*Double update...The Beard is complete. Just gotta get these chapters posted.*
The rest of the week has been spent with me ignoring calls and texts from Miguel. At some point, I think he took the hint and because he had stopped calling by Thanksgiving. That or he was too preoccupied with his family. I didn't get much time to think because of my own family that had bombarded us for this holiday.
Uncle Mark had decided to bring two out of his five kids, the youngest, while his wife, Debbie, took the older three to see her family. While my younger cousins have cute, seemingly innocent faces, they're loud and rambunctious. They continue to run around the house, yelling at each other and for fifteen, they're extremely immature. Note, the compliments of cute and innocent are used very loosely.
My aunt Marie was here by herself, but to accompany her, she decided to bring a stick of sage, holy water that had supposedly been blessed, and a ton of crucifixes. She had said that she wanted to make sure no evil spirits were there to haunt her in her sleep. Other than that, she brought some canvases and paint which occupied her most of the time. Marie was the quietest out of everyone.
Last was Shelly who has been driving me up the wall. While I try to sympathize with her and her condition, she makes it extremely hard. Every day leading up to Thanksgiving has been her crying about how hard everything is. I don't see how when it's not like she's working. Plus, she has everyone doing everything for her.
When it's finally time to sit down to eat, I make sure to seat myself between my father and uncle, across from my mom. If I had to be placed next to Shelly or my cousins, I'd blow a gasket.
"This looks great, honey, really," my dad calls out, a small, forced smile on his face. He's had the last couple of days off because of the holiday. Not only that, but he had gotten the promotion he's been working so hard for.
"I'm glad you think so, I had great help." My mom motions to me, winking. "Now come carry this turkey in here."
My dad gets up and I zone in on the various conversations around here. My youngest cousin, Zachary, looks terrified as my aunt Marie tells him about how ghosts can be anywhere. Dylan, my second youngest cousin, is too busy laughing at his brother, snorts leaving his mouth at every second. My eyes move over to Shelly who is talking Mark's ear off about how she still has morning sickness and how swollen her feet are.
This is the calmest the house has been all week and I'm going to enjoy every second of it. My mom walks in, dad following behind her with the turkey tray in his hands. The smell is heavenly, taking over the dishes that had already been laid on the table. My mouth waters as I stare at the golden, crispy skin of the turkey, knowing it'll be perfectly juicy. Dad reaches over me to set the turkey down.
"Well, I guess I'll just cut the turkey and we can dig in." Dad grabs a large knife and begins cutting into the large bird. He cuts slices before dropping them onto everyone's plate.
Soon we're all piling our plates with the food; stuffing, greens, macaroni, and so much more. Everyone is quiet at first, choosing to focus on the food than on talking. Despite the unwelcome visit, I'm grateful for my family. They may be a little loud and intrusive, but I guess I wouldn't change the way they are.
When Thanksgiving is basically and all the 'little kids' are meant to be sleeping, the parents had decided to have their talk about Shelly. I found it weird that they needed to talk in secret because it's not like we all didn't know why they were here.
"Listen, you know why she can't stay with us," Uncle Mark was the first to start shouting. He sounds so frustrated and tired. "I've got five kids and I don't need two more."
"Seriously?" Shelly shrieked next. "You act like I can't take care of my damn self!"
"You can't!" Came simultaneously, letting me know all other siblings agree with each other.
"Jesus Christ, Shelly. You have no job, you haven't even been looking for one. Oh, don't give me that damn look. You're a grown woman and you expect everyone to do everything for you." Marie speaks sternly and I can just picture her shaking her head.
"I'm pregnant!" Shelly retorts, making me roll my eyes. Way to help advance society, Shelly.
"That's not an excuse. You're just lazy and you have no motivation to actually work for anything in your life. How can you raise a baby if you can't even take care of yourself?"
And that's how Thanksgiving ended.
* * *
It was decided that Shelly would, in fact, stay with us. Mark, while still young, is getting older. A new baby wouldn't be ideal for him, his wife, and their five kids. Marie, well, she was having none of it. As an older sister, she put her foot down and told off Shelly then proceeded to say she likes her life too much to house her little sister and new baby. It was inevitable up to my mom and dad and I had already known my mother wasn't going to allow her elderly parents to take care of Shelly and her baby.
Even though the situation is stressful, it helped to take my mind off of my own petty troubles. Now that school is back in session, Miguel has been added to my list of worries. Which is why I tried to avoid him at lunch. It didn't exactly go over well because I was cornered before I could even make it out of the cafeteria.
He sighs, shutting his eyes for a moment before they pop back open. "Emerson, I don't want things to be weird between us. Listen, I know I shouldn't have kissed you...I read everything wrong and I'm sorry, okay?"
Miguel does look kind of sad. Maybe instead of running and avoiding, I should confront my problems head-on. It's getting tiring to constantly run away as if I have somewhere to run. Small town, small school.
"Why did you? Miguel...you know I just got out of a relationship with Sebastian. I'm really not looking to get into another relationship." I tell him honestly because I'm genuinely not. Even if I did, Miguel is my friend and I don't see him as a love interest.
Miguel purses his lips. "I won't lie, I like you, Emie." Miguel drops onto me, no hesitation. I almost step back by how blown away I am. Of course, that had been the first guess, but to hear the confession is unbelievable. "I'm sorry if that's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth. I know you don't view me in the same way, but I just wanted you to know."
I gape at Miguel in disbelief. I want to ask him why he would like me, but I know how the heart wants what it wants and sometimes you have no choice over that. Maybe it was because Miguel and I eat lunch together every day and I had recently met his family, maybe that's how feelings developed. Guilt swells in my stomach, bubbling around and making me feel sick because I don't reciprocate these feelings. I kind of wish I did though.
As I go to reply, I feel eyes on us. It's kind of a self-conscious, itchy feeling to have someone's eyes intensely on you. My gaze moves past Miguel's shoulder, catching Sebastian watching us with a frown on his face. His eyebrows are furrowed and even from here, I can see the anger in his eyes and if I'm not mistaken, jealousy.
"Miguel, I won't lie either, but I just don't like you in that way. You're my friend, a great one at that, but-"
"But you love someone else." Miguel nods, lifting a hand to push a curly strand from his eyes. "I know and I'm not upset. I can't force you to give up your love. I wish I could make you like me, but I won't try because love is something powerful. Once you have it...don't let it go."
Miguel's words remind me of his parents and I know that those words come from them. They raised their son well and I know they'll be doing the same for Aisha. Both their children will grow to prosper and make differences in the world.
My own thoughts remind me that I need to ask about Aisha. "How's your sister? You said she was having headaches, are they better?"
Miguel gives me a look, one that causes my guts to clench uncomfortably. He looks as if he's about to tell me some bad news, his eyebrows downcast and his lips puckered like he's trying to fight some tears.
Miguel shakes his head and opens his mouth. I wait eagerly for him to start talking, to let me know what's happening and how I can help.
"Emie, can we talk?" Someone else talks instead, their shaky and nervous voice coming from behind Miguel.
It looks like another problem awaits me.
*The Shelly situation was just a subplot that's already been wrapped up. It was small and a way to introduce someone new who's not exactly important. You'll see her more, don't worry. Anyways, do you guys think Emie should give Miguel a chance? Or do you think they work better as friends? Also, cliffhanger, sorry. But who do you think it is? Let me know with a comment and please don't forget to vote. Thanks for reading.*