Unpredictable • cth

5

El-
Mia is sprawled out across my floor, babbling on about something I could care less about. I turn to look at Caleb who's sitting in my vanity chair, painting a singular nail black, listening intently to Mia's story. He always cares, he always makes an effort to listen.

Mia came over first, with Uncle Mikey and Aunt Crystal. She practically sprinted up the stairs to apologize. Which she always means. She's the most sincere person I know but she has legit no filter.

Caleb came next but he trailed in behind Uncle Ash and Kay Kay who came in running in kissing and hugging the life out of me.

My Dad had already set up the living room. We have a movie theatre but he hates using it for some reason.

He put blankets out, postmated at least 2 pounds of candy, and he continues to hold the tradition that my mom used to do of putting out fairy lights all around the room.

"Right El?"

"Huh?" I was so lost. I had my mind if Ryder would come or not.

"I asked if I should do my whole hand this time?" Caleb asked so happily.

I turned my body towards him with a smile breaking out onto my face. "Of course you should!"

We stayed like this for a while, just sitting, talking, and helping Caleb paint his nails.

We all heard a car door slam but didn't think much of it, then voices filled the hallway.

"Hello? Anyone home?" Uncle Luke's voice filled the house which caused a riot of which boy was going to hug him first.

The three of us ran downstairs, somehow Mia was the first to get to him.

Even though we all love each other and everyone says we don't have favorites, we do.

It always is, Uncle Ash and Ella, Mia and Uncle Luke, Caleb and Uncle Mikey, and it used to be Ryder and Uncle Cal.

Aunt Sierra isn't with them, which I remember Dad saying she was touring for an extra week somewhere in Asia. I'm not too sure.

Luke turns to Caleb next, grabs his hand and pulls him in for a hug.

In most families they celebrate the first word or steps, but in ours the more you reject toxic masculinity the more your praised. I like that about our family, they raised us to care about what really mattered.

Caleb had been painting his singular nail since about 7th grade, and now he finally committed to painting the whole hand.

This isn't a first though. Ryder had been painting his nails since he was 6 or 7. He still does now. Every week comes in with a new color. He used to go with me when I got mine done before shit hit the fan.
Uncle Luke wraps his long arms around me pulling me in for quite a long hug.

"I know he keeps screwing up, I'm sorry Els."

He said it so quickly and low I could barely hear him before he let go moving onto the boys. He only ever called me Els when I was super upset or more when he was sad about something, my guess would be Ryder.

Speaking of, he was sulking into the house, shutting the front door behind him. Uncle Mikey and Ash go to welcome him, he was happy to see them. He then turned to Mia, who never really gives him the time of day but they both hugged, very awkwardly I should add.

Turning to his best friend Caleb, who hugged and exchanged some words into each other's ears.
Finally he turned to my father. "Mr.Hood, thank you for having me." He said firm, without making eye contact. My dad smiled, said a your welcome and brought everyone into the kitchen.