“And to answer your question from before,” Jae spoke up, “just consider yourself a Reznikovsky for the weekend. You know, long lost sister or…” Nox and Jae shared a look. “I mean, adoptive, definitely non-blood related relative.” Jae corrected with a smirk towards Nox.
Okay, I’m not stupid. Is he implying that Nox has a crush on me or something?
No, that’s crazy. He’s probably just fucking around.
“Um, well, maybe. But only if you check with your parents first,” I eyed Nox, still unsure that they would actually want me to stay.
A smile spread across his face, reaching his brown eyes and he squeezed my knee.
“Alright,” Jae clapped, “now back toStranger Things.”
I bit back a smile as I settled into my spot on the couch, excited to maybe experience what I’d secretly always coveted but was too prideful to admit—a normal family.
???
Okay, fuck me. Why the fuck did I ever agree to staying? Where the fuck is the exit button? I want to get the fuck out of this situation!
Sweat was starting to seep through my shirt, and I tucked my arms closer to my sides.
“I mean I think I’d have remembered a beautiful young lady like you as being one of my grandbabies,” Baba smiled as she handed me a stack of plates to set on the table.
I awkwardly attempted to smile as I grabbed them and she continued with her rant, tugging Jae’s ear.
“Seriously, how could you lie to your Baba like that? You could have given me a heart attack, boy!” She scolded him.
Jae winced and held his hands up in defense, “I’m sorry Baba, it was just a joke.”
Baba let out a huff and released his ear, stepping out of the room as she muttered something under her breath that definitely wasn’t in English.
Nox let out a bellowing laugh, Jae smacking him in the stomach as he told him to shut up. I proceeded to set the table while Jae and Nox cleared it of the clutter that seemed to have a permanent home there. After spending the last two hours third wheeling on their reunion with Nox’s grandparents, who I was told to call Baba and Ded, I was thoroughly annoyed with Nox and Jae for telling me I should stay.
Especially after Jae introduced me to Baba as their cousin, trying to convince her that she was going senile. Baba visibly paled and pulled me into such a tight hug I thought my ribs were rebreaking. I sucker punched both the boys until they admitted the truth to Baba.
After some extremely awkward small talk with me, I was sweating from all the attention, and although no one ever said I was an unwelcome guest, I certainly felt that way.
“Nox, can you ask your parents now? I don’t want to stay if I’m crashing another family reunion,” I interrupted their banter.
“Huh? Oh, um, sure. But I can guarantee that they’re going to say they want you to stay.”
I rolled my eyes and motioned for him to go ask already. I watched intently as Nox spoke with his mother in the kitchen and didn’t realize I was being annoying until Jae touched my arm and pointed at my foot tapping against the floor.
“He’s right though, they will tell you to stay,” he commented.
Shelby was smiling and they suddenly both turned to look my way. I averted my gaze to the floor and tried to act like I wasn’t just staring at them.
“Told ya,” Jae smirked, bumping his shoulder against mine.
The knot in my stomach relaxed a little knowing I didn’t have to go home yet. As much as I hated socializing, it was miles better than what waited for me at home.
???
October 16, Saturday
Enoch
Ichuckled to myself as I massaged my cheeks, thinking back to the times I caught Shiloh doing the same when she thought no one was looking.
If mine hurt from smiling, I could only imagine what Shiloh’s must’ve been feeling like all day. This was the most I’d ever seen her smile, and they seemed genuine, unforced and not out of politeness. It was hard not to stare when she did, I was just so in awe of her and how much she was letting herself enjoy the company of my family.
