why not?

chapter 19: buddhmas eve in the village

chapter 19: Buddhmas Eve in the Village

The whole family's taking this long walk down to the village. Joey said we'd bond more if we take a walk rather than drive.

James is too busy talking to Joey to notice that Tristain and I are holding hands. No one was comfortable to tell him. After his majour defeat, Eric's learned to keep his mouth shut. Mum's attempting to talk to Carli, her sister-in-law, but Carli makes it difficult  by meaning an arse.

Phillip tries his best to fit in with the men, meaning Dad and Joey, but he's failing miserably. Speaking at the wrong moments and making awkward comments.

"What will you do when  you go back to England?" I ask, bringing up the painful topic again.

"Apply for English universities, Lila" says Tristain, "That way you can live with me, maybe. I'll buy as an apartment nearby, if needed"

"Really? But I've still got several months of my last semester of high school. What will you do till then?"

"Well once I go back, I'll be traveling with business meetings. I've got to go to France and talk with the Reaflou company with Michael and Tyler, and we'll be touring Europe, managing the smaller branches"

"So you'll be busy?" I prod further. There are a fat lot of pretty girls out there. When I lived in England, there were way too many gorgeous girls. And Tristain, young and handsome and rich, will have no problem finding girls.

"Yeah" he replies, "Don't' worry, I'm not going to go off with some tramp."

"You would've called me a tramp a month ago"

"Probably, but Lila" he sounds a bit pained, "You know I never meant anything mean I ever said to you, right? I just...you were young and I wasn't supposed to like you the way I did so I always got frightened and hid behind insults"

"Tristain, shut up" I laughed, "I know! Besides, you would'nt be you if you didn't throw a few insults my way. I do the same ,remember?"

"I rubbed off on you then" Tristain kisses my cheek, but it's difficult to do so when walking, so his lips smear all over. James picks that moment to actually pay attention to us.

"What the hell did you just do Tristain?" he asks, bewildered. He walks over to us and beside Tristain.  "And why the hell are you holding hands?"

"Lila's my girlfriend"

Everyone stops talking and looks over to witness James' reaction. First, he looks stunned, then confused, then angry.

"Girlfriend my arse! You can't do that!"

"Actually I can. The family has approved and I love Lila" Tristain answers. He's not trying to sound mean, but James feels like he is.

"That's sick!" he stressed, "You're her fu**ing cousin! You're ancient!"

"Language" warns Mum weakly.

"FU**!" he yells, "Don't date my sister!"

"Aw, you actually care James" I say sarcastically, "I never knew this day would come"

"Shut up" he yells at me.

"Hey, don't tell me to shut up!"

"I'll tell you whatever I want!"

"Stop it you two" Dad yells.

James and I both fume at each other, wordlessly, and he sulks over to Liam. I give Tristain a week "what can I do" smile, and he returns it.

We approach the village in awe. It's quite a big village. The family splits up in groups.

James Liam Eric