FADED SCAR

CHAPTER 3

Evelyn's Point of View

It is Spring break, which is why I am with my parents for the weekend. I miss the solitude that my

apartment provides, but Mom adores these bonding times, and I would see my siblings, so

there's that.

Of course, Willow is with me.

I should have called Winter and you, Willow, as I drove into my parent's home.

Yeah? I say with a smile, and she nods, absolutely animated, one of the things I love about

Wills is her never-ending animation, no matter what she is speaking about.

Imagine it, Evelyn Willow Carter, it sounds fancier. Winter Zara Reed."

Babe, shut up. I grin at her, and she gives me the finger as we get got down from my car.

Hungry? I ask, and she nods.

Starving.

Winter! Isabel exclaims, running towards us with open arms. I meet her halfway, God, I have

missed my siblings so much.

Belly. I smiled at her, pulling away, then held her face, her big blue eyes bright with joy.

You look good, She says, and I spin in my sundress, giving her a full view, making her giggle.

Belly! Willow says, and Isobel sneers at her.

Wills, She says, and I bite my lips to hold my laughter in.

My sister and my best friend hate themselves, which is why they taunt each other by saying the

I call them clowns if you ask me.

Are you done? I ask them, then drape a hand over Belly's shoulder.

How's life treating you in New York? I ask, and she shrugs, making me know she doesn't want

to talk about it.

What did you cook, Belly? Wills asks, hunger fading away her condescension.

Venison Stew, with Crab Cakes, She says with a smile, and my stomach growls on cue, making

I giggled as I entered.

And here comes the Queens. Ian bellows when we walk in, making me smile.

Luke. I grin, hugging him.

Sister, you are beautiful as ever. He smiles, and I blush. Ian is Belly's not-so-twin brother, and my

youngest brother.

How's Law school? I ask as I ruffle his dirty blonde hair, and he gazes at me with matching

deep blue eyes to Belly's.

After my life, save me. He groans, hugs me, and I laugh.

Squidward and Wills snort, and I burst into laughter because Wills constantly pretends to hate

all my siblings.

Spongebob. He smiles, diligently giving her the finger.

Hey, Evelyn.I hear, and I glance forward to seeing Jeremiah, Aria's husband. I don't know why his

presence shocks me, but I glance at him, then my sister, something is off, or I am just really

tired.

I catch Wills's eyes, and she gets it, she always does.

Jeremiah. I grin, recovering, as I walk to him, and we share a side hug.

How are you? I ask, and he smiles, shrugging.

Babe. I said to my sister, hugging her.

You okay? I ask when she doesn't respond.

Yeah, I'm just tired, pulled an all-nighter trying to finish the manuscript. She yawns, and I nod,

Kissed her forehead.

Where's that annoying brother of yours? Wills asks, after hugging her.

Who let the raccoon in? Nicholas walks down the stairs and I laugh as Will's murderous glare,

Above all, Nicholas annoys her the most.

Says the Sasquatch. She glares at him.

Nicholas., I say, hugging him.

Evelyn. He kisses my cheek while giving Wills the finger.

Elias, I saw that, Mom says as she walks down the stairs with her husband.

Sorry, Mom. Nick says, blushing.

Looking precious as ever, Winter and Willow, Dad says, kissing our cheeks.

To the dining table, Mom says, with a smile in our direction.

_____

Today on the menu, we have Venison Stew, Beef Bourguignon, coupled with Beef Tartare and

Babeuf a mode. There's also Lobster Thermidor, Roasted Root Vegetable, Jambalaya and Baked

Salmon. For dessert, we have Crab Cake, Macarons, crème Brulee, Panna Cotta, and Strawberry.

Shortcake, Belly says, gesturing at the table.

You've outdone yourself, my love, Dad says, with pride.

We are going to call a truce, Belly. This is amazing, Wills says, and Belly blushes.

Mom and Ian helped a bit, Belly shyly says, and I smile.

Do not be modest, you are amazing, I say, and everyone nods in agreement.

Let's dig in.Mom says, and we do. I started with the Jambalaya, and Venison Stew, making a

mental note to take leftovers home.

Luke, how is Law school? Mom asks, and he looks up.

It is fine, a bit stressful, but it is exciting, He says.

Everything How To Get Away With Murder built up to be for you? Aria smiles, and he nods.

Aria, how's the book coming?

Great! Aria beams in joy, nothing has ever made her delirious with glee like writing.

I completed the last chapter, Chapter 80, last night. Now, I just need to engage in rigorous

editing, work with my designer and editor, then talk to my agent."

Give us a clue what the book is about, I beg, and she laughs.

Seriously, I have been on the edge of my seat. I really want to know what it is about. Belly

says.

No, you'll have to wait a bit but trust me, your mind will be blown."

I'd expect nothing less from my angel. Dad winks at her, then says, Nicholas, how's living your

dream?

Nick laughs, and I smile, taking the last spoon of Jambalaya.

The Washington Post is amazing, and being a senior reporter has exposed me to various aspects.

of the field, we are thinking of collaborating with The New York Times, still in the works though."

How amazing to see my siblings do what they love.

Isabel, your turn, Mom says, loving her food.

Well, Family, The Institute of Culinary Education is as fabulous as expected, and since I have

I've gotten my Certificate Program, the Associate Degree Program, and this Bachelor's Degree

The programme is a bit intense."

Oh, Belly, I am so sorry that you are this stressed, Ian says, and she shrugs.

It's all good, though, and exciting, and we are going to New Orleans next month, for two weeks.

seminar, and I can't wait. She laughs, and I grin, serving dessert.

How is Seasons, Zara? Mom asks Wills, and I smile because Mom likes Willow, especially, in a

way that only they understand.

Well, uh,I don't know. Silly Will pursued her lips, as though in thought.

Oh, here we go. Nicholas rolls his eyes.

Amazing!, Wills exclaims.

Seasons are amazing, flourishing. I got a contract to design three sets of wedding dresses. The

The designs got approved, and now, I have to make art, which is so exciting.

I laugh as I take a bite of the macaroni.

That's splendid. Evelyn, the floor is yours.