Begin Again

Chapter 21

"This is a long-overdue girls' night out!" I hollered, raising my tequila up high.

"To Lexie and Matteo!" Talia declared.

"To Lexie and Matteo!" Erica and Zenia chimed in.

I took a sip of my tequila and laughed. It's been so long since we hung out. I miss all those times we spent in high school, being teachers' pets... I miss hanging out at each other's houses and having sleepovers. We can't do that now.

"I can't believe we only have math left tomorrow. After that, it'll all be over. I can't wait to go home and visit Mum and Dad," I remarked.

"I know!" Zenia exclaimed. "Even though we went back four months ago during the holidays, I still miss them! It feels like we haven't gone back in years."

Talia and Erica nodded in agreement, replying, "Yeah!"

She turned to face me and asked, "Where's Matteo? Is he waiting at home for his darling girlfriend to return home to his warm embrace?"

"First, we don't stay together. We're neighbours. Second, he has something on. By the time I get home, he won't be there waiting for me for a warm embrace," I replied.

"What a pity," Talia laughed.

Matteo went home for dinner. By home, I mean he went back to his family's house. I still have no idea where that is but he said he might come home late. I bet he's going home to talk to his parents about Derek. Whatever the reason, I'm happy that he's finally willing to see them again.

Just then, my phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Matteo. "Hey, I have an incoming call. I'll be back," I said.

"Ooh, is it Matteo?" Erica asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Yes, yes. It's Matteo. Now, I have to pick up his call," I replied, rolling my eyes.

"Have fun!" Talia hollered.

I walked out of the bar and picked up his call. "Hey," I said.

"Hi, Grey. My family wants to invite you over for dinner tomorrow. I don't know what's the rush but they insisted on tomorrow. Since we both have papers in the afternoon, we have to head here straight after," he replied.

"Wait, I'm going to meet your family?" I asked.

"Yes, you are," he replied.

"Doesn't that mean I'm going to meet your Mum, Dad and brother?" I asked.

"You're also going to see my uncle, Dr Knight, the dean of NYU med. You met him before. I just called to ask you if you're okay with this arrangement. I can always tell them 'no'. They're used to me rejecting their requests," he said.

I thought for a moment. It won't be nice to turn them down. Besides, I'm sure his uncle would be keen to talk to me about Matteo's progress. "It's okay. I'll come over for dinner tomorrow. Tell them I accept their request."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied firmly. I mean, how bad can it be? It's not like they can force Matteo to break up with me or something. He's twenty-two, not twelve. Besides, making him break up with me will break him. They wouldn't want that. Why am I even thinking of this?

"Okay, then. Bye," he said. After a short pause, he continued, "I love you."

I grinned. "I love you too," I replied. With that, I hung up. I walked back into the bar and sat down. Talia, Erica and Zenia were chatting. As I walked closer, I realised that they were reciting mathematical formulas. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah!" Erica exclaimed and the trip burst into fits of giggles.

"We can't forget that there's still math paper tomorrow," Zenia pointed out.

I shrugged. Before I could reply, Talia butted in, "So, what's the call about? Did you all say 'I love you'? I can't imagine what lovey-dovey things you said to each other. Did he say that he missed you so much? That'll be so cute."

I put up a finger to shut her up. "No," I replied. "Okay, we did say 'I love you' but nothing else you said happened. His family invited me over for dinner tomorrow night. He was asking me if I was okay with it and he could turn them down if I wanted to."

"Aw, that's so sweet," Erica remarked, holding her hands close to her chest.

"You're going to meet his parents!" Talia exclaimed, jumping up and down.

"Why are you so excited? I'm not even excited," I muttered, grimacing. Her shipping of Matteo and me is tiring me out. It's draining the energy out of me. Why does she have to be so invested in my love life?

Back then, when I had a crush on Derek, she was so hyped about it. Erica and Zenia told me there was no way Derek would like me back because he was such a playboy. When he confessed to me, they were shocked.

I remember that day very well. It was lunchtime. Everyone was gathered at Derek's table. Talia, the epitome of a busybody, was eager to check it out. She told us to follow her and we reluctantly did. As much I liked Derek, I get so nervous when he's around. I didn't want to faint in front of him.

What I saw almost made me faint.

There were roses placed on the table in the shape of a heart. Inside the heart was two photos. One was of Derek and the other was of me, taken from afar. It was kind of romantic. Needless to say, I accepted his confession at that instant.

Everyone screamed in both joy and terror. His buddies and my friends were happy but the other girls were not. Linda was at the top of that list.

From then on, we had three years of happiness, three years of utopia. Everything was perfect. Derek seemed to have changed his ways overnight. He abstained from sex. It was great! Then came the night before Valentines' Day.

And here I am today.

Well, it was fun while it lasted. It's a good thing that I woke up from that dream. As much as we all love blissful ignorance, facing the truth is the right way to do things. Breaking up with Derek was the best decision I have ever made. Why live in a lie?

"Thanks for being so supportive," I said, smiling.

"That's what friends are for!" Talia exclaimed. She put her arm on my shoulders and said, "We're always here for you, like how you'll always be there for us. All for one, one for all." With that, she signed love.

We immediately understood what she was starting. Erica followed up by blowing a kiss and Zenia continued the chain by forming a finger heart. I finished our routine by forming a hand heart. We burst into laughter and squealed with joy.

This has been such a fun night. We waved each other goodbye and parted ways. They headed towards Alumni Hall and I headed towards Devon Heights. As soon as I got home, I took a nice hot shower and changed into pyjamas.

It's been a long day.

Just then, my phone rang. Matteo was requesting a video call. I accepted it and his face appeared on my screen. "Hey," he said.

"Hey," I replied.

"Are you going to sleep?" he asked. He looked like he was in the lift of our condominium. "I'm reaching soon. I'm going upstairs." Nailed it.

"Yeah," I said, walking to the front door. As he exited the lift, I opened my door. I looked to my right and saw him walking towards me. Standing in my PJ's, I hung up and asked, "So, how was dinner with your family?"

He kept his phone in his pocket and replied, "It was great. My brother is still very annoying but, overall, it was great."

I chuckled, "That's good to hear."

"Good night, Grey," he whispered.

"Good night, Matteo," I said and went back into my apartment. My phone lit up and I saw a new message from him: By the way, I'm loving you in your pyjamas.

I rolled my eyes and giggled as I climbed into my bed. I texted: Thanks. Hey, I haven't seen you in pyjamas. We should have a pyjama party tomorrow night!

He replied: I'd like that.