Invitations and realizations
1357 Words
Chapter Three: Invitations and Realizations
“So, let me get this straight—you’re saying that Denzel, the guy you used to like from afar, suddenly asks you to hang out, and then, in the same day, invites you to his birthday party?”
Aunt Agnes folded her arms, watching me carefully.
I nodded. “Yeah… Exactly.”
She raised an eyebrow. “And you don’t think that’s a little strange?”
“That’s the problem.” I sighed, leaning back into the couch. “It’s something I would have wanted before, but now… I don’t know. I feel like something’s off.”
Aunt Agnes was silent for a moment, tapping her fingers against the armrest of her chair.
“Me too,” she admitted. “I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something doesn’t sit right with me.”
I groaned, running my hands through my hair. “I’ll just wait and see what happens… Let the drama unfold, I guess.” I yawned mid-sentence, suddenly realizing how exhausted I was.
Aunt Agnes chuckled. “You should take a nap. I’ll wake you up when it’s time for dinner.”
I nodded sleepily, dragging myself up from the couch. “Alright… I didn’t even realize how tired I was.”
I slipped off my shoes, crawled under the soft sheets of my king-sized bed, and before I knew it, I was out like a light.
---
Four hours later, Aunt Agnes gently shook me awake.
“You must have really needed that nap,” she said with a small smile.
I stretched my arms above my head and blinked the sleep from my eyes. “Maybe I did.”
Aunt Agnes was about to leave, but something in my dream had lingered in my mind, making me hesitate. “Aunt Agnes… do you think I should go to Denzel’s birthday party?”
She tilted her head. “I think you should. At least you’ll get the chance to meet new people. You need more friends, Layla—other than Clara.”
I thought about it for a second, then shrugged. “Cool. I’ll go.”
Aunt Agnes smirked. “I thought you might say that.”
I grinned. “Could you help me pick something to wear?”
“Of course, leave it to me.”
I trusted her judgment. She had done a great job with my back-to-school look, after all.
Just as I was about to follow her downstairs, she suddenly said, “Oh, by the way, your mom called while you were asleep.”
I froze mid-step. “She did? Why?”
“She wanted to ask how your first day of senior year went.”
I bit my lip. My parents rarely called. It wasn’t that they didn’t care, but they were always busy, constantly traveling for work. I saw them maybe once or twice a year, and even then, it felt like we were just strangers forced into the same room.
“I’ll call her back after dinner,” I said as we reached the dining table.
Aunt Agnes simply nodded, but I could tell she was watching me closely.
I took a seat, my mind wandering as I absentmindedly picked at my food. I used to miss my parents terribly when I was younger. I would sit by the window, hoping for a phone call, a surprise visit—anything. But eventually, I stopped waiting.
Now, I wasn’t even sure if they missed me at all.
“What are you thinking about?” Aunt Agnes asked as she took a seat across from me.
I sighed, pushing my plate away. “I just… I really miss Mom and Dad. But I guess they’re too busy for that.”
Her expression softened. “You know they miss you too, right?”
I gave a small, doubtful smile. “Maybe.”
“That’s why I want you to engage in more things, Layla. You shouldn’t spend your life waiting for something that may never come. Make memories, make friends—enjoy being young.”
I nodded, even though I wasn’t sure I completely agreed. But still, I was trying to change.
After dinner, I went up to my room, grabbed my phone, and hesitated for a moment before finally calling my mom.
She picked up after two rings.
“Layla, sweetie! I called earlier, but Aunt Agnes said you were taking a nap.”
“Yeah, today was kind of exhausting.” I hesitated, then asked, “Mom… do you miss me?”
There was a pause on the other end before she answered softly, “Of course I do, sweetheart. I miss you so much.”
My throat tightened. “I was just wondering.”
Mom exhaled. “Actually, I’ve been thinking—would you like to transfer to a school here in Paris? That way, we could be together.”
I blinked in surprise. “Paris?”
“Yes. Your father and I have been talking about it. We feel bad for being away so often.”
I bit my lip. The idea of being closer to them was tempting, but… leaving everything behind? Clara, Aunt Agnes, my entire life? No. I couldn’t do that.
“No, Mom. I think I’m fine here. I just wish I could spend more time with you and Dad… but I don’t think moving is the answer.”
She was silent for a moment before finally saying, “I understand.” Then, to my surprise, she added, “I’ve actually been trying to find a way to work from home more often. If things go well, after this next project, I’ll be back home for a while.”
My heart nearly leaped out of my chest. “Really? That would be amazing!”
She laughed. “I thought you’d like that. I’ll keep you updated, alright?”
“Alright, Mom.” I smiled. “I love you.”
“Love you too, sweetheart. We’ll talk soon.”
I hung up, grinning.
Aunt Agnes was leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, an amused look on her face. “Look at you, all happy now.”
I rolled my eyes. “Can’t a girl be excited that her mom is coming home?”
She chuckled. “Of course.”
I jumped onto my bed, my excitement bubbling over. If Mom actually came back, even for a little while, things might finally start feeling normal.
Just as I was about to jump again, Aunt Agnes knocked on my door.
“I just wanted to remind you to wear your bonnet before bed. I don’t want to redo your hair from scratch in the morning.”
I groaned. “Yes, ma’am.”
She smirked. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”
“Goodnight, Aunt Agnes.”
Once she left, I sighed contentedly, staring at the ceiling. Maybe things were finally changing for the better.
---
The next morning, I barely heard my alarm.
Aunt Agnes burst through my door. “Oh my God, Layla! You’re going to be late!”
I groaned, rolling over. “What?”
“How did you manage to sleep through your alarm?” she asked, already pulling out clothes for me.
“I have no idea.” I dragged myself out of bed, my movements sluggish.
“Come on, hurry! I’ll go fix breakfast.”
By the time I was dressed and downstairs, I barely had time to grab a sausage before running out the door.
“Bye, Aunt Agnes!” I shouted.
She waved. “Don’t forget your—”
I slammed the car door shut before hearing the rest.
Sam, my driver, chuckled. “In a hurry today, huh?”
I sighed. “I woke up late.”
He nodded toward my seatbelt. “Buckle up.”
As soon as I did, the car pulled out of the driveway and sped toward school.
I leaned against the window, my mind racing.
Mom was coming home. I was going to Denzel’s birthday party.
And for the first time in a long time, I felt like something exciting was finally about to happen.
---
- Writer
