AFL Story | Nick Daicos

59

The highly anticipated evening with my cousins had finally arrived. I carefully chose an outfit, feeling a blend of excitement and nostalgia. Our cousin gatherings were always full of laughter and shared memories, and this one promised to be no different.

The chosen restaurant exuded a warm and inviting atmosphere. I arrived early to secure a table by the window, allowing us to enjoy the sparkling city lights as we caught up. I was never early to these occasions, but the girls forced me to be there first by giving me the wrong time. As Madelyn, Leilea, Keilani, and Olivia entered one by one, their greetings and hugs enveloped me in a comforting sense of family.

"Madison, it feels like ages!" Madelyn's enthusiasm was infectious as she embraced me tightly.

Leilea and Olivia's warm greetings followed suit, and I felt a rush of affection for my cousins. But when Keilani walked in, there was a subtle tension in the air. Her usually bright eyes held a hint of mischief, leaving me curious and slightly apprehensive.

As we settled at the table, the conversations flowed effortlessly. We laughed about old times, shared updates on our lives, and indulged in the joy of being together. The menu was placed before us, and we eagerly discussed our meal choices.

Then, with a coy smile, Keilani broke the flow, urgently saying the words, "So, Madison, how's the Nick Daicos situation? Heard he's got quite the charm."

My heart skipped a beat, and a mixture of surprise and confusion swept over me. Keilani's words held an unexpected edge, and it was clear she was building up to something. "Um, Nick and I are doing well. We've been spending time together."  

Leilea intervened, looking at Keilani weirdly. "Lani, let Madison have her privacy. She doesn't need to spill all the details."

Keilani leaned forward, a hint of challenge in her eyes. "Privacy? Madison, we're family. Secrets don't last long with us."

The tension in the air was palpable, and I could feel frustration building within me. "Keilani, there's a difference between sharing and prying."

Keilani's playful demeanor shifted, and her eyes bore into mine. "Oh, come on, Madison. We're just having some fun. No need to get all defensive, so classic of you. You were always like this"

"Keilani what the fuck are you saying right now?" Madelyn was basically telling her to shut up.

My patience waned, and a fire ignited within me. "This isn't fun, Lani. Nick and I are dating, so could you let us have our space without turning it into a spectacle?"

Truth was, no one wanted to invite Keilani. Liv's mum told us it'd be better if we did something with her. Keilani organised this, and there was so getting out of it. 

A charged silence hung over the table, the tension tangible. Keilani's surprise was evident, and I held her gaze unflinchingly. "Yeah, Keilani. Seriously. So, let's move on and actually enjoy this evening."

"You and Nick, huh?" Keilani nodded. Leilea then burst out into laughter. "Oh my god her face is so funny!" She broke out in between laughs. "Sorry, oh my gosh" Leilea used her hands as a fan for her face. 

"So what?" I looked at her weirdly. "You know that you belonged to Charles. You could've let me had Nick, but no. You just always keep things for yourself, Mads" Keilani looked at me. "You all do, always leaving me out" She pushed her chair and walked off. 

"That's why no one fricken invites her" Olivia stammered. Keilani's persistent questioning had ignited a fiery clash that left the atmosphere charged with tension. Her sudden exit from the table, her expression a mix of frustration and surprise, left a stunned silence in her wake. It was as if the room exhaled a collective breath it had been holding.

For a moment, I felt a mixture of guilt and regret. I hadn't intended for our cousin's night out to turn into a battlefield, but my feisty response had certainly set things on edge. The weight of Keilani's absence hung over us, but slowly, the mood began to shift.

As the night progressed, we found ourselves easing into a rhythm of laughter, shared stories, and genuine connection. The tension that Keilani's probing had created seemed to dissipate with every passing moment, replaced by the warmth of family bonds that had weathered much over the years.

We talked about everything from our childhood antics to our current endeavors, and there was a sense of unity among us that felt even stronger in Keilani's absence. We enjoyed the delicious food, relished the company, and marveled at the view from our window seats.

Without Keilani's intrusive questions, the conversation flowed more freely. Olivia shared her recent travel adventures, Leilea delved into her latest projects, and Madelyn recounted her hilarious misadventures at work. As we swapped tales, I couldn't help but feel a renewed appreciation for these moments of togetherness.

As the night drew to a close, we lingered at the table, lost in conversation that ranged from nostalgic memories to dreams for the future. And in that shared space, I realized that the absence of one member hadn't tainted the evening—it had, in fact, allowed the rest of us to connect on a deeper level.

Leilea leaned over and whispered, "You know, maybe Keilani's exit was a blessing in disguise. We've had an amazing time without the drama."

I nodded, a genuine smile tugging at my lips. "You're right. It's been great just being ourselves."

Madelyn chimed in, her eyes twinkling. "Honestly, I don't think we've missed her presence tonight."

Olivia nodded in agreement, and we shared a moment of shared understanding. The truth was, Keilani's absence had given us the freedom to fully immerse ourselves in the magic of the evening, without any distractions or prying questions.

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hey guys

i lit struggled to type for some rzn idk but i hope u enjoyed this chapterrr 

hag1