• Rose In The Dark • (GxG)

Chapter Nine

Milan

Spending days off with my sister has yet to become dull over the last near decade we've spent together. When moving in with her right after graduating, I'd always look forward to that quality time she and I would have at some point during the week. It was always a mini escape from whatever chaos we had going on in our individual lives.

And now that she's getting married, and likely about to start a family of her own, I know for a fact I'm going to miss those days dearly. I'm going to miss all the times we had together, and the ones with Ramzi too.

Sometimes growing older can be so bittersweet...

I'd been with Octavia since this morning after seeing Noah off to work. She came by just over an hour after my girlfriend left, and by then I was dressed and ready to go for the day.

She and I had accidently matched, which I thought funny since we could no longer tell the other to go change given that we don't live together anymore. It was simple fitted American Eagle jeans with a sleek white bodysuit with a subtle yet classy open back. She sported silver jewelry while I wore gold, then she had on platform sandals whereas I decided to go with navy blue and white sneakers. And just for the sake of her eye roll at our matching, I threw on one of Noah's oversized monochrome flannels so that we didn't look too much alike.

We'd gone out for a late breakfast to catch up and chat about what all we'd be getting done today. It was the first day of many for her bridal hunt, and I offered to help as much as I could, as well as Noah.

"I can't believe she ratted it out," Via chuckled and shook her head while drawing the straw to her lips. "Poor Noah."

I made a face, sitting across from her in the eye chairs by the restaurant windows. "Poor Noah?? What about me- she had me thinking I was about to get dumped soon."

"Oh please-" she flapped a hand, giving a dramatic eye roll. "Noah adores you, there's no doubting that."

"I don't know, I thought maybe she changed her mind about getting married again.... Sometimes people just wake up one day and their whole perspective on who they are and what they want just changes..."

With that, my sister expelled a softened look with a tilt in her head. "You can't think like that Lani, not everyone's like the nutjobs you dated in the past- and especially not Noah."

"For your information, it was only one nutjob," I mumbled as my lips curled to suppress laughter. Via then blinked at me with sass.

"You sure about that? 'Cause that first girlfriend was a narcissistic little shit, and somehow Chloe managed to make her look like child's play." I rolled my eyes as she crossed her arms with a knowing smirk. "I have no idea how you didn't see the signs any sooner."

"It's called being young and dumb darling," I shrugged a shoulder while mirroring her stance. "Definitely wouldn't recommend it-"

Via laughed. "Oh I bet you wouldn't. And tell me this, any idea why Mom has been on my case lately about this wedding-" I laughed, shaking my head. "I mean she's asking questions that I don't even have the answer to like she's the one getting married or something."

"Well Via, you know Amma," I gestured my hand, shrugging. "She gets like that about stuff like this, I'm just glad it's you for once and not me."

"Oh yeah," my sister chuckled knowingly. "I remember how she used to get about your competitions and all I could think was I'm so glad I chose to played the cello."

"Shut up," I snickered as she smiled.

"I mean I know she means well but jeez, can Ramzi be under the microscope for once? He's nearly a hippie- traveling around with that girlfriend of his with not a care in the world. Amma would've had a fit if that were me or you."