Life with the Stevens' Boys

Chapter 9

© Copyrighted.

"What-what are you guys doing here?" I got up from the ground, stuttering.

"Joanna flew us out here!" Natalie jumped, motioning behind her where Joanna stood. Joanna smiled widely.

"To see you!" Claire added. They were both so bubbly and excited, smiling from ear to ear. I couldn't disappoint them. I plastered a smile on my face.

"I can't believe you're here!" I hugged them both again. Even though I was afraid of what would come out of this visit, I couldn't deny that one of the fresh holes in my heart was slowly filling itself back up again.

* * *

"Joanna." I tapped her back, as she was stirring something on the stove. Natalie and Claire were in my room, probably still freaking out over the size.

"Oh, hi, Vanessa!" Joanna turned, putting down her spoon.

"I'm really grateful you care enough to send my friends all the way from California to Texas but," I started, trying to sound appreciative yet firm at the same time. "Why didn't you ask me?"

Joanna's smile weakened slightly. "I wanted to surprise you!"

"What if I didn't want them here?" I struggled to keep my voice down, feeling my control slipping.

Joanna's shoulders sagged, as she sighed. "Look. Vanessa. You have to deal with everything. I'm not saying you have to talk to me about it or talk about everything all at once, but you do have to try to work through everything. I thought your friends would be a good way to start."

I didn't know how to answer her. Deep down, I knew there was so much bottled up that I needed to let out. I just didn't know how to open the bottle. Or worse, I didn't know what opening the bottle would ruin.

* * *

"Natalie, do not buy that. Do not. I swear I will never show my face in public with you." Claire wrinkled her nose as Natalie came out of the dressing room, showing off a fuzzy sweater that looked like her grandma knitted it in 1970.

"Shut up, Claire. Don't you remember when you came to school in that--?"

"Don't!" Claire interrupted. "That was seventh grade!" That was something Natalie brought up a lot.

I laughed loudly, then stopped suddenly as an achy pain shot through my chest. Shopping, laughing, Natalie and Claire arguing... It took me right back to last year, in California and for a second, it seemed like nothing had changed.

* * *

"Here you go," I handed Claire her Mint Chocolate Chip cone and Natalie her Cherry Water Ice.

"Thanks." They both said, mouths already full. We had shopped for a few hours and now we were getting ice cream instead of dinner. Typical us.

"So, how's the Texas life?" Natalie asked.

"It's good. Hotter than California." I pretended to fan myself.

"It is hotter here than back home. I'm gonna have to eat this ice cream fast before it turns into a green pool." Claire took four fast licks. Natalie and I laughed.

"Any cute boys?" Natalie's eyes glinted. My heart stopped. Kevin. I was supposed to be at a movie with him. In thirty minutes. I couldn't just end the night with Natalie and Claire and have them stay at the Stevens' house by themselves and I didn't want them to feel bad.

"Yeah," I told them, taking out the new phone Joanna gave me. "A few."

"Well, tell us, you loser!" Claire smacked my arm lightly.