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"So, your name is Orla?" Tiana asks.
Orla nods silently.
"Aneysa told me that she's just transferred" Tuk tells Tiana.
"Well, welcome!" Tiana puts her arm around Orla, "I will give you a basic tour on who to stay away from. We'll start off over there. The cheerleaders. If anything, they'll just try to embarrass you in front of everyone. Their head stuck so far up their booty cheeks."
Tuk chuckles and Orla let's out a smile and a nod.
"Those are the jocks" Tiana then points out to a group of boys, "there's a lot more of them, but those are the few. And the ones you should stay away from."
"Especially since most of them carry stds" Tuk shrugs.
"That, and the fact that they're a lot older than us" Tiana says.
"I thought age was just a number?" Tuk calls out.
"Age is just a number when it comes to Aneysa" Tiana rolls her eyes and then look back.
To see Evan walking towards them.
"And that's dick face Evan. Definitely, should stay away from him" Tiana says.
"Girls" Evan walks to them with a smug smile.
"What do you want?" Tuk asks.
"Your sister in law gave me a mark on my face" Evan points out to a tiny scratch on his cheek.
"Okay? You deserved it, what's your point?" Tiana asks.
"Tell that bitch she better watch her back" Evan says.
"Wait, I need to record you saying that" Tuk takes her phone out, "say it again."
He repeats his word, for Tuk to have on video.
She chuckles, "one thing you might not know about Aneysa. That woman is unhinged. Good luck."
Evan then looks to Orla, "and who's this pretty girl?"
Orla looked at him blankly, not knowing if she should speak or not.
"That's disgusting. Get away from her" Tiana pushes him back.
"There's always gonna be that one friend who cock blocks" Evan sighs.
"I'm not interested so she's doing me a favour" Orla speaks.
Tiana was taken back a little, considering this was her first time speaking.
"Not interested?" Evan scoffs, "do you know who I am?"
"No. And I'm not sure I care" Orla shrugs.
"Bitch-"
Evan walks forward, before Orla takes his wrist, twisting it around.
"Argh, get off me!" Evan shouts.
"Are you a cunt? Trying to touch a girl?" Orla asks.
Evan doesn't reply. Instead, he was busy grunting as he struggled to get out her grasp.
"I was raised by my father for most my life. And let me tell you, I'm glad he taught me how to fend for myself, against suckers like you" Orla hears a click in his wrist before letting go.
Evan groans in pain, "argh!" He shouts, holding onto his wrist.
"Try to touch me again, and it'll get a lot worse" Orla replies.
Tiana and Tuk look at one another in amusement, before they take Orla and walk away.
"I can tell, we're going to be great friends" Tiana holds onto Orla's arm.
She then looks ahead, seeing Ethan.
"Ethan!" Tiana calls out to him, giving him a wave.
He smiles back, making his way towards them.
"Really Tiana?" Tuk whispered to her.
"That's Tuk's boyfriend. Ethan" Tiana tells Orla.
"He is not my boyfriend" Tuk whispers back.
"Hey!" He smiles, his eyes keen on Tuk, before he moves to the other two girls.
"Ethan, this is Orla" Tiana introduces her.
"Oh, a pleasure" Ethan gives her a warm smile.
Orla smiles back, "it's nice to meet you."
"Hang on, you're Irish?" Ethan asks, recognising Orla's accent.
She nods slowly, not sure if Ethan meant it in a good or bad way.
"Sick!" Ethan high fives her, "Irish people are great! I have a friend from Ireland. Her name is Clare."
"I doubt she'd know who Clare is. Ireland is a big place" Tuk says.
"Oh right" Ethan scratches the back of his head, feeling slightly awkward.
"Let's get to class!" Tiana breaks the awkward tension before the four of them make their way to class.
-
Aneysa was sat down next to Mr.Jones' hospital bed.
"How did this even happen?" Aneysa asks him, her voice being soft but still loud enough for him to hear.
"I was.. trying to find my wife's.. umm.. picture" Mr.Jones replied.
His speaking was a lot slow, his mind being too weak to speak at a normal pace.
Mr.Jones' wife had passed away, a year ago. Leaving him on his own.
"You need to be more careful now. Your body is a lot fragile than before" Aneysa says to him.
He gives her a weak smile, "who knew.. after all these years.. you would be beside me, on my... deathbed."
Aneysa holds onto his hand tightly, "you are not going to die, Mr.Jones. Look, you're awake. Breathing. A little weak but.. it'll all be okay."
Mr.Jones places another hand above hers.
"Aneysa.." he smiles at her again, letting out a breath, "I have always appreciated.. the way you have always stayed positive. But... I'm old now, kid. I can barely bend down.. without struggling to breathe."
"Mr.Jones.."
"I have watched you.. grow up. And I must say... I'm very proud.. of you. But you must understand... I have lived my life. And I can't rule out that... my time will be over soon" Mr.Jones says to her.
She looked down at their hands, letting out a sigh, before she gives a nod, looking back at him.
"I know" she let out in a whisper.
Neteyam walks in, along with another Dr.
Aneysa turns around, after hearing them walk in. She stood up, moving herself out the way.
Neteyam looked at her, his eyes clearly concerned.
But Aneysa gave him a soft smile, before walking away.
In times like this, Aneysa could usually feel herself wanting to cry. To break down.
But in this moment, she didn't know how to.
It was like a lump was stuck in her throat, and even after swallowing down, it didn't seem to disappear.
Yet, she had no tears. No emotion shown physically. But that is what happens to one, when they have lost a loved one, more than once.
For your emotions to completely run out one day. Not knowing that once it hits you again, it'll break you.
-
Two weeks later
"You ready, my love?" Neteyam calls out.
"Just a moment" Aneysa replies, as she's getting her handbag.
They were on their way to Lo'ak and Tsireya's house, for dinner.
Along with Orla, who had been staying with them the past two weeks.
With no sign and contact from her family, they had no choice but to keep her. But to Aneysa, she was great company.
"You ready to go Orla?" Aneysa walks into the guest bedroom, seeing Orla ready.
Aneysa smiles, "you look great."
"I'm worried" Orla says.
"Why?" Aneysa asks, walking toward her.
She detangles Orla's curls from the back, her hairstyle had been done half up and half down.
"I'm not exactly.. family. What if they don't like me?" Orla asks.
"Orla.." Aneysa holds her from her shoulders, turning her around, "you are a great kid. Even if you are not family, they are nice people. You've become good friends with Tuk, right?"
Orla nods, "I suppose you're right."
Aneysa smiles, "come on. Let's go. If Neteyam's in a good mood, I'll ask him to get us ice cream."
She lets out a giggle, before the two of them make their way downstairs.
-
"So, how's your new job?" Love asks Lo'ak.
"It's retail. You tell me" Lo'ak replied, seeming quite exhausted, as he's putting plates down onto the table.
"If it makes you feel any better, you're doing a great job as being a dad" Aneysa gives him a pat on the back.
Lo'ak chuckles nervously, "well, thanks. And hey" he holds her wrist, before she could walk away.
She looked at him puzzled.
"I heard. About Mr.Jones. I'm sorry" Lo'ak says to her.
She smiles back at him, "he's in a better place."
"I've made Turkey!" Tsireya shouts.
"Roast potatoes... Turkey.. are you feeding us a Sunday roast..? On a Saturday!" Ao'nung shouts, "foul."
"Come on bro, you know you'll eat anything" Rotxo replied, helping Ao'nung get onto a chair at the table, before taking his wheelchair and placing it away to the side.
"That is true. This boy eats broccoli" Kiri says in a judgemental tone.
"Hey, broccoli is nice!" Aneysa defends him.
"Right! This is why you're my best friend" Ao'nung points out.
Kiri sticks her tongue out at him, turning around to walk back into the kitchen.
Lo'ak walks to Tsireya, who was cutting up food, to put into Lo'reyas' special plate.
"So.. when are we going to tell them?" He asks in a whisper.
"After we've all eaten" Tsireya replies.
She looked hesitant, before Lo'ak places his hand above hers.
"She will be happy for you. For us. Don't worry" Lo'ak gives her a reassuring smile.
"Hey guys, I'm sorry to break up whatever this is, but where's my husband?" Aneysa asks.
"He's gone to bring Lo'reya down from her nap" Lo'ak replies.
Before they here Lo'reya giggle as she's making her way down, in Neteyam's arms.
"The princess is awake, everyone!" Neteyam calls out.
Aneysa looks at them and smiles, before Lo'reya puts her arms out to her, asking her to hold her.
She takes Lo'reya in her arms, holding onto her and brushing her hair back with her fingers.
Lo'reya yawns, resting her head onto Aneysa's shoulder.
"It's time to eat Lo'reya. We can't sleep again" Aneysa says to her.
Lo'reya doesn't respond, feeling nothing but tired.
"Just like her dad" Neteyam chuckles.
"Come on, let's wash your face with some cold water" Aneysa takes Lo'reya with her to the bathroom.
"Is it always like this? When you all gather together to eat as a family?" Orla asks.
Tuk nods and sighs, "they're all so loud."
Orla smiles, "I quiet like the atmosphere if I'm quite honest. Back in Ireland it would always just be me and my father. Not to say he wasn't great company. But I've always envied people with big families."
-
Everyone was now gathered in the sitting room, sitting around and chatting, all amongst themselves.
Lo'ak and Tsireya were stood in the kitchen for a while, before they made their way back.
"Guys" Lo'ak calls out.
They all turn to look at him.
"I'm glad you all enjoyed the food" Lo'ak says.
"Since when did you get so formal with your dinners?" Kiri asks.
"Just.. shush" he shushes his sister and then continues, "but me and Tsireya and Lo'reya have a important announcement to make. To you all."
Lo'reya uses her little legs, running to Lo'ak and sitting down in his lap.
"So, a couple of weeks ago, as you know, I was feeling slightly.. unwell. Well, after Lo'reyas' birthday, I had a feeling that I might have been pregnant" Tsireya says, slowly, as she can see them all looking at her.
"Oh for heavens sake" Ao'nung muttered.
"So, we went to get a pregnancy test and the results came back" Lo'ak says.
"Mommy's having.. baby!" Lo'reya shouts in excitement.
"You both have been getting down and dirty!" Love shouts enthusiastically, as the others laugh.
Tsireya looks to Aneysa and sees her smiling, as she hugs Lo'reya.
"Are you excited? You're going to have another sibling!" Aneysa says to Lo'reya.
Lo'reya nods with a giggle before she starts jumping in excitement.
Aneysa chuckles before she stands up, walking to Lo'ak and Tsireya.
"Congratulations!" She gasps, giving Lo'ak a tight hug.
Lo'ak chuckles, hugging her back.
They pull away from on another before Aneysa looks to Tsireya and Lo'ak walks off, as the others wish to congratulate him.
"I'm so happy for you! But.. Lo'ak said you had the flu?" Aneysa asks, "is everything alright now?"
Tsireya gives her a smile and then sighs.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Aneysa asks, concerned.
"I didn't.. actually have the flu" Tsireya confesses.
"Oh.. you didn't? But then why..?" Aneysa looked at her confused.
"I made Lo'ak lie to you. I mean, I wanted to surprise you all, hence" Tsireya points out to everyone.
"Ah.." Aneysa nods, but she felt that there was more to it.
And Tsireya proved that to be right, "but also, i asked Lo'ak to lie because.. I was afraid of hurting your feelings."
"My feelings?" Aneysa asks.
Neteyam stood behind Tsireya, ready to congratulate her, before realising her and Aneysa were in a important conversation.
"Aneysa, you're one of my best friends. And, I know that it is hard for you, not being able to have your own children. I didn't want to push it in your face like that, because I didn't want to upset you" Tsireya looked at her apologetically.
"Oh. I see" Aneysa replied.
"I didn't mean to lie to you. Really" Tsireya says.
Aneysa smiles and shook her head, "it's fine. I would lie to me too, if I was in your position. But, I am happy for you. Truly."
She turns around, her head bumping right into Neteyam's chest.
She looks up at him and Neteyam looks down at her.
"We should go home. I-I'm tired" Aneysa says to him.
He nods, handing over the key, "take Orla. I'll be out in a minute."
She nods and walks off, before Neteyam looks up at Tsireya with a glare.
"What happened?" Lo'ak asks, walking towards them.
"Nothings wrong" Neteyam looks away from Tsireya to Lo'ak, "Aneysa's just feeling a little tired. She had a long day at the hospital so, we're going to get going."
"Oh okay. Take some cake, before you go!" Lo'ak walks back into the kitchen.
"Congratulations Tsireya" Neteyam says to her, "but don't ever disrespect my wife like that. Again."
"I didn't try to" Tsireya says.
"All you needed to tell her was that you wanted to keep it a surprise. You told her all that information for nothing. Other than to hurt her feelings" Neteyam says.
Tsireya looks back at him, not knowing what to say.
He sighs, keeping himself calm before walking away.
-
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Do you guys think it's fair what Neteyam said to Tsireya? I mean.. he weren't wrong. She didn't have to add all that extra bit in.