by Raathi Chota
“I knew that you’d be too cute to date my brother, but you can call me anytime, cupcake,” Sam said with a smirk plastered on his face. Benny let out a groan, clearly embarrassed by his younger brother, while I tried to hold in a laugh. He reminded me of a confident blond playboy. Sam was tall with golden brown hair and bright brown eyes.
“Sorry, but you’re too young for me,” I stated as Benny and I walked upstairs.
“Wait for me, you beautiful blue-eyed girl!” Sam shouted. I let out a chuckle as Benny shut the door. He turned to me and awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.
“Sorry about that. He plays this game where the female character has bright blue eyes, so I guess he has a liking for any girl with blue eyes,” Benny stated as we walked down the hall.
“He reminds me of Carter,” I blurted out as we approached the bathroom.
“Yeah, hopefully, he doesn’t mix with Carter any time soon.” We laughed as he handed me my clean clothes.
I walked out of the bathroom with my hair neatly brushed. I heard voices at the end of the hall as I walked in that direction.
“Mom, I want peanut butter spread on my toast!” Sam whined.
“Why do we even buy this brand? It’s horrible!” Benny complained as I stood in the doorway.
“I like it!” Sam argued as he snatched the jar from his brother. I did an awkward cough as Benny’s mother spun around. I pushed up my glasses as everyone watched me.
“Oh my god, it’s a girl,” she blurted out, then rested her palm against her chest.
“Told you, Mom!” Sam said as I slowly approached her.
“Lucas Nielson, get in here. Your son finally brought home a girl!” she said. My eyes widened as I turned to Benny, who jumped out of his seat and scurried next to me. Lucas Nielson, who I assumed was his dad, walked in with a stunned look.
“Wow, and for once it wasn’t Sam,” Mr. Nielson commented as he walked to me. “I’m Lucas Nielson, and this is my lovely wife, Amber Nielson.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Lana Willson, a friend of Benny’s,” I responded and noticed how his mother frowned.
“Are you related to Sheriff Willson?” his dad asked.
“Yeah, I’m his daughter,” I answered with an innocent smile.
“How lovely. Would you like to join us for breakfast?” his mother asked.
“I’d love to,” I said with a warm smile. I sat next to Benny as we ate in silence. I glanced up and noticed Sam was opposite me. He sent me a wink, and I shuddered because it got weird.
“So, Lana, how long have you known Benny?” Mr. Nielson asked.
“Well, since first grade, I guess,” I said as Benny smiled.
“And we’re only seeing such a cutie now?” Sam asked as he looked at us. It was awkward to think that he did all those things to me. I didn’t like to think about it, and I knew he didn’t either. I looked down to my food as Benny glared at his brother.
“Well, err…Lana, what are you doing for winter break?” Mrs. Nielson asked.
“I have family friends coming over from California today, so we’re gonna spend time with them.”
“I hope Benny brings you over again soon. You seem like a lovely girl!”
“Mom,” Benny groaned. I felt sorry for him because it was funny to watch him be embarrassed by his family. The way he continuously ran his hand through his hair and looked away when his mother mentioned us. The rest of breakfast was spent “getting to know Sam’s future girl,” as he said it. Turned out the Nielsons owned a bunch of seafood restaurants. Benny’s dad and Ethan’s dad were close friends since they’re both in the marketing business.
Afterward, Liam picked all of us up in his grandma’s station wagon. Melissa, Nick, and Miranda were in the car as well, but Marcus was attending a family gathering. After an hour, we finally arrived at my house. The place looked the same before the sleepover, which meant that Mom cleaned up.
“Mom, I’m home!” I exclaimed.
“Lana, could you come here for a sec?” Mom ordered as her voice roared through the house. I raised a brow as Miranda gave me an assured look that they’d be fine. I nodded in response as I bolted up the stairs and into their room. A big smile formed on my face as I spotted Dad at the edge of their bed. Yet it immediately it dropped to a frown as his head was placed in his hands. Mom stood in front of him with a drained expression.
“Hey, Dad,” I greeted as I sat down beside him. “When did you get back?”
“This morning.”
“D-did you g-get him?”
He shook his head and let out a huff. From the corner of my eye, I saw Mom raise her arms.
“But you know what he did get?” she asked. “A bullet!”
“I was wearing a bulletproof vest!” Dad said as he raised his head.
“But what if you weren’t, Harry? You could’ve been hurt!” Mom yelled, then crouched in front of my dad and took his hands and gripped them. “You could’ve been dead.”
Dad let out a sigh as he brought Mom in for a hug as he assured her that everything was going to be okay. A million scenarios ran through my head at the thought of James killing my dad.
“Lana, don’t worry. I’m fine, sweetie. We’ve been in worse situations, but the Willsons always manage to fight through it, right?” Dad asked.
“Yeah,” I breathed out as I wiped a tear away.
“Come on, our friends are coming today…wouldn’t want to spoil the mood,” Dad said as he got up and walked out of the room. Mom and I followed as he walked downstairs and came face to face with everyone else. “Mood ruined,” Dad muttered, then walked into his office.
The rest of the day was spent indoors. Melissa called Carter, but he and the rest of them were recovering from a hangover from a party. I still wanted to talk to Blake about what we almost shared the other night, yet something told me that I shouldn’t. That’s if I wanted to face more rejection. Ugh, I hated it so much. I didn’t know what to feel. Benny and I didn’t talk about the kiss last night either, yet what he said still made me squeal a bit on the inside.
“Yeah, his red hair is finally gone,” Nick said as we looked at Benny’s brown hair. A grin spread across my face as I remembered that day.
“But I liked tomato face Benny,” Liam said with a frown. “Hehe, it’s funny because when he used to get angry, his face would go all red, so the hair made it even more entertaining.”
“Liam, your lips keep moving, but all I hear is bullsh—”
Benny got interrupted when a loud honk erupted through the house. The television was turned off a while back because we were talking.
“They’re here!” Mom exclaimed as I groaned. We heard footsteps as Mom rushed through the house while Dad trailed behind. We followed causally as Mom ripped off her apron and fixed her hair. She opened the door, and we went outside. We stood on the porch as Richard and Jade Radcliff got out of their car, but no Levi. I couldn’t contain the excitement as I double-checked the vehicle to see if the familiar dark-haired boy was in it. Thankfully he wasn’t as Jade and Richard approached us.
“Angie!” Jade exclaimed as she pulled her in for a hug. Somehow, I pictured Miranda and me doing it when we met up on a Monday after not seeing each other for a whole weekend. Jade and Mom did everything together, and they gossiped a lot. Dad and Richard spoke formally yet they’d bonded so well over the years. “Lana! You’ve grown so much!” Jade stated as she pulled me in for a hug even though we saw each other in the summer of 2015. “Oh, hello, Miranda!” Jade said as she pulled away from me. Miranda gave her a small smile and awkwardly waved.
“Hi, Mrs. Radcliff.”
“Ooh, I see you have friends over. Which one of you is Lana’s lucky boyfr—”
“That would be me, Mrs. Hagshif—I mean Radcliff,” Liam responded as he swung his arm around me.
“Aww, so cute,” she said, then pinched his cheeks.
“No, he’s not, he’s goofy,” I said. “This is Liam, Benny, Melissa, and Nick.”
“Why don’t you teenagers make yourself useful and help our guests with their luggage?” Mom suggested as she cut off Jade.
“Sure,” Nick replied. The adults walked into the house with Mrs. Radcliff in last. They had a lot of stuff in their car because they’d driven. Miranda came up beside me as we walked into the house and carried bags.
“Thank goodness he isn’t here,” she muttered as we set the bags in the front.
“Where’s Levi?” Mom asked as Miranda grunted.
“Oh, you know him.” Jade laughed. “Always the adventurous type and likes to travel on his own. He’ll be here any second.”
I sighed because the chance of a peaceful Christmas was gone. Miranda and I walked out of the house and stood on the porch with everyone else.
“Well, I guess we better get goi—” Melissa cut off when a low roar gushed down the street. We whipped our heads as the familiar sound got louder. It wasn’t just any sound but an engine. A familiar 1967 black Ford Mustang came into view as it approached the house. Miranda folded her arms and huffed.
“Spoke too soon,” she muttered as we watched him park the car in front of the house.
“Now that’s a car,” Liam commented. I wanted to roll my eyes as Levi got out of the car as if he knew we watched him. He looked the same as last time except for the new tattoo on his neck.
“Now that’s a hunk,” Melissa commented. Nick glared at her. His deep blue eyes locked with mine as he neared us. He held his arms out as a smile formed on his face.
“Princess!” Levi cheered as he brought me in for a hug and picked me up. I felt everyone stare at us as Levi’s arms wrapped around my waist. He set me down, but his arms were still wrapped around me. He looked down at me with a grin on his face. “What? No hello, my knight in shining armor?” He winked. “Remember?”
I rolled my eyes as I pried his arms off me. He glanced over my shoulder as he smiled.
“Miranda.” He gave a curt nod toward her.
“Levi.”
He turned his head to observe everyone else, and I swore Levi almost flinched. He slowly walked toward Benny, who gazed at us the whole time.
“Do you remember me?” Levi asked with a fearful look in his eye.
“How can I forget the self-centered jackass known as Levi Radcliff?” Benny hissed as Levi chuckled.
“Yep, and here’s the guy who tortured my girl for years,” Levi said as I squirmed. “The dick who couldn’t control himself whenever he lost it, the woman beater also known as Benny Nielson.”
“Well, things have changed,” Nick stated.
“Yeah, Levi, we made up,” I said and watched as the two glared at each other. Their eyes were filled with hatred toward each other. Levi was an inch or two taller than Benny, but it didn’t make much of a difference. Levi let out a dry laugh as he looked at Benny then me.
“She might’ve forgiven you, but I don’t forgive dipshits like you that quickly,” Levi grunted as he clenched his fists. Levi knew that Benny bullied me because he saw it once. Levi beat Benny after that if he ever laid his hands on me, but then Levi moved away. So Benny took advantage, but when Levi visited, he’d always had the last punch.
“Look, can’t we just forgive and forget?” Liam broke the awkward silence. “By the way, I’m Liam, and I like your car.”
“Oh, would you look at that!” Miranda said as she looked at her watch then grabbed Benny’s arm. “Tomorrow’s school. Gotta go. Bye, see you in the morning, Lana!” She rushed out as everyone else caught on. In a minute, they were in the station wagon and down the driveway. I turned to Levi, who had a satisfied look. I glared at him, and he tilted his head.
“You’re a jerk! Don’t act like you’re the innocent one here!” I yelled, then stormed into the house.
***
We sat around the dining table and had dinner. I sat next to Levi with our parents around us. The discussion was mainly about Christmas and memories.
“Oh, remember when Levi taught you how to ride a bike?” Jade cooed as she looked at us. “Then you fell, and he kissed the bruise on your knee.”
I felt a hand being placed on my thigh and winced. From the corner of my eye, I saw Levi smirk.
“That’s not the only place I’ve kissed,” he whispered, then stroked my thigh. I swallowed the piece of chicken and glanced around the table to see that our parents were too engrossed in each other to even acknowledge us.
“Speaking of old times, how’s Griffon?” Richard asked.
“He’s good…still working at the high school and found himself a girl,” Dad replied with a grin.
“Who’s the chick?” Levi asked, his hand still securely placed on my thigh.
“My English teacher,” I mumbled.
“Go, Uncle Griff,” he said as everyone laughed. Dad introduced Griffon to the Radcliffs a while back, so we often spent a lot of time together.
“Oh, remember when Griffon babysat that one night and when we came home he was washing them in the bath?” Jade babbled on as everyone laughed. I cringed at the thought of five-year-old Lana and six-year-old Levi in the bath together.
Suddenly his hand went further up as he whispered, “Can’t wait to recreate those memories.”
I looked around the table because no one noticed anything. He only did it to annoy me like he always did. I took my right leg and placed it on top of my left and made sure to squash Levi’s hand. He let out a yelp as he pulled his hand away.
The rest of the evening was spent unpacking as the Radcliffs got settled. I was on the La-Z-Boy, rocking back and forth as I watched Levi prepare his bed for the next few weeks. Thankfully they came often, so the sofa could turn into a couch bed.
“Griffon still staying in that apartment of his?” Richard asked my dad.
“Yep, ten years and going,” Dad replied as he handed Levi some blankets. “Wanna pay him a visit?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Levi tried to hold in a smirk as our mothers entered the room.
“Levi, honey, are you sure you have enough blankets?” Jade asked as she handed him another.
“Yes, Mom. Besides, I’m sure Lana won’t mind if I pay her a visit for more,” he said, then winked at me. I rolled my eyes as Richard nudged his wife.
“Wanna check Griffon’s place out?”
“Sure!” Jade exclaimed as she turned to my mother.
“We’re all going?” I asked.
“I’m chilling here,” Levi stated as he collapsed on the sofa bed. “Go and enjoy yourselves, Bobby,” he said, using my dad’s middle name. “You’re certainly not getting any younger.”
Dad scoffed as he turned to the rest of the adults. For years, Levi called him Bobby, and he finally concluded that he wouldn’t stop.
“We’ll be back soon, and Lana is in charge!” Mom called out as they grabbed their belongings.
“What? I’m older!” Levi protested as he stood up.
“Girls mature faster than boys!” Jade stated as they walked out. I stuck my tongue out at him, and I stood, watching as our parents walked out of the house.
“Say hi to Uncle Griff for us!” Levi said as he observed them through the window. I raised a brow as I had my gaze on him. He eyed them as the car pulled out of the driveway and to the street. Once they were gone, he slowly spun around with a mischievous look. I squinted my eyes as he slowly approached me. I backed away, and he smirked at me.
“Levi, what are yo—” I cut off when he trudged toward me. My eyes widened as I picked up my pace and bolted upstairs. I heard his loud footsteps behind me as I ran into my room.
“Gotcha!” he yelled as his muscular arms wrapped around me. We fell onto the bed with him on top of me. He tickled me in various places as I chuckled. I loved to laugh but not like this. I hated it when someone tickled me, and he knew that. It’s like a million pinches that made me squirm.
“Levi, st
op!” I giggled and screamed at the same time. He ignored me and snickered. He hovered over me as we laughed hysterically. He suddenly stopped as he rested his arms on either side of me. His dark blue eyes stared into my round blue ones. I took in his facial features. His nose ring was in the exact place as Blake’s, and I couldn’t help but think of him. I was brought back to reality as Levi’s face inched closer to mine. He kept his eyes on my lips. My eyes widened as I pushed him off me. He landed on the bed as I jumped up.
“Aww,” he said as I backed away.
“How dare you try to kiss me?” I yelled as he rested on my bed as if it were his own.
“It’s not like we haven’t done it before.”
“You try and kiss me after you treat Benny like shit?”
“Oh, that reminds me,” he said. “What the actual fuck? Why the hell are you hanging out with him, princess?”
“Don’t fucking ‘princess’ me! We made up. Things have changed, Levi! Fuck ‘princess!’”
“I already did,” he said with a wink. I rolled my eyes and mentally slapped myself for that. He got up and sat on the bed. “What could he possibly do to let you forgive him? If I’m not mistaken, he almost put you in a coma once.”
“Now you’re just dramatic. Stop holding a fucking grudge!”
“Oh please!” he said. “So nobody remembers how that asshole ruined your life, and you all just carry on being best friends and shit? I bet you someone still thinks of what he did.” He pointed to nothing in particular. I rolled my eyes and avoided contact as I looked around the room. He got up and approached me. I faced him as he leaned in and stared me dead in the eye. “There is someone!” He pointed his index finger in my face. I let out a snort as I rolled my eyes. “Please, Lana, I’ve known you for more than thirteen years. I know when you’re lying.” He followed my gaze. I remained quiet as he kept eye contact, then a sudden spark appeared in his eyes as he smiled. “It’s a he!”
“What? No!” I squinted my eyes at Levi.
“Was it that weird guy who liked my car? The dude with blond hair? Your boyfriend?”
“No, no, and no. I don’t even have a boyfriend!”
