" Ain't you going to say hello? ",my mum asked in a low soft voice.
I just stood there, as if frozen in time and I was just staring at him. 'move you idiot, say something before you embarrass yourself', the voice in my head said but it was too late.
"Hunny?, ain't you going to say something to your friend?", asked my mum while gesturing to the guy standing in front of me.
I looked him up and down, analyzing his entire body trying to figure out what changed about him. "Hi", I said to him as that was the only thing on my mind 'what is he doing here and why show up now out of all time' I thought to myself
" You haven't changed since the last time I saw you by the park". 'Really?? we haven't seen each other in over a year now and he's gonna act as if we talked yesterday'
"Come on in and join us for dinner, Ken", My mum showed him the way to the kitchen area where all the food was prepared. I just stood there like a mannequin but the voice of my mum yelling my name made me come to my senses
" Take a sit right there next to Amanda ", She said as I got behind Ken and pulled out my seat and sighed. My little brother was busying giving me the side eye and making weird 'love gestures and kissy faces'.
" Hello Damon, you have grown much taller since the last time I saw you "
" Yeah! ", he said all excited. " I'm going to high school so I can't stay the same small height forever, I gotta show that I'm grown and ready to be a grown up ". 'LOL, as if you'll ever grow up but maybe one day he'll surprise me but until then he still looks like a little kid to me'
We were suppose to eat dinner in silence but mum could not stop bombarding him with a lot of question about his life.
" So.. when did you move back here ?", I asked since mum is not doing her job properly.
" Actually, I didn't move back... I came here just to see you before you leave ", he nervously chuckles. 'Wait a damn minute, how does he know I'm moving...unless...' . I looked at my mum who was pretending to have not heard our conversation.
" Mum?? ". I gave her a silent glare because I knew she had something to do with it. Ken's Aunt and my mum are close friends so I'm very much sure she told her and the news got to Ken.
" I'm sorry, I got so excited I couldn't keep all the good news to myself. Plus I thought Ken visiting would be a great idea, since.....", she didn't finish her sentence.
I got impatient. " Since what?? why didn't you finish what you just said. I looked at her with suspicious eyes.
" Since you'll you be attending the same university as me ", Ken finished the sentence. 'If I'll be going to the same uni as him then why the fuck is he here on some "I came to say goodbye shit" '
" Then why are you here? ", I asked.
" He's here to let you know so that if you need any help to get familiar with the campus, he can just show you around. I know it takes you a while to get comfortable in a new place so at least you'll have someone you know around until you make friends that way you won't be lonely.", she pauses and reaches across the table to grab my hands and takes a deep sigh before she continues to talk. " I'm just worried and want you to be safe and happy even when I'm not around ".
Ken looks at me then my mum, " I won't bother you if that's what you are worried about and you don't have to hangout with me if you don't want, just think of me as your big brother." He smirks because this is all too amusing for him. I know he's going to annoy me every chance he got. 'ew, I don't need someone to pretend to be my brother, nor need a bodyguard'.
" Eww, she already has a brother yeah know!? ", Damon said. It was as if he read my mind or something.
It went silent for a while then the silence was broken off with a cellphone ringing. Ken picked it up and excused himself to go to the other side of the room to talk in private. I looked at mum and looked down. Maybe she really does want the best for me. I should not be so hard on when all she does is make sure I am safe and happy.
" I know you're doing your best and thank you for always looking out for me even if though I try to act tough and want to be independent all the time ", I giggle at my own stupidity.
" You have done so much to make me proud and as your mother it is my duty to make sure you are alright no matter what ". Our conversation was interrupted as Ken returned to the table.
" I don't mean to sound rude but my friends are waiting for me outside "
" Nonsense, you can get going and it was nice of you to drop by ", my mum got out of her chair to hug him farewell. " Amanda, why don't you walk him out? ", she said in a soft tone and a sweet smile on her face. She's way too happy for some reason but I brushed it off. " Okay. " I said while getting up form my chair.
" Thank you for the food Mrs. Becker ". he waved goodbye to mum and Damon.
We got outside and by the street was a black jeep, probably his friends he spoke about. " I'm sure it's not easy leaving your family and moving to a whole new country "
" Yeah, but I have my aunt who lives there but it won't be the same with mum and my annoying brother "
" When do you depart? ", he asked all curious, I would have figured my mum to have told him since she's already told about me moving.
" Tomorrow morning "
" Great, let me give you my number so you can call me if you need any help". I pulled out my phone from my pocket and handed it to him.
" I guess I'll be seeing you soon ", he said while leaving. He waved goodbye and got inside the car and I watched it drive off before I got inside the house. A new chapter awaits for me tomorrow.