So what's the second thing?" he asked. "Well, I stood up to my uncle today in ways that I didn't even imagine I would. His words were hurting me every single time he said them. He never for once saw me as a human or as his niece. He always saw me like I was his enemy, always calling me demon".
"Are you fine?" Lucian suddenly asked. "Wellll, I guess so".
"Im trying not to break down in front of my parents. Immediately I set my eyes on them, I wanted to just hug them and cry all my pains away. My heart is heavy but I have to be strong, fierce and confident. I don't want to be a damsel in distress. I'm going to make sure that monster regrets ever trying to do what he did. No matter how stubborn he may be, I will make sure I kick him out of Greenland".
"Just know that you have me and the others with you. You're never alone, okay?"
"Hmmm" she nodded as if he could see her.
"Did your dad say anything about me?"
"Yeah, he asked whether you disturb me in school or not"
"Only God knows what kind of feud they have".
After that there was silence on the phone, just their breaths sounding on the phone.
"H3" Almora said, breaking the silence after a while. "Hmmm, what did you call me?" he asked, smiling.
"I called you H3 or have you forgotten so soon?"
"How could I forget?" He chuckled.
"By the way, hope you haven't forgotten that we are meeting with the others at Damsdale park on Wednesday"
"No I haven't and I can't due to Oliver and Brian reminding me every hour" he said, rolling his eyes and Almora laughed.
"You guys behave like girls sometimes. Well, it's good they are reminding you". "I have to go now. I need some ice cream to cool my head".
"You can never get enough of ice cream" he teased.
"That's me" she giggled.
"Talk to you later"
"Bye" she said and hung up.
She smiled at her phone, took a deep breath and headed back inside.
It was the next day. Lance and his family hadn't spoken much since the outburst of Almora. The preparations for Thanksgiving were going on.
Almora wasn't looking forward to seeing Evan's face tomorrow as he and his family were staying for lunch and dinner tomorrow.
The day went by smoothly for all of them. It was finally the next day, the day Evans and his family would come.
Almora and her family were at the front yard. They were having a little yard party. They set up different kinds of foods and drinks. There was a shade were they could all sit to stay away from the sun.
Almora and Chris were in front of a smoothie stall having smoothies. Almora was wearing an armless yellow chiffon top with a bum short and slippers. Her brother was wearing a singlet with shorts and a slipper.
"I'm not looking forward to meeting him but I just have to face him" Almora said and sipped her smoothie. "Don't worry little fish. It will be fine" her brother assured her.
"Sister Al" Isabel called. Almora turned back and her expression turned into shock, seeing the person who called her.
"Did you just call me Sister Al?" she asked and Isabel nodded. "Sister Al" her second cousin also called.
Almora jumped and hugged them. "Oh my God! You guys don't know how happy I am hearing you call me that".
They also reciprocated the hug back. She broke free from the hug to look at them as she felt something wet on her back. She held their faces and asked "Why are you both crying?".
"We've been treating you bad without ever thinking about how you were feeling. We shouldn't have done that with you" Isabel said as they cried more.
Almora's eyes also became clouded with tears and soon a drop fell. "I'm not annoyed with you. I've always loved you and I'll continue to. Everything you did never made me hate you" she said and pulled them in for a hug again.
Her parents and grandparents watched and they also had tears and smiles on their faces watching this beautiful scene.
She broke free from the hug and smiled at them. "You don't need to call me sister Al, just call me Al" and they nodded affirmative.
"Do you both care for smoothies?" she smiled enthusiastically at them. "Yes".
"Okayyyy, order for as many flavors as you want. It's all yours" she said and giggled.
"Almora" Aunt Bia called. She turned back and was shocked to see who had called her. Her aunt walked towards her and held her hand. Almora looked down at their hands and looked back up to her aunt. "I'm sorry for the way I've treated you so far. I never treated you like a daughter. I'm sorry for not being your partner in crime. Please forgive this aunt of yours" Bia said as she broke down in tears.
'Now this is a family reunion' Chris smiled as he muttered it to himself.