Vivi

Chapter 30

Ivy

Life has become normal again. I'm used to seeing Dean's keys on the counter, boots by the door, and socks on the bathroom floor. It's almost as if those many months I spent living with Malia never happened. As if I went straight from my dorm to Dean's. And if it wasn't for the waves of confusion and odd pressure I feel whenever I think about my best friend's cousin, I could pretend those months didn't happen.

Malia and I meet up at least three times a week, but never at her house. I'm still confused about River and don't want to see him until I've sorted out my messy feelings. I don't even know what I want yet; I would have nothing to say.

As for my brother and I, we've returned to normal. Except, now Dean is making a visible effort to stop his over protective tendency's. Truthfully, I think this whole moving in with him thing is exactly what we needed to break this horrid habit of his. Now, he knows I'm safe while adjusting to not knowing what I'm doing while I'm out. Eventually, I will move out and he'll have to adjust to that change as well. Then he should be normal. Baby steps.

"I just got off the phone with Lily, she said that Reina and Roman are glowing. Sun kissed to perfection," my mom informs me while on speaker phone.

"And probably not a tan line in sight," Dean mutters, but mom hears. She makes a disapproving noise before I jump in.

"He's referring to the private island, mom. You have such a dirty mind," I accuse and Dean laughs quietly.

"Hmm," she hums in disbelief.

"Malia said she's jealous and that we need to go on a vacation soon," I get back on the topic of Roman and Reina returning from their honeymoon. Their abnormally long honeymoon.

The fact that Roman was only able to take off from work for so long because River took on his responsibilities sits in the back of my mind, unworried, every time this honeymoon is brought up. I imagine the fact as an uptight woman who refuses to move from her spot, no matter how much I try to shoo her away. Her legs are crossed and she's got a tight bun holding her hair hostage. I hate that bitch.

"I hear that. Lily mentioned that Roman's work seemed to be taking a toll on River though, so I guess it's good he's back," she mentions carelessly and my eyes widen. I feel Dean stare at me, but I ignore it.

"What do you mean?" I keep my tone flat, no need to involve mom. She'll be worried that I'll get myself killed.

"She said he's been visibly tired and just down in the dumps. Roman has so many responsibilities and River isn't as familiar with it all," my mom continues to talk, but I zone out.

Her voice becomes muffled and Dean's stare seems unimportant as a thought pops into my head. What if his mood isn't about the work?

I snap out of it.

"Sorry to cut you off, mom, but I'm heading to Carmen's in a few."

"Tell her I said hi."

"I will," I answer as I hand Dean's phone back to him.

I'm forced to meet his eyes and he's looking at me intensely, like he expects me to run out of the door with my I hate seeing you suffer, River t-shirt in hand. I give him a look that suggests he's being ridiculous before telling my mom that I love her and leaving.

Apparently, Carmen has something very important to share. So important that she couldn't tell me over the phone or in public. I'm headed to her dorm, which is pretty nice for a dorm, in my opinion. She shares her living space and a bathroom with three other girls, but she has her own room. More than most people can say about their dorms.