Umbrella☔

R

Esme's P.O.V.

I couldn't express how I was feeling when Nicholas asked me to be his friend.

It has been 4 days since that incident and thankfully no one ever disturbed me only some glares here and there, not anything I couldn't handle.

It was the end of the day, I was walking towards the exit with Nicholas right beside me, when he asked me a question I was sure shocked me.

"Would you like to come to my house for dinner? My mother asked to meet you as you are my very first friend here."
There was a little hope in his voice that I would say yes, and to be honest who could say no to those puppy eyes he was making.

"Yeah, sure. If you don't mind that is."

The grin formed on his face was so large and contagious that I couldn't help but grin back.

🐤

We were now standing outside of Nick's house, my hands sweating, I don't know why I was sweating. But I have never met my friends parents ever. Not that I ever had friends for more than a week but still it counted, right?

Nicholas gave a smile and pulled me inside of his home calling his mother.

"Mum, i'm back, look I bought Esme with me. You said you wanted to meet her right?"

I could see a tall woman, with hair reaching her shoulders and a warm smile on her face coming towards us with a cute spongebob apron tied around her waist.
I couldn't help but smile back at her.

"Hii baby, you're back. Well, I see you brought the beautiful girl with you about who you talk to me everyday."
She winked at Nicholas as I blushed and he groaned.

"Mom no, you said you wouldn't say things that will embarrass me. You promised!"
Nicholas whined. I couldn't help but giggle at his little antics.

"Okay, okay, now stop whining like a baby. Won't you invite this pretty lady inside?"
I smiled at Nicholas's mother as she took my hand and pulled me inside with her leaving Nicholas to stray behind us.

🐤

We were all sitting at the dining table, laughing and eating our food. I noticed earlier there was no trace of Nicholas's father, not even a photo.
I didn't wanted to intrude in their personal life so I never asked about it.

After we were done eating I helped Lily, as Nicholas's mom had asked me to call her, do the dishes. She was washing and I was drying. Nicholas was out there cleaning the dining table.

"May I ask you something, Lily?"
I asked her quietely hoping she wouldn't take it in the wrong way.

"Sure honey. Ask away."

"Why is there no photo of Nicholas's father? Its okay if you don't wanna tell me, sorry if I am intruding."
I added quickly so she wouldn't feel pressured to answer.

"Its okay. Nicholas's father was never there when Nicholas needed one. He ran away when he heard that I was pregnant with Nicholas. We were really young at that time. He told me it was a mistake but I never thought about it as a mistake. Nicholas was the best thing that happened to me. He may not have a father but I always tried to be the best mother that I could be to him. When Nicholas was smart enough to understand why he didn't have a father he started hating everyone except me. He wouldn't make friends outside. He wouldn't go out to have fun like students were supposed to. He only stayed home, talked to me, laughed with me. He thought he didn't needed anyone else."
I saw the tears that were brimming in her eyes. I pulled Lily into a comforting hug and started patting her back.

She sniffled before pulling away from the hug and held my shoulders,
"But then when some days ago, he told me how he made a friend that too a girl, I was really happy for him. I thought my son could finally become like other kids of his age. Have friends, go out, enjoy themselves. Thank you for becoming my son's friend dear."

I couldn't help but let a tear slip out of my eyes,
"I should thank your son for making me his friend. I am so lucky to have a friend like Nicholas. Thank you for raising such a good son, Lily."

We both smiled at each other.
Before we could talk ahead Nicholas came inside the kitchen with a huge smile on his face.

"Is everything okay here? Let's go if you're done Esme. Its getting late and we have school tomorrow."

I smiled at Lily and bid her goodbye before leaving the house.

We walked silently, comfortably enjoying each others presence.

In no time we reached my home, before Nicholas could turn and go back, I pulled him in a tight hug enclosing my arms around his neck,
"Thank you for growing up so well, Nicholas. Thank you for being my guardian angel, my umbrella."

I was about to pull away when I felt his arms enclosing around my waist, pulling me towards his body in a tight embrace, his face buried deep within my hair. I closed my eyes feeling his hug.

"Thank you for accepting me as your friend, Mae."
I smiled at the nickname and hugged him even tighter.

For once I thought, I could also be his umbrella, when needed.

••••••••••••••••••••••••

Wow, this chapter for sure wasn't planned and Trust me when I say I had written this after I have completed my whole book.

Yeah, I kinda liked this chapter.
Hope you liked it too.

Yours little duckling,🐤
XoXo.❤