lovely |k.k|

XII

Preparing for the arrival of an unpredictable family was as much of hassle as you expected. Aunt Lara had me clean all the parts of the house they would be seeing even better than I had the day before, and made me set the table differently so many times that I lose count.

Thirty minutes before they came, she finally told me to stop and get ready. So I did. I went upstairs and took a warm shower, trying to make it quick so I could have time to do my hair and get ready.

I didn't do much, knowing Kevin would spot the try-hardness and tease me about it for days to come, but I did want to look nice, for some reason. Aunt Lara had warned me about wearing the wrong thing, suggesting a romper we had bought together.

I decided to give in, putting on the green romper and curling my hair loosely. I left my make up up to natural chance, just doing a little mascara and putting on some stud earrings. I was finished with five minutes left to kill, heading downstairs with my sketchbook.

It was my original plan for the day, to spend my afternoon sketching and taking pre-Monday naps, but instead I was stuck catering. I did mind, but I knew better to complain. Lara did so much for me, I couldn't just throw it in her face the minute she was excited about something.

I could hear her shuffling into view, and I looked up from the figure I was drawing, seeing her in jeans and a white blouse. Her hair was in a lovely little updo, and she had a cute bracelet on. The look was gorgeous, but I could see the unsureness in her eyes was clear,

"Hey Birdy, Thoughts? I know they don't have a charming thirty-five year old estranged relative, but I don't want to look bad." I scoffed, tapping the end of my pencil against my cheek as I pretended to squint up at her. She seemed to get even more nervous, before I burst into laughter and she rolled her eyes,

"You look great, Aunt Lara." I said calmly, glancing down at my sketchbook, "Don't worry about it. You're at the perfect balance right now." She gave me one last look, before ushering into the kitchen and finally the dining area, where all the food was displayed.

I couldn't understand her worries. The house was gorgeous, the food was amazing, and she looked great. The only problem would be when they got here, where awkward conversation would ensue. I was undoubtedly worried Kevin would pull something, and as the moments ticked by as the thought continued in the back of my head.

Still, everything was perfect. I had put a tablet filled with games out for Celia, knowing she would be bored once she finished eating. I also had all the kid's channels memorized, just as a Plan B. Kevin, meanwhile, I didn't know. I wondered if he'd even sit beside me, or across from me.

The entire thing felt foreign. Formality, especially when it involved him, was not my strong suite.

As I sketched out the jaw of a familiar face I had been drawing recently, there was a small knock. I heard a yelp from Aunt Lara, and I put down my sketchbook, standing up and catching sight of her in the kitchen. She gave me a look that told me to go get it, and I couldn't help but try to stifle a laugh as I walked over to the door.

For once, the Khatchadourian's would be entering my home, not the other way around.

I opened it, not surprised to find Eva and Franklin. She looked more put together than usual, but her usual air was the same. Calm and on edge, all at once. Kevin's Dad looked just as I had last seen him, dressed nicely and kind eyes. In front of them, there was Celia, dressed in an adorable green dress that matched the color of my romper.