The Ride of My Life (an Ansel Elgort story)

Chapter 37

Lucy's POV

When I get home I quickly go upstairs and change into a decent outfit. I put on some mint green shorts and a black tank top with studs on it. Hopefully it fits my mom's standards.

I rush downstairs and luckily my mom had held off from eating until I got home. I hate when people I don't know watch me eat.

They are already sitting though. They are talking. I hope they aren't waiting for me.

The table is divided into two sections. The young end and the old end. My mom and dad, Rachel, and Steven are on one end. Brandon, Daniel, Josh and Lilly are on the other. Then there's two empty seats. One between the two sides, and one between Brandon and Daniel.

"Hey, Lucy! I'm glad you're home! Can you come help me with the food? It's almost ready." My mom says. So she has been waiting for me. Well, waiting for me to help.

"Debbie, I'll help you! I love to cook!" Rachel says. She's a life saver.

I take the seat between the two sides. It's next to Daniel and my dad.

"Hey, sweetie." My dad puts his arm around me, kisses my head and goes back to talking to Steven. I don't know which conversation to act interested in: the boy talk, or the man talk.

Neither.

So, I decide to talk to Lillian.

"Lilly, what's your favorite color?"

She stares at me, blank faced.

"Okay, well, then what's your favorite animal?"

She still doesn't give me any bit of a response. I see Josh's eyes pointing towards me and a smile creeps on his face. I can tell he's trying to hide it.

"Hey, Lucy, why don't you join our conversation? Come sit next to me," Brandon suggests.

"I'd rather not. Thanks though." I fake a smile.

"Oh, c'mon. Don't be a buzzkill! Wouldn't you rather talk to someone who will actually respond to you?" They all laugh. Can't you tell why Brandon isn't my favorite brother?

"So if I move, does that mean I can just pretend to listen and you'll stop bothering me?"

"Sure thing." Brandon says. I take the long journey and move over two seats. Now I'm between Brandon and Daniel and in the middle of the whole conversation.

"How's Ansel?" Brandon asks, trying to get me to talk because he knows I hate it.

"Uh, good. Yeah." I say.

My mom brings out the food, and we all put food on our plates. Mmm, lasagna and salad. She picked the perfect time to start the meal, now I don't have to talk.

The adults are soon absorbed back into their own world, and the young ones are left to converse alone.

"Josh, what do you do for a job?" Daniel asks. The only time Brandon is not talking is when he's stuffing his face with food.

"I fix cars. As soon as I found out we were moving, I called around and found a new place to apply at, so I'd have a job quick. I'm trying to afford my own place. Anyway, I found a job and I start tomorrow."

"That's awesome, man. I've always wanted to work on cars. Maybe when I'm done with the military."

We continue eating with small talk. My brothers do most of the work so I don't have to ask or answer any questions. Throughout dinner I can see Josh glancing at me, and let me tell you, it's kind of creepy.

"Lucy, hun? Will you wash the dishes?" She puts her sweet voice and smile on, trying to impress our company. I should've known. She wanted me here only to do her dirty work. Of course she wouldn't make Brandon or Daniel. That's for damn sure.

I sigh, standing up and walking to the kitchen. Luckily everyone already brought their dishes in, so I didn't have to pick them up like a freaking waitress.

Why, oh why, did we have to use my mom's fancy dishes that can't go in the dishwasher?! WHY?

I start rinsing one off when someone comes in and grabs a dish to help.

I knew Daniel would come to my rescue.

But when I look over my shoulder, it isn't Daniel. It's Josh.

"You don't have to help me, you're our guest. And I'm apparently the slave." I tell him. It's totally unnecessary for him to help. To be completely honest, I'd rather do it alone.

"No, it's alright. I like cleaning." He says. I'm about to tell him that he can just clean them all if he likes it but then I realize it'd be a little rude. Only a little. "So who's Ansel?" This surprises me.

"Oh, uh, he's my boyfriend."

"Cool, cool. You see, I have a girlfriend," Phew! Thank God! "but she only exists in my dreams." Damn it.

I fake a laugh. "Hilarious."

We're almost done washing dishes when he asks, "How old are you?"

"I'm 18. What about you?"

"I just turned 23." He says. Wow, he looks a lot younger.

"Good, same age as Brandon. You two can be best friends and then maybe he'll stop annoying me!" I joke, but I'm halfway serious.

Josh laughs. "He doesn't seem that bad."

"Oh really? Live with him for 18 years and then get back to me." I pause. "Aaaand, we're done. Thanks for helping me."

"No problem." He says, and we join the rest of my family.

We sit around and talk some more as the evening wastes away. Finally, after what seems like eternity, they're ready to leave.

"So, Lucy, can you babysit tomorrow? From about 8 to 3? Josh gets home around then so he can handle Lilly after that." Rachel asks.

"Yeah, sure. I'd love to." I smile.

"Alright, well I'll see you then!"

We say our goodbyes and they leave. I thought they never would! They're good people and all, but boy, do I hate socializing.

My mom has a strict no-phone-at-the-table rule, so I haven't been able to look at my phone for hours. When I do, I have 7 unread messages. Two from Natalie and five from Ansel.

I decide to open Ansel's.

"Hey, Cory bailed on me, he's moving tomorrow. Do you want to watch a movie?"

"Nevermind, I forgot you're at dinner."

"After?"

"Just kidding. For some reason I'm really tired."

"Goodnight, beautiful. I love you so much, Lucy."

These are the things that remind me that no matter how many cute guys are in my life, only one matters. Ansel.

{If you're reading this, comment how many siblings you have! I have 2 older brothers!}