Hidden Truths

Chapter 13: It's Starting to feel a lot like Christmas

The next morning I feel absolutely terrible. I walk to the bathroom and take a quick shower trying to refresh myself. When I put my hair up, I notice that I have bags under my eyes from getting almost no sleep. I went back to bed at around 4:00 am and it's 10:00 right now. I trudge downstairs and fix myself some coffee. I don't really drink coffee regularly, but I definitely need it today. Sebastian also made some eggs and bacon and left some toast on the side. Nate and Theo are already down there and Nate looks away when he sees me.

I clear my throat. "Uh...good morning." I sit down at the table.

"Morning," Theos smile lessens after he examines my face. "You don't look so good." I groan and put my head on the table.

"I wonder why," Nate mutters under his breath. I sit up and look at him.

"Nothing happened, Nathaniel. There's absolutely nothing going on." He scoffs and heads upstairs. I don't know why he's so upset about this. It was one stupid moment that will never happen again. Now I have to find a way to salvage whatever is going on with him. This is too stressful, I mean the morning just started.

"He's pissed isn't he?" Theo questions, his eyes filled with interest. I shake my head dismissing the question and go upstairs to Nate's room. I knock on the door and hear him say "come in". He's lying on his bed tossing a football.

"I swear nothing happened, Nate," He stops throwing the ball and then turns on his side to face me. I fold my arms.

"It didn't look like nothing,"

"I mean, yeah I guess it could've gone somewhere. But so what if it did? I can do what I want. We're not freshmen anymore."

"Anything could've happened, Andi. You barely know the guy," He mutters.

"You still overreacted, Nate," I fold my arms waiting for a rebuttal.

"I guess I could've toned it down a bit. I'm sorry." Nate apologizes. "You're my sister. It's just an instinct. I am your big brother after all."

"Only by three minutes," I counter.

Mom and Michael wanted to take us to the Botanical Garden early this morning because Mom is thinking about having an outdoor wedding. She already has a church that will be the backup location in case it rains. The garden is really beautiful and honestly the perfect place for a wedding. There's a huge field that's surrounded by different flowers like lilies and petunias and a lake just a few feet away. I admire the scenery while Mom and Michael are talking about how they would set everything up. They have to talk to the landowner for permission to use the place in case they need. I see them walk over to the owner and they soon engage in a conversation. The landowner says they can use it and gives them a price of $35,000.

The next place we go to is Venice Beach which is most likely going to be the most expensive. When we get there, Mom is extra eager.

"Oh, Michael this would be so beautiful! We could have the arch right in front of the ocean. We can set up the flowers right around where the guests will be sitting." Michael smiles and pulls Mom in next to him. "Anything for you, babe." The boys and I jokingly gag. I start to get bored so I gesture to Grayson to take a walk with me. I need to get to the bottom of his situation with Carmen.

"So are you and Carmen, alright? It seemed a little tense at the game yesterday." I kick a seashell.

"Yeah, we're fine." He keeps his head down.

"I can tell by the way you guys are holding hands and skipping down the halls." I deadpan with a sarcastic tone.

"It's complicated. I think Carmen wants a commitment, but I'm not ready for that. I like relationships with no strings attached." I stop in my tracks. Is he actually being serious? He needs to snap out of this because that is not what Carmen deserves.