Is There A Happy Ending?

Chapter 2

Nina's POV

We were walking to Mike's house while talking. We put all the posters on the way. I introduced Lucy and Mark to Andrew and Parker. Lucy and Andrew were walking behind all of us and really hitting it of. Meanwhile Mike and Mark were talking about some Geographical shit. Turns out they had more in common than I thought. "And so the lions disappeared and the Bermuda Triangle was formed" Parker finished telling me his dream. I laughed "Yeah, your dreams are even stranger than mine. By the way, my dad is having some guests over today. He said you can come." I told him already knowing his answer. "Yeah, sure. I'll come after practice. Oh, is it okay if Penelope comes?" He asked with a small smile. Penelope Robinson, is Parker's cousin. She is year younger than us and has huge crush on Andrew. Her parents travel a lot from work, so she's staying with Parker's family all the time. And him being our next door neighbor in our five floor building, she spent most of her time with me. "Sure, the more the merrier" I told him with a smile.
At this point we reached Mike's house. He opened his garage door and let us go in first. I walked inside, turned on the light and sat on the couch. In this two story house, this is the only place were Mike can have peace and quiet. Having four little sisters is kinda hard. His mother is a working woman. She is at work all day. She is really strict when it comes to school. But as she had more kids she became softer. His father on the contrary, is the fun parent and a great cook. But he never even considered to make culinary his profession. He is kids toys maker. He also is getting part time jobs here and there constantly. Mike, being the eldest has to take care of his sisters, when his parents are working or the nanny thought four kids is too much to handle. Since I was ten we looked after them together. I was there when Olivia got her period, or when Isabella won her first spelling contest, or when twins- Violet and Riley learned how to ride a bike. I kinda became their six child.
"Okay, we'll get going. See you at the dinner Nina!" I heard Parker's voice as him and Andrew went out. "Okay, see you then. Bye Andrew" I waved to them. "Bye, Nina!" Andrew waved back at me. Lucy sat down next to me while Mike went to his drums and Mark tuned the guitar. He started playing and singing. His voice mesmerizing. "Wow, he can really sing" I mumbled to myself. But of course Lucy heard me. "I know right? He has great voice like his mother" She said with happy gleam in her eyes. "His mother is a singer?" I whisper, not wanting to interfere while he was playing. She nodded "Yup, have you ever heard of Jae?" My eyes widened. "Is she his mother?!" I said louder than I intended. Mike looked at me and I mouthed sorry. "So she is her mother! My mom used to listen to her all the time when I was little" "Yup, she was really famous back in the day, but shortly after she gave birth to Mark she stopped. It was so shocking for everyone when she suddenly announced on one of her interviews that next concert would be her last" She told me. "So, is he an only child?" I asked suddenly wanting to know more. She shook her head "No. Actually he has one sister and a brother. But they are half siblings. His mother remarried when he was five." I was left speechless. Woman my mom was obsessed with her whole life, is a mother of my classmate. This really is a small world.
   Mark finished playing and put down the guitar "So what do you think?" He asked Mike. Mike pretended to be in a deep thoughts. Then grinned and put his hand forward "I think we'll do great!" Mark smiled and shook his hand "Now we just need bass player and we're do-" Mike wasn't able to finish his sentence when we heard loud footsteps and banging on the door. "Not again" The door burst open and four little girls ran inside "Hey, hey! Guys you know the garage is off limits" He said as he tried to catch all of them "Hey Nuni, what are you doing?" Said Violet as she ran into my arms. When she was learning how to speak she couldn't say my name so now all the sisters call me Nuni. "I was about to go home. Why are home so early? Did something happen at kindergarten?" I asked as Riley jumped on my back "Hey, Nuni!" "Hey Riley" She looked over at Lucy and whispered in my ear "Who is she?" I put her down on the floor "Lucy is our new classmate and friend. And that is Mark" I told her as I pointed to Mark. He waved a little at them and smiled. His smiling face was shadowed by Mike's furious one. "Olivia, Isabella, Violet and Riley, you know the rules. Get out. NOW!" He told them as he shoved them out and closed the door "Nice meeting you, Lucy and- what was his name again?" I heard Violet whisper the last part. We all laughed as Mike closed the door and locked it "Sorry about that. Sometimes they can be handful" "That's okay. I have two sibling and they can be really annoying at times" Said Mark as he sat beside me on the couch "Well I could't understand. I'm an only child" said Lucy as she flipped her hear "Well that sucks" I said and Lucy hit me on the shoulder "No it doesn't. I have a lot of cousins, they're practically my siblings" "Still, it's not the same" Said Mike "Well do you have any siblings?" Mark asked me "Yup. An older sister. She studies abroad in France" "Wow that's cool." I nodded, took my bag and stood up "Well I'm going, we're planning on having guests over today. You all in?" I asked as I put my jacket around my waist. "You know I can't resist your father's made khinkali" Mike told me "What's khinkali?" Aksed Mark while trying to pronounce the first letter "I's traditional food in my country" "I thought you were Italian, are you not?" Lucy asked me as she put her backpack on her shoulder "Well yeah, my mom is. My dad's actually from Georgia" I told them already knowing what they would ask next "Isn't that a state?" Mark and Lucy ask at the same time being really confused "Actually it's also a county. It's right on the boarder of Asia and Europe. It's right underneath Russia" I told them. "So your real last name isn't really Mazzanti?" This time was Lucy's voice "Nope. It's Tsereteli" "How do you even pronounce it?" Mark asked as Lucy tried to pronounce it. "I've been trying to get it for eight years already. No result" Mike said shaking his head. I laughed a little and went out of the garage "So I'll see you guys at my place?" I asked while waiting for Mark and Lucy. Mark actually lives near me. Three buildings away. While Lucy lives on the opposite side, near Mike. "Sorry Nina. I still have a lot of unpacking to do. So maybe next time?" She asked "Yeah, sure. We always have a lot of people over. What about you?" I asked turning to Mark "Yeah, I'll come over" He told me with a smile "Okay, let's get going."
We said goodbye to Lucy and went home. "So what that food you and Mike were talking about?" Mark asked to keep conversation going "It's called khinkali and it's basically meat wrapped in dough" He thought for a minute and then said "It sounds strange. Is it good?" I chuckled "Come over and find out" After that silence filled the air. It wasn't awkward, but comforting in a way. Shortly we arrived to my building. I kissed him on both cheeks and told him I would see him later. I went upstairs opened the door only to hear high pitched voices. "ვინ არის სახლში(who is at home)?" I asked when my mother, Angela looked from the door frame of the kitchen "Hey honey, can you come over and help us out?" She told me. We only speak italian when my grandfather is here. As for georgian, my father demands for me to speak only georgian with him. "Sure I'll just put my bag in my room" I told her as washed my hands. I went to my room, which is not really only my room. My sister Livia and I share it when she is in country. It's not really a big room or anything. It consists of two desks each underneath the window (cause my mom thinks that natural light helps with focusing), a bookshelf, a closet, a cupboard with a full length mirror, a couch with a table in front of it, a carpet and a bunk bed. I always wanted to be on the higher bed, but being younger sibling my sister got it. But now I prefer being down, cause it's easier to make bed. I went in the kitchen "So what should I do?" I asked as I put my hair into a bun "You can make the table" My mom told me as her and my nanny(well now our housekeeper) made some dinner. I went to dining room and started to make the table "Mom, when is dad going to be home?" I yelled "Any minute now actually" "Okay"
As I finished making the table I heard the door opening and closing and some voices that followed it. I looked around and saw my dad, David with Anna-my mother's best friend and her third husband Jeremy. Following them were Mariam and George, another georgian family that lives across the street from us. And behind them their kid Kati, but everyone here calls her Kate. "Hey dad!" I said as I hugged him and he kissed me on my head "ნინა, რამდენჯერ გითხრა ქართულად მელაპარაკე!" (Nina, how many times should I tell you, talk to me in georgian!) He scolded me "ბოდიში, მაგრამ ახლა აქ უცხოელი სტუბრებიც არიან, ამიტომ დღეს ვერა" (Sorry, but now we have foreign guests over, so not today) I told him as I kissed Anna and Jeremy on both cheeks and Mariam, George and Keti on one cheek. I took the wine and chocolates they brought and put them on the kitchen table. "Hi everyone!" My mother said as we all went to dining room "Are we expecting anyone else?" She asked "Yeah, Mike, Parker, Penelope and Mark" I told her while my dad and I tried to open wine bottles
"Who's Mark?" Keti asked "He is my new classmate. And now Mike's bandmate" I told her and threw away the corks. "Mike has band now?" Mariam asked "Who is Mike, again?" That was Jeremy who asked "He is my best friend and practically family member just like Penelope and Parker. And yes he decided to make a band over the summer. But they still need bass player so if you know anyone please tell me" I said and directed my gaze to Keti, her being only persone in the room close to my age "Yeah, sure, I'll ask someone from my school" She told me and I put some salad on the table. I nodded and at that moment door bell rang "I'll get it" I went to the door and opened it. Soon enough I was met with a bear hug from Penelope "Hey! I missed you!" She yelled. She is always really energetic "Hey, I missed you too. But I saw you two days ago!" I told her as we parted "Uh, fills like forever!" She said dramatically as she flipped her hair. She is actually really beautiful, with sky blue eyes and bright red hair. She also has a lot of freckles just like me, which I think was the first thing we bonded over. Parker walked in behind her and smiled at me. I smiled back "Hey." "Hey" there was a pause and we stared at each others eyes for a moment "Hey! Don't close the door!" I heard Mike yelling as him and Mark ran upstairs. "Hey! Hope we're not late" "Nope, actually you are right on time. Hi, Mark!" "Ooh, who we have here? Aren't you going to introduce me to your new friend?" The way Penelope pronounced friend just felt really wrong "Yeah, sure. Penelope this is Mark, our new classmate and a friend-" "And a bandmate!" Mike added with his finger up. I rolled my eyes "and a bandmate. Mark this is Penelope Parkers cousin and one of my closest friends" "Pleasure to meet you" Mark said with a warm smile as he starched out his hand "Oh, the pleasures all mine" said Penelope as she shook his hand really slowly "That was so cheesy" Parker commented "Yeah, even for you Penelope!" I added. "მთელი დღე მანდ აპირებთ დგომას?!" (Are you going to stand there all day?!) I heard my dad yell "მოვდივართ!" (We're coming!) I yelled back "Okay, let's go!" I told them as I guided Mark to dining room. "Was that your dad?" He asked "Yeah, sorry today it was my mom who made khinkali, so it won't be as good" I told him. He chuckled "I don't think meat wrapped in dough can be bad in any way" I giggled and we entered the dining room "Hey, everyone. This is Mark" I told everyone. They all suddenly stopped talking and looked at him up and down. I rolled my eyes and cleared my throat. My mom was first one to speak "Please take a seat"

Time Skip~After Dinner

"Oh, my, god! I'm full!" Mike said as Jumped on my bed "Me too! Haven't eaten this much since... when was the last time we had dinner here?" Penelope asked "Your mother got really fine..." Parker started as he wiggled his eyebrows "In making khinkali" I rolled my eyes for god know how many times today "Still don't know how to pronounce it" Mark added as he sat on the couch next to Penelope "It's pronounced khinkali!" Keti and I said at the same time. We laughed "Let's watch something" Suggested Mike as he opened my laptop "Okay let's watch horror movie" Said Keti "No! I hate horror movies!" I protested "Don't worry. I'll be next to you the whole time" Parker said yet again wiggling his eyebrows. Penelope smacked him on the head "Let's watch comedy" She told us "No I don't want to" Complained Keti. Oh god...

Time Skip~ After Movie

"We always end up watching EuroTrip. And in georgian!" Mike complained as everyone started going "Well, it's funnier that way" Keti told him "Yeah, yeah sure" "Okay everyone. You can get out now!" I told them as I opened the door "You're such a good friend" Mike said as he nipped my nose "See you tomorrow Nina" Penelope said as him and Parker entered their home "It was really nice. Let's do this again next time?" Mark asked me "Sure, we do this all the time" I told him smiling a little "Okay maybe next time I will take you out. To spicy it up a little" He said as he made his way down the stairs. Before he was out of sight he smiled and waved at me and I waved back. I closed the door and closed my eyes "So Mark and you?" I heard Keti's voice. I opened my eyes and leaned on the door "No, nothing's happening between us" I told her and sighed from being really tired. Still haven't gotten used to school's sleeping schedule "Well it doesn't seem like it. He wasn't taking his eyes of you all the time during the dinner" "Are you guys talking about Mark?" Anna joined in. Everyone else coming behind her "Talking about who?" My Dad asked "No one you know of" Keti told him "ქეთი შენ მაინც დამელაპარაკე ქართულად!" (Keti, at least you talk to me in georgian!) my dad begged like a little child "დავით, ხო იცი რომ ქეთიმ არ იცის კარგად ქართული!" (David, you know that Keti doesn't know georgian well!) Mariam told him "ხოო, ყოველთვის მავიწყდება" (Yeah, I always forget) my dad said scratching the back of his head "Anyways, we will get going. Thanks for today" Said Anna as she kissed my mom on both of her cheeks. After a lot of thank you and goodbyes, I took a shower and went to sleep.