The Prince and the Bookworm

Chapter 12

Caleb and Mariah helped us carry our bags in, and before I knew it I was inside my grandma's house and getting smothered with hugs from her and Aunt Cindy.

"Grandma," I complained. "Your suffocating me."

"Oh, don't be such a wimp." My grandma's voice scolded me, but I knew she was joking around. She was always like that. As we pulled away, I realized she hadn't changed much in the year I didn't see her. She still had the same crazy gray curls, the soft brown eyes, the very short height of 5 foot, and the bright smile that could light up a room. "It's good to see you, dear."

"You too, grandma." I said, smiling as Caleb came behind me and clapped me on the back.

"I have a feeling grandma's gonna be very emotional this weekend." He whispered in my ear, and I knew she didn't hear cause she was just chatting on about cookies she made with my mom.

"Why?"

"Cause she started crying in joy just because you two pulled into the driveway." He muttered, spinning his finger in circles around his head, insinuating that he thought she was crazy. "I mean seriously, who would be excited about you showing up?" He said, a playful grin on his lips. And I finally realized this was just the beginning of our annual insult war. We would pretty much just make fun of each other all weekend long, and see who gets tired of it first. The winning person would be crowned the insult queen or king. I returned his grin, holding my hand out.

"Your on."

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Not much later, I carried my bags up the stairs and took a right, the room Mariah and I always stayed in. The walls were a bright red color, but the white comforter on the bed tamed it down a little. There wasn't much except for a bookshelf with my grandma's favorite reads, the queen bed, and a small desk, where I placed my bag. Mariah came in a couple minutes later, a notebook and pen in hand. She was writing something down as she walked in.

"What's that for?" I questioned, throwing my pillow down on the bed.

"A list of things that need to get done this weekend." She commented plainly, tapping the pen against her chin. "Defeating Caleb at the insult war is number one." Mariah said confidently, as we heard a shout of protest from the room next to us.

"I heard that!" Caleb yelled, and Mariah and I couldn't help but laugh a little. One thing you quickly learned at my grandma's house, was that the walls were most definitely not sound proof. I didn't have time to ask what else was on the list because I heard someone coming up the stairs, then my mom peeked her head in.

"The parade is on if you want to watch it." She said, then walked off to her room. I hopped off the bed, grabbing Mariah's wrist. I practically forced her to watch the end of it every year with me. It was kind of a tradition. That she hated. She groaned as we walked down the stairs and I still had a firm grip on her wrist.

"What do you have against the parade?" I asked, navigating my way to the living room and plopping down on the couch.

"We have more important things to do. Like defeat Caleb. And talk about that boy you like." Her last comment stopped me from turning the TV on. I gave her a rather sour look.

"I really don't want to." I said glumly, before pointing the TV remote accusingly at her. "And I never said I liked him! Well, I sort of did." I muttered. "But that's not the point!" I sighed as she sat down beside me, crossing her legs. "You just totally ruined the parade mood." I pouted, and she gave me a small smile.

"Boys are my specialty."

"Says the girl who has never even come close to having a boyfriend." I retorted, my arms crossed tightly over my chest. Mariah exclaimed out loud, slapping my arm.