Mismatched Socks

Renée - Chapter 29: Black & White

I step from the bus and adjust my backpack and pull my suitcase behind me. I breathe in the London air I missed for five years. My feet find their way to my father's house. My family has offered me multiple times to pick me up at the airport, but I refused. I wanted to experience being in London again, get used to the different noises again. Officially I am Dr Renée Marie Moons, PhD. I smile and ring the doorbell.

The door to the cozy house opens and my father greets me by opening his arms so he can hug me. 'Papa,' I say happily and hug him. Soon a lot of arms start hugging me. I look up and see my brother and sister hug, James and Colin. Parker, Kai and Marc just look at us smiling. Once my family lets me go I hug my other family. The three bandmembers laugh and hug me back.

As I let my friends go, I look around. 'What's with the party decorations?' They start laughing. 'We wanted to celebrate you coming home,' my father says and guides me to the kitchen and dining table where there's a big cake waiting for me. Congratulations Dr Renée. I laugh and few tears escape my eyes. 'Thanks.' Mathieu takes my suitcase and backpack and puts it aside. James puts on some music and my father cuts the cake – I am a terrible cake cutter.

It's so weird how fast time goes by. Marc and Gladys are getting married tomorrow, Parker and Arthur are living together, Kai and Elise are moving in together after Marc's wedding, Matt and James bought a house together and started their own architectural business, Juliette is finding herself and dating someone who treats her better than Patrick and I can't wait to meet him, father is finally happy.

The only person I can't reflect on is Sophia. She unfollowed me on Instagram so fast, but I never did. I hold the bead of the necklace Sophia gave me and play with it. My promise was to never take it off. James said I am not over her, and that's probably true. Marc interrupts my thinking by offering me a piece of cake. 'Thanks,' I say and smile at him.

Marc gently takes my arm and pulls me aside from the small party. 'Do you know my cousin Valerie? She went to university with you and Colin.' Once I can picture the blonde girl in my head, I start nodding. 'Well, she is coming to my wedding and bringing a plus one.' Marc has a pained expression on his face. 'What's your point?' I ask as kind as possible. That question can often sound rude. 'Sophia is her plus one, apparently they have been kind off dating,' Marc says.

For a moment the world seems to pause. Eventually I shrug my shoulders. 'Good for her,' I say and start eating my cake. Marc gives me a sad smile before joining the rest again. Colin looks at me and smiles coming my way. He takes his finger and wipes a little frosting of his cake. I know what he's going to do. 'No!' I exclaim laughing and try to avoid his finger, but am unsuccessful as I am leaning against the wall. Colin wipes his finger on to my nose. We both laugh.

I have known Colin my whole life, but these last few years, he seems much happier. Elton is to thank for that. I am sad I couldn't see their relationship blossom and bloom. Colin takes a napkin and wipes the frosting of my nose. 'What's wrong?' he asks and wipes some hairs out of my face. I want to tell him how much I missed, how I feel like a stranger in my own house, how it feels like time stood still for me but everyone seems to be fast forwarded into the future. But instead I say: 'I am tired.'

Later that night I get ready for bed. I plug in my phone and turn on my light strings. My father gently knocks on my door that's still open. 'Hey,' I say. 'Good night.' He smiles friendly at me. 'Papa?' I ask as he turns around. My father looks at me and nods. 'When can I meet the woman you love?' I ask. My father giggles. 'Whenever you want, she's really excited to meet you.' I nod and my father leaves my room, closing the door behind him.

I take a another look at the songs the band and I are playing at the wedding tomorrow. Marc insisted that I would play the bass. I am really nervous, I haven't really played anymore. As I take deep breath, I text my friends.