Page 17 of The NemeSis
My phone buzzes in my bag, but I ignore it as I move to grab to grab a pair of bright pink leggings from the dresser and my oversized blue Wicklow University sweatshirt. I want warmth and comfort that hideseverythingright now.
After slipping on some long cozy socks, I grab my phone and open it up.
Ryan: Are you okay? The storm is getting worse.
Ryan: You should’ve just stayed here. They’ve got generators in case the power goes out, but they’re assuring everyone they don’t think it’ll actually get that bad.
Ryan: We barely got to spend any time together. Want to grab breakfast in the morning?
Ryan: Assuming everything is good.
Ryan: Kyra? Did you at least make it back okay?
Me: Hey, sorry it took longer to get through traffic. I’ve got a brunch date with Beth and a few others, but we were planning on hanging out at the club tomorrow, anyway. If the storm has calmed down, we can rent a boat for the afternoon.
Ryan: That sounds great.
Me: I’m going to go and help distract my nieces through this storm. I’ll chat later.
Ryan: Okay. Text me if you get bored. I guess now I don’t have an excuse to not work on my own work. This thesis isn’t going to write itself.
I leavemy phone on the desk and grab my laptop to take downstairs with me. If I get inspired to write on my own paper, I will. It wasn’t a complete lie when I told him I was going to help distract my nieces. I think I need the distraction too.
The wind is howling outside, you can hear it more down stairs. I walk in the kitchen to find pop music playing as Daphne and Selene dance around the kitchen with Elena. Operation distraction has begun.
I belt out the next line of the song and join in, carefully placing my laptop on the counter near the wall as I dance my way over to them.
“Auntie Kyra!” Elena throws her arms up.
I lift her up, and we continue to dance. I can’t carry a tune, but that won’t stop me from helping keep a smile on her face. It’s even better when she busts out into giggles and tells me I shouldn’t sing.
“Can we make pink cupcakes?” She giggles.
“Pink cupcakes are always a good idea, but would you rather have purple?” It’s her favorite color and watching her eyes light up confirms it was just the right thing to ask.
“How are we going to make purple?” she questions as I set her down.
“Kitchen magic,” I tease as I move to gather the ingredients.
Thank you.Daphne mouths nearby. I smile in response.
In a matter of minutes, we’ve got the perfect shade of purple mixed. Elena helps line the cupcake tin with liners and then I add two scoops in to each liner.
“I think we’re missing something,” I tease.
“Oh, no!” Elena gasps.
I hold out a bag of white chocolate chips. “I think these cupcakes need some chocolate chips.”
“Yes! Yes! Chocolate!” she screams.
“What is all the commotion?” Apollo enters the kitchen. My dad and Ares are right behind him.
“We’re making purple cupcakes!” Elena yells as she shakes her head.
“Elena, will you carefully put seven in each one?” I open the bag and pour some chips into a bowl, then slide it closer to her.
“Yes, I can count higher than that.” She nods.
