My Brother’s Best-Friend

CHAPTER THREE

(SOLANA’S POV)

Even after the long flight, I feel more nervous than tired. Dad sights me just as I sight him too. He is holding a card with Welcome Home Miss Wilson written boldly with cute hearts on a medium sized cardboard paper. Dad can be so corny and super sweet. We hug and I can swear that I have never seen him this happy.

Not that I can remember at least. But he really looks very happy. And to be honest, it made a very good impression on me. Seeing as I could see how warmly he was receiving me. And it also told me that he truly wanted to spend time with me.

He looks very handsome. I take in his shiny trimmed blonde hair and his fitted T-shirt and jeans. I follow him to his shiny black Audi and when he, I and my luggage was safely in the car, we drive out of Los Angeles Airport and take the road home.

‘How you doing princess?’ Dad said to me with a grin.

‘I’m great dad. A little tired but I am good.’ I close my eyes as the breeze hit my face. I felt a strong wave of Nostalgia as we drove past roads, houses, malls, schools. I could not shudder the feeling away. It had been so long ago since I was here. It all felt like A dream.

‘I know you don’t want to be here. But I promise to make you feel happy and comfortable, ok?’ Dad said

I felt bad because that might hurt him a little but. For him to know that I did not want to come here in the first place.

‘It’s okay, Dad. I decided to come on my own.’ I assured him with a bright smile.

‘That was what your mum said and I honestly still can’t believe it.’ Dad said and i could hear the amusement in his voice. He glanced at me as if to check my facial expression before returning his gaze to the road.

I smiled back at him but then I return my gaze to the road. The scene looked beautiful just as always. And it was then the feeling hit me. I kind of missed all this.

‘I never knew I missed the Palm trees so much, looking at them now….’ My voice trails off and dad smiles.

Then we continue on the drive home.When we get home, I don’t have enough time to look at Pete’s house next door. That’s because I’m too busy observing mine. As I said it had been a while.

I don’t know when I get out of the car or when I walk to the front of the lawn and remain standing there like I had seen a ghost. Our mansion looked like it had always looked yet felt different. From where I stood, over the pool’s picket fence, I can see the large rubber ducks and floaters and the poolside is still lit with bulbs of yellow colored bulbs. The lawns are perfectly trimmed and there are lamp holders all around.

The house itself looked whiter than I remember. But asides that the differences were not so much.

I notice dad struggling with my luggage and I hurry to assist him.

‘You have a lot of things.’ He says breathlessly as he takes the boxes in.

‘I am a teenage girl and I am staying for a year and a half.’ I tell him struggling with some of my stuff behind him. I followed dad as he led me to my room and as we went up the stairs, I smile at a collection of our pictures (mostly childhood pictures) on the wall. It warned me.

Getting to my room was a miracle and I still don’t know how I did it.

‘Just as you left it.’ Dad says opening the door of the room which had princess still glued to it. Every breath leaves my body the minute I am standing in my room. My matching pink sheets and curtains were still there. My dolls, stuffed animals. My book shelf still had all my books that I had left behind.

My wardrobes were empty and my bedside shelf still had my arranged antiques.For a minute, I allow myself to think about my last day here. Mum had told me to pack up all my things but I hadn’t. And when she asked why, I told her that I didn’t want to. She had gone ahead to clear out my clothes but that was all I had let her take.

Somewhere deep down I was thinking I would be back to L.A before I knew it because daddy wouldn’t let me go so far away.

‘Well, welcome back home princess.’ Dad said reminding me of his presence.

I am about to ask him why he didn’t clear out my room but I am interrupted by the arrival of loud music. I turn immediately to the large window to see who was driving in but instead I am met with the side view of Pete’s house.

I shut my eyes with a sigh. I had forgotten my room window faced his room window. But that was a long time ago, he might have changed rooms. I peep again and the lights are off so I can’t see anything asides the backyard of his house.

‘Don’t be frightened. That’s Larry being irresponsible.’ Dad said.

I had started traveling to the land of Pete so I jumped when dad spoke and he laughed. ‘Get settled, I’ll be sure he brought back the dinner I told him to get on his way back.

‘Way back from where?’ I ask

‘One of his parties’ Dad says and narrows his eyes. I shake my head, typical Larry. Dad closes the door behind him just after I tell him I’ll be down soon.

I take off my sandals and sit on my bed rubbing my heels. I put on a pair of socks I had in my bed and race downstairs because I am excited to see my brother. As I walk towards the kitchen enjoying the nostalgic and nervous feeling, I hear Dad scolding Larry about the Loud music and the way he packed the truck. That’s cool. Larry had a truck now.

I walk into the kitchen graciously and I am met with a shirtless Larry gulping down fruit juice as he is seated on the Formica with packs of take out beside him.

He stops drinking his Juice immediately he sees me and c***s his head to one side.

‘Solllllll!’ He stresses the pet name he calls me looking more surprised than ever. I walk up to him and gives him a hug and a light punch on the shoulder.

‘Is that how to say hy.’ I ask pouting and he laughs and envelops me into a hug. I playfully struggle for freedom and fresh air as he holds me tighter.

‘Put on a shirt, there’s a lady in the house now.’ I tell him squeezing my face at his exposed chest.

‘I can’t believe you are actually here.’ Larry says and he still looks like he is waiting for me to disappear or something. That or he might be influenced by alcohol.

Dad is getting plates and preparing to dish out dinner

‘How’s mum doing?’ Larry asks

‘She’s great. She gave me something to give you.’ Mum had given me an expensive wrist watch to give Larry. He ignored me and went on to ask ‘How’s the boring dude?’

I shake my head at Larry

‘Dan is doing fine.’ I answer him firmly and he lifts his hands up as if to say, okay ma’am.

‘Ignore him, Lana.’ Dad told me ‘Now, come and help yourself to some chicken and burgers. There’s a milkshake or two for you.’

I almost burst with emotions. When I was younger, I used to love having burgers and chicken with milkshakes of course. I want to say something but I am worried I might sound croaky and so I am grateful when someone walks in. Immediately I see who it is, I am not so grateful anymore.

Pete. And he is looking more beautiful than ** ever showed me. He isn’t shirtless like Larry but I can see how well built he is in his fitted T-shirt. His face looks like it was slowly and perfectly carved and his jet-black hair which looks damp just makes me want to run my fingers through it.

Pete looks as shocked as my heart feels. His eyes widened and then he squints them again.

‘Hy Peter.’ I say trying to keep my cool and wishing I could glance at my face in the mirror to be sure there wasn’t a blush.

‘So-lana’ Pete said and smiled. I can swear my heart stopped beating for a second. I wanted him to call my name again but instead, dad calls me.

‘Solana, here have a seat.’ Dad pulls out a chair for me and I sit down trying to avoid Pete’s gaze. ‘Pull a chair Pete.’ Dad says and nods at the chair opposite him.

‘I don’t mind if I do, Sir.’ I hear Pete say and he pulls up the chair directly opposite me.

‘And won’t you offer me a seat, Dad?’ Larry says coming to join the table. Dad stops him.

‘A shirt is what you need Larry.’ Dad says dishing himself some salad. ‘Don’t even sit.’

Larry grumbles but leaves the kitchen probably to get a shirt.

I laugh and then peer at Pete from the corner of my eyes, he’s looking at me. I quickly get a plate and start helping myself to some food. ‘I can’t believe Solana is here.’ Pete suddenly says out loud and Dad hums in reply because his mouth is full.

‘I can’t believe Solana is here.’ Pete suddenly says out loud and Dad hums in reply because he had his mouth full.

‘Why is everyone saying that?’ I say making a second eye contact.

‘Oh, Sol! You know why!’ Larry calls from God knows where. I hiss at him. He is talking about the fact that I had sworn never to come to L.A for what reason they didn’t know of.

‘Ignore him ‘ Dad says more focused on his food.

‘You look like a million bucks today Sir.’ Pete said as he takes a huge bite of his burger. Third eye contact! I am having difficulties eating my dinner.

‘Of course. My princess is home. And I’m very happy.’ He pauses and adds in a lower tone. ‘I still think she might be gone the next morning.’ Then he winks at me.

I can’t help but smile.

‘Like its all a dream.’ Pete says slowly. Bam! Fourth eye contact. He is starring at me directly and I can’t read his expression.

Just then, Larry re enters the kitchen and who do I see tagging closely behind him but Chloe! She stops and gasps wide eyed. I quickly stand up from my chair and we run towards each other, shoving Larry out of the way and ignoring his yelp.

Chloe is way taller than me, so she bends to squeeze me in and doesn’t let go till I am gasping for air. When she pulls apart, she stares at me admiringly.

‘I was just passing by and thought maybe you might be home.’ She says happily. ‘Your curls are beautiful.’ She comments. I don’t like my curls but I smile.

‘Your pixie cut is superb.’ I say finding it hard to keep my eyes off her hairstyle.

‘I am fine thank you.’ Larry says rubbing his elbow and going to take a seat at the table.

Chloe sticks her tongue out at him and then turns back to me,

‘You are actually here!’ She squeals again and presses me to herself some more.

‘Hy, Rod!’ She waves at dad after letting me go.

‘Come have dinner, Chloe.’ Dad says grinning widely certainly warmed by the reunion.

‘Thanks Mr Wilson but I am riding my bike home now for dinner. I will be back tomorrow though. Hey Pete.’ She nods at Pete and he says hey back.

‘You’re leaving now?’ I am disappointed

‘Get rid of that silly face.’ She laughs ‘I’ll be here tomorrow.

And with some I have to leave now, I love yous and I’m so happy you’re here and some byes. She disappears out of the kitchen and out of the house. I don’t even get to walk her to the door.

‘Well I need some rest.’ I am aware of Pete’s gaze on me and I know he is the main reason why I am going upstairs now.

‘But you haven’t finished your dinner.’ Dad and Pete say at the same time. Larry is just devouring the chicken set before him.

‘Yeah I’m good.’ I want to hurry from the kitchen, I can feel my cheeks burning.

‘I have to go facetime mum, anyway. Goodnight.’

They reply with scattered goodnights and I hurry for the door.