The glaring red light on her alarm clock made her eyes vibrate in her skull. Her temples throbbed. Dehydrated--she felt so thirsty her throat burned. "Hey, are you going to shut that off or what?" Her mom burst through the door, exasperated, and hit the snooze button. 

Her first instinct was to groan and roll over, but her mother's presence took her aback. "Mom?" She had to do a double take, but there she was. The same waves of mushroom brown were combed neatly into a low ponytail at the base of her neck, and her own chocolate eyes were decorated in layers of burgundy and champagne shimmer. 

"Are you just now leaving for work?" Skylar's ears rang. Sharp, metallic pangs pierced her skull like someone was trying to drill into her brain.

"Here, take this," she murmured, pushing her upturned palm at her. Nestled in the crook of her hand was a multivitamin that she placed beside a tall glass of water. "Hydrate and vitamins. Best cure for a hangover," she said with a wink. Skylar's face paled. "Oh please, Sky," she dismissed her panic with a wave, "I've been to high school dances with friends. I won't tell your dad. You're just lucky that your date was such a gentleman."

"Yeah," she yawned, stretching. Fond memories of the previous night swam in her mind's eye. Visions came of Jake holding the door open for her and dropping her off on the curb with nothing more than a kiss on the forehead before driving off into the night. He was a true gentleman. Her heart sank at the memory of their conversation on the ride home. The unified decision that she wasn't ready to see anyone exclusively yet, because she didn't know how much longer they were living in Roman Ridge. Last she'd heard from her parents late night bickering, was that her dad was already growing weary of the hours and pay. When he said things like that, she explained to him somberly, it was only a matter of time before they up and left for a new opportunity. He'd agreed, and they'd parted on good terms.

"How about some breakfast?" Her mom pressed, tickling her sides lightly.

"Mom, stop," she groaned, covering her face with a pillow. "Stop!" A laugh burst from her and she kicked. "Stop or I'll kick you off the bed!" she warned between giggles. Her mother didn't cease her tickling until they both wound up on the floor in a heap of laughter.

"What is going on in here?" Her dad peered around the doorframe. "Oh," he chuckled.

"Dad?" Skylar crawled out from beneath the fallen comforter. "You haven't left yet either?" Usually she was asleep when they came home, and her alarm went off an hour after they left. Her mom worked the graveyard shift as a nurse at the local hospital, while her dad worked horrid twelve hour shifts at the Gore Palace. She couldn't remember the last time they all three stood in a room together.

"Actually," her mother said upon rising, "your dad and I wanted to talk to you about that--work."

That pit in her stomach dropped. This was it--they were moving again. She knew it the minute she'd overheard her dad complaining about the hours. Knew her mom would cave like usual. "We're moving again, aren't we?" She didn't bother beating around the bush.

"Why don't you throw some clothes on and come out. I made French toast," he bribed, grinning. 

Her eyes sharpened as she clarified, "Your French toast? Or Mom's?" Her mom shot her a look, but she ignored it.

"Mine of course," he replied with mock offense.

"I'll be there in a sec," she vowed, jumping up and snatching a pair of sweats from her dresser. It wasn't everyday her dad made French toast. In fact, there were only two days a year she ever recalled eating it--her birthday, and every time he announced they were moving. He thought his famous cinnamon vanilla recipe could soften the blow of yet another disappointment. The thought made her stop short of the door.

"You coming?" he called.

"Be right there!" 

The table was laden with French toast, syrups, butter, powdered sugar, berries, whip cream--original and extra creamy--and mounds of sausage and bacon. Yep...they were moving. 

Skylar hesitated in the hall, her mouth watering at the spread and ultimately making her next move for her. Taking the seat in across from her dad, she began to greedily place food onto her plate. 

"Sky," he paused when she groaned. He only ever called her that when he had bad news. "It's not bad news per say," he explained.

"Are we moving again?" she repeated, a bored look on her face.

Her parents exchanged a look that didn't seem altogether reassuring. "Skylar," her mother tried, "your father and I have made a decision that will affect all of us."

Her heart sank even lower. "Divorce," she could barely say the word.

"What! No! Holy shit, Sky you aren't even in the same ballpark!" Her dad's big blue eyes widened to dinner plates.

"Well you guys aren't giving me very good hints! We only have family meetings when we're moving!" She let her head fall and smack the table, growling with frustration. Her head hurt, her thigh hurt, everything hurt. 

"Your father and I have decided to stay. Here. In Roman Ridge. At least until you finish school."

A silence followed the announcement. Skylar raised her head, mouth falling open at her parent's decision. "You won't move again?"

"Well," her dad cleared his throat, "we aren't saying that we'll never move again, but not for at least the remained of high school for you. We understand how draining this can be, and detrimental to your health. We've agreed that it would be best for you if we planted some roots for a time."

"When did you guys decide this?" She popped a piece of French toast into her mouth.

"Actually, officially this morning." Her mother sipped her coffee. "Dad--well, I'll let you tell it."

"I got a promotion!" he declared happily.

Skylar's eyes lit up. "Really?" 

"Yep," he said proudly. "You're looking at the new day shift manager. No more late nights and early starts. A set schedule of nine to five Monday through Friday!"

"That's awesome, Dad! So how did it happen? Finally get recognized for all your hard work," she fought to keep the whip out of her voice. No need to bring up his prior work ethic.

"Something like that. Actually, I met with the guy that runs the place. About shit myself when I saw he was half my age." Skylar froze, fork hanging from her fingertips. "He didn't take any shit from anyone though. I respect that. Kid knew how he looked, in there with all the technicians and scientists, but you can tell by the way everyone else acted around him that he wasn't one to fuck with."

Skylar scoffed, thinking of how sweet Bear had been. Her parents turned to her, watching her closely. "What did he say?"

"Said he heard I was a damn good worker and that there was an opening position for day shift. Wanted to know if I was interested."

"What'd you say?"

"Hell yes, sir," he admitted, chuckling lightly. "Anything to get me off that crazy schedule."

A smile crept over her bare lips. He promoted her father. He did that. She was going to be allowed to stay in one place because of that. She couldn't stop smiling the rest of the day.