Empty Connections

Chapter Five

Thankfully after the argument between Phoebe and Rosie the rest of the night proceeded with thankfully no drama, that maybe be slightly attributed to the fact that Hugo, Cam and I were all delightfully buzzed by the time we decided we should go back in.

Both girls looked slightly embarrassed to have argued and driven us from the room, not that any of us were particularly mad about the whole situation, with all the drama surrounding their family life it only made sense for something to boil over the top.

Despite all of that it didn't stop any of us from having a good time and I must admit that it was one of the best Thanksgiving's I have ever had, I could finally understand what it is that most people love about the day. It isn't about honouring whatever bullshit it is supposed to highlight, even about eating a larger-than-life meal, most people just love it because it means they get to be together.

I would never encourage for minors to get drunk, I'm sure there are plenty of reasons as to why that rule is in place, brain development and cognitive function being two of the big ones. The apartment is a controlled environment though, something we can monitor and when Rosie cracked open a case of spirits it wasn't something any of us minded, when Phoebe was granted two bottles to savour.

I am almost certain that she snuck a third at some point during the night, Rosie who was all laughs and giggles ended up with her feet over the back of the couch and head hanging off the edge with her hands up as if she was on a rollercoaster.

Hugo had no issues with joining in on the fun, grabbing her feet and jolting her and swaying her body as to heighten whatever world she had fallen into, her laughter reverberated throughout the room and prompted Phoebe to join. Settling onto her sister's stomach she jolted Rosie's upper body around until I was sure one of them would be sick. 

Cam assured me that until one of them went green there was no reason to get up and spoil their fun. Clearly, he doesn't feel the same disdain for cleaning up vomit as I do, which I kindly reminded myself to keep in mind if such time came as one of them unloading onto the other on the lovely sofa I bought at the start of term.

It was second hand, something Mum had attempted to refurbish the teacher lounge with, but the principle wholeheartedly declined the attempt. Clearly stating that unless it was within the budget there would be no redecorating out of any teachers' pocket, Mum thinks it's ridiculous and I can see the irritation, not that anyone believes they're above the principal.

I said she should just throw it in her classroom or have the teachers all sign a petition if the couch was that important but alas, she just grumbled and complain without really moving on or accepting the situation. Dad was the one to convince her that rehoming the sofa would be a better idea than leaving it to catch dust in the garage.

He has a couple of the younger guys from the shop drive up here to drop it off, Claudia got quite the kick out of seeing two sweaty men moving heavy objects in and out of our apartment. It wouldn't quite be the adventurous Claudie I know if she didn't disappear with them for at least ten minute and return beaming, either she got lucky with a phone no. and some flirting. Or maybe just had a really nice chat with them before they left.

She winked at me when I quirked my eyebrow at her upon her return, not saying anything else about them and spending the rest of the evening laying happily on the couch they had brought in.

Thankfully no one vomited on the sofa, and I wouldn't have to break the news to a devastated Claudie, though Hugo, Phoebe and Rosie did pass out on it less than an hour after their wild ride at the theme park they went too.

To my surprise Cam spent little of the time around us partaking in the same activities as everyone else, which considering his personality was something I didn't anticipate. It seemed as if he was stuck in his own head for far longer than he would every usually show.