I heard a low growl but tried to ignore it; somehow in the pit of my stomach it had an effect. Shaking it off I stirred the ingredients and added chocolate chips, I mean how doesn’t love chocolate chips. 

“I won’t blackout,” I sung and Dave laughed, I scowled trying to get the stupid song out of my head while I stirred the mix. Pouring it into the pan that was already on hot I bopped my head along with the beat. Urgh, I thought to myself as it wouldn’t go away. Taking a spatula in hand I waited till the pancake mix bubbled then flipped it perfectly; you’d think I had made pancakes before. Never in my life have I Valeria Voss made pancakes.

“Dave, I will kill you with this Spatula,” I called from the kitchen and I could still hear his smile turning into a scared frown. Smiling I placed the pancake onto a plate, and then continued with another one. 

“Val, how did you find these,” Darren squealed while he walked into the kitchen. I reminisced on the Halloween before I left, licking my lips at the thought of the melting chocolate. Darren noticed this and laughed half heartedly.  “Who’s winning,” I questioned him as he starred at the perfect pancakes.

“49er’s still,” he said casually as I flipped another pancake then placed the other one of the plate.  After a second I placed the other pancake on the plate and counted 10. Letting out a stressful breath blowing some hair with it I realized it wasn’t enough. Pouring more of the pancake batter into the pan I shaped it into a football and laughed then waited 4 seconds to see it already bubbling and flipping it. 5 seconds later I placed the football pancake onto the plate and smiled at it. SOCCER BALL, I thought to myself. Making just that I waited then cooked it fully and placed it on the plate. 12 I counted, and then counted the guys in the living room. 8, then Dar, Nathy, Log, and his girlfriend, 12. I’ll make more anyways. Cooking 6 more I was done without anymore batter. Picking up the plate I collected 12 paper ones and made my way to the living room. Mike looked at me like I was a goddess. I bowed and placed it on the table, within seconds they each had 2. Eh, I’m not hungry, I thought to myself and went into the kitchen to clean.  “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swim swimming swim,” I sung as I cleaned the pan and mixing bowl. Nathy appeared beside me and I splashed water on him. Raising my eyebrow I dared him to do the same and he did, my eyes widened and I splashed even more onto him then ran out of the kitchen hiding behind Darren. 

“HE STARTED IT,” I yelled and everyone was confused until Nathy came into the living room with his shirt soaking wet. I crossed my arms across my chest behind Darren and gave him a taunting look but he just started laughing randomly then I joined. Letting out a last laugh I went and sat down next to Mike on the couch. 

“Thank you, Valerie,” he exclaimed hugging me tightly. I smiled at him and watched the game which was now down to the final minutes of the last quarter. 49er’s still winning, I thought to myself. As I watched the screen carefully I heard a bunch of thank you’s. 

“Your welcomes,” I said to everyone in-directly, and then leaned into the couch. The 49er’s quarter back was running the field with the ball two centimeters to get the touchdown. Once he did I squealed happily and then they made a goal. The fourth quarter was over and the 49ers won! Jumping up from the couch I did my famous I win dance and nodded my head smiling. 

“I win,” I exclaimed taking 25 dollars from the pile of money making my way out of the living room. Through the hall I walked out of the house and to my car. Opening it up I got out my backpack full of clothes and everything important to me. Searching through it I found all of my money. All 1,283$, stuffing it back into my backpack I found a picture. Taking it out I studied it, my heart skipped a beat and my eyes started to get glassy. My throat felt like it was being forced to not allow me to breathe. In the picture was three happy 9 year olds hugging each other, a girl with Carmel hair and lime green eyes, two boys one with the same Carmel hair but regular light green eyes, the other with sandy blonde hair and vibrant electric blue eyes, all three lightly tanned. It’s not true, were not the same three kids anymore. A tear threatened to spill from my glassy eyes but I held it back. Throwing the backpack over my shoulder I held the picture close to me. Closing my car door I blinked away my tears and watery eyes, and then walked back into the house. My eyebrows pulled together when I was in the living room. 

“Where’s Kayla,” I questioned oddly, why haven’t I noticed her absents earlier. Darren rolled his eyes and walked up the stairs probably to wake her up, she’s even lazier than me. Forgetting everybody in the living room I sneaked a peek back at the picture and bit my lip.

“What you got there Val,” Nathy asked and I looked up from it slowly and shrugged, and then silently walked up the stairs to my room.