Kayden had two more buddies; Louis Sanchez I recognize from precalculus class and Cole Andrew from geography. Those three stuck to us like magnet. I mean, it was weird that they decided to hang out with us. Not that I'm complaining because they were actually starting to grow on me. Especially Louis, the Blondie. He was a mixture of sweet and awesome. Kayden had serious issues but he wasn't all that bad. We were all friends and it mattered.
It was another 8th of may. The day of grief bringing back lost memories. 3years ago on this day, my parents were involved in a bomb blast which caused their death. Every year ever since, my brother and I invented a tradition where we lock ourselves at home eat some Rocky road which was my dad's favourite icecream and talk about the past; the ones we had with our parents.
Since it was 8th of May and tradition hadn't changed, though it was a school day, my brother and I remained home carrying out our tradition with a plate of home made chocolate chip cookies I learnt how to bake from my mum. She was a good baker and also a good cook plus she was very smart.
"Remember when I was 4, Dad got me a popgun. I actually thought I would use it to kill bad guys". Damian said, chuckling.
It earned me a laughter. "You used it to shoot out neighbor's son because he refused to fly your kite with you. God, but you were as dumb as a biscuit"
" Heyyyy, I was four" he defended.
"Still dumb". I bit into a cookie. Out of my pants pocket, I took out a folded paper. I unfolded it revealing a picture of my dad and the younger version of me smiling at the camera like there was no more sadness In the world. I looked so innocent and dad looked so happy. I hurt me to say it's now in the past and I would never that face again. I showed it to Damian. "Dad took this photo of us when I was eight. We went to the mall to get mum a present. it was her birthday and we wanted to surprise her". Tiny drops of tears escaped my eyes. I sniffed and chuckled simultaneously. "We didn't tell you anything 'cos we knew you were gonna rat out to mum. You were..."
" Mummy's boy" he chipped him with a sad smile.
" I was going to say 'loud mouth' but that works too". I continued, " I never wanted to take this picture with Dad but when he promised to he would get me anything I wanted, I took it without hesitation. God, I miss mum and Dad"
Damian pushed closer for a hug. "I miss them too. It sucks but we'll survive".
I nodded.
A knock interrupted the moment. I swear, if I was Lisa then so help me God because she knows the rules.
"I'll get it". I headed to the door with Damian behind me. I pulled it open and to my greatest suprise....
"What are you guys doing here and how did you find my house?. Where's Lisa?" I questioned the three figures staring at me.
They gaped awkwardly until one of them decided to speak. "We heard about 'today'...", Oh God, Lisa is so dead. "We thought it'd be great if we helped lighten the moment".
I sighed. It was not a good sigh. "Thank you Cole. Y'all can leave now. This is my brother and I alone time. I'll tell you if I need help". I turned to leave. Then I remember another thing. " Tell Lisa she's a dead girl when I see her"
"Actually I'm right here". her petite voice replied. She was hidden behind their backs this whole time. Thank God she knew she fucked up.
I raised an eyebrow at her unbelievably. "Lisa, are you serious?. You know the rules".
" I know and I'm sorry. The boys wouldn't give me a breathing space.They kept asking about you and why you weren't in school"
"You shouldn't have brought them here"
"Actually, that was our doing." Louis said. " Even though she made it clear you were going to kill us"
"I wasn't talking to you, blondie"
" I'm three feets away from you. I can hear everything"
I rolled my eyes. " But seriously though, you all have to go"
" On the contrary, they'd have to stay". Yeah. t
That was Damian.
"Why do they have to stay?". I asked.
"Because, Kenzy, this is what we do every year. Eat stupid cookies and icecream and cry on the loss of our parent; our parent who died three years ago"
" Yes D. It's our tradition" I pointed out.
" Yeah but this year could be different. I mean, your friends are here..."
" What's your point, Damian?"
"My point is, they should be a part of it. We could have icecream or whatever. Lisa loves Rocky road and it'll be disappointing if they just leave".
Sheesh. Human right activist.
"We actually thought it'd be great if we all head to the city park that just reopened yesterday". Kayden stated.
"Better idea". Damian agreed. " What do you say Kenz?"
I hesitated. But then,they were all staring at me with pleading eyes. it was insane but maybe Damian was right. Mum and Dad wouldn't want us to keep wallowing in their death. I was on to something bigger, I couldn't keep crying over their death that happened three years ago.
Damian wanted something different. I couldn't believe that was how he felt about our tradition. This would be the last time.
"Let me get my purse"
They cheered.
💦💦
The ride to the park was a very loud one. What do you expect from four lively guys and a really cool girl. I was the only quiet one as Louis, Lisa and Cole were arguing about something I wasn't really Interested in while Kayden was singing Shawn Mendes 'senorita' at the top of his lungs. He sounded worse than an almost dead cat.
"You're making my ears bleed Kayden" Damian pointed out. He was seated in the passengers seat. He was quick to tell 'shotgun' earlier.
"Stop playing Kiddo. This voice gets me a lot of girls"
"100 bucks it doesn't happen when you sing"
"Challenge accepted, Anderson junior". he resumed bursting our eardrums.
" But seriously, dude, you have to stop singing" Cole said. Finally, their argument had seized a little.
Lisa nudged him. "Let him be. I love the spirit"
"Thank you Lisa. How about you, K?. Don't I sound like your dream prince charming?"
"You wanna know how you sound?"
" It's a trap!" Lisa and Damian yelled simultaneously.
"Don't fall for it, Kayden. The venom she spits is worse than you can imagine. You do not want to cross that path". Damian said. Lisa nodded in agreement.
What?. That isn't half true. I'm not that bad.
"That's not true"
"Bestfriend, I've met you" she countered my defense.
"I'm not that bad. Louis can testify". Amongst the guys, I loved Louis more. He was cool and really fun to be around. He calls me ponytail for obvious reasons.
He placed his hands around my shoulders. "You my love, are one cute, feisty devil"
I hit him on the chest. "What happened to defending me?"
He raised his hand in mock surrender. "The truth has to be told, love. But you know I love you"
"Shut up" I chuckled lightly.
I caught Haynes staring at us from he rearview mirror. This was to going to be the best 8th of May I've had in four years.