Swooped | ✓

Chapter 28: To Eat Like a Bird

Milo gave me a kiss before pulling on a jumper, running outside to follow his brother - or at least try to, since he had no idea where Felix would have gone. I told him to try the park first, since last time that's where he escaped to when he had a fight with his brother.

"Again, I am so sorry about Felix," Ada said glumly, shovelling some more roasted potatoes onto my plate, as if stuffing me with starch would help soak up the slightly despondent feeling settled in my stomach. I had been used to Felix disliking me, but that was before I was actually dating his brother. Now that Milo and I were in a relationship, having his precious younger brother hate me with the strength of a thousand suns was not something I could shrug off - especially not when I didn't want this relationship to end.

"It's fine, Ada," I said through a mouthful of potatoes and pork knuckle, groaning a little at the wonderful taste, which broke Ada's frown in two. "We kinda... surprised him earlier. And, uh, I mean I get it. Well, not really because I don't have siblings, but I can understand where he's coming from. I, uh, I'm not trying to steal his brother from him or anything, though."

"Felix has always been very attached to his brother," Ada sighed, sinking down into the chair beside me, finally serving herself some dinner after basically threatening me to eat before she even sat down. "I was always so glad that my boys got along so well. Mein Gott, I could only imagine if they were at each other's throats when they were children, they were always so calm and friendly. But now, I don't know. I think Felix may rely on his older brother too much."

"Mm. Must be nice, though. Having siblings," I mused, and Ada gave me a long look, before gently resting her hand on top of mine.

"Yes, but having good friends can be as nice as having a sibling," Ada said, patting my hand. "Since Milo isn't here to scold me for embarrassing him in front of his boyfriend, this is the perfect time for us two to chat. I was so happy when Milo first told me about you. It was almost right after he moved to your school."

"Really? He talked about me?" I said, perking up. Ada laughed, nodding. Her eyes drifted off to the wall behind me, small smile on her face as she slipped into the seemingly fond memory. "I thought he hated me!"

"That's what he made it sound like too, but Mama always knows," Ada said with a mischievous grin. "See, Milo was always a very quiet, kind of solemn boy. At home he was more relaxed, but I knew that he didn't like being around people too much, too shy. It also didn't help that when we moved here, he barely spoke a lick of English. Just what he was taught in school and from American TV shows, and even when he did he had his accent. He was always self conscious about that."

"He barely had an accent when I met him in Year 7 though," I said, Ada nodding. "Well, when he gets worked up he has his accent, but it's adorable."

"Danke, Culver," Ada said, in her own thick accent, winking. "But yes, Milo was always bright, but he worked extra hard to learn English and to try and get rid of his accent. You know school kids - they can be very tough, especially when other kids aren't the same as them. Milo didn't want to be known as the kid with the weird accent. Ah, but still, I was very sad and worried when he wasn't making friends. At least, until you."

Ada gave me a smile, tapping the edge of my plate to remind me to keep eating, making me chuckle. 

"Yeah? But you said that he made it seem like he hated me," I said, Ada laughing.

"Yes, he did! Or at least, really tried to! Oh, what did he say about you again..." Ada said, pausing as she pursed her lips in thought, rubbing at her temple as if it would stimulate her memories from all those years ago. "Ah, that's right. He kept going on and on about a certain 'annoying boy' who 'stalks me at lunch', and always eats 'boring sandwiches so he's too skinny', and who's 'always copying my notes in class'."