The Cliche Gone Wrong

Chapter Twenty-six

Is this what a normal family is like?

I sit on the couch right next to Killer, her knee touching my leg as she sits crisscrossed on the couch. She is watching television with the little girl in her lap, who is currently singing along with the cartoon on TV. The girl absentmindedly pats Killer's knee along to the beat of the song, her fingers dropping down to brush against the fabric of my jeans accidentally. The little boy sits on the floor in front of us, pouting as he plays a game on his DS. Killer reaches down to run a hand over his short hair, but he still doesn't smile, upset he doesn't get to watch his show.

Neither of the other two siblings are anywhere to be seen; Jazzy disappeared upstairs as soon as the food was done cooking and the boy only showing up to heap a bunch of food onto a plate before he disappeared upstairs as well. I look from the girl to the television, surprised that she is still captivated by the basic animation and unimaginative, yet shockingly catchy, songs. But she sings along excitedly, barely even catching half of the lyrics but singing at top volume anyway.

The easy atmosphere in the room almost makes me forget about yesterday. I feel grimy, and like I need to take a shower, but I'm happy I'm here. I can' think of any other place I'd rather be at the moment. As I look back over at the girl I find Killer looking at me, a light smile on her face as she stretches her arms above her head.

"Bored yet?" She asks, as she repositions the girl on her legs. "Trying to think of a way to leave without being rude."

I copy Killer's movements, stretching my own arms above my head and allowing my fingers to accidentally bump into hers. "Actually, no."

The little girl interrupts us before Killer can reply, shushing us loudly as she struggles to hear her show over our brief conversation.

"I'm hungry." The boy whines, his head lolling back to rest casually against my leg. I tense at the touch; expecting him to pull away suddenly and apologize for touching me, but instead his head stays there, leaning against my knee.

"You just ate breakfast a couple hours ago," Killer says, her hand brushing back the little girl's kinky hair.

"Yeah, you just ate breakfast a couple hours ago," the girl parrots Killer as she sticks her tongue out at her twin.

"Bug, if I wanted an echo I would move into a cave." Killer flicks the girl's ear before she addresses the boy again. "But actually it is almost noon. What do you want for lunch, Bear?"

He puts down the DS as he turns around on the area rug, moving to sit on his knees. "Ummm...hamburgers?"

"We don't have patties in the freezer." Killer puffs out her lower lip apathetically. "How about I make some sandwiches?"

"I don't want a sandwich," Bear whines even more.

"We can go out to get burgers." I interrupt before Killer can say anything else. "I mean, if that's okay."

Bear's eyes light up as he jumps to his feet, his lower lip pushing out drastically as he turns to look at Killer. "Please, please, pretty please!"

She glares at me before she looks back over at her brother. "Bear, mom and dad didn't leave me any money to get lunch, and I don't get paid until next week. But how about I make some mac and cheese, huh? You love mac and cheese!"

"I don't want mac and cheese!" He stomps his foot angrily, nearly stepping on the DS. "He said we could have burgers! Why can't we have burgers?"

"Listen here little boy—" Killer starts out angrily but I interrupt again.

"They can be my treat," I volunteer.