NICHOLAS
"I have to go now,"
I said after I finished my drink.
"Oh. I see."
I stand up and was ready to go when I saw that there is something that Jade want to say to me.
"What is it?"
She look confused then smile in the end.
"Huh?"
"You look uneasy, do you still have something to say to me?"
"I did enjoy being with you... I want to do this again."
What's enjoyable in an hour with no one talking?
This is different in Rosalyn's... wait this is not a date, and why would I think of that girl?
"Okay."
"Really? Like we can hang out again?"
"Yeah."
"I'm so glad that you did agree. Then goodbye for now, see you tomorrow."
"Take care on your way home."
"Mm. Bye."
I left the café first and take a cab. I just waited for two hours in our house until my parents arrived. Mom told me that they did talk about how they would like to hold a small dinner party since we did win though it's a tie.
"Did you change clothes, Nico?"
"Yes, Mom."
"But isn't the same the shirt that you were wearing a while ago?"
"No, it's different. I was wearing a plain shirt a while ago and now I am wearing a shirt with a printed one."
"Okay, I see. Let's go now. Nic, are you done!?"
"Yes!"
"What take you so long, Huh?"
Mom asked dad and I saw how he avert his gaze and laugh nervously. Why is being like that? That was really suspicious.
"I was just finding our wedding ring."
"Why did you take it off then?"
Mom's gaze was like a hawk, she was observing my dad very well. Never taking her eyes off him so she can caught him. Mom is sure scary sometimes.
"I did take a shower and I forget where did I put our wedding ring."
"How can you forget something like that? Tsk. Nicholas let's go."
"Kat, are you mad?"
"No, I'm good. Don't mind it and let's just leave."
"Let's not fight in front of Nicholas."
"Are we fighting, Nicholas?"
Mom suddenly asked me and I was taken aback. But then I know that kind of look. Mom, she was telling me to say...
"No. You two were good."
"See? You heard him, now let's leave before I do change my mind."
"Haa. Just what are doing, Dad?"
I whispered that to him and he shake his head off. Aunt Catherine looks at me when they do feel the awkward atmosphere when we do arrive. Mom who stormed inside telling me that she was not mad was followed by my dad.
"I'm sorry a while ago, Kat."
"I told you, just forget it."
"But what's with your face? You..."
"What happened Nicholas? She was still smiling before we parted ways."
"Misunderstanding. Dad was already old since he did forget where did he put their wedding ring. But I think he was just using that as an excuse."
"Heh, don't worry they will be on good terms again."
"I'm not that worried, Auntie."
"Eh? Okay. Your cousins are in the library."
"Hm, thank you, Auntie."
When I leave Auntie behind, I then go to the library and saw both of them were studying. This is the first tine I saw them studying hard. Did they eat something bad?
"Wow, I didn't think that you'll study,"
I said and Jasper raised his middle finger at me.
"The fudge are you saying?"
"Tsk. I didn't saw that you'll be studious, Jasper."
"Fuck off."
"You just curse, I'll tell this to mom."
"Shut up, or do you want me to tell Dad that you already have a boyfriend."
"He is not my boyfriend!"
"You think dad will listen to you? You know how scary he is when he heard names of guys that were linked to you."
"Then we're quits. Shut up since we have now a secret together."
"Yeah. So, where is Rosalyn?"
Jasper asked and I raised my eyebrows and answered even though he is asking Jasmin.
"She's on a date."
"With whom?"
He asked once again and I shrug my shoulders.
"With Allen guy,"
Jasmin said and smirk at me. I just stare at her. What's with the smirk?
"Allen the three-point shooter of Flinton knights?"
"Yeah."
Then he look at me and asked questions again.
"Is that true? How come?"
"Don't ask me, do I seem to know the details?"
I glare at Jasper and he laughs.
"Aren't you jealous my boy?"
"As if."
"So, is Rosalyn going to eat with us, her daddies was already here or she'll just eat dinner outside with this Allen guy?"
"I texted her a while ago and she was already on her way here."
I sighed and both of them look at me.
"Oh, you look relieved."
Jasper then pat my back and laughed.
"I'm tired."
"After we eat let's watch a horror movie,"
Jasmin suggested and Jasper agreed on it.
"Did you forget that Rosalyn was scared of ghosts?"
"Oh, yeah, Then I'll ask her later if we could watch."
When I got bored since they continued studying I go down and the adults were talking about something. When I notice a car outside, that must be Rosalyn. And I was right since Rosalyn get off from that car.
"Uncle Jeff, Uncle Alvin, Rosalyn was already here."
"Oh, thank you, Nicholas."
I just opened the door when she was already in front of the house and she seems shocked to see me. Then she stares at my shirt.
"Haa."
"Head inside your daddies were waiting for you."
"I know. Hmp."
"Did Allen drive you here?"
"Al's father. We bumped into him and he offered to give me a ride."
She look at me when I didn't say anything.
"Did you just arrive a while ago?"
She asked and I nodded.
"Yeah. Let's head upstairs they were still busy talking."
"Okay."
"Guys."
Rosalyn called them and the twins look at our direction, they both greet Rosalyn.
"So, how's your date with Allen?"
"That was not a date Jas, we just eat Ramen and played in the arcade. And it wasn't me who you should ask about date, it should be Nicholas. I saw him having a coffee date with some girl."
I look at Rosalyn with wide eyes, I didn't expect that she'll bring that up.
"Jade?"
Jasper asked and Rosalyn look at me so I nod.
"It's not a date, I just bump into her at the bookstore. I think I'm the one who asks her for us to go to a café. Yeah, I think..."
"So, you two did see each other at the mall?"
"Such a brief moment."
"Ehhh."
They went silent after that and after a minute or two Aunt Catherine called us and we started to eat dinner.
"If we are just allowed to attend, I will really take a leave so I could watch my Nico."
"Don't worry Mommy, Aunt Kat, I did take a video of the whole play!"
"Really?"
"Yes. I take a video so you could see their play a while ago, it was really intense and nerve-racking since their scores were so close always."
"O my gosh, our Jasmin was so considerate."
"While you were watching the play Mommy are we were allowed to watch a movie?"
"That's fine, but Jeff, Alvin are you going home after this?"
"It's still early so the kids can still watch."
"Yey, thank you, Daddy."
After we did eat, Jasmin gave her phone and they connect it to the tv while Jasper, Jasmin, and Rosalyn go upstairs. They are going to watch a movie in Jasper's room.
"Oh, it's already starting."
I watch my Mom who was focused on the television while my father was busy on his cellphone. Who is he texting?
When mom noticed that dad was busy texting someone I saw how her mood changed.
"Player 14 was good."
It was the voice of men, and based on the angle from where they did take the video it was on the middle bench. But Rosalyn and Jasmin were sitting in front... Hmm is that Jasmin's boyfriend?
"That Monteverde too."
"Yeah."
Even our parents were cheering while watching the play and when it was already in the 3rd period it was already Jasmin who was taking the video since you can hear her comments.
"Brother Boo! You suck!"
"Jas, Calm down."
"Ugh, don't let them get the ball!"
"I don't know if she was cheering for their team or not."
Aunt Catherine shakes her head and Uncle laugh.
"Al seems tired."
And that was the end of the video, when it was already 4th period I stop watching and went to Jasper's room. I don't like how it just ended like that.
The twins were busy watching the horror movie on the television and all of them were on the carpet while Rosalyn was already sleeping soundly.
"Kyahh!"
"Argh, why scream in my ears?"
"You need to run!"
I sighed and sat down, and at that moment Rosalyn turned around. I look down to see her face and frowned.
"Heh, so ugly..."
The next days were tough since the misunderstanding between my parents seems to get bigger. Mom was constantly checking Dad's phone when he was not around and if she saw nothing I can really hear her cursing my father to death.
"It looks like both of them forget their upcoming wedding anniversary."
It was hard for me to change my mind to ask for some help from her but I need to find a solution.
"Hello..."
(Gosh, Nicholas?)
"Yes, Haa."
(Did you dial the wrong number? Or you were kidnapped? No, maybe this was some kind of prank.)
"Your imaginations are running wild, Rosalyn. I just want to ask if you know how to bake a cake?"
(Yeah, just happen that daddy teach me. Why?)
"To save my family?"
(You can search on the internet you know, or ask your maids?)
"Yes, you think I will not consider that? First, why not search, well I want a guide, what if I did wrong and lastly I cannot ask our maids since they might tell it to my parents."
(Okay, I do understand... a bit. So, the date?)
"Hmm, tomorrow. Is that possible?"
(Mm. Not that busy. Should I go straight to your house?)
"Yes, Please. I'll prepare the things that we will need."
(Then, see you tomorrow.)
"Yeah, thanks. I'll end the call now."
(Okay.)
"Uhh, Rosalyn..."
(Yes? Hello, Nicolas... Still there?)
"Yeah."
(Why not speak then?)
"I just want to say thank you, Goodbye."
(Oh. Yeah. Bye.)
When the call ended I then stare at it for minutes before I sighed and buried my face in the pillow.
"Ugh, so weird. Just hearing her voice is so... weird. And why I am acting like this?"
-IAmRoseee