D E S I D E R A T A [ g.d ] ON HOLD

05

New chapter! This one is much longer but it is important one :) Thanks for all the support, especially thanks to sunphazed and TheLadyMaeC because they are awesome. You should go and check their stories if you haven't already!

Enjoy reading, votes and comments are very appreciated.

**

Nellie sat on the middle seat of the sofa, her legs pressed tightly together and her hands resting on her lap. For the past ten minutes she had been a witness of an argument between Tina and Renate that played out in front of her. Nellie wasn't sure what made Tina so furious was but she was sure that Tina liked to make drama even when it was unnecessary.

"I think I am old enough," Tina spat at her mother, crossing her arms on her chest.

"You are sixteen," Renate sighed out, shaking her head. "I am not letting you drive at ungodly hour to Seattle and back just so you can see some music show!"

Tina groaned desperately. "It is not like I am going to get drugged or something! You are an impossible woman."

Nellie looked forth and back between Tina and Renate, both of them acting like brats. Pulling herself up from the sofa, she walked to the adjoined kitchen to drink some water but also avoid their little drama in case the fight escalates. She took a first gulp, noticing Clive walk in. His growing hair was pushed up his head and he was dressed in his usual home attire – pair of straight jeans and a plain t-shirt.

He looked at her for a moment with no emotion and then pointed at Tina and Renate in the living room.

"What's happening?" Clive asked walking past Nellie in the direction of the fridge. He pulled out a can of beer.

"I am not sure," Nellie answered, walking away from him and taking a distance, taking a rug and wiping the already clean countertop. She just wanted to stay away from Clive and the negativity that surrounded him.

"Useless," he muttered, stepping closer to the bench that divided kitchen and living room. He took another sip of his beer and placed the can on the table, still looking at his younger sister and his mother. "What's happening?" he asked in a raised voice but his tone wasn't angry.

Tina sighed out and looked at her brother with an annoyed face. "Mum won't let me drive to Seattle for a concert tonight," she cried out. "Please tell her that I am capable of driving alone. I am sixteen. I promised Jennifer that she can go with me."

Clive raised an eyebrow sceptically at his sister and looked at his mother who mouthed a 'no' to her son. "Tina, you know you cannot drive alone to Seattle. Especially not to some concert." Tina let out a frustrated cry and sat down in the armchair.

"That's not fair!" she screamed at her brother and mother but Clive raised a finger to his lips, motioning for her to be quiet.

"Tina, don't be impolite," he said calmly but sternly, "and let me finish." Tina looked at him, her face full of curiosity. "Nellie can take you and your friend to concert and drive you back."

Nellie looked up, eyes wide in horror. "What?" she asked but all she got was an angry look from Clive, which meant 'no objections'.

"She will drive you guys and wait for you outside until you are done and then drive you back home. I would do it but I have plans with some old friends of mine." Nellie fought the urge to snort loudly because old friends meant ex-girlfriends, but instead she just looked down at her hands.