#with no plot

They’re already sitting at the table, when she steps in completely. AJ and Kyle are still yelling, fighting over a particularly large pancake while their mother’s back is turned towards them.

AJ’s fork is quick enough to grab the pancake first and she grins triumphantly at Kyle as her fork stabs it a second time. She drags it towards her plate without much caution. The floppy and perfectly round pancake refuses to completely follow at her impatience.

And Micah watches with a half-amused smile, as it slowly splits itself right down the middle – dropping the two almost even pieces in between them. Without missing a beat, they both lean forward at the same time and grab the separate pieces towards their respective plates immediately.

Mrs. Powell whirls around and she shakes her head at the sight. She settles another batch of pancakes across the table just as Micah allows her presence to be known. She clears her throat and within seconds, the older woman glances up.

She shoots a smile so bright that Micah has to squint before giving a hesitant smile in return.

Their adjoining dining room is modest yet simple. It’s cluttered with little notes across their fridge at the moment; hasty scribbles by the counter and tasty-looking pastries under a glossy container by the sink. There’s a fresh pile of laundry close by too, as though Mrs. Powell had stopped to ensure breakfast was finished in a timely fashion.

Micah’s smile stretches to the Powell siblings as she takes a seat across from AJ. She inhales the deep aroma of pancakes still hot from the stove and the trail of fruits in front of her. She can’t place her finger on why, but a tenderness fills her as she takes it all in. The breakfast; siblings squalling beside her and Chris’ mother sitting by the head of the table.

Everything around her feels familiar, and as impossible as she thinks it was in the beginning – she feels very much apart of the Powell family. She beams at the food in front of her, grinning from eat to ear, she raises her hands hastily to begin piling stacks of pancakes onto her plate. “Good morning,” she greets warmly.

“Morning!” The younger Powell siblings quip simultaneously; their battle almost forgotten as they begin eating with similar gusto.

“Good morning,” Mrs. Powell’s smile is big enough to show off teeth.

The older woman hands her a tall mug of tea after pouring from the proclaim teapot in front of them. “I hope you slept well last night despite the noise,” she givers her an apologetic smile, “the game was still on and things kind of got out of hand.” She eyes her two children balefully, “especially when someone decides to break one of my favourite vases with a football.”

“Kyle tossed it.” AJ interrupts; eyes drifting to quickly glare at her older brother.

Kyle snorts, tilting his head towards her with a scoff. “At least I could toss it. What? Were your noodle arms going to do it for me?”

AJ makes a face at him. “At least I’m not the one with a big forehead.”

“Smooth comeback.” He sarcastically says, snorting a second time. “If you could actually catch we wouldn’t be in this mess to begin with.”

“No, if you both didn’t play football in my living room you wouldn’t be in this mess to begin with.” Mrs. Powell responds in stride, picking up her fork to point it at each of them. “Now eat.” 

AJ hesitates and Kyle looks ready to deliver a smart rebuttal, but another look from their mother shuts them both up entirely. Instead, they pick up their forks again and with glum expressions, they eat in silence.

Micah hides a smile as she nibbles on a piece of strawberry. She knows all too well what growing under a strict household and an even stricter mom looks like. It looks a lot like this and as she watches them from the corner of her eyes – fighting as they pick up the same pancake, she can’t help but think they’re a lot like her brother and herself. Noah would totally fit in here. “I slept great, Mrs. Powell.” She interrupts, remembering the older woman’s earlier question. “Thanks for asking.”

AJ’s attention shift towards her and Micah’s heart practically leaps from out of her chest. 

She keeps nearly entirely still as AJ’s eyes lit up knowingly.

 She swallows hard.

 Trying to avert her stare; she hopes the universe would be kind enough to spare her an embarrassing conversation in front of Chris’ mother. Her house rules had been clear the moment they arrived a week ago. She’s been insistent ever since then for them to consistently follow her rules. Simple rules really – but complicated considering how much time they’ve been used to spending together. But the worst was her most prominent rule. Despite them dating for over a year, Chris’ mother thinks that no sleeping together is one rule neither of them should be breaking, when in reality they’ve broken it a least four times.

Still avoiding eye contact, Micah rambles on. “So tell me about the game  – did the cavaliers win?”

Kyle launches into a full report and much to Micah’s relief, she’s able to steer the conversation clear of herself and her boyfriend. As they chat animatedly about the game, she gives her own opinions on how her favourite teams have been playing this season, allowing the familiar rampart to make her feel comfortable and soon at ease again. Within minutes, she’s already forgotten this morning until Mrs. Powell’s interruption brings the flow of their conversation to a standstill.

“Chris is taking a long time to get down this morning.” She frowns worriedly before turning to Micah, “he isn’t still out running, is he?”

Before Micah can respond, AJ swivels inside her seat. Her eyebrows arch and she bats her eyelashes in a way that makes Micah pause. “Micah knows where he is. I mean you did mention seeing him this morning.”

Micah ignores the lump in her throat and takes a deep gulp of tea instead of responding to her double-handed inquiry. Lying has never been one of her strongest suits.

Meeting the younger Powell’s mischievous expression, she carefully answers, “yeah, I saw him after he went on his run. I was going to join him, but I wasn’t really feel up to it.”

AJ’s eyes lit up and immediately Micah recognizes her mistake, soon after the words tumble out. But it’s too late. She can’t take her words back now. Hoping she’d have mercy on her, she gives AJ a pleading look.

“Hmm, weird.” AJ hums.

“What do you mean, weird?” Mrs. Powell interjects; her voice wavering with concern. “Should we go out looking for Chris – do you think he needs our help? How long has he been gone?”

Micah shakes her head, “No I think he’s fine – what I think AJ means,” she gives AJ a hard stare, “is that she must’ve forgotten where he went and came to ask me.”

For a moment they both stare at each other, locked in a silent battle of wills as Kyle scrutinizes at the two of them. Eventually, AJ shrugs. “Right, my mistake – sorry.”

 “It’s okay, we know how slow you can be in the morning.” Kyle speaks up from beside her, cutting through the sudden silence and playfully bumping shoulders with his sister.

 The rest of them laugh and Micah’s shoulders go slack with relief. The relief doesn’t last long.

AJ and Kyle mumble something so low that she misses it, before she perks up again at the familiar sound of Chris’ footsteps.

 A smile appears swiftly as their eyes briefly connect.  Whew, saved by the bell. She thinks to herself, as she watches his lean hips saunter in.

“Morning sleeping beauty,” Kyle smirks, jerking his chin towards the direction of the last Powell, joining the rest of them for breakfast.

Chris’ hair is still ruffled, even though there isn’t even a hint of sleep inside his eyes. She thinks it’s a smart move on his part to show he’s been upstairs sleeping by himself. And as he sits into the seat next to her; she can’t help but think about how much she’d love to run her fingers through his hair – like the night before.

She find it irresistible. His bed hair always makes him look incredibly rumpled, sexy rumbled – and before long less-than-decent images of them begins to fill her mind. His expression changes when he catches her heated stare and before her gaze can drop any lower, Micah tears her eyes away. She fights a smile; knowing there’d be time to properly appreciate him later.

Taking another healthy bite of her pancakes, she listens to Chris’ good morning rumble.

“Sorry mom, I kinda lost track of time.” He smiles ruefully at Mrs. Powell. His eyes linger on her a second longer before he begins stacking pancakes onto his plate. “I had a great morning.” Somehow, he manages to keep a straight face despite Micah’s desperate struggle not to blush.

“Was the run that good?” There’s no mistaking Kyle’s smirk and double-edged words as Micah glances up at him in surprise.

Oh no.

She hadn’t even given it much thought that AJ might’ve told Kyle too.

Wordlessly, she raises her mug to her lips as she watches the two of them; wary of anything they’d say and ready to interrupt them if necessary. “You’re usually so much better at keeping time when you run Chris, I wonder what’s different this time?”

Micah sputters, almost burning her tongue before sharply clearing her throat. All eyes fall on her and she blushes profusely down into her cup.

“Micah, are you okay?” Mrs. Powell asks.

Chris’ comforting arm drapes around her shoulders and his brow knits in concern when she raises her chin up again.

From across of her, AJ and Kyle mock-gapes at her. “Yeah Micah, are you okay?”

 She has a funny feeling that neither of them are particularly interested or sincere. “Fine!” She squeaks, a little louder and above her usual tone, before shoving another piece of her pancakes down her throat. Don’t freak out, don’t freak out. She doesn’t look at Mrs. Powell as she speaks, “just uh – the tea’s a little too hot.” She nods slowly, “like really hot.” Yeah, that was definitely a feasible excuse.

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry.” Mrs. Powell frowns, looking alarmed. “I thought I left long enough…”

“Is it really that hot?” AJ intercedes, eyebrows quirking mischievously as they meet her slightly horrified stare. “I mean there isn’t even a touch of steam coming out.”

 “If she says it’s hot, then it’s hot.” Chris’ tone is gruff, almost harsh as his face twists into a stern frown.

 Micah bumps her foot into his when she notices their mother’s gaze scrutinizing him. “And speaking of hot,” he adds; switching the subject quickly and sending AJ a pointed stare. “I was thinking we could go by the dock and do a little fishing today, the weather’s really good for being outside.” He digs into his own plate; his gaze never leaving from his siblings as though warning them not to say anything.

“I think that’s an excellent idea Chris,” Mrs. Powell smiles. “The fishing equipment’s locked up in the garage, so setting up won’t take long.” She pauses momentarily, “but maybe we should pick up some worms on our way up there and I’ll probably have to make us some dinner…” She trails off for a moment, lost in thought.

“That settles it then.” Micah claps her hands together with forced excitement. “And there’s no time like the present to get things done.”

Seemingly oblivious, she laughs and grins at her. “I like your enthusiasm Micah, we could use a lot more of that sometimes around here. Especially when they’d play on their xbox than hang-out with me.” She raises herself up to stand. When she tries to pick her plate off the table, Chris stops her with a motion from his hands.

“I’ll take care of it Mom, you just worry about getting dinner ready, okay?”

“No, I’ll take care of it.” Micah interjects, picking the plate up in stride. “You finish eating,” she gives Chris a bump before he takes a seat again and shrugs. “We’ll clean up here too.”

Mrs. Powell’s eyes flicker in surprise. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I don’t mind cleaning up after everyone’s done.” Micah gives her a timid smile. “I’m used to other people, my family’s kind of big too. So, cleaning up after someone is familiar for me.” She balances her empty plate with Kyle’s on top of AJ’s. “I hope sandwiches are okay for everyone.”

Both Kyle and AJ shrug, and Chris levels them with a pointed stare. “I think that’s great. We’d love that.”

Seemingly impressed, Mrs. Powell smiles back, “Okay, well I’ll leave it your hands then.” She turns to Chris and squeezes his shoulder affectionately. “You picked a good one,” Turning back to Micah, she laughs. “I like you.”

Beaming, Micah can’t help her smile from stretching until her cheeks nearly hurt. “Thank you Mrs. Powell.”

“Let me know when you’re all set and ready to go the.” Mrs. Powell waves a superfluous hand behind her as she excuses herself from the kitchen. “I’ll be upstairs if anyone needs anything –”

“We’re fine mom.” Chris calls after her while still within earshot. He waits several seconds before Micah watches him turn a scowl unto his siblings. “Okay, fess up. We know that you know.”

Kyle and AJ exchanges innocent glances. “Know what?” Kyle asks. Although he tries to keep his face straight, Micah notices his lips curving enough for her to confirm that AJ had definitely confessed to him what happened this morning.

“Oh, come on’ – all these not-so-subtle hints at the table.” Chris raises his fork to point it at them. “What’s it gonna take to keep this under wraps?”

“Chris?!” Micah’s mouth hangs slightly agape. “Are you….are you bargaining with them?”

“Blackmailing?” AJ jerks her chin at him, “actually we’re blackmailing him.” She strokes her chin thoughtfully, “will you do our chores for the rest of the summer?”

Chris hesitates.

“I mean you don’t have to.” Kyle shrugs, “we could just tell mom while we’re out fishing. It’ll be an accident of course. These things do tend to slip out when we’re not paying attention.”

Silence.

It stretches until Micah forces herself to speak up. Clearing her throat; they shift their attention to her. “We’ll do it. I mean – it’s my fault too, right? Having Chris close by, it helps me sleep at night.” She shrugs sheepishly. “So if we have to do your chores until summer’s over to keep this between us, then we’ll do it.”

“Micah,” Chris wants to object; she sees it in his eyes but she shakes her head at him.

“It’s my decision too.”

His expression softens, “but you don’t have to –”

“I do,” She insists. “We’re both in this together,” she reaches for his hand. “So, of-course I’m gonna go through whatever hellish chores awaits us.”

He smiles at her, squeezing her hand. “You’re amazing, have I ever told you that?”

Laughing, she steps closer to give him a hug. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she plants a kiss on top of his head. “Yes, but I don’t mind hearing it again.”

“Ewww,” Kyle makes a gagging noise under his breath and AJ watches suspiciously between them.

“You’re in love with her.” AJ mumbles softly; then catches herself as though she doesn’t realize she’s said it out-loud. Her eyes grow wide until she shakes her head. “You really do.”

Chris leans back into Micah’s touch, humming lightly under his breath when he feels her fingers sift through his hair. “You bet.” He responds, lips slowly curving upwards into a smile, “so in love with her that I’d do your gross laundry the whole summer Kyle.” He chuckles, “so in love with her that I don’t mind cutting the grass even if takes an hour. And it will probably take an hour.”

Micah laughs too. Happiness springs inside her chest and fills her completely. “Don’t forget you aren’t doing it alone. I’m going to be suffering with you. But that’s what happens –  I guess love just makes us do crazy things, huh?” She presses a swift kiss by his neck until he shifts her close enough to pull her into his lap. The plates land heavily in front of them.

“The craziest things.” He agrees.

“I think that’s enough lovey-dovey stuff for me.” Kyle interrupts, scrunching up his nose as he uses his hands as a buffer between himself and then. He rises from his seat, “if anyone needs me, I think I’ll dry heave.”

“Yeah,” AJ agrees, getting to her feet. “You’ve convinced me that you’re both serious,” she waves her hands at them, “now go be obnoxious somewhere else – ” she wrinkles her nose “– like getting us worms before our fishing trip.”

“Okay, okay.” Planting another swift kiss by his cheek, Micah ignores the younger Powells gagging noises as she gathers the rest of the plates again. “Dish duty-“ she points at Kyle and AJ, “we’ll get the fishing equipment and we meet in twenty to wake up your mom, deal?”

They exchange wary glances continue until Chris clears his throat. “I believe my girl gave you all your missions,” he raises his hand in mock-salute, his solemn gaze holding despite the sudden giggles from the rest of them. ”Deal?”

They raise theirs too, and chime together. “Deal!”

They scamper off; carrying as many empty plates as they can underneath their arms as Chris hurries to finish his last pancake.

“What’s the hurry,” Micah leans forward and places her arms around him again. Burying her lips to his neck, she feels his slight shiver as she whispers into his skin. “We’ve got the whole day.”

“No,” he twists inside her embrace to capture her lips. “We’ve got the whole summer.”