Without Words

4- Tea Party

A/N: Word of warning, a bit of (maybe) offensive word during every tea party that would happen from here on.

"Do you think you will still be able to drive?" Katelyn inquired and as per usual, there was no filter. I take no offense though, she never meant to insult. She's just alarmingly and unabashedly curious. "I mean, your dad got into a car accident and movies always make it seems that you will never-"

"I'm fine." Cutting off her for sure, long chatter. "To be honest, his death seems much easier to accept than the loss itself. I get that he died and it's tragic but going home and burying him, knowing that it's the last time I'll ever see him was more painful. No one would make that meatloaf I adore during Thanksgiving, or leave that hideous blanket near the ratty old coach near the window ever again." I said and I heard my voice cracked a bit. Again, this is the first time I talked about this to anyone.

"I cannot imagine what you're going through right now." Katelyn was silent for a moment. For the first time, she was serious and looking at me solemnly. "I know I have no filter sometimes but you can do the same to me too, you know. I won't stop you from talking about anything. Lord knows you don't get that at home. What with Dr. Forbes always at work and Matt being an equivalent of a rock... with a pen*s."

"A very blessed pen*s if the rumors are right."

A voice interrupted us and then entered a dark haired tan boy with that boyish smile and twinkling black eyes my eight year old self remembered well. Surprisingly, he was carrying a tray of tea which he set beside our basket of muffins.

"Luca." I grinned and immediately stood up and gave him a warm hug. "My boyfriend."

He laughed and we sat around the table. Katelyn graciously poured coffee from the tea pot. I was never a fan of tea, even in London. Thankfully, they weren't as well.

"Ah, the promises my young confused innocent me made." He sighed dramatically. He's abnormally tall, I think he's more than 6 foot. His dark curly hair is sleeked back, with a hint of a five-o-clock shadow around his face. He's leaner, with that kind of swimmer body. Not overly bulged with muscles but not lanky either. His black eyes were twinkling with mischief as he regarded me. "You can be my girlfriend but I would prefer it if you have that blessed pen*s like you brother."

I pretended to think about it. "That can be arranged. Give me a week."

"Weirdos." Katelyn muttered as she chuckled at us.

"Said the pink- haired girl."

"Hey, I am one of the few people who can pull this off."

"Maybe next time, do the rainbow colored one." I quipped, liking the banter between us.

"She's right then I'll just wave you around whenever I'm at a LGBTQ parade." Luca clapped and his eyes were swimming with possibilities. "How do you feel about body paint?"

A muffin was thrown on his face and I glared at Katelyn. No one must waste the muffins. Thankfully, Luca grabbed it and took a bite. "How are you, cara? Long-time no see."

"Better than yesterday, that's for sure." I answered honestly.

"Things have been different since the last time you were here." He replied almost in melancholy. "I didn't know if because we were kids back then but it seems better when you were here. The boys were all over the place when you left."

"Is this about Matt and Dan?" I inquired curiously. This has been bothering me since we left from school. "Tabi told me they're no longer friends."

Katelyn scoffed. "They are friends alright but they're not just the same as before. I bet it has something to do with a girl."

It's Luca's turn to disagree with her. "Let me pull you down from your pedestal, you girls aren't that special. What if a guy was the reason?"