I move out of the way as a body slams into my locker. Good thing I don't open it yet. The person laughs as he playfully shoves another guy.
Then he notices me.
"Oh, hey is this your locker?" He motions to the one he's leaning against. I nod after calmly fixing my glasses and removing my bangs from my face. More guys joke and laugh around him.
So he's a guy-magnet..? He chuckles, moving away from my locker.
"Sorry 'bout that- oh wait." He cuts himself off as he points at me.
"You're Nevaeh, right?" I nod slowly then he beams.
"You're like crazy smart!" I blush, averting my gaze from his. This causes him to chuckle, mixing in with the other laughter around us. He sticks his hand out.
"I'm Kahlil, by the way." I go to shake his hand, but it reaches out to push my glasses back up. My eyes snap to his as they widen and my, already pink, cheeks darken.
He smiles confidently.
"There they are." I furrow my eyebrows, trying to dismiss my embarrassment.
"Eyes on the speaker, remember." Another guy bumps into him. His attention changes to the guy as they play fight. I, then, take this chance to get into my locker.
Once I get everything, I move from the chaos happening right next to me.
"See ya around, Nevaeh!" I glance back to see him waving to me while also pushing away a guy who's laughing his brains out. I blush, awkwardly nodding. After I make it to my seat in my Home Ec class, I sigh.
So that's the boy who's always playing around in the halls. I shake my head, getting my assignment out. He's an... odd one.
⚀
"Oh, Mom, you're home!" I smile at her as she walks into the kitchen. She returns mine with a tired one then nods.
"We finished all the work for today so they let us leave early." I beam as I crop some carrots.
"That's great!" She smiles, going over to kiss my cheeks. Mom, then, examines my work area.
"Beef stew?"
I nod, popping the end part of the carrot into my mouth before putting the rest in a bowl.
"Aunt Jonna and Uncle Rick are planning to join us for dinner tonight." I glance at my mom.
"You should get some rest until then." She looks at me with a small smile, the skin wrinkling in the corners of her eyes.
"Who's gonna help you with preparations?" I giggle.
"Mother, I'm fine and if I need help the kids would gladly join in." She rubs my arm then sighs.
"You know you're still a kid too, Nevy." I smile when my mom kisses my temple.
"Yes, Mom, I know." I put the knife and cutting board into the sink. She releases a small laugh.
"Well, if you really want me gone." I scoff.
"Mom!" She giggles, making her way out the kitchen.
"Wake me when they get here." Waving her away, I laugh as well.
"Sure thing!" Once she's officially gone I turn to the potatoes.
They should be here in an hour or so.
I nod accordingly to myself as begin cutting and washing all the vegetables. Some time goes by until I can finally make the broth.
Lots more time flies and next thing I know the food is ready.
I smile then head to the dining room to set the table.
The doorbell goes off and I hear Sammy and Nico fight over who can open it.
I chuckle, shaking my head.
After a moment and a rock, paper, scissors game, everyone comes to sit down. I turn my head.
"Sammy, did you wake mom?" He nods, walking to a chair.
"She's washing her face, said she'll be a minute." I nod then put the beef stew in the center of the table, along with the side dishes.
"Jonna, Rick, it's so good to see you." Jonna beams, as Rick laughs. They both get up to give my mom a greatly appreciated hug.
"Same with you, Willow." Jonna pats her back before they let go.
"Still as hardworking as ever, huh." Rick jokes.
The three continue their small talk while Sam and I get the little ones in their seats and food on their plates.
Once everything is situated, the adults come sit with us and Mom helps Gina with her meal. I ruff Sam's hair.
"Thanks, my little helper." He smoothes out his hair, lazily grabbing his fork.
"I'm almost 13, Nevy." I smile down at him.
"A very adorable one." He sighs, then eats some carrot chunks.
"I'm adorable too!" I laugh, covering my mouth.
"Nico, adorable boys don't yell at the dinner table." My mother scowls. He pouts while Sam rolls his eyes.
"You're super adorable, Nico." He beams at me then nods confidently.
He, then, he turns to Victoria and nudges her. 'You heard, I'm adorable.' He whispers matter-o-factly. She nods slowly, then goes back to chewing on some meat.
I giggle behind my hand along with everyone else at the table. The dinner continues this way.
Everyone laughing, talking, and joking. It's almost as if nothing ever changed, we're a big happy family that can't get enough of each other.
Don't get too happy. I blink a couple times when I notice something flicker across Mom's eyes. It was brief and fleeting, but I saw it. It's not the same, something did change.
Thankfully, only Mom and I thought that. Sadly, I wish we hadn't.