What is Home

Chapter Thirteen

Reece returned home late on Saturday. After Ally's actions the night before I wanted to take a break from everyone. Therefore, I asked me mom if we could postpone shopping until Sunday. I was dreading it but I wanted to please my mom.

"Sweetie, want to watch a movie with us?" My mom said as she knocked on my door.

I opened my door following her knock. "Is popcorn involved?" I smiled. Of course it was so I was in. Reece even joined us. He was still recovering from the night before.

My parents put on a movie I had never heard of before but it was honestly a good laugh. The entire family was in belly laughs. I felt so included by people who knew nothing about me. My biological parents would have never even thought to do something like this.

Toward the end of the movie, my phone began to ding with text messages. They were from Grayson.

How you feeling today my Charlee girl?

I wanted to respond but he could wait. I left him on read while I finished the movie with my parents and brother. I was enjoying family time and I wasn't going to let it slip away because someone wanted my attention.

For the first time in years, I was able to make my own decisions in life. I didn't have to think about other people. This new life gave me the opportunity to live for myself. It felt good to be able to do that. You never realize how much being your own person matters until you see both sides of the spectrum.

"We're going to order pizza and wings a little later for dinner if that's okay with you Charlee." My father said as I stood up to make my way back to my room.

"No problem. Sounds amazing." I smiled. "Haven't had Pizza in so long. Just thinking about it is making my mouth water. I swear I had to be about five the last time."

"Charlee how?" Reece said in utter shock.

"Reece I don't think that is an appropriate question to be asking." Our mother spoke sternly at Reece.

"No, no. It's okay. It's shocking. Pizza is everyone's favorite food it seems. Easy way to put it is, never had the money to feed seven people with a pizza. My twin siblings had pizza a lot though." I smiled thinking about Luca and Lucy. "We had these old neighbors who would feed them while I tutored to make money to keep your house, power, and water on. They would always talk about how much they loved the pizza Mr. and Mrs. Giammarino made them. They were our old Italian neighbors who would watch them for me."

"Well since this is a treat for you Charlee. What kind of pizza would you like?"

"Since I'm picky probably just cheese or pepperoni. If that's okay." I looked around at the faces of my new found family.

"That's great! We normally do two pizzas because mom is picky too. Now she has someone to share with. We will call you down when it's here."

"Thank you." I exclaimed before running up to my room with Reece on my heels.

After I entered my room I pulled my phone out to text Grayson back.

Your Charlee girl? That's new. I'm good though.

I saw that he read the message almost instantly but didn't respond. I wasn't really upset that he was doing the same thing I had done to him. It was petty but also understandable. Then again, he could have been busy, but if he had enough time to read it, he had enough time to reply.

After a good thirty minutes of sitting in my room and writing in my journal waiting for Grayson to reply, my phone started buzzing with a FaceTime call so I answered it. Grayson's bed head hair took over the screen before his face appeared. It seemed as though he was fumbling with his headphones so I waited before I spoke.