.Axel placed the last plate on the table and took the seat across from me.

He smiled again but I looked away.I had a feeling this was going to be a very long Saturday.

I sat quietly at the table, staring at the food in front of me.

Mom moved around the table, making sure everything was properly arranged.

"Axel, do you want some juice?"

"Yes, please."Mom smiled as she poured some into his glass.

I watched the interaction silently.There was something strange about it.

Not bad, exactly.....Just strange.

Yesterday, Mom had been devastated. She had spent most of the evening looking like she had a thousand thoughts running through her mind, and I had gone to bed wondering whether she would even sleep.

Now she was smiling......Laughing.

And she was doing it because of Axel.

I couldn't decide whether that made me happy or annoyed me.

Maybe both.....Mom finally sat down.

"Come on, everyone. Let's eat before the food gets cold."I picked up my fork.

"Finally."Mom chuckled.

"You sound like you've been waiting for hours."

"I've been hungry."Axel looked at me.

"You should have come downstairs earlier."I slowly raised my eyes.

"Excuse me?"He shrugged.

"You wouldn't have had to wait."

I stared at him for a moment before returning my attention to my food.

"I wasn't talking to you."He smiled.

"I know."I frowned.

There was something about him that made it difficult to tell whether he was deliberately annoying me or if he genuinely didn't understand when he was getting on my nerves.

I decided not to bother.....I began eating.

For a few minutes, the dining room remained peaceful.

Mom occasionally asked Axel questions about the food, and he answered politely. I mostly kept to myself, focusing on my breakfast.

Then I heard footsteps approaching.Everyone looked toward the entrance.Dad walked into the dining room.

The moment he appeared, one of the maids stepped forward.

"Good morning, sir."

"Good morning."Another maid greeted him.

"Good morning, honey."mom greeted and Dad smiled.

"Good morning"Axel and I chorused together and immediately looked at ourselves before I looked away.

"Good morning, everyone."

He looked around the table before his eyes settled on the food.

"Well, I can see we're eating breakfast very early today."Mom smiled.

"I decided to cook."Dad's eyebrows lifted.

"You?"She laughed.

"Yes, me."

"I thought you were still angry with the entire world."

Mom rolled her eyes playfully.

"I needed to get my mind off something."

Dad pulled out his chair and sat down.

"I see."His eyes moved toward Axel then he smiled.

"Actually, I had more help than I expected."Axel lowered his head slightly.

"I only helped a little."

"A little?" Mom laughed. 

"You practically took over half the kitchen."

Dad chuckled.

"I love the sound of that."He looked between the two of them.

"I can see you guys are getting along.... that's quick."Mom glanced at Axel.

"I think so."Dad nodded approvingly.

"I'm pleased."I remained quiet.

Dad picked up his fork.

"Well, come on. Let's dig in."He looked around the table.

"We wouldn't want to keep the food cold. It's not like any of us enjoys cold food."Mom laughed.

"Exactly."Everyone began eating.

I kept my eyes on my plate.I wasn't interested in whatever strange family reunion was happening around me.

At least, that's what I told myself.A few moments later, I looked up.....Axel was staring at me so I frowned.

He immediately smiled a wide smile while I stared at him for another second.

He didn't stop smiling......I looked away.What is wrong with this guy?

I continued eating.A few minutes passed before I glanced up again.

There he was Still looking at me.The moment our eyes met, that same smile appeared.

I narrowed my eyes.He smiled even wider.

I looked back down at my plate.....Definitely creepy.

I tried to ignore him but every few minutes, I could feel his eyes on me.Whenever I looked up, he would either smile or quickly turn his attention somewhere else.

I didn't understand him.Was he trying to make me uncomfortable?Was this his way of trying to get close to me?or was he simply like this?I had no idea,soI continued eating.

Mom and Dad were talking about something across the table, and Axel occasionally joined the conversation.

I barely listened.Eventually, the meal began coming to an end.

The maids started clearing the plates from the table, moving around us and collecting the dishes.

Dad leaned back slightly.

"That was good."Mom smiled.

"I'm glad you liked it."

"I did."He looked toward Axel.

"And you?"Axel nodded.

"It was really good, ma'am."Mom smiled.

"Thank you."Axel returned the smile.

I pushed my chair back.

"I'm going out today."Dad looked at me.

"Going out where?"

"The mall."Mom glanced at me.

"The mall?"

"Yeah. I need to pick up a few things."I stood from my chair.

"Some clothes and a few other things."Dad nodded.

"That's fine."I turned toward the dining room entrance.

I had barely taken two steps when Dad spoke again.

"Actually, that's perfect."I stopped.

Something about his tone immediately made me suspicious.I slowly turned around.

"What?"Dad looked toward Axel.

"I've been meaning to get Axel a few things."I stared at him.Dad smiled.

"Take him with you."Silence.

I blinked then I laughed.Not because anything was funny.

Because I genuinely couldn't believe what I'd just heard.

"Take him with me?"Dad nodded casually.

"Yes."I looked at Axel.He was sitting there quietly then I looked back at Dad.

"Why?"

"Because you're going to the mall."

"And?"

"And he needs some things."I stared at him.

Then I shook my head.

"No."Dad's expression changed slightly.

"Andy."

"No, Dad."I pointed toward myself.

"Since when did I become his caregiver?"Mom immediately looked at me.

"Andy..."

"I'm serious."I looked at Dad.

"Since when did I become his babysitter?"Dad sighed.

"He's your brother."

"That doesn't mean I have to take him everywhere."

"You know the mall better than he does."

"Then give him a driver."Dad raised an eyebrow.

"You just told me you're going there."

"Exactly. I'm going there for myself."

"And now you're going there with your brother."I scoffed.

"You don't understand."Dad's voice became firmer.

"Andy, I don't see what is so difficult about this."I shook my head.

"Of course you don't."Dad stared at me.

I knew I was pushing it, but I was already irritated.The entire situation with Axel was still too new.

Yesterday, I had gone to sleep as an only child.Today, I had a brother.

A brother who was already calling me bro, eating breakfast with my family and apparently getting along with my mother better than I did.

And now I was supposed to take him shopping?I rubbed my forehead.

"Seriously?"Dad nodded.

"Seriously."I scoffed.

"You've got to be kidding me."Mom sighed.

"Andy, just take him."I looked at her.

"You too?"She shrugged.

"He's new here. He doesn't know the mall."

I looked at Axel....He was  just watching us silently.Then, once again, he smiled.

I immediately looked away.

"Fine."I muttered it so quietly that I almost hoped nobody heard me.

Dad did.

"Good."I shook my head.

I had no idea how this Saturday was already turning into a disaster and somehow, I had a feeling it was only getting started.