A Neighbouring Romance

25 - thanksgiving

Hi my loves,

So sorry, I've had a ton of exams and I was just procrastinating  ahhhh also I shouldn't be telling you this at all but I started Aaliyah's book and I got a bit too carried away with that (but shhhh, we're not releasing that for a while, yet) and anyways I hope you're all doing well, I love youuu <3

If you want some more insight into my life, give me a follow on insta @mxdnight.png

Love u lots,

M

chapter 25

"We're doing Thanksgiving with the Anderson's this year." Dad says as we shop for the numerous lists that mom gave us. I pause in my tracks, mouth parting as I turn to him incredulously.

My maternal grandparents are the first to arrive, and I'm glad to see my grandad starts drinking almost immediately as I roll my eyes.

I love him, but drinking makes him so insensitive. I remember once Aaliyah called by at Christmas to give me a present and he'd made the most obscene comment under his breath, we all ignored him until he apologized profusely.

Not that he's changed, I doubt being in front of a television all day does him much good.

I stay upstairs in my bedroom after greeting them. Mom doesn't question it, and dad helps me sneak away.

The urge to text my friends is strong as I lay in bed, but the groupchat has been dormant since my fight with Camila and Aaliyah, even the one with everyone in. Tyler left the day we broke up, and nobody has spoken since then.

I have to make amends; I know I do.

Then why do I feel so disheartened?

My heart is racing, chest tightening as I calm my breaths down. I can do it, calm myself down and relax.

My trembling fingers say otherwise. I pull out my phone and stare at it when the doorbell rings. It keeps ringing and I figure everyone has gathered in the other room.

Dammit.

I rush down the stairs, heart pounding as I swing the door open.

Our eyes lock first. They always somehow find a way to.

Brown. Green.

I tell myself I won't stare, and my eyes unconsciously lower, stopping at the torso as my breath catches.

He's holding flowers and my heart hammers in my chest as though I'm some kind of princess in regent England and he's the suitor of my dreams.

I couldn't be any further.

I'm just about to mutter out a thank you when Noah's eyes move away from mine to someone behind me.

"These are for you, Jo." A smile graces his perfectly boyish features as my mom takes them before laughing and ushering everyone in.

"Hope?" She calls to me and I catch her eyeline. "Here, find a vase?"

I jump at the opportunity to disappear as Amanda greets me, I just know that she'll make Noah and I talk and frankly, I might just die. My chest tightens at the thought.

His lips on mine. Again. Again. Again?

I rummage around in the cabinets for a vase and settle on a bright orange one to compliment the white lilies in a bouquet. I absentmindedly wonder if Noah picked them out, they are- were my favorite flower.

I'm interrupted when someone calls my name and I turn to see Uncle Calvin at the door to the kitchen.

"Oh my God!" I yelp, immediately rushing over to give him a hug. "How's Paris? Is it like the movies?"