After a great homemade meal and confiding myself in a little more conversation; I stood up. "Guess this is my queue," I said as I moved in closer to embrace my mother. "I don't know when I'll be seeing you again and seeing how I'm heading back to campus tomorrow morning. This is the best time for me to say my goodbyes," I concluded as I hugged my mom tightly. "Can't you stay for a little longer?" Marina questioned. "Even if the thought had surfaced, I can't afford to stay at the hotel for any longer," I responded as I pulled away from her. "You can stay here if you'd like, there's more then enough space. With all of you out of the house, we would really appreciate the company. That's if you'd like too?" My father suggested to my surprise. I smiled at him as I gave my dad a quick embrace, "I'd love that too, thanks." Harrison stood up from the sofa he's been sitting in and said as he took the keys from Marina's hands, "I'll follow behind to assure that you have a ride back home." I looked at my brother and nodded my head. "See you in a little bit," I informed my family before turning around and leaving them behind. The way Misha looks a me sends a thrill of goose bumps down my spine.
The drive back towards the Pavilion flashed by in an instant, we parked out front in the shade; mere seconds apart. Harrison followed me into the apartment that I've been sharing with two of my friends. "So how has it been?" Giovanni asked as I entered. He didn't look up from the TV to acknowledge me, so my brother being here is oblivious to him. He and Cassie's sitting on the couch, sharing a blanket while watching a romantic movie on Netflix. I can just imagine what's going on beneath those covers. "Enjoying yourselves, I guess," I stated rhetorically; a smirk plastered upon my lips. My proclamation made them pull the blanket even closer. This, however, made him look straight at me. "Guys I'd like to formally introduce you to my brother, Harrison," I said in a lame fashion. "I'd get up if I could, but-"Giovanni started but Harrison swiped it away with the back of his hand. "No problem bruh, it's all good. We're just here to fetch Geni's belongings. We'll be out of your hair within no time at all," he casually informed them. This information immediately caught Cassie's attention. "I'll be staying for a little while longer, my parents asked me too," I answered the question which her eyes asked me.
I didn't hover around for much longer and steered my brother into the direction of my room. We gathered all of my belongings and placed it inside my traveling bag. I didn't bring much with me; only the necessities. Four hands are better then two, I always say, and before I knew it everything was packed and ready to go.
They're indeed conducting some kinky experiment underneath those covers, I noticed as I took my stand behind the couch. The way the folds are moving is a dead giveaway. I fold my arms around Giovanni's neck in a greeting manner. The way his body stiffened made me chuckle awkwardly, "See you soon buddy." I turn my attention towards my other bestie and gave her the same amount of affection.
At the front door I halted and said from over my shoulder in a sassy tone: "Try not to enjoy yourselves to my much this evening, I wouldn't want to come back to the pitter-patter of tiny feet. Not yet anyways." I didn't stay much longer to acknowledge their expressions before bulleting from the room. Harrison followed behind me, laughing like a maniac. On our way we stopped at an ice cream parlor. My brother surprised me with a triple chocolate delight. It had been a while since I've last indulged in the guilty pleasures of one of these. The sweet flavors playing with my taste buds. I thanked him with a sweet smile to which he just nodded. "I know that we've never been as close as you and Shaun but I want you to know that if ever you feel like talking that I am here for you too," Harrison said as he stuck a plastic spoon full of fluffy froth into his mouth. "Thank you, I really appreciate it." That's as far as conversation went for us. As I finished the last bite of my cold dessert, Harrison pulled up in front off the house.
I fling my traveling bag over my left shoulder and enter through the door, my brother close on my heels. "You're still here," I asked rhetorically when I saw Misha sitting in the living room having a heart to heart with my father. Dad poured some double malt whiskey into two rectangular glasses and handed one to him. "They're having some bonding time," Marina said as she took her stand beside me. I'm at a complete loss for words. "Excuse me for a moment," I said once I got hold of my voice. I head up the stairway straight towards the room which once belonged to me. I opened the door to be greeted by an arts and crafts area. Mom always tends to unwind whenever her creative side breaks through. I'm glad that she did something for herself for once. A gentle touch rested on my shoulder. "Come on baby, let me show you to your room," mom said kindly. She pointed me in the direction of the balcony-room. "You'll be staying here darling," she said as she pointed at the suite. "Oh my God, mom, are you sure? You're letting me stay in the guestroom?" I dubiously asked her twin-questions. "Of course dear, you're our guest after all. Feel free to have company over, anytime of the day. No judgement, I promise." A broad smile lightens up my mother's complexion. I swallowed loudly at her revelation. I'm an adult so why does the mere sound of that make me a little uncomfortable?