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Faith nodded. A hot shower and a chance to relax was just what she needed. Following Carmen to a door at the far end of the corridor, Faith surveyed her new room. It was twice the size of the one in her parents’ house. The walls were painted a burned orange. There were dozens of pictures hung on the walls. “Will this do?” Carmen asked.

“It’s… wow… I love it,” Faith breathed. The color was warm and inviting. The bed looked so soft, Faith couldn’t wait to dive under the covers.

“There’s a TV and radio/CD player. Feel free to watch and listen to whatever you like. Mateo sleeps like the dead and I wear earplugs because he also sounds like a rhino when he gets his motor going,” Carmen grinned.

“Carmen, I…”

“It’s all good, kid. We want you to feel comfortable. If you need anything, just ask.”

“Maybe we could talk more tomorrow?” Faith yawned. The day had thoroughly caught up to her.

“Absolutely. Breakfast at eight, if you want fresh pancakes, otherwise it’s coffee and cereal,” Carmen said with a smile. Before leaving, Carmen turned back to Faith. “It gets better. I promise.”

“Thank you.” When the door closed, Faith fell face first onto the bed. There were still lots of things to talk about and decide, but right now Faith let herself bask in the warmth that spread throughout her body. She never made it to the shower.

???

The sound of music and laughter jolted Faith from sleep. Looking around the room, it took her a moment to remember where she was. Her heart thudded in her chest. It’s okay, I’m safe. Mateo’s deep voice boomed through the house as he sang along to the music. Carmen begging Mateo to stop wailing, relieved Faith of the residual tension coursing through her veins. “I’m safe.”

Faith stood in the doorway to the kitchen watching Mateo and Carmen kidding around. Mateo twirled Carmen and then dipped her. They laughed before turning back to the stove. “Morning,” Faith greeted the pair. Carmen turned around with a spatula in her hand.

“Hey kiddo, how’d you sleep?”

“So good.” Faith smiled.

“Pancakes, chica, and lots of them. Sit down,” Mateo said, waving at the long breakfast bar that was already adorned with fruit and cereal.

“Coffee?” Carmen asked, pouring three big mugs. Faith hoped it would taste better than the sludge from the diner. Nathalie. The thought was in Faith’s mind before she could stop it. Nathalie’s pretty face smiling at her.

“Hey, are you alright?”

Faith jumped slightly. When did Carmen sit next to her? “What… yeah, sorry, sort of zoned out for a second.”

“Oh, no, chica, I’ve seen that look before,” Mateo grinned, his eyebrows wiggling. “That’s the look of love.”

“Faith, you’ve been holding out on us,” Carmen teased, knocking Faith’s shoulder.

“No,” Faith shot, her face getting hotter.

“Uh huh,” Mateo chuckled, shoving a pancake in his mouth.

Faith nibbled on her bottom lip. She was so used to shutting anything down that might cause her trouble with her parents, the idea of sitting with people and talking about her crush was mind-boggling.

“I…,” Faith cleared her throat. “I met a girl in a diner when I was on my way here. Her name was Nathalie.”

“And was this Nathalie a cutie?” Carmen asked.

Faith wiped her face with a napkin, even though she hadn’t eaten anything yet. Could she wipe away a blush? “Um… yeah, she was nice.”

“Did you get her number?” Mateo pushed.

“No, of course not, we just talked for like five minutes. She was just being nice. I don’t even know if she likes girls.”

Mateo and Carmen must have sensed her rising panic. “Alright, honey, settle down. Sorry for teasing.” Mateo didn’t look sorry, he still had a stupid grin on his face. Faith rolled her eyes and started on her pancakes. She desperately tried to hide her grin.

Is this what having siblings is like?

Chapter 4