AN: Once more, if you didn't see it in the first chapter, I'm rewriting because I want to make the prose a little more different from the Maximum Ride series. Enjoy!
I would've jumped at the sound if I hadn't registered it quickly as a yawn. Turning, I saw Kai slumping his way to the breakfast table. With his eyes half-closed, he ran right into his chair, then blinked at it for a moment before seating himself.
"Good morning," I told the sleepy nine-year-old.
"Mornin'," he grunted.
"What, no 'good,' Gasman?" I teased, using his far-too-accurate nickname.
Kai opened his eyes just wide enough to roll them at me. "Nothing good about mornings, Lloyd."
"Not true. What about watching the sun rise and getting an early start on the day?" I asked.
Kai groaned and dropped his head to rest it on the table.
"Fine, okay, what about breakfast?" I wondered.
Kai raised his head slightly. "It depends, what are we having?"
"We'll see," I said delicately.
"That means you don't know," Kai huffed, running a hand through his spiky hair.
"No, it means we'll see," I said again.
Kai perked up. "Can I pour drinks for everybody?"
"...Sure," I said slowly, and I watched him suspiciously as he got up to grab the cups. Kai normally isn't helpful unless he wants something out of it, but I had no idea what he could want this time. Maybe just something to do? I hoped so.
I looked through the kitchen again, coming to the conclusion that it would have to be eggs for breakfast. Nya was the one who was best at cooking breakfast-y stuff, so I waited for her to come and started setting the table.
As I put down the last plate, Cole appeared in the doorway, rubbing his shut eyes with one hand. Unlike Kai, he didn't bump into anything on his way to the table, but given the fact he's blind, it wasn't like it was any different for him to make his way around with his eyes closed rather than open.
"Hey!" Kai chirped from his spot filling glasses with water at the sink. "Cole, Lloyd doesn't know what to make for breakfast. Got any ideas?"
"I can make something," Cole offered, starting to stand.
"No!" Kai and I practically yelled.
Cole pouted. "I'm not that bad."
"You once set a bowl of cereal on fire. I'm not even sure how that's possible, and I set things on fire on a regular basis!" Kai exclaimed.
"Okay, but I'm only just learning," Cole countered weakly.
"I'd rather end breakfast with zero food poisoning, thank you," I told him.
"I'll make breakfast," Nya offered.
I hadn't seen her come in, but then again, I rarely did. She was sneaky like that.
"Morning, Nya!" Kai stated, bringing two of the full glasses of water over to the table.
"Morning, Kai," Nya said, reaching out and ruffling her little brother's already messy hair. Then she turned to Cole. "Did I hear you offer to make breakfast? Seriously?"
"I've already been scolded out of it by Kai and Lloyd, so you can leave it be," Cole sighed, waving a hand.
Nya nodded. "Fair enough. Lloyd, what've we got for breakfast?"
"He doesn't know," Kai piped up.
"Yes, I do. We'll have eggs," I said decisively.
"Okay, I'll get working on those," Nya agreed.
I surveyed the table, which was basically set except for the glasses Kai was still bringing over. "And I'll fetch Jay and Zane."
The two of them currently shared a bedroom. We switched around who got what room and who shared which one now and then, and it would be time to switch again soon, but for now, Jay and Zane were in the last bedroom at the end of the hall.
I peered in to see Jay still completely out of it. Even in his sleep, he was making noise constantly, muttering indistinctly under his breath. I went to him and shook his shoulder. "Hey. Hey, runt. Rise and shine, or even just rise."
Jay's eyelids fluttered, and his eyes focused on me for a moment before he closed them again.
"Jay. Jay. Jayyyy," I said in a sing-songy voice, poking his cheek. "C'mon, Jay. Time for breakfast. Jayyyyy. I'm not leaving until you get up."
He groaned and opened his eyes again. "I don't wanna."
"You gotta," I said unsympathetically.
"But I don't wanna," Jay insisted. Nonetheless, he sat up and scooted to the edge of the bed. Heaving a deep breath, he stood and stumbled out of the room, leaning against the wall the whole way.
I laughed under my breath and turned to the other side of the room, what we all jokingly called Zane's little nest. Concealed by a curtain, his bed was covered in blankets, stuffed animals, and lots and lots of books. I pulled back the curtain and noted with a smile, "You're already dressed?"
"Yes," Zane agreed, looking up from the book he was looking through. "Is it time for breakfast already?"
"Uh-huh," I answered. "If you hurry, you can get to the kitchen in time to help Nya make the eggs."
Zane smiled. "I would greatly enjoy that."
Of course he would. Zane loved cooking, but because he was so young, we didn't let him do it alone very often.
"You do not let me do it alone at all," Zane corrected, reading my mind. Literally. As in, he heard my thoughts. That was just something he did sometimes.
I shrugged. "What can I say, we're a little protective of you. You're the baby of the group, after all. We won't let anything happen to you."
Zane smiled. "I know. I trust you."