“Oh Eion, thank you for taking care of my daughter. Come by to our house next time, Nathan has been looking for you, right Nate-nate?”
“Yes, Eionyy! Let’s play again next time!” Exclaimed Nathan.
Everyone was silent, and I could feel Emma’s hands on my arms, wanting to tease me now.
“Oooh, you already came to Snow’s house?” Leroy asked his friend, his eyebrows raising playfully. Eion just shrugged, “Yes.”
He then turned to my mom, “Anyways, it’s great to finally meet you, Ms. Waterstrings.” Leroy spoke up, strangely polite now, and introduced himself. “I’m Leroy by the way.”
“Yes, thank you, Ms. Waterstrings, I’m Dax.” This time, it was Dax who spoke up.
“You’re welcome, and I’m glad to finally meet you all since I hadn’t had a chance last time at Maggie’s wedding. I’m happy.” Said mom, beaming happily. “You can all call me Aunt Evy,”
They all nodded, “Yes, thank you again, Aunt Evy.”
Seconds after, the waiter arrived and we ordered. I chose food that I think sounds delicious. We all said our orders and the waiter jutted down.
"Your dinner will arrive in fifteen minutes." The waiter turned and walked away.
After minutes of waiting, the food arrived and we started to eat. I was assisting Nathan while Mom was busy talking with Luke.
"So tell me about yourself, Luke. We always meet but I don't have the chance to really know you." I heard mom ask. Luke started to tell the things about him that needed to be known while we continued eating.
It didn’t take long for mom to get fond of him. Well, I had to interject a few times since mom was asking too private or embarrassing questions to Luke. Just like this one.
"So, how many ex-girlfriends did you have, Luke?" Mom asked him straight to the point.
"Mom!" I shrieked.
"What?" She asked innocently. I gave her a look and she just continued to smile at me.
"It's okay Snow," Luke reassured me, an uncomfortable expression on his face. I just nodded my head, still unconvinced.
"I had uhmm.. two ex-girlfriends, Aunt Evy.."
"That's few." Mom said while shaking her head. I mentally facepalm myself, this is embarrassing. They continued on talking as mom kept on asking questions. I have to give it to Luke though, he was really good at impressing mom, because it actually worked. After eating, I excused myself to go to the toilet.
"Excuse me," I said. They didn't seem to mind, busy talking with each other. I stood up and walked towards the toilet. Heading to the female restroom, I went to a stall and took a pee. After that, I immediately walked out the door and turned so that I didn't notice someone was walking and I bumped.
"Oh. Sorry." I apologized. I was about to turn and walk away when the person grabbed my arm softly. My eyebrows furrowed and I looked up. It's Eion, standing still in front of me.
"Eion?" I asked, confused. What is it this time? Did I do something to him? This bipolar robot... I noticed, in a corner of his eye held something...It was an emotion I can't determine.
"Snow." His husky voice saying my name feels strange now. It feels weird and something I can't pinpoint.
"What happened to you last time? From the park? Was something wrong?" I asked. A realization entered my mind. "And I’m surprised you managed to come here... ?" I said, wanting to thank him. Now that he’s here, I want to address our deal but decided against it. Thinking about it made a sudden twist in my stomach. It was strange.
"Let's talk about that next time." He said, like in a hurry. His hands rub the back of his neck, looking troubled. I noticed the dark bags under his eyes now that I am a few centimeters from him.
"Now, I'll just ask you one question and I'll leave." He said hurriedly that I immediately nodded my head.
My curiosity got bigger and I stayed quiet. Was something bugging him that much that it made him want to talk to me now?
"Are you going to study at Anastolgia High?" He asked. I furrowed my eyebrows.
He didn't know? "Er...Yes, That's why we celebrated here because I passed. Why?" I asked curiously.
He opened his mouth to say something but then decided against it, "Nothing." It was like he wanted to tell me something but think better of it.
Odd.
"Oh, okay..." I said unsure. I slowly turn around to go back to the table. Not long after he called out.
"Snow?"
I stopped and turned.
"Hmm?" I ask.
"Congratulations." He said with a faint smile. Pocketing his hands, he turned and walked away, leaving me dumbfounded. Was that really want to tell me? I don’t even know what’s going in his mind now, well, not that I could always read his expression.
And just like that, the dinner ended, they bid their goodbyes at us and we parted ways, but not before Luke approached me and whispered, “Wait for my car on the first day of class, I’ll be giving you a ride to school.”
I nodded, “Okay I will. Thank you, Luke. Drive safe then.” He saluted at that, as I saw Emma and Hannah waving at me before leaving with their own car, while the boys hitched a ride to Eion’s car.
What a great night.