Finding My Muse - Nicholas Galitzine

Chapter Sixteen: Family

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--Esmerelda's POV--

"Kylie they hate me now," I whisper as I hide in the kitchen, even though they can clearly see me from the living room.

She looks at her siblings sitting on the couch and smiles as she continues cutting up cheese cubes, "they don't hate you. Remember when they were in middle school. They thought you were the coolest," she says and I lean on the counter.

"That was then. Now they are judgmental teenagers. I don't know the trends these days. I've never felt so old," I whisper as she side-eyes me.

"Girl, we are 22. George is 17 and Annabelle is 15," she points out, "Go back in there and make conversation. Don't let children scare you in your own house. You have known them all your life basically," she says trying to hide the amusement in her voice. I steal a piece of cheese before walking in and handing George a soda.

"So, what's high school like?" I ask as they take their eyes off the TV. They both look at each other and smile trying not to laugh, "Is Kylie a good older sister cause living with her is a nightmare," I tell them.

Kylie yells from the kitchen offended as the front door opens, "What's cookin' good lookin'?" Harry asks sliding in. He throws his bag on the floor before turning to see we have company, "oh shit my bad," he says as we both laugh.

"You must be the boyfriend," George says eyeing him up. Kylie walks over with the charcuterie board giving her brother a look. Harry walks over and shakes his hand as Anna just waves.

"What are your intentions with my sister?" He asks after shoving a piece of cheese in his mouth. Very intimidating.

"Don't answer him. He feels tough without our dad around," Anna says sticking her tongue out at him. He flips her off as Harry looks at me for help. I put my hands in the air and walk back to the fridge to grab him a drink. He walks over and does a weird skip walk.

"I thought they weren't getting here till later," he says.

"Nope. They surprised us early," I say with a fake smile, "No, I love them but they are so grown now. Please tell me you're staying," I tell him.

"Looks like I am. Nick's being a loser and working on a new song or whatever," he says as I widen my eyes in shock, "What time are you leaving for winter break on Friday?" He asks.

I shake my head as he opens his beer, "I'm not going home. My parents are going on some cruise where it's summer year-round," I tell him.

"You can't be alone on Christmas," he says with a frown, "I'm flying back to Europe Thursday night. I could get you an invite," he says making me laugh.

"As much as I'd love to go to London. I'd rather not crash your family festivities. It will be fine. Kylie and I are celebrating before she leaves," I tell him, "it gives me time to catch up on homework," I point out.

"I know. I've tried to convince her to come home with us. She's stubborn. Always has been," Anna says taking Harry's beer out of his hand. Kylie yells at her from the couch and she hands it back with a frown. She trudges back to the couch mumbling something about how Kylie should be more fun.

"I think it's a music major thing," Kylie says as we walk back over, "I was talking to Nick in the elevator and he doesn't have plans either," she informs us.

"He's my roommate and I had no idea," Harry says looking at her confused.

"Now I'm contemplating going with you guys," I tease as they both glare at me.

"You guys literally slept together," Kylie says as the two younger guests look at me with wide eyes, "I mean slept next to each other. He's not that bad," she says as Anna looks intrigued.

"Spill everything," she says actually wanting to have a conversation with her "two loser older sisters" I was honored to be considered family but damn...Harsh.

"My roommate Nick is kind of an asshole but weirdly has a soft spot for her," Harry says as I shake my head.

"Absolutely not. This isn't some romcom. We hate each other but sometimes it's fun hanging out with him," I tell them.

"So why did you not sleep together but sleep together?" George asks with cracker crumbs on the side of his mouth. Kylie throws a napkin at him as Harry laughs.

"The apartment building has a blackout and he happened to stop by. He thought they were here and then he stayed when I offered him dino nuggets," I tell them.

"All I'm hearing is dino nuggets lead to sex," Anna says making Kylie widen her eyes as she tries not to laugh.

"No. I'm a virgin," I lie, "Okay fine. But we haven't even kissed," I lie again as the older people in the room side-eye each other.

"You guys suck at lying," George says, "Why not invite him over? We can give our opinion on if he's in love with you or whatever," he says as I shake my head. Harry goes to take his phone out but I smack it from his hands.

"Tonight is a night of peace. Let's change the subject," I tell them as we all look at each other, "How about we talk about that crush George mentioned earlier?" I tease making the boy blush. I missed her family. They should visit more. It's chaotic but in a good way.