Butterfly Years

Chapter 4

Author’s Note: Smurf!

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

I walk down the stairs and enter the kitchen where Ryan is professionally baking…cupcakes.

The smell takes my breath away. Ryan looks up and grimaces. “That bad?” he asks.

Ignoring his question, I run up to a tray full of cupcakes with chocolate icing. Holding one up, I look at Ryan, who’s looking at me with a slightly amused expression.

“Can I…?” I ask eagerly.

“Nope!” he says, taking the cupcake out of my hand, “Go into the living room. I’ll be there in a second.”

I scowl, but walk into the living room. The living room is well furnished – I assume that Ryan’s mom must have done something to it, before leaving, being a designer and all.

There are no CDs around, so I sink into the sofa and pull out my mobile. I need to inform mom that I’ll be coming home late. I might as well just call her.

I speed dial mom, and she picks up almost immediately.

“Syaz?” mom asks into the mobile. I grin at myself. Mom reserved her ‘Hi’s and ‘Hello’s for strangers. With me, it was straight to business.

“Mom can I stay a bit late at Ryan’s place?” I ask, them immediately wince. Imagine how that would sound!

“Syaz? What are you two up to?” Oh great! I wouldn’t really blame mom for wondering, and I really could have put that in a better way.

I force myself to laugh, and just then Ryan enters the room, with a tray of delicious-looking cupcakes in hand. “It’s just movie night at Ryan’s. He invited me over.”

Ryan cocks an eyebrow and setting the cupcakes onto the table in front of the couch, he sits just next to me.

“Okay,” mom replies, and I know she isn’t too pleased with me. Oh well. “What time should I pick you up?”

“What about ten?” I ask uncertainly. It’s nine right now, and I bet we’re not going to be watching any movie, considering tomorrow is the funeral. Ryan would want to talk.

“Will you listen if I say no?” mom asks tiredly. I think for a second – only a second – before answering with a “Nope.” I know that one word will land me in a tough spot as soon as I land home, but for now I’m safe. I’ll deal with it when the time comes.

“Syaz!” Mom snaps, but continues, “You and I are going to have a little chat when you’re home.”

I nod, then realizing she wont be able to see me, I say, “Yeah mom…”

“What’s she doing?” I hear someone asking in the background. That’s probably Archie, my elder brother.

“Movie night at Ryan’s,” Mom answers him briefly.

“Ooh, that’s cool. Can I go?” and before Mom can answer him, my super-annoying 19-year-old big brother screams into mom’s mobile, “SYAZ! CAN I COME TOO?”

“Hi pig,” I say, “Nope. You’re not invited.”

“Aww!” Archie whines from the other end of the line, making me question is maturity. Boys can be such kids at times.

“Just go already,” I say. “Yes, Sis. I love you too, Sis,” Archie rants sarcastically.

I scrunch up my face, and let out a relieved sigh as I hear Mom taking the mobile back from Archie. As much as I love my elder brother – listen to that carefully, because I’m saying it only once – he gets annoyingly idiotic at times.