Ever since I arrived at the doorstep of my house, my mother and I talked. We covered at least every topic manageable; family, friends, boys and events that happened.
It was almost as if I never left, we bonded, we never used to bond. Either we'd talk about our day or talk about the present, but we never actually discussed some of the topics that were actually important.
I told my mother about Jake and I, told her about Seamus' surprise party and gushed about how nice the Drake's were. Aunt Anna popped up a few times, but I could obviously tell that my mother didn't exactly want to talk about her.
My mother went ballistic with the detail for Caden's leaving party. She told me how everything is suppose to look like. Balloons dangling from the ceiling fans, presents are suppose to be placed a table either the black and blue cloth, and there will be food everywhere. Ah even printed the college's logo and placed it in every surface and wall imaginable; might as well be sponsored by the college.
I'm in charge of presents and people's belongings. When people come in, I greet them then take their belongings. It's a boring job, but at least I'll be able to see who arrives and who doesn't.
"Caden! People will be arriving any second, are you ready?" She screamed to Caden who has been in his room for most of that time that we spent decorating.
"Yes mother, chill out," he called back.
"Then get down here now," she demanded.
"With who? People aren't even here yet," he recalled.
"With your family!" She answered.
After much more convincing, Caden finally trotted downstairs and plopped himself on the sofa.
"At leafy you look presentable," I joked, fixing a tablecloth.
"Wish I could say the same about you," he replied, smirking.
"A part of me is glad you'll be out my hair tomorrow," I smiled, patting him on the back.
"And the other part?" He wondered, pulling out his phone.
"Is wondering what I'll eat tonight," I teased, and stuck out my tongue at him.
"Get off your phone," my mother ordered to Caden as she fixed her dress, which she only wears in special occasions.
"You need to relax," he laughed, moving aside, signifying her to sit down.
"I just want this party to be perfect," she sighed, taking Caden's offer.
"It will be," I reassured, nodding. "But Caden being on his phone won't cause the guests to leave," I added.
"Still, he could get off his phone for a few hours without the world ending," she fired back.
"I don't know, the college might contact me," she stated, raising an eyebrow.
"Fine, But only if it's an emergency," she gave in, patting him on the shoulder, as she got up and went to the kitchen.
"I have to use that excuse form now on," I gawked.
"You're still in high school," he pointed out.
"Doesn't mean a college won't contact me," I winked.
"Trust me, with your grades, they won't," he chuckled.
"I get better grades than you," I gushed, crossing my arms.
"The how am I the one going to college and you are still force to go to high school?" Washed, pushing me a little.
"Because you're older!" I proclaimed.
"I You're really a bran whiz, you'd be able to skip grades," he winked, pulling his phone out again, blocking my comment.
***
"Welcome," I greeted as the first guest came in.
I didn't recognize them, but they must one of my mothers friends. Caden had a few pals from high school, but I want able to point out who's who. Besides the pony, I took the presents and placed them on the "present table".
I don't understand why people bring gifts to going away parties. Is it a dorm warning gift or a gift saying, "thank goodness you're leaving". Either way, whatever Caden doesn't want usually gets given to me.
"Hey kiddo," Aunt Anna smiled and handed me a gift.
Baffled to see her, I almost missed the fact that a young, maybe three year old, girl was in her arms. Must be the same girl as the one on her profile page, but who is she? Aunt Anna never mentioned a kid.
"Who's this princess?" I asked, waving at the young girl.
"This is Daffodil, my daughter," she answered, brushing the girls blond clocks, that she clearly got from her, away from her face.
"As in flower?"
"Yeah, she smiled almost as bright as the flowers colours," she replied, poking her cheeks.
"She's beautiful," I complimented.
"Thank you," she smiled and walked further inside.
Good luck is what I wanted to add when she took a step inside the house.
"Welcome!" I greeted again as a few more unfamiliar people stepped inside.
"Long time no see," Mike smiled, engulfing me in the tightest hug I've ever experienced.
"Who are you again?" I asked, squinting my eyes and pointing a finger at him.
"I'm still trying to figure that out myself and when I decide, I'll make sure to share the answer with you," he winked, letting me go. "Shouldn't Caden be greeting everyone, not his sister?" He wondered, stepping aside to let people come in.
"You go right ahead and tell that to my mother, I'll make sure to send you a card once you'll be in hospital," I laughed.
"Speaking of hospitals, Jaz sends her wishes. She said that she's heartbroken that she couldn't say goodbye to Caden," he explained, unzipping his jumper.
"I'll make sure to face time her and she can talk to him then," I suggested. "No off you go and enjoy the party," I pushed him towards the crowd.
"You're right, I need to find the college bit," he said. "Make way people, make way," he screamed as he walked passed people.
"Michael!" My mother yelled.
"Sorry Mrs Rodriguez," he apologized, making me laugh.
"I warned him," I whispered under my breath.
***
"Hey girl," Luce approached. "How long have you been standing here for?" She asked, side hugging me.
"When did the party start?" I asked.
"Six."
"Since six," I chuckled.
"I think you can leave the door alone now, it's already seven," she demanded.
"I'll do tat when my mother ain't around," I smiled.
"Suit yourself," she shrugged, pushing her hair behind her shoulder.
"Mason is already inside, just Incas you're wondering," I winked.
"For the last time, we're just friends," she announced, letting a frustrated breath out.
"Keep telling yourself that," I stated and watched her strut away.
"With one Drake's, comes more ," I teased as Seamus entered.
"And don't forget it," he winked and dropped a present in my hand. "Head up kiddo, that's for you, not your brother. Caden's present is my presence," he smirked and joined everyone else.
The gift was wrapped in silver paper and had a red ribbon on top. It was almost like he actually tried to make it look pretty, what a guy.
Laughing, I welcomed Mr and Mrs Drake. They said their greetings, handed me their gift for Caden and joined the crowd. After a couple of minutes I decided that I can finally join everyone else.
Doing so, I set the presents in my hand on the table, keeping the silver wrapped one in my hand. I didn't want anyone to think it was Caden's so when no one was looking, I crept up to my room and set it on my dresser, deciding it was beat if I opened it later.
The party seemed to go on forever. Everyone was eating, drinking, laughing or chatting. It seemed like just a regular get together. Then my mother decided to make a toast.
"Everyone, everyone!" She repeated, trying to get the guests attention.
"Yo!" Mike screamed, following with a whistle.
"Thank you Michael," she nodded and grabbed her wine glass. "To Caden, that his college experience will be everything he imagined it would be and for him to become a successful and well prepared adult by the time he returns," she concluded.
"Don't get everyone's hopes up too high," mike joked, my mother giving him a death stare.
"Cheers!" Everyone announced and clanked their glasses together.
Mike never fails to ruin a monumental moment, now does he.