#oops delayed

“Lu- Lu wake up.” She was being shaken, and with a jerk in response, she woke, nearly missing her brother’s forehead in the process as she sat. The sun wasn’t even drifting into the sky yet from what she could gather with the window. “Mmh?” the young blonde cooed, rubbing sleep from her eyes and desperately trying to stifle a yawn. Her whole body felt fuzzy and exhausted. Sleep deprivation felt like the softest blanket in the world, and all she wanted was to lay back down.

“Stay awake, kiddo. You know what day it is?” Tangled curls bounced as she shook her head, finally managing to focus on her brother’s face. His hair was longer here, but straight unlike her own. “Mother’s Day. Gotta get up so you don’t get in trouble. I’ll help though, okay?”

She was supposed to clean the house and make breakfast, and start a cake for later. It wasn’t easy, since she was only nine. Dusting, sweeping, taking out the trash.. Travis would handle the dishes and vacuuming later, when people weren’t sleeping.

The sun was ringing in dawn as Travis made his way up with breakfast, little sister in tow. Their mother would be receiving breakfast in bed, and Lumen only hoped that it was good enough. Travis at least had other gifts planned for later.

“You made this, Lumen?” She nodded meekly, hands held to either side with a certain diligence. “I see. You don’t love me enough, then. There’s not enough love in this meal. The eggs are under-done, and the toast is a bit burnt. You don’t want your mommy to get sick, do you? There’s no need to be ungrateful to me. All I want is some thanks for all the work I put into caring for you,” the woman purred silkily with a disapproving brow. Narcissistic to the core, though the child didn’t know this term at the time. “I put all of my love into it though, mother-” “Apparently not. Today is my day. Remember that,” she continued, dragging a sickening finger down the side of her daughter’s body as if tracing the shape of her frame. Remember that, or else, had been the message.

Travis, of course, was praised for his thoughtfulness with the childish piece of jewelry he had picked out just the day before. Lumen never received such recognition, and instead spent much of the day at the beck and call of either parent, determined to avoid trouble and prove her love for her mother. It was futile, of course, with Travis being the golden child. But at least she tried.