Down The Hall

Chapter Sixteen

The car ride home was nothing like it was on the way to the movie. All of us were talking about the movie, laughing at each other's jokes, and eating the last little bit of food we had left. It was nice to finally break down that imaginary wall and enjoy myself with the people I wanted to be with.

I opened the door for the twins to enter the house as Henry paused behind them at the entrance. I waved my hand forward into the house and said, "Ladies first." He flashed me a smile before exaggerating one step into the house and then the next. He then waited behind me as I closed the door and locked it, finally following me into the living room, where our parents sat on the couch.

Bradly and Kendall were cuddled up on one side of the couch, and my Dad was spread out on the other side comfortably until Ella and Eli jumped in the middle of him and their parents. He sat up quickly, grabbing the remote and pausing the movie. Henry's parents hugged the twins, pulling at their ears and tickling their stomachs.

Dad turned his head to look back at me, ready to say something, but was interrupted by Kendall, who was also now turned around.

"How was the movie?"

"It was good. But I think the food was even better," I laughed. "Thank you for paying."

"I bet it was," Kendall giggled before continuing, "and no need to thank us sweetie. As long as you guys had fun." She looked over to Henry who was now on the other side of the living room entrance, closer to the stairs. "Henry?"

Henry rested his shoulder against the archway, running his hand through his thick blonde hair. Something was different about the way he positioned himself. Different from the other times his parents would try to talk to him, and he would reply with footsteps or a closed door.

He turned his head to me and smiled, "I liked it."

I couldn't control my lips from turning up, along with the warm sensation of heat that formed from his words. Henry took note of this with his grin growing wider. Embarrassed, I scratched the top of my head and turned back to Kendall who was smiling ear to ear.

"I'm glad," she beamed, before turning back to the twins who were sprawled out on their parent's laps, their feet kicked up on my Dad's lap.

Dad's face was stern, even with the twin's joy dancing in the air that would make even the saddest person smile at least a little. He always found a way to ruin the mood of something if it wasn't originally about him. I move my eyes to the ground nervously awaiting his words.

He lets out a grumbly cough and starts, "Thank you for taking her, Henry."

I jerked up, surprised by his gratitude towards Henry.

Henry straightened up from off the wall and shook his head yes, "Any time."

Dad shook his head yes in return and turned back toward the TV. Quickly, while everyone was distracted, Henry looked over to me winking at the speed of light. I narrowed my eyes at him, confused at what he was implying. When he didn't answer, I mouthed "what," to which I still didn't get an answer.

Henry slapped the wall with his hand, gaining the parent's attention, and said, "Okay, I'm going."

"You aren't going anywhere, it's already 9," Bradly ordered.

"Bed."

I pushed my lips together swiftly so a laugh didn't escape. Henry getting an attitude with Bradly wasn't always the best thing to hear, but when he leaves Bradly speechless, I can't help myself. I brought my hand to my lips to cover them from Bradly's sight.

Henry's already on the stairs, making his way up when I speak.

"I'm gonna go to bed too."

"Goodnight, Lucy," Kendall said, playing with Ella's hair.