Breaking and Entering (Reece Bibby)

Chapter 23

"Are you sure you're okay? You seem quite upset." Sophie asked again.

I shook my head. "It's a long story. I'll be fine. Thanks again for asking."

"You're welcome. I'm always open to making new friends." She smiled kindly. "I can't help but notice your accent. How long have you lived in the UK?"

"A few months. I lived in Accrington for a while until I met my boyfriend. He and his friends had to move down here for work so my friend and I joined them. She's also dating one of them." I thought it best not to mention who the boys actually were, in case she turned out to be a crazy stalker fan.

"Wow, a few months and you've already moved for this boy? I'd say that's pretty serious." She laughed lightly. "I'm relatively new to London myself. I grew up in Telford, which is near Birmingham. I'm not sure if you've heard of it."

I shook my head. "My England geography is not very good," I said with a small chuckle. "What brought you here?"
"Work. I made a connection out here with a foster system and they invited me to come work for them. I help take care of the kids and find them new homes. I love helping them."

"That sounds so awesome!" At this moment, I realized that Leah was probably wondering why I wasn't home yet. "Do you want to exchange numbers? That way we can meet up again and get to know each other a little more?"

"Sure!" She replied happily. She pulled out her phone and handed it to me. I typed in my number and gave it back.

"Thanks again for everything!" I started to walk away, waving goodbye. She waved back. I walked around the corner and headed back to my apartment.

~~~

I opened the door to my apartment to find it completely empty. Assuming Leah was just hanging across the hall I made my way over there. I heard the faint sound of voices talking as I started to open the door.

"We could play Monopoly," Leah suggested. She was sitting next to Blake on the floor, his arm draped over her shoulders. Reece was across from them, his legs crossed over each other.

"You just want to play that because you always end up with Park Place and Boardwalk," Blake pointed out, turning his head to look at her.

"What can I say, it's a gift." She laughed and looked over in my direction. "Ava! You're back!"

"Hello everybody!" I smiled warmly.

Reece jumped up and ran over to me, quickly scooping me up in his arms and spinning me around. I smiled as he placed quick kisses all over my face.

"I missed you," he said, placing a kiss on my nose.

"I missed you, too," I replied, kissing him on the lips. He grinned his toothy grin, making my heart warm. "But can you put me down now."

"Right, sorry." He lowered me onto the floor. "Do you want to play games with us?" He grabbed my hand and pulled me over to where Blake and Leah were still sitting on the floor. Reece sat down so that his back was against the couch. I lowered myself to the floor in front of him, placing myself between his legs so I could rest my back against his chest.

"What are we playing?" I asked, staring at the games strewn about wildly.

"We have yet to decide," Blake replied, chuckling slightly.

Leah scoffed. "That's just because you find something negative about everything I choose."

I felt Reece lean forward and place his chin on my shoulder. "They've been at it all day."

I laughed. "Do you guys have a deck of cards?"

Blake and Leah both turned to look at me. "Yeah, why? Want to play Go Fish or s0mething?" Blake replied humorously. "I can call my ten-year-old cousin to come join us."