Roses and Flame

Chapter 10

When I got in I found both of my parents AND Daniela standing in our living room staring at me. Then my parents started to talk both at the same time.

"Where were you at this late hour? Just because you're 20 doesn't mean you can come late like this, young lady!" shouted my mother.

"Are you okay, honey? We were worried about you and your mother almost called the police because you weren't home yet and then Daniela came looking for you," said my dad.

That's how it typically goes - mom is the strict one and dad is kind of a soft one. Maybe that's one of the reasons why I got along better with my dad not my mom.

"Yes, I'm fine and I just came from London with the last bus," I said answering both of them.

Dad came to hug me while my mom was staring at me like I've grown two heads or something and then asked "Did you forget to bring an umbrella? Because you look like you caught the rain." Typical - she cares more about the appearance of our family's like "what will others think?" type of care rather than my wellbeing. I knew she loved me but she didn't show me as much as I would like and I was used to it by now.

"Wait," said Daniela, "did you say you just came from London? That means you spent there today even after I cancelled on you?"

Wow! She really thought I'd come straight home because she cancelled. I may have but I had an amazing day with Tyson. Tyson... I couldn't help but feel butterflies in my stomach when I thought about him. Then I realized that I didn't answer her questions and not only she but both of my parents were staring at me now, again.

"Yeah, I spent the day in London even when you cancelled and when I tried to call you it went straight to voice mail. I decided to enjoy myself and yes, mother, I didn't bring an umbrella with me and I didn't find some shelter soon enough so I got a bit wet," I said and then, "can everyone stop starring at me now? I'm home! I'm fine! And now, if you all don't mind I want to go to sleep."

"Yeah, okay, honey. See you in the morning!" said my dad leading my mom upstairs to their bedroom before she could say anything else.

Daniela was still standing in the middle of the room and before I reached the stairs said, "can we talk, please? I came here to find you because wanted to talk to you and I really thought you came home earlier." I was unsure if now was the right time to talk because I was really tired but then she said, "Please?"

She was still my best friend and I knew I couldn't really turn her down even if it led her to stay the night, she needed me so I said, "Okay, let's go upstairs to my room."