Teach Me (18+)

Chapter Twenty Seven

Gianna's Point Of View

The cafe smelt just as I remembered. The sweet scent of pancakes and freshly brewed coffee flooded through my nose. Everything was the exact same, the same checkered flooring, olive green walls, and wooden tables.

It was as if I hadn't left. The only difference is that she was here.

And she wasn't who I left seven years ago.

"You're all grown up now," I said sadly, watching my little sister pick up her iced coffee.

"Stop saying that," she laughed. I had probably said that twenty times since I picked her up from her friend's house, but I am so amazed at the young woman she has become.

It was as if I was sitting with the teenage version of myself. She was a complete copy and paste, not to mention how she carried herself.

I was so proud of her and how she grew up.

I just wish I was there to see it.

"Well, you're so big," I exclaimed, which caused her to laugh. "When I left, you were still playing with dolls."

"You're making it seem like I'm so old," she said between laughs.

I smiled hard, "you are!" My voice echoed around us.

"Gia, pleaseeee," she giggled.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I laughed, "I'm just so proud of you," I admitted to her, watching her dark eyes sparkle under the warm lights.

"Thank you, Gia. That means so much coming from you," she said softly.

"I've really missed you."

My smile only grew harder, "I've really missed you too, Lanie," I told her, admiring her in awe.

"Mom and Dad have been telling everyone horrible stories about you, rather than telling the truth-" she sighed, "-that they fucked up as parents and disowned their daughter."

"Lanie, it's fine, sweetheart, really," I sighed. But she only shook her head. "It's not fine, and you are not fine." Her words rang through my ears, and it was like my brain kept repeating them.

We fell into a comfortable silence as we ate our breakfast. Once our plates were cleared, we talked about nearly everything, and she showed me her homecoming pictures.

"His name is Jordan, and we've been together since our sophomore year," she said, scrolling through more pictures of her and her boyfriend.

I smiled at the large smile that grew across her face. I was so happy my baby sister was happy. The thought of me missing out on her life always weighed down on me, but seeing how happy and smart she was just made my heart grow full.

"You guys are adorable," I told her as I looked at more pictures.

"Are you seeing anyone?" she asked, closing her phone. My cheeks heated up instantly, and I looked away from her, forcing her to fall into squeals.

"Gia!!! You're blushing!! Spill right now," she pleaded.

"Okayy, her name is Eden and I'm her nieces teacher. We haven't been together for long, and we aren't official or anything, but she's just-"

I cut myself off, feeling lost for words—not because they weren't there, but because there were so many to describe her.

"She's just amazing and so patient," I admitted, smiling so big. "It's just so different."

"Aww, Gia, I'm so happy for you," she smiled. "You should definitely ask her out if you like her so much."

"I thought about it, but... I'm scared," I said, looking away from her.