Influence (GirlXGirl)

Chapter 18: The Reunion

(TRIGGER WARNING: ABUSE PAST)
"How are they going to react when they see me?" I asked nervously at my dad.

I keep fidgeting with my fingers on the road till we reach uncle Hunter's house. He might have a massive place, but he's always stayed humble, and he always helped my dad when I was outside Utah.

"Don't think about it too much," my dad spoke.

"I can't stop thinking about it. I promised to them that I'll be back."

"They'll forgive you," my dad reassures me, "I mean, they're just kids. Just say that you were busy all year."

"Yeah most of them are kids. But there's also Brooklyn dad. She's the same age as mine," I mentioned.

Brooklyn is Uncle Maxwell's daughter, the same age as mine. She's like a best friend to mine. She's also as bad as I am, that's why we always played together when we were young. We always tried to prank our grandpa while he was sleeping but too bad he passed away with grandma before we started high school.

"She missed you," he said as he stepped out of the car, "well, she's a bit pissed off."

I hitched a sharp breath. I can already imagine her death glare looking at me. Other than meeting the kids and my aunts and uncles, I will be greeted by a demon who will kill me.

I stepped out of the car and followed my dad as he opened the door, "Hey guys! Look who's here," he announced.

I followed my dad to the living room, and he stepped to the side so everyone could see me. I glance at my dad and give him a "really" look.

He just shrugged.

"Holy shit," as my uncle Max spoke as my uncle Hunter also said, "well, I'll be damn."

"Cathleen!" Three kids ran to me as they tackled a hug. Rosie, Owen, and Theo. Of course, I still remember their names. I was only gone for a year.

"H- hey guys," I cackled a laugh, "wow! You guys are getting bigger, aren't you?"

I heard footsteps coming from the kitchen. I don't know who it is, but it made my heart beat faster.

"Why are you calling Cathleen's name? She's dead to me-" The familiar brunette stiffened, and her smile faded as she locked her blue eyes to me.

What would you do when you finally meet your cousin after a year? Hug them? Say you missed them? As I said, Brooklyn's nature is the same as mine. So instead of hugging me, she stomped her feet towards me and flew her fist to my stomach as I grunted at the pain, "it's about time you showed up," she spoke.

"Brooklyn! Don't do that!" Rosie exclaimed as she hit her sister with her lollipop.

"Good to see you too, Brooklyn," I greeted as I rubbed my stomach.

"Please, don't mind my sister, have this!" Rosie gave me a lollipop, and it reminds me of Stephanie's idea of alternative ways to smoke.

"Thank you, you know you're my favourite than your evil sister," I said, smirking.

I teased her, but Brooklyn's death glare isn't fading. I understand the feeling of getting betrayed by my lies. I promised her that I'd meet her last year, but I didn't. She has the right to be mad at me.

I walked up to her and hugged her, "Hey Brook."

"I fucking hate you," she mumbled, making me laugh.

"I missed you too," I spoke, ignoring her frustration.

"Your uncle didn't get any hug whatsoever?" My uncle Max opened his arm, waiting for my hug. But instead of just hugging uncle Max, I pulled uncle Hunter to hug both of them simultaneously.