The London Paradigm (book 4 of Adopted by the Josephs)

27. Samantha

Jill and I squealed when I got out of the car. I was so happy to see her.

"I missed you!!" Jill said as we went into her house.

"I missed you, too," I said. I pulled out the t-shirt and the few other souvenirs I'd bought for her from my bag.

"Thanks!" Jill said, as she opened the bag.

"I also got your brother a soccer shirt. And I got your mom a teapot because it was cute."

Jill led me into the kitchen where her mom was making lunch.

"Hi, Sam!" she said as I came into the kitchen. "Welcome home! How was England?"

"It was a lot of fun," I said. "But I'm glad to be home."

"I bet," Erin smiled at me.

I went back into my backpack and pulled out the teapot and gave it to Erin. She collects them, which was another reason I got it.

"I found this in a little shop in Dover, and I thought you'd like it," I said, putting it on the counter.

"Thank you!" Erin said opening it and marvelling over the artwork. She gave me a hug.

"I also brought Kyle a shirt and one for Philip," I said, putting them on the counter. Jill's parents had insisted I call them by their first names. I found it a bit weird, but if they said it was okay, then I guess it's okay.

My parents told Jill to call them by their first names, too. So....

Jill and I then went outside to sit by the pool. I was already in my bathing suit, so I pulled off my shorts and t-shirt and sat beside Jill in the sun.

"I was so sad you stayed an extra week," Jill said.

"Not gonna lie, it was nice to stay that extra week, but I'm glad I'm home now."

"What was that about anyway? Your parents said there was a festival your aunt and uncle wanted to take you to, so you were staying."

"It's weird. Because Uncle Mark told me Mom and Dad were going to California for a week for business for Dad. But when I got home, they told me they didn't go to California and that Uncle Mark told them they wanted me to see this festival. But there wasn't a festival."

"Weird," Jill said.

"I know, right? No clue what that was about. But, I'm home. So, yay!"

"Yay!" Jill said, hugging me.

We talked about getting together to go back to school shopping. Which I just had to check with Mom and Dad about.

"Do you want to stay for supper?" Erin asked as she brought out a platter of sandwiches and some iced tea. She handed me a cold bottle of sugar free iced tea.

"There's more in the fridge if you want," she said.

"Thanks, Erin," I smiled at her. "And I'd love to. I just have to text Mom and Dad and let them know."

I pulled out my phone and texted Dad's phone asking to be picked up at eight.

He didn't respond right away, but that's okay. He might have been in his office or his studio or swimming with Mom and Rosie.

"I asked my dad to pick me up at eight," I said to Jill. She smiled at me.

We ate our sandwiches, and relaxed a little longer before we decided to swim. I unhooked my pump, and jumped in.

"It's cold!" I said.

"My dad turned down the heater because it's been so hot out," Jill said.

"It's refreshing, but cold," I laughed.

We spent the afternoon swimming and floating on pool floaties, lying around, talking and discussing how excited and nervous we were about high school.

I told Jill about Uncle Mark and Carol going on about Saint Sebastian's in England and how they seemed to really want me to stay and go there.

"I'm glad you didn't!" Jill said. "Who would I face the first day of school with?"

"Blaine and Morgan?" I asked.

"Well, yeah. But it wouldn't be the same without you," she reasoned.

"Agreed," I said. "The only people I'd know at Saint Sebastian's would be my cousin and two girls I met while I was there. And as nice as they are, I still don't really know them."

"You made new friends?" Jill asked, pretending to be hurt.

"Yep. The best friends ever," I joked back.

"Wow, Joseph," Jill said in mock anger. "I didn't realize I was so easily replaceable."

"Oh Jill," I said. "You're irreplaceable. It's just that I could easily be friends with them instead."

"That's the same thing!" Jill said, splashing me with water.

I splashed her back and pretty soon we were having an all out water fight in the pool.

When we were finally splashed out, we got out of the pool and sat in the sun.

I was so happy to be home and I'd really missed Jill.

I checked my phone and Dad had texted back 'Fine'.

Around six, Erin called us in for dinner. Jill and I helped make salads while Philip barbecues hamburgers.

Kyle was wearing the shirt I got him and thanked me for it.

Dinner was fun. They asked about my trip and my cousins and aunt and uncle. I told them about Paris and our week at the seaside.

Once dinner was done, we helped clean up and then it was nearly eight, so I got my stuff together and waited for Dad.

Just after eight the doorbell rang and Erin opened it. Mom was at the door.

I grabbed my stuff, thanked Erin and Philip for dinner and hugged Jill goodbye. I followed Mom out to the car.

"I thought Dad was coming," I said. "Not that I'm complaining that you came instead."

"Nice save," Mom smiled. "Dad's busy with something and Rosie's already in bed. So I came. Did you have a nice time?"

"Yep," I said. "Much fun was had."

"Jill must have been happy to see you," Mom smiled.

"Yeah. And I was happy to see her. We want to go back to school shopping together."

I saw Mom smile.

"We'll figure something out."