Maven // Calum Hood

three - tea parties and a wedding

     "Would you like some more tea, milady," a tiara-weilding, tutu-clad Calum spoke in the weirdest fake-British accent, holding up the pink plastic teapot. I almost lost it at this point.

A few minutes after Calum's insult, Toby got back having a tea party playset in his arms. Drea then quickly dragged all three of us to her room and made us each have a "makeover," as she had placed it, so that we would all look "presentable," again Drea's words, at the "Tea Party."

"Yes please, milad—I mean, milord." I snorted.

Calum suddenly put on a straight face. "Zharah, how unlady-like of you. You should be more like me." He daintily put his hand on his chest and stared to the side serenely like how most old, refined women's portraits are taken.

"You should really have yourself checked, you might be suffering from a bad stomach because, boy, aren't you airy," I said, sarcastically.

He smirked, sipping imaginary tea from his imaginary teacup (we had only two and Toby and Drea used them). "Oh, because I blow you away, nice."

Then I realized there was no out-doing him. Not.

"You're like a thunderstorm. You come unwanted."

"And I make you wet?"

"Shut up there are children."

"Oh, so if they weren't here you'd gladly—"

I snapped. "I won't. Ever. Plus, I don't want pre-marital intercourse because it is both disgusting and a sin."

Oh, how I wish there was real tea so I could throw it over this jerk's head.

*

At about six thirty, my stomach declared its hunger.

"Do you want a sandwhich, Ate?" Drea asked.

"It's okay." And as if on cue, a low growling noise ripped through the sudden silence.

Calum slapped his lap, laughing. "Wow, that was the worst lie I have ever heard."

"Shut up," I retorted. "Your face is the worst face I have ever seen."

"Seriously?" He was still laughing.

"Your face."

"My, what a wonderful tea party!" A female voice cheered from the doorway.

"Momma!" Drea rushed to her mother's side like metal to a magnet. "I have a new friend, and Calum smiled again."

The mother looked up to Calum who was still and emotionless beside me, as if the laughters before didn't happen at all. "Did he, now?" Her eyebrow arched as she studied Calum further. "Well, that's good that he's making progress."

My mind raced. Progress to what?

I involuntarily coughed and fidgeted in my seat.

"Well, hello. Who are you?" Drea's mother asked me, smiling kindly.

"I-I-I'm Zharah." I stood up and held my hand out.

"Maria, Andrea's mom and Calum's aunt." She took it, but before she could shake it, I put it up to my forehead as a sign of respect.

She seemed to have been taken aback by my actions because her eyes were wide and questioning. But she recovered her composure and laughed, throwing her head back and slapping her knee. "Was that how you greet in the Philippines?" She wiped tears from her eyes. "I'm so sorry. It's just that I don't know how they greet over there. Jem never told me that's a greeting."

Shaking my head, I pursed my lips, trying to contain myself from doing anything embarrassing. "Actually, that's how you greet your elders," I explained shyly.

Maria then held out her hand to Calum. "You heard her. Give me some respect, young man."

Calum awkwardly stared at her hand before looking me in the eyes. I nodded, as if to say, Go ahead, and took an imaginary hand and put it to my forehead. Thankfully Calum copied my actions.

"Hi Auntie Maria!" Toby hugged her legs together.

The woman looked down to him. "Little man, why didn't you show me respect before?" her tone was chiding but still kind.

Toby hung his head before taking he hand. "I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted."

Then Aunt Maria faced me. "Do you like Flan?"

***

   "No, really, Toby and I can handle walking home," I insisted. "Besides, I'm good with directions. Just follow the sun, right?"

Aunt Maria giggled and gently slapped my arm. "That's for when the sun is up, silly. It's already night."

"I'll walk you home," Calum inserted. "I insist," he added before I could say no.

My head simply nodded and reached out for Toby.

"Bye, Drea! Bye, Auntie Maria! I'll come back tomorrow!" Toby waved before Calum ushered us out and closed the door behind him.

The walk home was short. Seriously, I didn't know why Aunt Maria insisted on having us walked home.

Once we were on the front porch, Toby immediately went inside and left me with Calum.

"Well, it was a nice day," I said, breaking the silence. "Be careful on your way home, Calum." I turned around but he stopped me.

"I... I have to tell you something." His voice quivered but he kept going. "You look like her. So much. It hurts but it makes me happy at the same time."

I laughed. Is he serious? "Which movie did you get that off of?"

His expression turned from longing to confusion. "What? No. It's just..." He sighed. "You look like my dead sister. And you sound like her."

I stilled. "Oh my gosh. I–I'm... Are you still hurting?" He nodded. "You must be very close."

His eyes were closed and he was gripping my shoulders. "Very much..." his voice broke and I can't help but hug him.

I stroked his back as he cried his heart out.

"She was on her way to the wedding that day..."

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Hullo!

Thanks for reading this and Whew! It just got hemmotional.

*ba dum tss*

I swear I didn't plan it out this way but let's see where my mind takes me with this.

Also, if you're still reading this, you should TOTALLY (not really) vote for it. Just kidding. Vote for it if you think it deserves it. I won't get upset. Comment your thoughts so far? Please? Comments mean more to me than votes because that way, I could improve my writing.

tutus and tiaras,

-mae

my life.

you can laugh now.