Ella's POV- November 2019
Everything was healing the way it was supposed to, and there was a high probability that I'd get my cast removed after Thanksgiving.
"Son, I'm driving"
Dad had driven us to my appointment in Theo's car.
"I can't find your car keys"
That's cause dad purposely brought them.
"Yeah, I have them"
Theo sighed.
"I wouldn't have been able to move it, either way, there's a car in front of it"
That was Gavin's rental car.
"Well we should be home in about 20 minutes"
Probably sooner.
"I kind of have no other choice but to wait"
Dad scratched his jaw.
"Do you have plans?"
Theo replied.
"I did"
Dad grinned.
"We'll be home soon, bye"
He ended the call before Theo could say anything.
"What do you want for breakfast?"
"French toast" I answered.
He smiled.
"I can do that"
"With scrambled eggs and bacon," I added.
"Okay"
He made Theo help him with breakfast, while I 'checked on the guest'. I knocked on the door and decided to let myself in when I got no response from the other side. By the looks of it, Gavin had woken up and changed out of his PJs. However, he had gone back to bed and the reason he did not respond to the light knock was that his headphones were on. He looked away from the screen of his tablet as the darkroom got some light.
"Morning" I greeted as he took his headphones off.
"Morning"
I made my way over and climbed up on the bed.
"How'd you sleep?" I asked before leaning in to peck his lips.
He nodded.
"Really well, actually"
That's good.
"How was your doctor's appointment?"
"If all goes as planned I should get this removed after Thanksgiving," I said.
He smiled.
"That's great news"
It was great news.
"Have you left the room?" I wondered.
He shook his head.
"There was no need, the room has a connected bathroom"
I laughed.
"Yes?" I questioned when I caught him staring.
He smiled.
"I like your headband"
"Thank you," I said accepting his compliment.
He reached over and attempted to fix the bow on the headband.
"Dad spent a solid 15 minutes trying to smoothen it out" I informed him.
I had been so careful when I packed...and yet...here we were.
"I'll just run my hair straightener through it in a bit," I told him.
He nodded.
"Did you eat already?"
"I had coffee" I answered.
"Are you up for getting some brunch somewhere?"
He reached over and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
"Dad is making Theo helping him making something to eat" I told him.
We both looked at the window when the dogs started to bark.
"Who's at the door?" I wondered out loud.
I stood up and made my way over to the window to see who it was. This room face the front of the house and was positioned right above the front door. Making her way over to the door, still dressed in her work attire was,
"It's Claudia" I stated just as the doorbell rang.
That's weird, she usually gives me a heads up.
"Your best friend?"
One of my best friends.
"Yes" I answered.
I looked at Gavin just as someone shouted downstairs,
"I got it!"
"She promised to be on her best behavior around you," I told him.
Turns out she had texted me, my phone was just on silent and in my purse so I didn't even feel it vibrate.
"Does she know I'm here?"
"No" I answered.
I made my way out of the room and smiled at my best friend.
"I thought we agreed that I'd see you later on when you were well-rested" I stated.
She rolled her eyes and stepped forward to hug me.
"Now, don't get your panties in a bunch. I know we agreed, but I wanted to see you myself"
I groaned as she squeezed me too tight for my liking.
"Hug me back"
I laughed and gave her a one-arm hug.
"Much better"
She gasped.
"And who might this be?"
"I'd introduce you if you'd let go" I noted.
She let go of me, and I gestured for Gavin to come over. Once he was close enough, I began the introduction.
"Claudia, this is Gavin. Gavin, this is Claudia" I said.
They shook hands.
"You are much nicer on the eyes in person"
He laughed, his cheeks flushing up as he stuttered a response,
"Thank you"
She smiled.
"The only pictures I've honestly ever seen of you, involve you in some form of Dodgers uniform"
He chuckled and nodded.
"That's true"
She glanced at me and proceeded to mouth,
"He's cute"
I looked at Gavin who's cheeks flushed up.
"Would you like to stay for brunch?" I asked her.
"Your dad gave me no choice"
She lightly shrugged.
"I never say no to french toast"
Or food in general.
"Do you mind if I use your bathroom to freshen up?"
"Yeah, use whatever you need," I said.
She excused herself over to my room.
"We're going downstairs" I announced.
"Okay!"
As we made our way downstairs, Gavin spoke up.
"How long has she been a flight attendant for?"
"For the current airline? A couple of months" I responded.
"What about in general?"
"About 2 years" I answered.
"So straight out of high school?"
I shook my head.
"She's a year older" I disclosed.
By the looks of it, dad had talked to Theo because he was glaring at the dishes he was drying up. Dad glanced away from the french toast he was making and then got straight to the point.
"Ella, your brother would like to talk to you"
Theo's jaw tensed up a bit and glared at Gavin before looking at me.
"Can I talk to you outside?"
"Sure" I replied.
"Gavin, do you know how to work this coffee machine?"
I followed Theo out to the backyard.
"What's up?" I asked.
He turned around and bit his lip before saying,
"I'm sorry"
"About?" I wondered.
He grimaced.
"I've been incredibly selfish"
Very.
"You're my sister and my pairs partner. We're supposed to be there for each other, and frankly, I've been MIA a lot"
No kidding.
"I'll try to manage my time better"
Theo knew how to manage his time, skating had become less a priority.
"If you no longer want to be my pairs partner" I started.
He cut me off.
"I know I haven't been the greatest partner, but I will get my shit together. I promise"
Would he keep that promise though?
Meet Claudia