Wild Girl

City Of Love

Guess what?? It's Wednesday! And just like I had promised all of you, it's UPDATE TIME! Haha :) Well, enjoy the seventh chapter of Wild Girl :P

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I placed the lasagna on the table just as the doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" I yelled to no one in particular as I ran to the door. I opened it, seeing Daphney standing there with a pie and a duffle bag in her small hands. She looked up at me.

"Riley!" She squealed. I took her bag and the pie from her and gave her a hug. "Come in! The pie smells dee-lish." She followed me into the living room, where my parents were located. They sat on different couches, seeming super fascinated in the MTV music video that was on TV. I placed Daphney's bag beside the coffee table.

"Daphney's here. Time for dinner." I told them. They jumped from their seats, probably to escape the awkward silence. We took our places around the small table. There was just enough chairs for only the four of us.

We quietly passed around the lasagna and vegetables. I cleared my throat, bringing everyone's eyes to me. "So, Dee, how's your Grandma?" I asked. She finished chewing before answering.

"She's doing way better than she was when we first came to California. But we might have to move her to a nursing home." She quietly answered. I gave her a half hug. Her Grandmother was like family to us, so I couldn't imagine how she felt.

"Daphney, sweetheart, I'm sorry." Mom said. Daphney gave a worn smile. "Thank you, Ms. Raeva. I'm hoping that you guys can come and visit her before the summer is over." We all agreed.

"Of course, Daphney." Dad put in. She grinned. "So how has everything been? Riley, could Colson not make it to the din-" Daphney started. I started to cough loudly, giving her a look. Mom reached across the table to help me. "Riley, are you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just choked on the lasagna a little bit." Daphney giggled, looking down at her plate. "Well, like I was saying, did Colson-" I pinched her under the table. "Dee, could you get me a glass of water. My throat is killing me." I asked sourly.

She snickered, getting up and going to the kitchen. Both Dad and Mom were giving me questioning looks but said nothing. "So, um, how is everyone enjoying the lasagna?" I asked. Mom smiled. "It's great." She complimented. Daphney came back with the glass of water, setting it beside my plate as she took her seat.

"It's Aunt Anka's recipe," I said. Aunt Anka was Dad's older sister. "Well I love it." Mom continued. Everyone got second helpings as we talked about the summer ahead of us. "Just being in California is a wonderful start." Daphney told us. I nodded. "Same here. It's truly beautiful."

Daphney smirked. "Don't they call Malibu the 'City Of Love'?" Daphney wondered aloud, looking over at me. I gave her a forced grin. Dad shook his head. "No, I think you mean Paris." He corrected, finishing his plate.

"No, no, I'm pretty sure it's Malibu." Daphney murmured low enough so only I could hear. I attempted to kick her under the table, but it failed. She moved her leg just in time, making my foot connect with someone else's shin. My mom jumped. "Ouch! Riley did you just kick me?!" She exclaimed.

I blushed furiously. "Sorry. I was, um, stretching. My bad." Daphney was trying not to laugh. Her face was as red as a cherry. "Who's ready for pie?" I stood up and rushed to the kitchen, not waiting for an answer.

I got a knife to cut the pie with and some extra plates. Everyone watched as I took my place at table. I handed out plates. "I hope you guys like the pie. Gram made it. I helped." Daphney beamed. We all helped ourselves to to a slice.

"It's really good, Daph." I admitted, getting another piece. We continued small talk until Dad's beeper started going off. He glanced at it before getting up. "The dinner was amazing. Unfortunately, I have to go." We all murmured our goodbyes as he left, gathering our empty dishes. Dinner was over.