"Happiness is not in money, but in shopping" -Marilyn Monroe

"Wake up, la mia sorellina preferita! We are going to go shopping today and tomorrow you and me will be going to school together! Emozionante, giusto?" The voice of Ilias cheered, no one and I mean no one should ever be this hyper in the morning. "I'm up don't worry" I drawled out to get him to stop him from yelling anymore. "Hurry up and ready bells, we're going to leave after you get ready." Ilias added as he left my room closing the door behind him. (La mia sorellina preferita- my favorite little sister, emozionante, giusto- exciting, right)

Ever since I came here my normal waking up time has completely evaporated. I like the extra sleep but who in the world has been deciding who comes to wake me up because they need to be replaced.

I get out of the warmth of my very comfortable bed to go take a quick shower and to get dressed. I walk to my bathroom dragging my feet behind me not ready to start the day. Nonetheless, as I reach my bathroom, I strip myself of my pajamas. Not having the courage to look at myself in the mirror. I don't check the temperature of the water before getting into the shower which I figure out is a cold but not freezing cold water, does that even make sense? I don't think it does.

I finish my shower quicker than I have before. I think I might have broken a personal record or maybe even a world record, is there a world record for fastest shower taken? I should look that up later. I change into the same black jean from 2 days ago and my loose grey t-shirt topping off the outfit with my white converses. Running a brush through my hair and making a quick side braid.

I stuff my phone into my back pocket before running down the stairs seeing dad, Ilias, Elijah, and Mateo all waiting for me by the door. "She's done, let's get this show on the road people." Ilias announced making the rest of them look towards where I was standing. "Principessa, I like the outfit." dad commented to which I gave him a delighted smile. "Thank you."

Dad starts walking and the rest of us just fall into a line behind him. If I remember correctly from the tour Stephanie gave me then we are heading towards the garage, which might I say-they have a ton of cars. Don't get me wrong I understand that we have a massive family and that we are rich, but I didn't know a person could own nor afford more that 4 cars. That was at least until Stephanie showed me the garage.

Dad lead us to a white car that said range rover on the front. This must have cost a lot.

Dad got into the driver's seat as my older brothers all started to argue over who would sit next to me once they forced me into the middle backseat. Elijah took the chance to slide into the seat next to me once Mateo and Ilias were too wrapped into their little squabble to realize that Elijah had left. They both soon realized that Elijah was no longer standing there anymore and once they did it became a race to who could make it into the empty seat on my left first.

In the end, Mateo won, earning a scowl from Ilias and some angry grumbling. Nonetheless, Ilias begrudgingly sat in the passenger's seat. A small smile graced my lips at their silliness. Dad started the car, driving away, with a smirk playing at his lips.

20 minutes into the silent drive Mateo decided to break the silence. "Why don't we play I spy with my little eye" Mateo proposed. At his suggestion my face lit up in joy. In one of my old foster homes, we used to play I spy all the time to pass the time. "Judging from the look on your face, Bells, I assume that's a yes." Mateo observed. Mateo's words made me look down at my lap in embarrassment. Did I look that happy? Mateo laughed at me and nudged me on the shoulder.

I let out a small whimper at his action as he nudged a wound from one of John's beer bottles that is still in the process of healing. Thankfully I don't think Mateo heard but Elijah looked at me with concern in his eyes, yet he didn't say anything.

Everyone agreed to play the game and we all played until dad made the announcement that we were finally at the mall. We all slid out of the car starting our walk to the front doors of the large building. I've only ever been to a mall once before and that was because one of the old foster families I used to stay with threw a party for their biological daughter at the mall. I had a great time while I was there. Kids at my old schools used talk about how many new outfits they got from the mall the previous day, they always sounded like they had a lot of fun also.

The first thing I notice once inside the mall is how much bigger this mall is compared to the one I went too. "Come on,il mio piccolo sole, we don't have anytime to waste. Not only do we have to get you clothes but new school supplies and, of course, whatever we see on the way." Mateo beamed happily already walking into a clothing store. (Il mio piccolo sole- my little sunshine)

"Alright we've got you new clothes, school supplies, and... I'm forgetting something oh, new electronics after that we should be done." Mateo yammered enthusiastically already walking in different direction. I huffed in annoyance while Ilias groaned, Elijah simply started walking behind Mateo looking unbothered by how long we've been shopping. I never want to shop again.

Dad left a little over an hour ago because Alessandro called and said he was needed at the office.

We all followed Mateo to a store with an apple sign above it. As soon as we walked in a worker came up to us, "Hello Mr. Romano, how may we help you today?" I worker with the name Oliver on his nametag. "We would like to buy the best iPhone that you have, an iPad, and a touchscreen laptop." Mateo articulated to the worker, Oliver. Oliver quickly got to work and went to a backroom that had an employee's only sign on it.

He quickly came back holding 3 boxes in his arms going behind the checkout counter as Mateo went in front of it handing him his card. Oliver wasted no time in taking it, ringing up the card, and sending us on our way after handing Mateo our things.

"Can we please leave! Get something to eat on our way back, like McDonalds that would be wonderful. Please, I beg of you fratello!" Ilias begged. What's McDonalds?

"You don't have to answer but um, what's McDonalds?" I pondered. My question made all heads turn to me with nothing, but shock written on their faces. All three of my brothers exchanged a look with each other. "You're right Ilias we have to go; we're going to McDonalds right now." Mateo ordered hurriedly. One by one they all started speed walking to the exit heading towards the parking lot. It was only right for me to follow suite behind them. I had to run to keep up behind them, but it was clear that Ilias was having a blast as we were all heading to the car like there was no tomorrow, Ilias was laughing during our sprint to the car while he was pushing the cart.

Why are we running? Was I not supposed to ask what McDonalds was?

As we reached the car Elijah, Ilias, and Mateo started shoving everything in the cart to the back of the car. I was going to help but I was far too busy gasping for air, desperate for the air to finally enter my lungs. How do they look so fine? Do they normally run this much? I should probably start running more so I can keep up with them.

"Are you ok, Bella? You don't look so good, why don't you go ahead and sit down in the car." Ilias suggested not even breaking a sweat after running so much. "Are you...guys sure? I...can...help you with...unloading the cart." I expressed to them through my gasps of air. "We're fine here Bell, just go ahead and sit in the car. We're going to get McDonalds afterwards, just trust us, when we say that McDonalds is an amazingly wonderful place to eat." Mateo elaborated to me.

I hesitantly took my spot in the backseat of the car. It didn't take long for my brothers to file into the car with me nor for me to catch my breath. "Alright, next stop is McDonalds" Mateo called from the driver's seat. Ilias started gleaming happily at the word McDonalds. "Don't worry Bells you're going to love McDonalds it's the best of the best. Just wait until you try their chicken nuggets they're to die for." Ilias reassured me with his eyes wide with joy.