Red, Blue & Yellow

Palette Three: ❝ Colorful dysfunctional family ❞

Dedicated to Thea (revolutions) for her lovely comments on my past two chapters. You’re lovely so thank you. ♥

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L A C E Y

“Kimmy, please stop crying, love. Alex, you don’t pull girls’ hair!”

“Yes, Max, I’ll get you your cookies. One minute, okay?”

“Oh my gosh, Carly and Carlos! Don’t paint on the floor! Here, paint on the paper!”

It is apparent that child care is not one of my strong points. Here I am, working my butt off to take care of 7 young hooligans currently yelling bloody murder. When I applied for this job (semi-job?), it did not occur to me that it was such a hassle to watch over kids for a few hours a day. Boy, did the universe prove me wrong.

Kyle and Jace seemed to be completely professional whilst handling the kids. They were mature (Yes, Jace Marshall is mature and I’m still convinced that someone, a prince charming maybe, is currently occupying his body) and not once did they seem troubled by the presence of screaming children. I, on the other hand, am completely helpless and couldn’t help but panic when all the children stared at me like I was some kind of monster when I introduced myself. Maybe it was the fact that my smile appeared to be more of a grimace. I tried. I really did.

“Here, let me clean the floor. Why don’t you go over to Lily and wait for her mom with her?” Kyle offered as I was scrubbing the stained floor, courtesy of Carly and Carlos, helplessly. I turned my head towards the beautiful sound that is Kyle Reyes as he took the damp cloth from my hand, offering me a smile.

I smiled back. “Thanks, Kyle,” I said, getting myself up to my feet.

He smiled again before continuing the task I had left. I searched the room for Lily, appearing that she was the last person left. The 8 year old was seated on Jace’s lap, her tiny arms wrapped around his neck as she beamed happily at prince-charming-mode Jace. As much as I don’t want to be within 10 meters of Jace, standing in the middle of the room doing nothing but stare at two attractive boys doing their things isn’t exactly productive as a volunteer.

Reluctantly, I walked towards Lily and Jace slowly, their eyes darted on me when they realized they had company.

Lily, being the adorable girl she is, smiled at me. “Hello, Lacey!”

I smiled, this time a genuine smile. “Hi, Lily. Your mom isn’t here yet?”

Jace merely stared at me, his expression blank as he watched me attempt to make conversation with the youngster. It was as if he was saying “Can you get any dumber? She’s sitting on my lap waiting for her mom to come and you still ask?”

Trying to not be affected by his murderous stare, Lily jumped in and said, “Nope. But she’ll be here soon.” A tight smile formed on her lips. She soon buried her face in Jace’s neck. He took her small body and tugged her closer.

“It’s okay, Lils. I’ll be here waiting with you until she comes, okay?” Jace said, his voice perfectly soothing while he rubbed Lily’s back comfortingly. The fire in his voice was completely melted, unlike the tone of voice he uses when he addressed me.

Lily looked up at Jace and smiled, the looked at me. “You too, right, Lacey?” she asked, her eyes gleaming at me hopefully.

Jace looked at me, his blue eyes burning into mine. I didn’t understand why his stare bothered me so much. Nevertheless, I beamed at the little girl. “Yes, of course I will.”

She smiled happily, getting off Jace’s lap and taking a seat next to him. “Come sit.” She patted the empty spot next to her. I gladly accepted the seat she offered me.