Greece and Roses

Chapter Three

"Athena!"

I turned from where I was standing handing Demos to Eucalyptus, to run towards her, reaching my arms around her waist and pulling her close to me, taking in her sweet scent.

She pushed herself up onto her tiptoes, and the memories came flushing back, running barefoot through the warm streets, dancing in the rain on the beach and having countless sleepovers. I pulled away gently, my earring catching her hair.

"I missed you so so much Thea. How come you never called?" I whispered sweetly at her, as she nuzzled into my shoulder.

"Because you didn't give me your number vláka" She said aslaced her fingers through mine, as our steps fell in sync. "Fair."

As we walked, Pandora tapped my shoulder gently. "You haven't seen Miyet yet have you?" she asked as Thea looked over her shoulder and smiled.

"Ah! Pandora! Olympia and Eucalyptus! And who is this little one?" She crouched down and waved to Demos sweetly. "How are you doing bud?"

She turned back up to my sister and smiled brightly, not before giving my little brother a high five. "I saw him down by the pier earlier this morning. If he is fishing, he should still be there" She said as she pushed herself back up to eyes level.

"You take your siblings to your nans. I went over to drop off her paper this morning, and she said she was expecting you guys." Thea said, shifting her gaze back to me. "I'll meet you at o simeío ton okeanón mas at seven ok?"

"Sounds good." I said, as she gave me a nice smile, tucking her hair behind her ear. She turned to walk away, but stopped and looked back. "Love you glýka" she said, as she tapped her nose, our secret signal.

"Love you too Thea"

I picked up the pace as she faded out of sight and turned the corner to Anaxos Street, where my grandparents had built their house.

"Ready guys?" I picked Demos back up and turned around. "Now remember. Olympia and Eucalyptus no fighting. Pandora you should've changed into your sneakers already." I said "You know it's illegal to wear any type of shoes that could damage the flooring here. Make sure you don't bug Nan ok? Olympia, you want to do the honours?"

My sister stepped out in front of me and pressed the baby blue door bell gently, once, then twice, then three times before I slapped her hand away.

Just then Nana threw the door open. "Ay! Ta morá mou! Please come in lovelies!" She threw her arms around us, before hollering for our pappoús to come greet us. "I have missed you all so much! Where is your mother?" She said as she peeked out the door and took a quick look around.

"She's at Yoleni's. She should be back soon" I said, taking off my shoes at the door. "We saw Thea a couple minutes ago." I said "She and I are going down to the beach at seven."

"That will be fun agápi mou. Now you all come out of the sun. Pappous is just getting dinner ready, if you want to say hi." She said as she ushered us in and closed the door gently.

"Pahu!!" Demos scrambled out of my sister's arms and ran down the hall towards our grandpa, as he added some type of seasoning to whatever he was cooking.

"Demos!" My grandpa called, turning from his food and bending down on one knee. "Look at you! So tall now" he said, giving his cheek a squeeze.

"And beautiful Pandora and Circe! You two are so old now! Not to mention Olympia and Demetrie over here!" My Pappous grinned, pulling them under his arms. "You barely came up to my elbow the last time you were home!"

He hugged all of us tight before pulling back and gazing at us one more time.

"What are you making Pappous?" I asked, leaning over to look at the stove

"None other than my famous brizóla anarotiémai" He said sweetly, shifting a little bit from where he was standing.

"Your Nan set the table for you- go have a seat!" He said as he motioned us over to the wooden set of tables and chairs.

"I have been working very hard preparing the house for you!" he said proudly, turning back to the stove. "Your Mama will sleep upstairs in her old room with Demos, Demetrie and Eucalyptus will share the room down the hall, Pandora will have the room to the left on the third floor, and Circe, you will have the one to the right."

That excited me greatly. The third floor was the best place to sleep, as it was the top floor, and both rooms had beautiful large balconies, complete with bathrooms and huge large sofas. The room I would be sleeping in this summer, was my old one, and by far my favourite as it was painted a solid yellow and splattered with pink paint, and had gorgeous stained glass windows. It had been my very favourite room-until I moved away. But even though my grandparents had done an amazing job on the interior design factor, my favourite part was that from the third floor balconies, you could see the ocean, and how the stars lit it up at night, and how the moon danced, as trees swayed with it in wind- sometimes you would even be able to watch street performers juggling or swallowing fire, not to mention since the balcony to the right was hugged with a small yet sturdy orange tree, it was easy to sneak people in- or out. Me and Thea had had countless secret sleepovers that way, until she fell out of the tree and broke her wrist. That part was not so fun, and probably my fault, since I tried to climb out after her. 

"Here you are my loves." My Pappous said, interrupting my thoughts and placing the brizóla anarotiémai in the middle of the table.

"What would you all like to drink?" he asked "I have some freshly made soumada in the fridge?"

"Mmm yes please!" we all chorused in agreement.

Soumada was a delicious non-alcoholic, syrupy, almond-based beverage. It's made with a mixture of fresh almonds, sugar, and water, which is simmered in sugar syrup. It's the most delicious thing you've ever tasted.

As my Pappous sat down at the table, and I sipped away at my drink, my senses overloaded with pepper, salt, juicy steak and a little tint of lime as I popped some of the brizóla anarotiémai into my mouth.

"Delicious." I said "Thank you so much Pa"

"Of course, glykós"

Sitting at that table, in the heart of my city, I felt really, and truly at home, for the first time in a long, long time. Knowing that I wouldn't be leaving this heaven for another two whole months provided immense comfort to me. I loved this place. With all of my heart. 

NOTES: this chapter is a bit longer, as I won't have time to write two today, I've been completely swamped with online school work, but I might be able to get another one in later tonight idk :) ty all sm for reading xo 

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