MELROSE

CHAPTER 20

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I was freaking out.

Something was off. Something was very off.

I ran downstairs in a frenzy, stopping short at the sight of Mum and a man I didn't know speaking in rapid Italian on the dining table. He said something that made her laugh and I coughed to let them know I was there.

"Morning mum. Morning sir." I greeted, trying not to frown.

"Hey sweetie. This is Riccardo. Riccardo, my daughter Aura."

I had to give to him, he was attractive and had the confidence of a guy who knew what he wanted and always got it. I liked him not.

His voice was very very deep. "She looks like your son."

"Maybe because we're twins." I said flatly.

Mum flashed me her be nice look while the man laughed. I just rolled my eyes. "Where's Fletch?"

"He left for school with Don. Like you should be doing."

I face palmed as I realized I had completely forgotten the reason I was freaking out in the first place. "Mum, it's December first."

She raised a brow. "And?"

I was my turn to raise a brow. "Really?"

The deal was Christmas was her favorite holiday. She was always so pumped about it that she started planing our annual Christmas party from January. Then if she was home in November, she put up Christmas trees or called to make sure Fletch and I did it. Ridiculous, but true. It was December now and there was no tree in sight. Plus, I haven't heard her plan anything.

"Oh." She chuckled. "You mean my normal behavior at this time?"

I nodded.

"Well," she looked at Riccardo, "there's been a change of plans. We won't be doing our annual Christmas party this year."

I scanned both of them. "A change?"

They both nodded. I had a feeling I wasn't going to like the change.

I waved them goodbye and left for school, singing along to my J Cole's playlist as I drove through.

People clustered around a car I recognised as Fletch's as he and Don exited the car. I watched in amusement as they plastered fake smiles on their faces and tried to weave through the crowd especially the girls who were screaming.

"We love you Don!"

"Come to me Daddy Fletchy!"

"Please notice us!"

"Ugh. Not us, her. She's the disgusting one."

"Hey!"

Still high in spirits, I walked into the school and told everyone who passed me by happy new month.

It was weird but I was strangely happy so I didn't care.

"Happy new month." I told Samantha and her minions, who stared at me like she was offended. I whistled past her.

"Happy new month. Happy new month. Happy new month." I said to the familiar and not familiar faces I passed on the way to my locker. Of course, this was high school, so they started talking immediately.

"Why is she so happy?"

"She's never like this."

"I mean, its just another December."

I glared at the person that said the last sentence. "Some people aren't alive to see this December. Shut up and be thankful."

He gulped and looked away embarrassedly.