Nomads

Chapter 8

Two weeks and many more memorable moments later, the two orphans found themselves in the taxi on their way to the airport.

On their way to the unknown.

"Luca, I know you're an incredibly emotional guy, but I need you to promise me you aren't going to cry. I'm a sympathetic crier. If you cry, then I'll cry, and I don't cry pretty. I'm like the Kim Kardashian level of ugly when I cry."

Said boy rolled his eyes, scoffing. "Naomi, I'm not gonna cry."

"No! Don't call me that! Call me Mara, because I am in deep mourning."

He scoffed again to mask his laughter. "No. I'll call you Naomi, because that's your name."

"My name is Mara too! It's my middle name. And I'll have you know that I go by Mara when I'm in the depths of despair."

"You're smiling at your own joke, so clearly you aren't in the depths of despair."

"I will be! I'm just mentally preparing for the moment we are torn apart from each other."

"Χαρά, one more theatrical word out of you and I'm taping your mouth shut." Iosif called from the passenger seat.

Naomi huffed and crossed her arms. "Neither of you are taking my feelings seriously."

Iosif chuckled as Luca rolled his eyes.

"It would be easier to take your feelings seriously if you did so yourself, Naomi."

She rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to retort when the taxi slammed on its brakes and the driver stated that they had arrived.

Luca opened his door and stepped out of the car before she could gain her bearings enough to make another silly comment. Iosif was next to get out, followed by Naomi.

"Are your grandparents going to meet us here?"

Luca nodded, retrieving his luggage from the open trunk. "Yeah, they said they'd meet us by the desk for united airlines."

Naomi sighed loudly, grabbing her suitcase from Iosif. "Man, I'm probably going to cry."

"Well come on then, let's get it over with," Luca muttered.

Naomi gasped, looking way more hurt than she probably was. "Luca! Stop being so mean to me."

He bit back a smile and started walking toward the entrance. "Come on, we're going to miss our flight!"

Iosif only shrugged and followed Luca when Naomi looked to him for help, leaving her no choice but to do the same.

Upon entering the high ceilinged airport terminal, Naomi was engulfed in a bear hug, her senses flooded with warmth and the scent of lilac.

"Γιαγιά," she murmured, letting go of her suitcase to embrace the old woman.

"I am going to miss you desperately, little one. You two will be in the same country, so I'm entrusting my grandson to you. Take good care of him."

Naomi smiled, tears pricking her eyes. "Awe, γιαγιά, I'm going to miss you too. I promise I'll do my best to look after Luca while I can."

"Alright. I'll take that." The old woman pulled away, wiped a tear from her eye and sniffed. "I always wanted a granddaughter, one as sweet and lovely as you."

Naomi laughed, glancing over to where Luca was receiving a similar, albeit more manly goodbye from his grandfather and Iosif. "Your grandson is wonderful, though."

"Ah, yes, yes. I am blessed, I know that. I just hope he doesn't let you go. I want you to be my granddaughter officially one day."

Naomi blushed, failing to fight back a smile at the idea. "Γιαγιά..."