The Player and the Played

18. Awkward Dinners Are My Specialty

"Hey, B," I said to Bianca.

"Where were you?" She asked me.

"Making a rash decision and appearing extremely clingy. Anyway, are you going trick or treating tonight?" I asked her. Every year, she'd go trick or treating and every year, I'd take half of her candy stash.

"No, I'm too old for it," she replied loftily, making me smile a little. "Besides, Mum and Dad are coming back tonight."

"I know. I can't wait! I met Caleb by the way," I said, a little wistfully.

"Oh. How is he?"

"He's good. Not yet over Ashley though," I said, sighing. "It's been three years but she was that amazing person who left a mark on everyone and three years can't make anyone forget her. Heck, not even a million years can. I just really miss her. She used to take us trick or treating before and dress up in such ridiculous costumes. Meeting Caleb just brings back an avalanche of memories and I just really wish she was there," I said.

"You don't have to forget her. She was an amazing sister to both of us and she was your best friend too. Missing her is good, healthy even. I miss her too and Mum and Dad took it really hard but the beautiful thing about Ashley is that she had so many great memories with all of us. It's better to remember those memories than dwell on the fact that she's gone. She's not with us physically but she's always going to be with us in our hearts and on our minds," Bianca said.

"Thanks, B. You're so wise for a seventh grader," I said with a smile.

"That, I know. My English teacher keeps telling me how amazing and deep and mature my essays are," she said, flipping her hair. I let out a sincere laugh. I had really missed spending time with her with school and homework filling up my schedule.

Suddenly, the door rang. I heard some whispers after that and the jingling of keys.

"Jordan, honey, I told you to keep the house keys on a separate keyring."

"I'm sorry, baby, I forgot. Ah here it i-"

"Hey Dad, hey Mom," I said with a huge smile, opening the door.

"Hailey! Bianca! We missed you!" my mom said, giving each of us a big hug.

"Yeah. You guys were gone for a really long business trip," Bianca added. After Ashley's death, my parents became complete workaholics. Thankfully, they had toned it down a bit by now.

"I saw Caleb today. He's staying over at our new neighbour's place," I told them.

"Oh that's great, why don't we invite him over for dinner?" my dad suggested.

"Or even better, the whole family too! Are there any kids your age?" My mom asked me and Bianca.

"A guy Tyler of my age and his sister Zoe of Bianca's. Apparently his cousin Emma is there too. She's Caleb's friend."

"That's perfect! Why doesn't Bianca go and ask them if they're home tonight! Unless, of course, their daughter is going trick or treating," my mom said, zealously. I really hoped Tyler wouldn't be there. After that extremely embarrassing incident now I did not want to face him.

"Sure! I'll go right now. I really like the girl, Zoe. She's fun," Bianca said. Great.

***

I shuffled awkwardly in my old ripped jeans and crop top. Maybe I should have dressed up a little more. Maybe I should have planned this out a little better. But now I had only two minutes till they came in.

"I'll get the door," my overenthusiastic Mom said. Mom was really excited to meet Caleb because-

"Angelina! You get younger every time I see you!" came Caleb's enthusiastic voice. Yeah, that's why.