Laurie preferred change to come slow. Not fast, not creeping up on her and surprising her when she last expected it.
Like this.
"It's just a new kid," Winslow said from his corner, dropping his book onto his lap. He stared at his resentful sister. "You were like this when Jace arrived, and look at you now." He gestured into the air. "Thick as thieves."
Laurie scowled. "Yeah, I guess," she grumbled reluctantly. "But why?" She knew she sounded whiny, but she didn't particularly care. The new kid was annoying, anyways.
What was her name? Heidi, right?
Jupiter, Laurie's father, often adopted orphans he came across, feeling a sense of duty to their dead parents, especially if they were made orphans through his wars or campaigns. Half of Laurie's siblings weren't related by blood. Heidi was the newest addition to their motley family, and Laurie was a little resentful about this.
"Oh, you're so dramatic," groaned Lana, walking over and dropping a pillow on Laurie's head. "Go say hi to Heidi and get over with it."
"No," Laurie snapped.
"I'll drag you over there if I have to," Laurie's older sister said, crossing her arms and glaring. She leaned down, poking Laurie's forehead. "Winslow, help me drag my emo sister to meet her new sibling."
"No," Winslow and Laurie said at the same time. Winslow and Lana held a little staring contest to see who would be responsible and get Laurie to do something.
"Ugh, fine," Lana muttered. "C'mon Laurie, it's not that big of a deal." She hoisted Laurie up. "Just say 'hi', introduce yourself, and then leave. It's that easy."
Laurie was silent, but reluctantly dragged herself out of the playroom and down the winding stairs, to where Jupiter was finishing up his affairs and getting Heidi situated. Wait, did Laurie have to share a room with her?!
"Hi," Laurie said shortly, stuffing her fists into her pockets. Heidi looked up at her, eyes wide and almost…frightened? "I'm Laurie. Or Lauren, I guess."
"I'm Heidi," the doe whispered.
"Be gentle," reminded Jupiter, gently tapping his daughter's shoulder.
"Right, sorry," Laurie muttered. "Do you…" she shifted awkwardly. "Do you want to look around the palace with me?"
"Sure," the doe brightened a little. Maybe she was feeling overwhelmed with all the military officers running back and forth. Or maybe it was just the Longtreader brothers, being 'The Three Idiots' as Jupiter called them. Who knew? Laurie sympathized briefly with the new kid, knowing how overwhelming palace life could be - despite Laurie being born into it.
"Okay, follow me," Laurie said, shooting a smile at Jupiter, who gave her an encouraging one back. Maybe this wasn't so bad.
very last minute please forgive me xD
hc that since Jupiter has TONS of kids, he probably adopted a bunch that were orphaned from the wars :)
Prompt: Write about a change that someone ends up being grateful for.