Dealing with the Dumbass

Chapter 1: Sleepy Eyes and Car Rides

I never thought this day would come.

My hand reaches up to my face to cover my mouth, as my eyes hold back tears.

I glance once more at Nathan, before opening my mouth:

"You made cookies all by yourself," I whisper in awe. "And you didn't burn the house down."

Nathan lets out a chuckle and takes off the yellow oven mitts. "Funny."

"Please, I'm hilarious," I correct him, leaning my head against his shoulder. "So, can I have one?"

"These are for Ella and Ruby," he reminds me, "they might get hungry on the plane ride."

My mom and Nathan's mom are heading to Georgia today, along with our little sisters. And they're taking a plane.

Nathan and I, on the other hand, are gonna show that we're responsible young adults and can travel by ourselves. But since we're trying to save money, we're not taking a plane. We're taking the bus.

"Fine," I sigh, as I head over to the fridge to grab a can of soda. "Did you start packing yet?"

"No," I hear behind me.

I shut the fridge, not even grabbing a soda, before quickly turn around. "Nathan. We're leaving tomorrow."

"I'll pack tonight, I promise," he quickly reassures me, walking over to give me a hug. He nuzzles his face in the crook of my neck. "Don't worry."

I let out a sigh and wrap my arms around him.

"I can't believe my sister is getting married," I say in a quiet voice, our arms still wrapped around each other.

Nathan chuckles. "I can't believe she's marrying one of my best friends."

I nod my head.

I still remember the night Kyle stayed over just to comfort Gemma.

She was crying over Josh, something I've seen too many times already.

And that was actually the first of many times I've seen them together.

"Shouldn't we drive over and give them the cookies before they leave for the airport?" Nathan asks after a few minutes of us hugging in silence.

I kiss his shoulder. "Just a little longer," I reply, my voice muffled by his sweatshirt.

He lets out a chuckle and nods his head, keeping his arms wrapped around my waist.

~

"Can we eat them now?" Ella asks with a pout, as she takes another glance at the container of cookies in her hands. "They look really good."

"Surprisingly, your brother made them," I say with a laugh.

Ella's eyes widen. "No way," she says in disbelief, as she observes the cookies. "But I don't see any burned ones."

"That's because I didn't burn them, dummy," Nathan scoffs, poking his sister's nose.

"Ate!" I hear my sister call out from the stairs. "Call my phone, please! I can't find it." **

"Got it," I say, reaching into my pocket to fish out my phone.

Just before I can press 'call', I hear Ruby shout from the kitchen in excitement. "Wait, wait, I found it. I'm good."

I roll my eyes and stuff my phone back in my pocket. "So where was it?"

There's a short silence of hesitation before I hear her answer. "On the.. on the microwave."

Soon, she emerges from the kitchen: phone in hand and sunglasses resting on the top of her head. She's wearing a striped sweater that Mom and I had given to her for her 16th birthday, which wasn't so long ago. We make eye contact and send each other a smile.

"Wow," I breathe out, observing her appearance. Before Nathan and I moved into our own little place, I've come to learn that Ruby is a person that loves details. If you took the time to stare at her for five minutes straight, you would notice the gold ear cuff around the edge of her ear, or even the simple gold chain peeking from underneath her sweater. "You look so pretty."

She gives me a smile, taking a glance at her outfit. "Thank you."

"Okay!" My mom calls out from outside. "Let's go before we miss our flight."

~

Nathan and I sit in his car in silence, mainly because I'm on the verge of falling asleep.

Just a few hours ago, we dropped off our family at the airport, telling them we'll see them in a few days.

So now, we're heading back to our place to finish packing and go to sleep.

"Opal," I hear Nathan say quietly. "Are you asleep?"

"I don't think so," I mumble drowsily. I turn my body away from the window, now focusing on him with sleepy eyes. "So how was your day, love of my life?"

He lets out a chuckle, keeping his eyes on the road. "It was pretty good, Minnie Mouse."

I can't help but smile to myself and close my eyes happily. Even my tired body is telling me to take a nap, I'd rather sit through the rest of this car ride talking with Nathan. "I love that you still call me that."

I feel the car slowing down, as we near the apartment building. "I still call you that because it makes you happy."

____________________________

A/N: HI I LOVE YOU

first of all, tHANK YOU
THANK YOU FOR BEING HELLA PATIENT

second of all, iM SORRY
IM SO SO SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG TO UPDATE JUST THE FIRST CHAPTER

but don't worry !! i think i'll have enough time to update when summer break comes !

anyways i hope you enjoyed the chapter !

** "ate" (pronounced ah-te) is a Filipino honorific used when referring to an older girl or sister.

leave feedback if you can and i LOVE YOU ALL SO SO MUCH 🌺

STAY HAPPY ✨

see you in the next chapter !

-Holly Osgood ❤️

•if you enjoyed•
•don't forget to vote•