Winning Skylinn

39

When we got back to my house, all the lights were off. Figures, since it was before dawn.

But when I opened the front door, the lights flicked on and my mom and dad shouted, "Surprise!"

There was a sloppy homemade banner hanging in the kitchen, and a cookie cake with "Welcome Home, Jonny" written in frosting sitting on the table.

Jonny's face lit up and he went to hug my parents. "Aw, a cookie cake? I haven't had one of those in ages!" he said when he saw the dessert.

"I just hope it's good. I had to get it at Walmart, since every other store is closed at this time of night," my mom replied.

"It's the thought that counts."

"Skylinn, will you cut the cake?" Mom asked.

"Sure." I got a butter knife out of the drawer, then joined Jonny at the table. "Squares or triangles?"

"Doesn't matter."

"Well you're the guest of honor."

"Fine. Triangles. Everything tastes better in triangles."

"True," I said, thinking of pizza. Great. Now I wanted pizza. It's a good thing I had a fast metabolism!

I cut the cake and handed Jonny the first slice. "Enjoy."

"Thanks, Leonard."

Even though his nickname was annoying, I almost teared up when he used it this time. I'd gone three months without hearing that familiar nickname, and hadn't realized how much I missed it until now.

Pushing back the tears, I distributed slices of cake to the parents. Funny how we were all pigging out on sweets at 2am. It reminded me of those sleepovers I had with Jake in middle school and high school.

My parents had all sorts of questions for Jonny, and so did his, but I wasn't really paying attention to his answers. I could ask him my own questions later, when we were alone. Somehow that would make it more meaningful than asking when we were all gathered around the kitchen table celebrating.

I heard a meow and turned to see my kitten rolling around on the floor. I giggled and picked her up. "I think Mistletoe wants a part in the celebration," I said, kissing her smooth black fur.

"Oh, I've missed this little thing. Look how big she's gotten!" Jonny commented, reaching out to pet her.

I hadn't really noticed her growing size until now. She was at least five pounds heavier, and a few inches taller than before.

Savannah yawned. "I need sleep," she groaned. "Jonny, do you want to go home?"

He locked eyes with me for a split second. "I think I might stay here and help clean up a bit. I'll be home soon, okay?"

"Alright. As long as you don't wake me up." She lifted herself from the chair and grabbed Mr. Cox's hand.

"Thanks for the party, guys," he said on his way out.

My mom looked at me, her eyes saying, 'Should I leave you two alone?'

I nodded, and she gave me a knowing smile. I tried not to blush.

Once she and my dad had went back upstairs to their room, I got up and set Mistletoe on the floor. "Well, let's clean up, I guess."

"You know that was a joke, right? I just wanted to stay and talk for a bit," Jonny answered.

"Oh. Okay." I sat back down. "Wait. Do you wanna sit in the living room?"

"Sure." We went in there and I brought out a blanket. It was kind of cold this early in the morning.