No Heroes Left Behind (Book 1)

Chapter Seventeen: Time For The Main Course

"Hold still!" My mom shouts at me as I squirm as she tugs on my hair. She grips my face tightly and forces me to stop moving.

I groan. "I would be still if you didn't take so long." I mutter under my breath. She twists and yanks at my hair until finally, she stands back to admire her work. She made a huge braided bun, leaving curled strands of hair to shape the sides of my face. I must say, it does look pretty darn fancy.

"There. Voila! Now that wasn't so bad, was it?" She asks rhetorically as she walks to my closet. She pulls out a dress and holds it up. "Now, put this on and then I'll do your makeup." 

I furrow my eyebrows at the dress. "I'm not wearing a dress mom. This isn't some sort of formal dinner. It's just Landon's family." My mom rolls her eyes and turns around. This time she pulls out a pair of my black jeans and a fancy, light blue, long sleeved shirt that has slits down each of the arms, held together at the cuff and the shoulder. I smile victoriously as I grab the clothes from her hand and shoo her out of my room so I can have some privacy while I change.

I super speed into the clothes and walk around my room, collecting the things I want to bring with me tonight. My brown leather bag, phone(s), phone charger, wallet, house key, super suit. I open the door again and my mom comes rushing in with her makeup bag. She quickly sets it down on my dresser and fumbles with a pallet of eye shadows.

Light, sparkly grey shadow, subtle winged eyeliner, mascara, light pink lip gloss. Why? Why do I have to look so formal for a simple dinner? 

My dad, Leonardo, drives us in his truck out of Central City and down to The Block which is what we call the neighbourhoods with actual proper houses. The ones with backyards with green grass and gardens.

The skyscrapers turn into smaller buildings which turn into nice houses. We pull up the long driveway in front of the Grey's house to be greeted by their dog Macy. She was just a pup the last time I saw her, and now she's a huge, shaggy golden retriever. I doubt she remembers us but, her being a friendly dog, she's excited to see us nonetheless. She whimpers happily as I pet her head.

A loud whistle sounds from the front porch and Suzy, Landon's mom, stands on the stairs with a smile on her face, showing off the smile lines. Her blonde hair is tied back into a neat ponytail and her yellow dress makes her look healthily tanned. Mom and dad walk up the driveway, Macy running passed them excitedly. Winston, Landon's dad, emerges from the front door as well. I walk, staggered behind my parents slightly, feeling excited yet nervous at the same time to see everyone. Suzy gives my mom a huge hug and Winston gives dad a hearty handshake. Then the adults switch places and mom hugs Winston while dad hugs Suzy.

I walk up in between my parents and Suzy jumps up and down and gives me a huge hug, practically squeezing the air out of my lungs. "It's so good to see you guys again! It's been a while." Suzy says energetically whilst letting me out of her vice grip. Winston smiles down at me and holds out his fist so that we could do the handshake we created. I perform the handshake with impeccable excellence and then hug him quickly, barely reaching his tall frame.

They usher us into the house and the warm aroma of homemade lasagna and garlic bread fills my nose. My mouth starts watering and I realize how hungry I am.

"Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes. Charlie, the boys are downstairs. They're so excited to see you." Suzy says and I nod my head with a smile.

I follow my memory and make my way to the stairs, and descend down the staircase. The sound of shouting from the boys and the sounds of machine guns coming from the TV tells me I'm going the right way. I emerge into the main area and spot them playing a video game on the couch together. The three of them all intensely focused and not paying attention to me. I walk up quietly behind them and observe them in silence. Landon's guy dies and I take this opportunity to make my presence known.