proud// 5SOS

16

Esme

"You sounded beautiful as always,"

"Did you sneak in the back again?"

"Yes," Link said, passing me a bouquet of flowers, "Did you have fun?"

"It was alright. Thank you,"

"You still coming tomorrow?"

"Yeah. I couldn't miss our weekly tradition,"

"Just checking. Is that your dad's car?"

"Yeah. I don't wanna go home,"

"It'll be fine. Promise,"

"Okay. Can we call later?"

"If you're not hanging with your dad, sure,"

He kissed me, then squeezed my butt and I smacked his arm with a grin, heading over to dad's car. Without thinking, I opened the passenger door, only to be met with Luke.

"Oh,"

"You said she would be happy to see me !"

"She is. Hop in the back," dad said, looking at me, "We are off to get food out,"

I did as he said, gently putting the flowers beside me, and chucking my school bag across the car. Link didn't have anything on today, he had stayed just to give me flowers. I didn't deserve him.

"How was school?"

"Okay,"

"And how was practice?"

"It was theatre rehearsal,"

"Oh yeah,"

"It was good," I said quietly.

"I can't wait to come and see it," Luke said, "Our Esme, starring role,"

"It's just a high school play,"

"I am sure it is very good,"

"We're going to your favourite restaurant," dad said, "We'll even get dessert,"

"Okay. Thank you,"

"Are you sure today was good?"

"Mhm,"

"Alright. Are those flowers from Link?"

"Yeah,"

"That's nice!"

"He always gets me stuff,"

"Does he have a job?"

"No, he gets an allowance,"

"Ah right. We can figure that out for you too, yeah?"

"Really?"

"I doubt I can give you close to what he gets but I am sure we can figure out something!"

"Thanks, dad,"

"Of course. We'll talk about it later,"

"How come you're coming with us, Luke?" I asked.

"Fancied it. Wanted to see my niece!"

"Do you really still see me as a niece?"

"Why wouldn't I? You are my favourite niece,"

"Only niece,"

"And favourite," he said, turning round with a grin, 'I know I'm not your favourite uncle though,"

"I don't have a favourite,"

"I think I just heard Michael drop to the floor in tears,"

"I don't have favourites," I insisted, watching dad grin, "I missed you all,"