Chapter 44

My watch vibrated, much to my surprise. Nathan, didn't he say he couldn't reply?

Sounds rough! Tell the evil woman I said hey. We're taking a break at the moment. God, I'm so exhausted -laughing emoji- it's been a while since I last played, so I'm not all that used to it anymore. Where are you going to eat?

I had almost forgotten about that funny nickname he had chosen for Claire.

I have honestly no idea! Apparently my parents talked about it during dinner but I must have been too deep in thoughts to even notice. Where are you by the way?

I never knew we had an Ice Hockey team near us, since we're more the soccer region. It didn't take long for his answer to make my watch vibrate once again.

Haha, were you thinking about me?-winking emoji- I'm at my old home towns arena, since I'm still part of the team here. I might have to take you with me the next time I come here, my friends are dying to meet you, not that I told them anything about you.-laughing emoji-

His friends know about me? In a good or a bad way? I hope he- my watch vibrates again.

Don't worry, I didn't tell them about the things you have told me, your secrets are safe with me. Actually, I haven't even told them anything about you, they just assumed that there was someone on my mind. Best friends, I guess.

So his team consist of his friends? That has to be so nice.

I see, that's funny. My sister thought so too, but of course she assumed it to be a girl. Do your friends know that you're gay?

I don't know if it's okay for me to ask, but I guess it's already too late. The engine stopped as we parked in front of a small restaurant, I remembered it from a few years ago. My watch vibrates, as I stepped out of the car, turning to see Claire and her mother driving into the parking lot after us. I quickly checked it, trying to be casual about it.

You and your sister seem very close, that's sweet. I always wanted a little brother, but I got stuck with being an only child and a very very annoying older cousin. Yup, my friends know about it, one of them is my ex, not too fond about that, but we're getting along.

Oh.

Claire got out of the car, a huge smile plastered on her face as she approached me. "Hey baby bro, how are you doing?", we hugged before I had the chance to answer. "I'm fine and you?", trying to smile a little, which was easier said than done. The thought of Nathan being near his ex made me feel kinda uneasy. I know that we're not together or anything, but what if he finds an interest in him again? I don't know what I would do in a case like that to be honest.

"I'm fine too. Happy that my mother's back for at least a few weeks, before she goes back to where ever.", we both never actually understood what her mother is doing for a living, for all she does is travel around the world and occasionally come back home to visit her daughter. I watched the blonde woman approach us, sunglasses shielding her eyes from the intense sunlight.

"Sky, it's been so long! How have-", she threw her arms around me before she had even finished her sentence, or before I got the chance to read her lips until the end of it. "Did you grow a few inches?", she seemed over joyed, way too happy and hyper for my liking, but I guess that's where Claire got it from. Not even waiting for my answer she storms past me, greeting my mother with the same overdramatic hug and conversation. I hope she won't ask my mom if she grew during her absence. That would be kinda weird.

I use the dramatic reunion off riends and family as a chance to answer Nathan, since I got interrupted by arriving here.

I see, believe me, you don't want younger siblings, they're rather annoying, but if you want to find out yourself, I will gladly lend you my sister for a week. Did your cousin live with you and your parents?

I didn't want to ask about his ex boyfriend, why should I? It's none of my business, anyway. I put my phone back in the pockets of the shorts I was wearing, turning to face Alex and Claire, both talking to each other, while our parents were at it.

After another few minutes of, "Did you dye your hair?", "You look so good in that dress!", "How is work?" and "Did you loose weight?" we finally entered the restaurant, taking our seats and scanning through the menu. "What do you want to eat?", Claire looked over to me, answering my question by pointing at one of the dishes on the menu I was holding. I'll just get the same as she does, that's what I've been doing for the last 16 years. My watch vibrates again, gaining my attention faster than a heartbeat.

Sure, I'd take her in for a week, I mean, it can't be that bad, now can it? Yup my cousin lived with us since my mothers brother (his dad) died and his wife didn't want him around her. He was a total handful when he got to our place, but we managed and in the end, he was more like my best friend than family. Oh shit, I have to go now, hang in there!

Great, so my only way of entertainment had to leave. Now I'm stuck with...

I raise my head, trying to catch a few brackets of the conversation that was going on around me. "-met this guy during my Italy trip and he was so charming. Let me tell you something, every Italian man is nice and polite towards women, they're just so welcoming and heart warming!", Sienna, Claire's mother, was gesturing like crazy while telling her stories.

So that's what I'm stuck with, awesome!

Nooo, don't go! I'm sitting in between women talking about Italian guys (and my dad, but he's rather quiet)!

I smiled a little as I hit send, trying to pay at least a little attention the conversation going on around me. Usually, that's something rather exhausting to do, but since it was mainly Sienna talking, it was easier than having to switch between multiple people.

Nathan didn't answer during the whole time we were at the restaurant, but as soon as I got in the car and buckled my seat belt up, my watch vibrated.

Oh, I'm so sorry! But hey, Italian dudes are pretty hot -laughing emoji-

I tried to fight the urge to laugh, but kinda failed. Too bad he couldn't have texted me while I had to listen to boring travel stories of one single woman. I'm not even kidding, neither one of us even had the chance to ever say anything or tell about how our life was the past few months. But I guess that's just how she is, always the center of attention.

And now look at her daughter...

If you say so -laughing emoji-

We arrive at our house after a few minutes, luckily Sienna and Claire went home to do whatever. Probably some mother-daughter-bonding, or something like that. While I hurried up to my room, wanting to be alone and left alone for that matter. I've never liked going out with others, not even if it's Claires mother, I'm more the indoor alone person. But come to think of it, I've been hanging out with Nathan quite a lot, considering my anti-socialness.

And I never really felt like I was forced to do something with him, I was always happy around or even near him. My watch vibrates and the person I've had my mind wrapped around for the past week wrote.

They are -laughing emoji-. So, are you home yet?

I let myself fall on my bed staring up at the phone I was holding above my head.

Yup, finally, it was awful. Imagine Claire being really annoying and trying desperately to be the center of attention, that's how bad it was. Aka her mother. How about you, are you home yet?

Maybe I could sneak over to his place, should he be there that is.

Nope, I'll be staying at a friends place and head to school from there.

Well, too bad, I guess.

The rest of the evening was quiet, much to my liking, as I did my homework and revised the notes Claire and I took during class. Heading to bed after a little snack I stole from my sisters room while she was downstairs.

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Woohoo, I kept my promise from yesterday! You're welcome haha! I hope you like it and please, vote and comment, I love hearing from you guys!