Non Verbal

51

Hi, this is short sorry! I will be back with another update later tonight i promise. 

Chapter 51 Lottie's POV

Rowan had come down a few minutes ago, giving me a warning look to say go away and I just tried really hard not to wink at him from across the room. I was standing beside his sister as he walked towards us. He looked cooler, less flustered and I kept his eye contact as he stepped up to the group. I then smugly stepped back with the intention of disappearing from his sight.

To be helpful, you know?

I looked around, trying to find mum, searching from each little group until I found her and dad separate from everyone else, just looking at the slightly odd vase that dad pointed out earlier.

I walked through people to get to them.

"Are you gonna buy it?" I joke, stepping up and looking too.

My dad nodded as my mum laughed and shook her head.

"Ivy." He complains. "We are."

"We don't need this." She whispers. "I think it's cool but we're being sensible with money."

He looks at me. "Do you think we should get it?"

I nod quickly.

My mum groans and I smile, turning to gain their attention. "Um..."

They look at me.

"Can Rowan come back to ours after this?"

My dad shrugs nonchalantly. "Sure, but he can't stay."

My mum and I look at each other, and then back at him, I think we were both shocked that he injected his opinion openly. Usually, Dad sorts of just raises an eyebrow and lets mum give her opinion and if he disagrees with her then he'll share what he thinks.

But they don't often disagree.

Or well they don't in front of me. I don't know.

"He can't stay." My mum says slowly, looking at dad. Agreeing. Then looking at me and nodding. "But of course he can come for dinner, are you hungry? When would you like to make a move?"

I shrug. "I am not sure if he's eaten. But I am hungry."

Okay so he can't stay.

But that's ok.

I really want to spend a little time with my parents and well Rowan won't mind if he has to go home instead of sleeping.

We're not that attached. We'll survive.

Plus next week we can stay at his.

I look between my parents then, and before I can think further into the outcome of my statement I say. "He can't stay... but you let me stay at his?"

My mother raises an eyebrow and my dad chuckles as if I have missed something.

"You have never asked us for permission to stay Lottie. You tell us you're staying at Scarlett's and then you let us know later that it was actually Rowan's."

My lips part, my eyes drifting across the room for him. He wasn't looking for me, he was stood in a small circle with Sutton's friends. I look back at my parents, smile sheepishly.

"You never er minded in the past...?"

"In the past." My dad hums. "Before you got hurt sweetheart. I think it's fair for us to worry about you still."

I look at mum, furrowing my eyebrows.

Because them changing their actions now will have zero impact on what happened in the past.