Kol

Chapter 24

Mom is sweeping up glass shards from what I think was a light bulb from my favorite lamp. "What the hell happened?!"

I had expected mom in the flat since I'd called her before boarding the plane, but the second I saw splintered wood and shattered glass on the floor, not to mention flipped cushions and a lack of my flat screen tv, I forgot to even properly greet my mother. 

"Mom...what..."

She leans the broom on the wall and walks over to me to give me a hug. "Oh, honey I'm so sorry. I only got here about 10 minutes ago and I saw the door slighlty ajar. I didn't realize your house had been hit too." I quickly returned her hug but questioned her quickly after again, "Hit by what? by who?" I'd obviously been robbed but mom made it seem like there was more to it. 

"There have been multiple thefts in the area, hon. My friend, Dani, remember her? Well her home was left like this too, thankfully she wasn't home either and they only took some jewelry."

I shook my head in disbelief "Jeez." I took a look around, trying to remember if I had anything valuable and taking mental notes of what was gone. "Well, I guess they needed a tv this time around. God, people are insane!"

"Sweetie, I'm sorry. But everything is replaceable, I'm damn glad you went on that trip with Ava. And don't worry, I called the Johnsons to check this place before I even came in. It's all clear." The Johnsons were the two hot twins in their mid 20's next door. They were all muscle but the bestest of neighbors and some of my closest friends apart from Ava and my college group. In some ways, they reminded me of Devon. They were the sweetest boys I'd met and mom even fell for their charm. She'd surely love Devon too. Would she like Kol? I couldn't imagine them meeting.

I sighed. Truthfully, I did not want to sleep here. "Right, thank you. Well, whatever. I guess I can just figure this out later. I think I'm gonna ask the boys if we can have a pity sleepover."

"You can come home too darling, you can sleep in the guest room." She offered. 

I didnt meet her eyes, picking up a magazine that'd been discarded on the floor. "That's okay. I'm too tired to even walk farther than next door," I yawned a real yawn. Suddenly I felt the exhaustion hit. 

Truthfully, I'd rather ask the boys for a favor than go back home and stare at the photos mom still has up. 

I don't mind them, mostly. But seeing them always makes me sad, and tonight I really can't handle more of that. But I would never tell her to take them down. I can tell they bring her peace, closure, or something like that. 

"Alright, hon."

"Baby Alice is back again!" Theo runs to tackle me to the ground. Theos the older twin, barely, of course. 

Noah rolls his eyes, "Pick her back up, idiot." He turns to me and smirks, "Miss us?" 

I wait until Theo helps me up to lightly smack Noah behind the head, "Always, grandpa."

They both frown at that. Now, I smirk. 

"You know what, I think you're sleeping on the couch tonight." Theo speaks. 

I drop my jaw, "Don't be so mean."

"You don't be so mean." Noah crosses his arms. 

"Fineeeee, I'll make it up to you by cooking breakfast in the morning...?" 

Theo moans, "Pleaaaase say omelets." I roll my eyes, "fine."

The Johns high five before Noah leads me to the guest room.