𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝

Chapter 8 - Call Sessions

"I want to be good. I can't bear the idea of my soul being hideous."

― Oscar Wilde

Alice

    The next twenty-four hours pass in a blur. After eating dinner, it was time to get the party ready. Vanya and Elizabeth had bought everything already and just needed to get everything in place, so we were each assigned a role. Personally, I had to get the food ready, and then prepare the drinks - Juliette told me that I would be in charge of the mini-bar, even though it would only serve juice. Truly, I would've done anything she asked of me, only to make her happy. This party was a celebration, and I loved my cousin so much I would do anything for her.

    So I get in the kitchen with Elizabeth and, together, we cook and bake for the rest of the afternoon. Memories come back to me of us baking with Vanya when I was still little, with my mother laughing with my aunt in the living room while my dad and uncle were talking secretly outside, the smell of baked cookies impregnating the house.

    These moments used to be my favorites, and still are today ; the joy of an October afternoon spent indoors with family is unparalleled, at least for me. As the golden sun lazily filters through the curtains, casting a warm, amber glow across the room, there's an undeniable sense of contentment that permeates the air. The faint scent of cinnamon and apple wafts from the kitchen, where a homemade pie or whatever bakes to perfection, filling the house with an irresistible aroma, one that only could result from Elizabeth's unrivaled cooking.

Outside, the leaves, painted in shades of crimson and gold, gently rustle in the crisp breeze, creating a soothing melody that harmonizes with the laughter and chatter of my family. For me, this place is a cozy haven, surrounded by the ones I hold dear, and whenever I am here, there's an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and happiness, a sense that time slows down, allowing me to savor each moment where we're together. The soft embrace of a blanket, the taste of hot cider, and the shared stories and smiles create an atmosphere of pure bliss.

    At least, it was like that before the accident. Now, things were different, and even though I knew they would never be the same anymore, I'd still promised myself to try to make it memorable for us. Not having our parents didn't mean we couldn't enjoy our moments anymore. Yes, there wouldn't be cozy days as we remembered them, but we could create new memories.

    So I made sure the atmosphere for this party was perfect, so that Juliette would forget all of our problems, how we lost what we had ; so she would smile.

    In about four hours, we had cooked so many things we could've fed an army ; apple and walnut salad, herb-roasted chicken, cranberry glazed turkey, baked acorn squash, and pear and gorgonzola flatbread were all adorning the table that Vanya and Alexander had set up, accompanied by many drinks and sweets. If there was one thing to be said, it was that we could be sure that people wouldn't starve.

    For the decoration, I had to say Juliette, who had insisted on taking care of it, had done an incredible job. In the cozy embrace of our quaint townhouse, a magical transformation had taken place, turning it into an enchanting realm. Strings of golden fairy lights, twinkling like stars, adorned the walls, casting a soft, warm glow reminiscent of autumn's fading sunlight. The table was dressed in rustic elegance, adorned with deep burgundy tablecloths and strewn with dried leaves, acorns, and pinecones, invoking the spirit of our favorite season. Delicate fairy figurines, their wings dusted with shimmering gold, were carefully placed among the rich tapestry of fallen foliage, creating an ethereal atmosphere. Everything in this place reminded me of Juliette, she had perfectly reproduced her Pinterest board, which I was jealous of - but don't tell her that.