STUNNING LOVE 18+ (discontinued)

SIX

6. Lady Liberty's pose

BQOTD: How's life? Mine sucks, as per usual.

•••

EDEN ABRELL

As we pulled up in my parent's driveway, Mr King pestered me for about the billionth time. You would think the music playing loudly would tell him to shut the fuck up, but no. He decided it was a good idea to ask for a minute by minute update if I was okay.

It was sweet.

But it was starting to get annoying.

"Are you positively sure you're okay Eden?" He asked, worry embedded in both his tone and his face.

"Yes. And I swear to God if you ask me that one more time, I will find a way to wreck this car." He raised his eyebrow at my threat. I rolled my eyes. "I've told you I was okay, quite literally, for the last seventeen minutes. I was fine thirty seconds ago, Mr King, and I will be in fine in thirty seconds." I grabbed my purse and put the strap over my shoulder.

"Okay, but just let me check for injuries," He said and grabbed my chin, turning my head from side to side.

Ignoring the fire he started when he touched me, I rolled my eyes and slapped his hand away. "You know what? I give up. I give up." I said as I took off my seat belt and got out of the car.

I walked around to the back of the car and open the trunk. I took out my suitcase, sat it on the ground beside me and pulled the handle out. I walked around the car, to the driver's door and knocked on the window, waiting for Mr King to wind it down.

"Thank you for driving me up and back. I did appreciate it, Mr King." I smiled sincerely as I looked him in the eyes. His eyes are so brown, I could stare at them all day.

Selfish, Eden. Selfish.

"No worries." He said and I turned to walk away. "And Eden," I stopped. "I think you can call me Huxley. You've known me long enough."

I chuckled and shook my head. "I'll take it under consideration."

I turned and walked towards my house. When I'm inside, I closed the door behind me. I walked into the kitchen, dragging my suitcase with me, my purse between my fingertips. I saw a note on the kitchen counter.

Your dad and I went out for date night. There's some spaghetti bake and salad in the fridge if you're hungry.

- Love, Mum

I'm glad. They don't get to go out often so I'm happy they're making time for themselves and their relationship.

I walked down the hall, into my room, closing the door behind me. After I'm done unpacking and putting everything back in their designated places, I took off my shoes and socks. I put my shoes in their spot and my socks in my laundry hamper. I took my phone from my purse and put it in my back pocket.

I headed back into the kitchen and took the spaghetti bake and salad out of the fridge. I grabbed out a plate and put on a serving of the spaghetti bake. I opened the microwave and put the plate in, placing a microwave-proof case over it. Closing the microwave door, I pressed the start button three times and let the food heat up in a minute and a half.

While I waited I put the rest of the spaghetti bake back in the fridge and grabbed out a knife and fork. I took out my phone and opened the Messages app. I tapped on Gracie's contact and typed a message.

Eden: Hey, I'm home. Come over in half an hour?

The microwave beeped while I was typing but I ignored it, giving the plate and food to cool a little bit. Opening the microwave door, I took off the microwave-proof case and put it back in its spot.

I grabbed my plate and put it down on the counter, grabbing the salad and putting a serving on my plate. I set the salad back in the fridge, picked up my phone, my plate, knife and fork before I headed into the living room. I sat on the couch, putting my plate and utensils on the coffee table.

I looked at my messages to see a reply from Gracie.

Gracie: Of course! See you soon!

I smiled, setting my phone down on the table and grabbing the TV remote. I turned it on and open Netflix, looking at the options in my 'Continue Watching' section. I clicked on The Haunting Of Hill House, grabbing my food and utensils as I sat back to watch the episode.

Half an hour later, the door swung open and Gracie sauntered in announcing her presence.

"I'm here, bitch," Gracie said, doing an adaptation of Lady Liberty's pose.

I giggled, "Hey, crazy," I said, pausing the show and standing up to walk to the kitchen, my plate and cutlery in hand. Once in the kitchen, I put my dishes in the dishwasher and turned to face my best friend, who followed me into the kitchen.

"So when did your parents drop you off?" Gracie asked as we walked back into the living room.

"Uh, my parents didn't pick me up," I said as we sat on the couch. "Your dad did," I said casually and swallowed as I grabbed the remote.

"What? My dad picked you up?" She asked while I exited the show I was on and looked for something more interesting to watch.

"Yup," I said. "He did."

"Wait you and my dad spent thirty minutes alone in a car?" She questioned, her tone becoming slightly more accusatory.

I searched for Hotel Transylvania and started the movie before pausing it to answer Gracie's question.

"Yes, Gracie. Your dad picked me up and drove me home." I answered and her face contorted to confusion.

"And nothing happened?" She poked further.

"Nothing." I started. "Unless you count him swerving the car and almost getting us killed." I inputted casually.

Gracie's eyes bugged out of their socket and her mouth gaped like a fish, "Ah- Wh- I- What?"

"Yeah," I dragged. "And then he spent the next literal seventeen minutes asking if I was okay." I rolled my eyes.

"There are no words." She said, shock all over her features as rested her hand against her head. "I have no words."

"It was really annoying. It was basically pestering," I watched as she took in the information I said.

We looked at each other, a few seconds of silence passing before we started laughing. I clutched my stomach and my chest started to hurt. Tears filled my eyes and I rolled onto the floor, still laughing like a maniac. Gracie is laughing her head off and looking at me with a look that said 'what the fuck is wrong with you?'

Truth was? I didn't know.

I don't even know what's funny but it felt really good to laugh like this.

"Oh my God," I said as I calm down from my laughing fit. "I missed you crazy."

"I missed you too, girl." She said as she wiped her eyes.

"Come on, let's watch Hotel Transylvania," I got up and sat on the couch, grabbing the remote and pressing play.

"Sure." She waved her hand and got in a comfortable position. "Oh, and you're staying at my house for this weekend." She said leaving no room for discussion.

"Yes ma'am," I said as the first song in the movie began to play.

"Or two," She said after a moment and we giggled.

•••

Ok.