A week had passed since they ran into Eiji. Storm had been meaning to talk to him, but he'd failed to answer her calls or texts. She'd considered going to his apartment, but decided against it. Maybe he needed to come to her on his terms. If that didn't work, she would resort to visiting him.
However, she pushed that to the back of her mind for now. Gabriella and her moms were coming over soon. May was babbling about how excited she was while running around the kitchen cooking lasagna. Both her daughters were helping her out. As sisters do, Faye was teasing Storm about her girlfriend, to which Storm smacked the back of her head and grumbled. Their mom was too busy dancing and twirling around to scold them.
"I had a client come in today and demand a full face glam makeup look for 5 bucks," Storm recounted while helping layer the lasagna.
"Geez, what happened?" Her mom asked.
"Obviously I said I couldn't do that for just 5 dollars. She started yelling at me that I was overpricing and it was ridiculous to charge so much for a little makeup. Naturally, I was offended but remained professional. Long story short, she eventually caved in and left when I refused to do it for so cheap."
Faye scoffed. "The audacity of some people"
"Literally. After that, though, I had a really sweet girl come in. But guess the crazy thing?"
"What?" May inquired, invested.
"You know Alana?"
"Yeah, your first girlfriend," her mom confirmed. "Sweet girl, that one."
"Turns out, this girl was one of her close friends."
"How did you discover that?" Faye asked, raising a questioning eyebrow.
After the rude lady had left, Storm remembered being in a bad mood when this nice girl entered. She must have noticed something was off because she asked and urged Storm to tell her about it when she told her what happened. That was how their conversation started, then they started talking about what she needed the makeup look for. It had turned out she was hosting a birthday party for her best friend's 20th. Storm asked her more for it and when she mentioned her name it clicked. Eventually, they ended up exchanging numbers and promised to all meet for coffee someday. Storm retold the story to her sister and mom.
"You know, I could never be friends with my ex. I don't get how you do it," her mom told them.
"I've noticed," Storm retorted.
May smacked her lips together. "Okay, first of all, rude. It's not bad I just can't relate."
"Sorry. But I guess there's just never been any bad blood. I haven't had a relationship that ended because we disliked each other. With Echo, we were friends before. We just weren't a good fit. I didn't want to lose one of my best friends because of that. So we agreed to be friends. It was a bit awkward in the beginning, but since then, we've never had any issues and the feelings are gone."
"That's mature," Faye said, sprinkling some cheese on the lasagna.
"It is. But enough of exes. Gabriella, Leona, and Freya will be here soon. I want to hear more about her and less about past girlfriends," May told her, putting the dish in the oven and shutting it.
Things had been going well. Storm had taken her on multiple trips the past few days when they had time. None of them had been as adrenaline-kicking as the bungee jumping one. Storm thought she should probably give her a break from almost heart attacks. She liked Gabriella so much it was starting to get ridiculous. Her voice was enough to bring a flutter of butterflies in her stomach. She was in deep and it hadn't even been that long. Storm had never had such intense feelings before, it was frightening yet exhilarating. They saw each other yesterday, yet Storm was already missing her.
The bell rang while Storm was the midst of thought. May burst out of her seat and hurried to get it, her daughters trailing after her. She greeted her best friends and beckoned for them to come in, chattering their ears off already. Leona and May had been friends for so long that she was used to it by now. She easily kept up with May's talking.
Gabriella, who'd been standing by her mom, approached Storm. They both weren't exactly sure how to act when their family was all observing them. At first, Gabriella reached her hand down, then she clenched it and dropped it to her side again, whirling around to glare at her parents. Having been caught, they stopped staring at them and drifted into conversation with May and Faye again.
"This feels weird," Gabriella admitted, referring to the whole situation.
It wasn't the usual 'girlfriend meets parents' situation. They had known the other's family their whole life, so it was unusual. Gabriella had always been Joey's little sister, now she was Storm's girlfriend too. She didn't know how to act like her girlfriend around her family. It was a big change.
"So weird," Storm agreed. "Do you want to sit down on the couch or something?"
Laughing at the awkwardness of the entire thing, Gabriella nodded, relaxing a bit. They all already knew each other, it was too late to make first impressions now. Gabriella wasn't sure what she was so nervous about.
Earlier, she'd spent an absurd amount of time trying to pick out an outfit. She knew she didn't need to impress them since Storm's family already knew her, but she still felt like she had to. Their opinion of her might shift now that she was Storm's girlfriend as well. Of course, an outfit wouldn't alter that, so she eventually just went with a simple matching set skirt and top. That, some accessories and light makeup would have to do for today.
Only a minute went by before the rest of them sat down on the couch as well. Seeing as it wasn't nearly big enough for them all, Gabriella had ended up smushed against Storm. Faye moved to the armchair instead, but it was still rather tight, so they decided just to move to the dining table.
"I've been thinking about moving to a smaller apartment," May confessed once they'd settled down.
This was news to everyone. The apartment had been Storm's home growing up, along with her dad's house. But although she loved her dad, this place had always felt more like home. Maybe because her dad had moved multiple times, so she never felt tied to his places. Besides, she spent more time here than at his. This apartment was linked to her childhood, even if she didn't live here anymore. Moving out was hard enough, but having to possibly say goodbye to this place made it all so much more real.
"Really, why?" Storm asked.
"Yeah. You've moved out and Faye probably won't stay for long since she has a job again and is p-" May shut up. "Nevermind. The place is starting to feel too big for me. I think I need a change."
The others didn't know much about Faye's situation, only briefly what happened with Lyle. However, she had yet to tell them about her pregnancy.
"It's okay, Mom. I was going to tell them anyway. I'm pregnant," she stopped the incoming questions with a gesture of her hand. "Before you ask, yes the dad is Lyle. No, he doesn't want anything to do with us. I'm almost three months along and I'm keeping it. Yes, pregnancy sucks but I'm dealing with and honestly, I'm really excited. I'm hoping to find a new apartment before she's born."
"That's great then, Faye," Leona said. "You'll be an amazing mother, I know it. But I'm sorry about Lyle. He's a piece of shit."
"Let's drink to that," Faye held up her glass in a toast and clinked their glasses together.
Dinner passed smoothly. As expected, their family had a whole bunch of questions for the couple. They answered each and everyone the best they could. It was all a bit overwhelming with both their families there. Storm hadn't told her dad yet, but she told herself she would soon. Firstly though, she needed to tell Joey sometime. She didn't want him to be the only one not knowing.
While they were clearing the table, talking about May's probable moving, Storm's phone went off. She checked to see who it was and was met by a picture of Joey. Burying her guilt, she excused herself to go take the call.
"What's up?" She greeted, hoping he couldn't hear the chatter in the background.
"Hey, you're still at your Mom's?"
It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the entire truth. She'd told him she was visiting her mom and Faye, however, she'd skipped past the part where his family would be here too.
"Yeah, I am. You home yet? You haven't burned down the house, right? Do I need to call the fire department?"
"Ha, ha, ha," he said in the most monotone voice, clearly not impressed. "I'm actually in the grocery shop. My shift just ended, so I thought I may as well go grocery shopping. The fridge is looking too empty for my taste. Is there anything you-"
"Ice cream," Storm replied, not giving him time to finish his sentence. "Strawberry cheesecake. Also chocolate chips and brown sugar. I want to make chocolate chip cookies. And protein bars. I love those fuckers."
"Already bought strawberry cheesecake ice cream and protein bars but for the others, noted."
She sighed wistfully, hand on her chest. "You speak to my heart, you beautiful, beautiful boy. Get some tampons while you're at it too."
"Normal brand?"
"Normal brand."
On the other end, Joey said something, but Storm was distracted by the sound of the door opening. In walked Gabriella. She was about to warn her not to speak, but it was too late.
"Storm is everything-"
Upon noticing Gabriella's gesturing, she shut up. Storm hadn't reacted fast enough to mute herself and Gabriella had already spoken. When she pressed her phone to her ear again, she prayed Joey hadn't heard.
"Uhm, Storm. Was that my sister?"
There was one word circling in Storm's head right now. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Lying would only dig her grave deeper. Joey wouldn't believe her anyway.
"Yes, it is."
"Why is my sister there? Are you even at your mom's? Why didn't you tell me my sister would be there?"
"No, I am at my mom's. Your sister is just here as well."
"That just makes it weirder. I can understand you two becoming friends or whatever, but why the fuck is she at May's and I didn't even hear a peep about it. Didn't you want me there? I don't get it, Storm. Please enlighten me."
Should she just come forward? But was doing it over the phone the best way to tell her best friend she was dating his sister? Probably not.
"Can we talk about this when I get home? I'll explain."
"You promised you would stop being so distant, Storm."
"I know, I know. I'm sorry. Just...let's talk when I get home. I'm leaving soon."
There was a pause on the other end, then, "fine. See you soon."
He hung up before she could say goodbye or 'I love you'. Storm kneaded the heels of her hands into her forehead. From behind, Gabriella approached her, arm sliding around her waist so they were back to chest.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were talking to Joey."
"It's okay. I should probably come clean anyhow. He should know."
"If that's what you want."
Storm bore her eyes into the ground. "I'm not sure what I want."
Sorry for taking a month to update, but here is something at least. Excuse any potential errors. I may or may not properly proof read tomorrow, but we'll see.
See you next chapter!!