Compositions of Us

30 · The Merry-Go-Round of Interactions

NOTE: Hello, it’s been a while since I last updated. If you feel like you need something to refresh your mind (plot and some noted characters), check out the update before this titled “M E S S A G E + (informal) R E C A P”. Thank you! xoxo

© an affiniteas 2013-2015 ink on Wattpad 

30 · The Merry-Go-Round of Interactions

“Waffles and ice cream! Waffles and ice cream!” Joshua’s youngest sibling, Kirsten, chanted happily. 

It wasn’t long before Joshua’s other two siblings, Bethany and Gabriel, joined along. Even their family dog, Duke, barked a few times as he wagged his tail in agreement. Joshua observed the upbeat scene while we were drawing close to Soulatté café. His green eyes then shifted towards me, harboring a dull expression.

“This is not a good idea,” he said discouragingly. 

The reason for this gathering was because Joshua had to watch over his siblings after school today. Something about their mom having to check up on their grandma. Since I haven’t seen his siblings in a while, I decided to come along and visit. It looked like the three wanted to go out and get some fresh air, so I proposed to go get a nice treat for their hard work of finishing their homework. 

Nudging Joshua’s side, I smiled as I held Kirsten small yet warm hand. “Don’t be such a downer. They earned it.”

“They would do their homework anyway,” Joshua frowned and said, “too much sugar, Olivia. Do you know what that does to kids?”

Although I understood his concern, in the midst of Joshua’s attempt to stop waffles and ice cream from happening, Gabriel stopped on the heels of his sneakers. The twelve-year-old folded his arms and directed his light brown eyes at his older brother. 

“Josh, we’re not kids!” Gabriel said. 

Bethany soon joined in, running a hand through her braid of blonde hair, “Yeah, we’re growing adults. And Olivia said we could after we finished our homework.

Kirsten then added, “We haven’t been to your work, Josh. Olivia says it’s a nice place."

I stifled a laugh.

Joshua didn’t respond, but his head turned towards his Shiba Inu who was innocently waiting for movement. “What about you, Duke? What did Olivia over here tell you?”

Duke whimpered, the puppy eyes already triggering. 

Through a brief moment of silence, Joshua couldn’t ignore the smirk that was growing on my face. Eventually, Joshua broke into a grin—as I predicted would happen—and nodded his head.

“I’ve been replaced by Olivia.” His voice tinged with sadness but evident playfulness. 

In an instance, Bethany and Kirsten ran up to their older brother and encouraged him multiple times that he was surely their big brother they loved. Gabriel mocked with his arms still folded for Joshua to stop being a big baby. The big smile on Gabriel’s face lifted the joking atmosphere. Watching their interaction, a smile escaped from my lips. Even though they weren’t blood related at all, the family connection was all there. 

Duke walked over to my side, and his tail started to wag again. Giving him a smile, I knelt down a bit to run my fingers through his shiny, white fur.

After Joshua’s mini melt down—I say that extremely lightly—we were finally heading inside the café. Unfortunately, Duke had to stay outside, but the Shiba Inu didn’t mind. As expected, we were greeted by the warm welcomes of the boys of Soulatté. It didn’t take long for recognition to kick in when they noticed whom they were actually greeting.