Before You Say Goodbye

25

The next morning as soon as I woke up, I somehow knew it was one of those days. I jumped out of the bed, running to the window, pushing it open. The moment the warm breeze touched my face, my lips pulled into a smile. I could hear a distant Robin call. God, don't I wish to hear them closer. It was almost winter and soon enough most of them will migrate. When they're all mostly gone, I'd have to wait till next year to hear them again.

Music filled the air, and my eyes traveled to the now-closed balcony door of Piper. I let my smile get a little wider. We've both always loved the warmer days. And considering it was almost November, they were a rarity. I heard laughter and two familiar voices from her bedroom. I knew the other voice belonged to Holland. For a moment, I felt grateful that Piper wasn't alone, that she always had Holland's shoulder to lean into. As much as I despise the girl, even I have to admit, she was a wonderful friend to Piper.

Speaking of a wonderful friend. I picked up my phone and texted Terry – asking her to pick me up from my home in about an hour. When she replied letting me know that she will, I grinned.

Standing on my toes, I stretched my body, relieving all the knots that had formed in my muscles due to all the weird ways I slept all night. I need to start practicing healthier positions to sleep in. Somehow sleeping on my stomach with legs both bent in different angles doesn't seem very healthy to me in the longer run.

I quickly cleaned myself up, giving up my pajamas for a pair of t-shirt and jeans. I had planned to spend the day at Terry's. I was also hoping I could finally let her know about Roman and how we have been friends – or whatever it was we were now. It was tiring keeping this a secret from her.

The moment I stepped out of my room, my eyes wandered over to the guest bedroom I had last seen Roman disappearing into. I had no idea if he was still there, but I wasn't going to go check.

I'd rather ask mom.

"Is he still here?" I asked, taking the spatula out of her hand and starting to stir the weird-looking broth she had in the pan.

"I think so?" she shrugged, "I didn't catch him sneaking out in the morning and I've been awake since five."

"What were you doing up so early?"

"I couldn't sleep, honey," she smiled, "So, I did some gardening."

"At five in the morning?"

"Hey, there is no fixed time to do gardening."

I chuckled, shaking my head at her. "Okay, weirdo."

"You calling me weird is just self-insulting, really," Chuckling, she pushed at my shoulder playfully, "Your nana says you take after me."

"We have already established Nana's crazy. Remember thanksgiving four years ago? She did that widely inappropriate demonstration with the turkey?"

"Oh, wow, I remember that," she laughed her bell-like laugh, "To tell you the truth though, she's way mellower than she used to be when I was a kid. It's a wonder I turned out normal."

"I just called you weird, so it's safe to say you're not normal."

"Hey, I'm a cool mom. You're the weird daughter."

"Speaking of you being a cool mom," I gave her a look, "Thank you for completely embarrassing me last night."

"How did I embarrass you?" she threw her hands up in frustration, "I allowed a boy to stay in our house. And I didn't even ask him why he fought with someone!" So, she too didn't buy the mugging part?

"I need to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind, Roman." I tried to mimic her as much as I can, "That wasn't cool, at all. The way you spoke to him was creepy."