Vaim

The sound of a chime rings in the distance before a wet tongue slaps itself on my face, waking me up from whatever sleep I was in. 

“Woah, Woah,” I laugh as the dog continues to lick my face. I open my eyes wiping the slobber off with my sheets. My gaze falls upon the jack russell barking excitedly, “Alright, Frankie, I’m up, I’m up.” When I sit up, the ball the dog has brought me slides down my chest. I shake my head and grab it, tossing it across the room. It hits a wall before sliding into my closet. 

Joyfully the dog jumps off and runs towards the closet door that is partially ajar. His paw scratches at it, before he spins in a circle and decides going through the door is the best choice for a ghost dog. 

I shake my head and slip out of my bed as he runs out to walk around my feet. My head turns to the empty bed beside my own and I shake my head at its emptiness as well as the dust settled on it from what appears to be a lack of use. 

As I make the bed and grab what I need from my room the sound of a bell in the distance seems to wake up everyone else. The house comes to life as the sound of people running downstairs and teens laughing fills up the halls. 

A knock sounds at my door, “V are you up?” Nana, our foster mother, speaks through the wood. 

“Yeah, I’m up!” 

“Good, breakfast is ready downstairs!”

I smile at the cheery sound of the woman and head out the room as I hear her voice knocking at someone else’s door. 

“If you’re knocking on mine, I beat V to the bathroom this time,” hollers a muffled voice from down the hall. 

I roll my eyes and push the bathroom door open to greet my foster brother. “Morning, Sep.” 

The dark-haired boy spits into the sink and winks at me, “Morning, Gorgeous. Lovely bags you have under your eyes. You look as good as Sleepy Ricky Myer.” 

“Gee thanks, I worked so hard for them.” 

September chuckles, but soon enough that chuckle turns into a scream as a raccoon runs into the room. It races up the cabinet, grabbing a toothbrush and turning its head at the noise. Thundering footsteps follow as a very angry boy marches into the room with a towel wrapped around his waist. His chestnut red hair sticks to his forehead, signaling he was the last to shower. 

“Stay out of my damn room, Sam! You damn thief!” 

The raccoon being accused of robbery screeches and yells gibberish at the other male. It waggles the toothbrush threateningly as a means of defense. Andy roars, and a ball of flame is thrown at the raccoon only to miss and hit the mirror. 

“Whoa! Andy, dude, you’re gonna burn something down again.” September glares at the fire user. 

Andy scoffs but takes a step back, simmering down at the sight of the teen’s glare.

“I’m telling Nana!” Cries a younger boy, who dressed in his school uniform along with his twin sister, has witnessed the situation. They both turn on their heels before running down the hall on a mission to tell Nana.

 Andy’s jaw drops and closes repeatedly as he looks between September and the twins. “It wasn’t that hot, Caiden.” He mumbles something under his breath before leaving the room. 

The raccoon jumps off the counter and the familiar (but still uncomfortable) sound of bones cracking and flesh ripping invades the bathroom, before a stark naked blond stands before us. 

“My dude,” he turns to September with a hand on the other’s shoulder, “What did you see in him?”

I nod in agreement with Sam, “While I think Sam is the blame for whatever just happened, your ex-boyfriend is a royal ass.”

September rinses out his mouth, “And that is why ex is my favorite part of that title.” 

“Boys!” Nana’s voice calls from downstairs and makes the three of us jump to continue our morning routine. 

Soon enough the three of us are running down the stairs and greeting the breakfast table before eating. 

“Two, four, six, seven... Where’s Aixen?” Nana questions, rocking a hairy four-month-old in her arms. 

Everyone’s gaze turns to me and I look towards the vacant seat next to me with a roll of my eyes, “He’s avoiding me because he pushed things too far last night.”

“What do you mean?” Her hand pets the boy’s red fur as the pup’s tiny claws try to reach for her golden locks. 

“He impressively possessed a client last night; I had no idea he could do that.” 

“He’s a ghost, it’s about time.” Sam chimes in.

Nana shakes her head at him, “That’s dangerous, Sam.” Her gaze turns to me , “He brought you home last night. I thought everything but fatigue went fine after your job.”

I shrug with a guilty smile, now noticing Aixen is not the only one who is getting in trouble. “Fifty-seven percent fine.”

“V, you’re the living being, so you’re in charge. Aixen is a ghost.” I lean against the back of my chair as the woman continues her lecture and the others snicker.

“Yes, Nana.” 

Oh, is Aixen getting an earful. 

September leans over and whispers, “You know, if Aixen were here he’d probably argue that this was discrimination against his kind just to defend you.” 

“And even then, he wouldn’t be saved from sleeping on his own bed tonight.” 

Breakfast proceeds as usual with bickering, joking, and lastly Nana giving us announcements. 

“Andy, you’re in charge of picking up Nelly and Caiden from school, and after you’ll be  attending your home class for fire control.”

“Oh boy, does he need it.” Someone–Sam–mumbles before yelping.

“Stop fighting. September you have work with Rose today if I’m correct.”

September nods, too busy shoving bacon into his mouth. 

“V, I know it’s your day off, but Rose said she received a last minute appointment and the clients requested you.” 

“What’s the job?”

“She said she’d debrief you once there.”

I nod in acknowledgment. 

“Have you heard anything from the social worker?” 

Everyone stops talking at Sam’s question. The sound of clinking plates settles as Nana gets our full attention. 

The woman sighs and shakes her head, “I’m sorry kids. Nothing new.” 

The news is received with dejection, but sooner than later everyone is talking up a storm again. Even sooner we are all headed out the door to school. 

“V.”

I turn around at the sound of my name before I’m out the door.

Nana smiles at me softly, “You look like you worked hard last night. Try to take it slow with the jobs Rose gives you. She doesn’t even know you guys actually do what you tell customers you do.”

I smile at the woman, “Thanks, Nana. I’ll keep that in mind.” I give her a wave goodbye and then I’m out of the house.