Outside the Devis Mansion
Amber walked slowly towards Lussy.
She passed her without saying anything.
Jonathan watched her curiously.
(Where is she going?)
Amber opened the car door and looked inside.
Then she turned towards everyone.
Amber:
"Everyone, get out."
Justin:
"…Huh?"
Thomas:
"Again?"
Emily:
"Just get out, idiot."
Jonathan also got out of the driver's seat.
Within seconds, all 3 teenagers were standing beside the car.
Amber looked at the seating arrangement.
Amber:
"This isn't going to work."
Jonathan:
"What isn't?"
Amber:
"The seating arrangement."
Jonathan:
"What's wrong with it?"
Amber:
"Everything."
Jonathan: 😶
(…I knew I shouldn't have asked.)
Amber opened the rear doors and folded the middle-row seats forward, creating access to the back row.
Amber:
"Lussy, go to the back."
Lussy:
"Okay, Auntie."
Amber:
"Emily, you too."
Emily:
"Sure."
The two girls climbed into the back row.
Lussy sat beside the window while Emily took the seat next to her.
Emily:
"Finally, some peace."
Lussy:
"Hopefully."
Thomas:
"HEY! What do you mean by that?"
Emily:
"Nothing. Just appreciating the silence."
Thomas:
"WE HAVEN'T EVEN STARTED!"
Amber ignored their argument.
She carefully raised the middle-row seats back into position.
Click!
Amber:
"Thomas, sit in the middle row."
Thomas:
"Okay!"
He climbed inside and settled into one of the seats.
Emily:
"Don't kick my seat."
Thomas:
"I'm not even near you!"
Emily:
"I know you. I'm warning you in advance."
Lussy giggled.
Amber turned towards Justin.
Amber:
"Little champ, front passenger seat."
Justin immediately brightened.
Justin:
"REALLY?!"
Amber:
"Yes."
Justin:
"THANK YOU, SISTER!"
He practically rushed towards the front passenger door.
Jonathan watched him.
Jonathan (thinking):
(…Why does he look so happy?)
(That's my wife seat.)
(Why am I suddenly losing my wife place in my own car?)
Justin opened the door and sat down proudly.
He even adjusted the seat belt with a satisfied expression.
Justin:
"Perfect!"
Jonathan:
"You're enjoying this a little too much."
Justin:
"Of course. I got the best seat."
Jonathan:
(…Little traitor.)
Finally, Amber opened the rear door and climbed inside beside thomas .
Thomas immediately moved slightly to make room.
Amber:
"Move a little, sweetheart."
Thomas :
"Yes, sister."
Amber settled beside him and gently
Jonathan finally sat behind the steering wheel.
He checked the mirror.
The arrangement was now complete.
The final seating arrangement:
- Driver: Jonathan.
- Front passenger: Justin.
- Middle row: Thomas and Amber.
- Back row: Emily and Lussy.
Jonathan started the engine.
His eyes briefly moved towards the rear-view mirror.
He saw Amber sitting comfortably beside thomas.
Then he looked at Justin, who was smiling like he'd won a national award.
Jonathan (thinking):
(First my wife returns after fifteen years…)
(Then my son starts competing with me for her attention…)
(And now she's sitting in the back with someone else.)
(What exactly is my position in this family?)
Justin suddenly turned towards him.
Justin:
"Father?"
Jonathan:
"What?"
Justin:
"Can we go now?"
Jonathan:
"Yes."
Justin:
"Then drive!"
Jonathan's eyebrow twitched.
Jonathan:
"Don't order me around."
Amber's voice came from behind.
Amber:
"Jonathan."
Jonathan immediately straightened.
Jonathan:
"Yes?"
Amber:
"Drive."
Jonathan:
"Of course."
Justin: 😶
Thomas: 😶
Emily: 😎
Lussy: 🤭
Justin (thinking):
(…So that's how it works.)
The car finally moved.
And the Devis family's morning journey officially began.
To be continued…