I don't want to be your friend anymore

Exhibit E - Thanksgiving Throwback

A couple of months ago...

"Hello! Come in!" Layla, Eli's mother, welcomed the group.

Thanksgiving. The good food holiday. Family (and friends) time. It was here.

Eli invited River, Nadia, Payton, Jessica and David to spend the afternoon and evening with his parents. He didn't know the group very well but they were growing closer by the day, so he decided to bring them along. Jason always went over to their house, food containers and sleeping bag and all, but this year, he had told Eli his grandmother wasn't doing so well, which prompted Jason and his family to stay behind and be with her.

It was now around 2 pm and the 6 students had just arrived at Eli's parents' house.

"Hi!" they all said in unison as they walked into the place.

"Hey, Ma" Eli greeted his mother, hugged her and pecked the top of her head. "Where's dad?"

"I asked him to go to the store to get some drinks" Layla said.

Eli introduced his friends to his mother, giving her their names. She immediately took a liking to River, who made sure to flatter her by commenting on how beautiful and shiny her hair was, as well as showering her with endless compliments. Nadia and Payton were now Layla's favourite nieces and David... well, David was just David. And then, there was Jessica. Eli didn't know why his mother instantly engulfed her in a comforting hug but it did make his heart do a couple of flips.

He was watching the 2 women exchanging words and he was sure he was smiling like an idiot, so immersed in the sight of Jessica that he didn't notice his father walk in behind him, he just felt a hand smack the back of his head.

"Stop drooling all over my floor, I just mopped it last night" his dad, Mitchell, mumbled.

Everyone's gaze fell on the 2 men. Eli forgot how to act because, in fact, he was most definitely salivating. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head, gulped and smiled.

"Erm.. guys, this is my dad" he said.

"As unbelievable as it may sound" Mitchell mumbled again and winked at the group. "I'm Mitch!"

They all introduced themselves and got on with the day. It wasn't the initial plan to either help Layla cook, help Mitchell set the table or even karaoke to a random playlist booming on some speakers but it entertained the 8 of them for, at least, 5 hours.

Oh baby, show me
Show me something
Tomorrow I might be hungover
But that don't mean nothing

Mitchell sang along to Kid Ink and Chris Brown's 'Show Me', dancing for Layla, Nadia and Jessica, who were in the kitchen getting dinner ready. Then, he smacked his wife's ass and quickly ran out of there, not waiting to be knocked out with a random utensil.

Jessica and Nadia giggled at Layla's scowling face. After seeing his father run out of the kitchen, Eli made his way over.

"You ladies need any help?" he asked. Immediately, Jessica and Nadia quirked a brow up and looked at him.

"I think we got it" Nadia said. Eli furrowed his brows and crossed his arms.

"I can cook, you know..." he mumbled. His mother chuckled, continuing to chop up some vegetables.

"Fortunately for you" Layla mumbled back.

Eli noticed Jessica smiling in his direction and anything else anybody said after that was muted out. She was wearing a short sleeved grey top and light blue jeans that went with her black boots and jacket. She also had on an apron and her hair was styled in two french braids.