The thought of not being able to find out anything about Luke Hemsberg makes me more curious. I haven't been particularly friendly with anyone else, and doing so with an unfamiliar face feels awkward. It makes me feel nervous to be around someone new to me, especially from this place.
The separation of my parents had an effect on me more than I could ever imagine. I'm not quite sure if I am actually nervous or insecure about the fact that I wish I got to spend the rest of my high school life with my friends. In which Luke's timing immediately filled in my missing spot with my friends.
I know, it would be easier for me if I just lived with my dad until I am done with high school, but Nathalie is under my mom's custody, which I have to take care of constantly. That's why I moved away with my mom to Vegas.
I heard a knock on my door while still munching on my last bite of cheeseburger that my dad brought home. "Hana, can I come in?" I heard a small voice ask, and in response, I stood up and opened the door for her.
I saw a small face, looking tired and sad, as she sat on my bed. "I miss Mommy," she said softly, as if about to cry. She hasn't been away from our mom for this long, and she's probably feeling homesick. "Don't worry, Nath, she'll be here with us before you know it. Mommy just needs to finish her work so she can come to us." I said this while sitting down next to her and caressing her curly locks, trying my best to assure her.
"Can I sleep next to you tonight?" She asked, looking hopeful. I thought about it for a moment, since I am clearly not sure what time I will be able to come home from the beach-hang out later. But I can't also say no to my little sister, I care a lot about her, and that includes caring about her feelings as well.
"Alright, but Hana needs to go somewhere first and be back at 8 P.M.?" I replied, and her eyes lit up with joy for a split second before they turned into a confused look. "What time is 8 P.M.?" She asked. Right, my little sister is not yet entirely familiar with how to tell time.
"Come, I'll show you." I replied as I stood up and walked downstairs. She followed. I sat on the couch and carried her to my lap, while stretching my arms to point at the hanging clock on the wall of our living room.
"Do you see that clock?" I looked at Nathalie, who was looking in the direction I was pointing. She nodded in response. "What do you see inside the clock?" She looked at the clock as if she were trying to memorize it. She finally answered with, "Numbers and sticks!" I smiled at her. I figured it was much easier for her to learn from things she has observed on her own and then add information so she won't easily forget about them.
"Do you see the smallest stick on the clock?" She replied with a nod. "Okay, so when the small stick points to number eight," I paused, thinking if she knew her numbers, "Do you know eight?" I asked to be sure. Nathalie pouted as if she were offended by the question. "I know how to count to 20 now!" she exclaimed. Nath is still in pre-school, being homeschooled in Vegas. I can't even remember if I already knew how to count by the age of 5.
"As I was saying, when the smallest stick points to the number eight and it's night time outside, it means that it is 8 P.M." She nodded with enthusiasm as she learned a new thing. "That's the time I'll be coming home so we can sleep together," I added, and she smiled excitedly. "I will watch the clock and wait." She replied, and I patted her head. I let out a small chuckle at the thought that I have curfew today.
I stood up, and she did too, as she was sitting on my lap. "Now, Hana needs to get ready for later before Roni picks me up," I said to Nathalie, to which she nodded. She shifted her focus to the television as she turned it on and started watching cartoons, and she sat comfortably on the couch.
Shortly after, as I was putting a little tint on my lips, I heard a car honk outside. I grabbed my phone and my rattan sling bag, to match the beach vibe, and went downstairs. Before heading out, I saw Nathalie still focused on watching cartoons on the TV. "I'll be back by eight o'clock, okay?" She nodded at me, and I went on my way.
I jumped in the front seat, realizing that Roni would be the one driving, and as if she could read my thoughts, she said, "Don't worry, I've got my license already." I chuckled as she drove away while I put on my seatbelt. "Need to buckle up," I jokingly said, and we laughed in unison.
It was a quiet drive to the beach while listening to random lo-fi music and hearing Roni sing along from time to time. Meanwhile, I get to enjoy the breeze of summer air and the view on our way to the beach.
It was already 4:32 P.M. as we reached our destination since Roni picked me up a little later than 4:00 P.M.. Roni parked somewhere near where the other cars are parked, and in the background, I see a group of people circling around a small bonfire that they have started.
"It's them," Roni pointed out as she was looking in the same direction I am. We jumped out of her car and started walking in that direction. I could see from a distance that there was a bonfire, a big cooler on the ground, which I assumed was full of soda and beer, and a small grill that hadn't been used yet.
As we reached the group, I heard Calum scream, "Hana!" as he ran towards me and greeted me with a huge hug, lifting my feet off the ground. To my surprise, I playfully hit him on his arm for being so exaggerating, but he just laughed it off.
Calum Hunt is the quirkiest and friendliest guy I have ever met in middle school. At first, it was mostly me, Roni, and Calum who would always hang out. But in freshman year, Calum started making friends with Ashton Irving and Michael Crawford, whom he has always brought along with him whenever we're hanging out together. Emily Andrews, on the other hand, is Michael's longtime girlfriend, who eventually started hanging out with us as well.
I looked at the crowd, seeing all the familiar faces. It seems like Luke Hemberg is not on the scene yet. But that's okay; at least I get to be around them for a little while.
After I greeted everyone with a hug, I suddenly remembered that I left my sling bag inside the car. I got them keychains from Vegas that look like lucky poker chips but have their names on them. Solely because they requested it during last year's summer. Mostly, it was Calum's idea because he thought that poker chips looked cool and that they might bring him luck.
I borrowed the car keys from Roni and went on my way to where the car was parked. I was debating whether to carry an empty bag with me after giving them their keychains because I didn't really bring anything else aside from my phone, keychains, and wallet, which I have no use for in a bonfire. In the end, I decided to just bring my bag with me, it would be a waste not to use it.
As I walk my way out of the small parking space while I am busy sending a message to my dad asking if he can pick me up at 7:30 P.M., just before I can hit send, I lightly bump into someone with enough force to make me drop my phone. Letting out a slight groan, I bent down to reach my phone, but before I could even grab it, it had already been picked up by someone else.