Innocently Falling

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

New Year's Eve snuck up on them rapidly. Luca had spent almost every second of the day working on his project so he was barely home. The only time he saw Megan was during dinner, and even then she refused to acknowledge his presence.

The morning after the Christmas dinner, he tried to get Megan aside to explain why he did what he did. But he wasn't very successful. When she saw him approaching she would turn the other way. If he sat next to her at dinner she would stare straight ahead. If he went to her room she would take one look at him and close the door in his face.

He might have actually found the whole thing pretty comical if it weren't for the fact that it was killing him every time she turned away from him. If only she would let him explain.

On the night of New Year's Eve the Kandaras' invited Luca and the Harrison's over for a small get together.

Megan managed to spend the whole night hanging out with Stacy and her cousin Amanda. When the clock struck midnight everyone let out cheers and wishes. She noticed that one of Stacy's cousins grabbed Zach and planted a massive kiss on him at the chime of the clock. For once he actually didn't look like he enjoyed kissing a beautiful girl. What surprised Megan even more was that the minute he managed to break away from the kiss he searched the room, as if trying to find someone. She wasn't able to see who he was looking for as Stacy dragged her upstairs at the same moment.

"What's going on?" Megan asked once she was shoved into Stacy's room.

Stacy closed the door behind her and gave her best friend a million watt smile. She went to her closet to pull out a 1968 Dom Perignon bottle of champagne.

"Why should the parents have to have all the fun?" Stacy said talking the bottle over to her bathroom and swiftly opening it in one quick motion. She gathered two champagne flutes and poured in a generous amount in both.

"Stacy! My parents are going to be able to smell this on me when we head home." Megan complained even as she took the flute from Stacy.

"That's why you are spending the night here. I already talked to my mom and she said she would let your parents know. So we don't have to go back down all night. Besides you look like you could use a drink. I know whatever it is you will let me know when you are ready so I won't force you to share but I am assuming it has something to do with Luca?" Stacy said surprising Megan.

"How?" Megan asked staring at her best friend with wide eyes.

Stacy shrugged, "I saw the way he was looking at you all night like he was trying to get your attention. And I also saw that you purposely went out of your way to avoid him so I just put two and two together." She paused to take a sip of her drink. "We have a long ride back tomorrow is that going to be awkward?"

Megan's eyes felt glassy as she looked up Stacy. "I don't know." she whispered and downed her smooth drink.

Stacy knew not to push her. When Megan was ready to talk about whatever it is that happened she would listen but until then she just had to be there for her.

The next evening it was time to pack up and head back to school. After a much needed month long break, they all had to return for the new term.

Nat was trying really hard to hold back her tears as she waved goodbye to all the children. Alex placed a gentle arm around her and reminded her that they would be returning soon.

Adena and Morgan also bid their grand children goodbye before watching Zach pull the car out of the driveway.

"Alright guys. Let's get on the road." Zach said. Waving a last goodbye towards his family and turning down the street.