The Mishap

Chapter Fifteen

It’s been a few weeks and Christmas is officially upon us. Everywhere I go around town there are bright lights strewed upon every house and hung from every street lamp. 
“Wakey, wakey!” 
A slap to my butt wakes me from my dreams about Case. 
Groggily I open my eyes to see my sister, Jackie, in the most hideous Christmas sweater I have ever seen. She is standing above me, a little too excited for my taste.
“Everyone is here already and you are still sleeping. Time to get up!” 
“Go away!”
“Now, now. That isn’t the holiday spirit!” 
Jackie drags me out of bed and surprises me with a matching sweater to her own. My grimace does nothing to deter her from forcing me into it.
As we walk downstairs, a multitude of pleasant aromas hit me.
“Okay, Jackie. I’ll forgive you if you sneak me a cookie for breakfast.”
“Psh! Easy, peasy!”
Jackie hops away and I soon hear her chattering with Mom in the kitchen as I make my way to the living room.
Dad is sitting in his favorite armchair and drops the morning paper out of his view when I plop onto the couch.
“Well, look who’s up!”
“Yup. Jackie was nice enough to wake me.” I reply sarcastically, getting a rumble of laughter out of Dad.
“Lizzy!” 
I hear Rome’s voice and my heart drops. Dealing with the hectic situation between Brandi, Case, and myself, I had completely forgotten to touch base with Rome. A pair of hands land on my shoulders and Rome kisses my cheek before walking around the couch. A timid girl, who I’ve never seen before, follows him, and I can only assume it is his fiance; since, once again, I’m a terrible sister.
Just as Rome sits on the couch next to me, Mom calls Dad from the kitchen.
“Uh-oh, looks like I’m in trouble.” Dad jests before getting up and leaving me alone with my brother and his new fiance.
    There is an awkward silence for only a moment, but Rome soon fills it in by introducing me to the woman next to him.
    “Liza, this is Shelly, my fiance. Shelly, this is the baby of the family, Liza.”
    “Nice to meet you. I’ve heard quite a lot about you.”
    “Really?” I eye Rome. “All good, I hope.”
    “Of course! Rome really loves you guys.” Shelly drags a manicured hand down Rome’s arm as they lock eyes. There is so much love in that look that I feel jealous for a moment, wishing it was Case and me sitting there.
    “Hey…” I clear my throat as they both look in my direction. “I, uh, I really need to apologize. I have no great excuse, but I’m sorry that I lost touch and didn’t reply about the happy news. You both look very happy, which makes me happy.”
    “Sis, don’t worry about it. I promise it’s not a big deal. We are all adults now and we all have lives.”
    “Yeah, but you got engaged. That’s not exactly something that happens everyday. I feel terrible.”
    “I promise, it’s okay. I’m just happy you are home now and got to meet Shelly before we get married.”
    “Me too.”
    “So, tell me what’s new with you.”
    “Oh, I’ll tell you what’s new.” Jackie’s voice sounds from behind me. When I turn around I see her walking into the room with a plate of goodies, followed by Mom rolling her eyes. “Liza here is dating Brandi.”
    Rome’s eyes go wide. “What? When did this happen?”
    I see Shelly lean into Rome and ask a question before Mom grabs my attention.
    “Since she has been home, things just seemed to have blossomed so quickly. They really are a cute couple.”
    “Moooom!” I groan at her excitement.
    “What?” Mom touches my shoulder. “I never would have guessed it with the way she seemed to fawn over Case in middle and high school, but it all makes sense now. Honestly, Brandi and her fit together so well, I couldn’t be happier.”
    I was nervous about disappointing Brandi’s parents, but now my parents seem to be getting ideas of their own as well. The anxiety clawing at my chest is becoming hard to hide, but I put on a brave smile none-the-less.
    “How did you two meet?” Shelly asks innocently, a sweet smile on her face.
    “Oh, well…” I clear my voice, trying to remember what I have told my family already and what I haven’t. “Brand and I have been best friends for as long as I can remember. I came home to support her through a bad breakup, on top of visiting home. One thing quickly led to another and then….” I shrug, not sure what else to say.
    Everyone is quiet for a moment and I can feel myself heating up, wondering if I messed up. I look around the room and meet confused stares.
    “I thought you said you guys started dating before she broke up with April and before you came back to Georgia?” Jackie asks, her eyebrows scrunched in confusion.
    “Oh!” My knee starts to bounce out of nervousness and I try to cover my mistake the best I can. “Uhm...Just a little ashamed to admit that in front of Shelly I guess.”
    I give a short, nervous laugh and there is another beat of silence before Mom breaks it. 
    “There’s no reason to hide the truth, sweetie. No matter how messy, it obviously was for the best.”
                    …...