Gradual Change

Ch.13

Setting in the middle chair of the Collins’s mini-van, George wondered what was he doing here? Somehow, Nancy managed to make him come with them. While Oliver and Erinna didn’t know yet, but Connor was not the only one coming with them.

Carol had invited Shelby, Dakota and Steven, and another two boys from Oliver’s class. Ronald Henderson who Erinna calls Ron for short and Walter Bain, both were very close friends to Erinna and they also talk to Oliver from time to time. Heather had confirmed that they are good kids before Carol invited them.

The plan was for Heather and Carol to go shopping for Erinna mean while Nancy and George will look after the kids. They were responsible enough to look after a group of 10-year-old. They were waiting in front of their house while George was watching NFL news. Naturally, Nancy was watching with him.

George and Nancy sat just behind the front seats while Oliver sat behind them waiting for Erinna. For some reason, Heather wanted to give something to Erinna before they leave. The whole house knew but Erinna didn’t. Erinna emerged from the house with a huge grin on her face.

She walked over to George who just smiled at her when he saw her. She rushed over to George, giving him a hug and a kiss on his cheek. “I love you, thank you,” Erinna said taking her seat beside Oliver. Oliver looked at her confused and joules at the same time. He wished it was he who received this kiss, not George.

Looking at Erinna in her cute outfit Oliver was feeling warm in his stomach, he didn’t understand why was he having that feeling or why did he have that weird dream last night.

“Ryan, you look very cute honey,” Carol said from the front seat making Erinna blush a bit. Carol didn’t know about Erinna choosing her new name so she just called her Ryan by habit. She, however, could tell that the name, Ryan doesn’t fit with such a pretty and feminine young lady sitting in the backseat of her minivan.

“Thank you, Miss Carol, but it’s Erinna now, not Ryan anymore,” Erinna said a bit pained. Carol looked at her apologetically and give her a reassuring smile. She thought that Oliver and Erinna looked cute together even though they were just friends. Carol knows the feeling have for Erinna and she could feel that Erinna was happy with Oliver around.

“Well, that’s a cute name definitely suits you,” Carol started making Erinna blush a bit. “While George may be the best brother in the world, I am sure there is another reason behind that kiss,” Carol teased Erinna a bit making her blush.

“I got an early Christmas gift, it was from mommy and daddy,” Erinna replied blushing a bit. She opened her clutch and took out a brand-new phone. Carol recognized the phone as a very expensive one for Erinna a 10-year-old to have a phone and this expensive one, she can’t set she agreed with it, but it was not her own business.

They waited for a bit until Heather came and took a seat beside Carol. “Let’s get going then, shall we? Conner will be waiting for us,” Carol said starting the Engine.
The short drive to Connor’s house was full of chatting, Nancy and George were busy watching NFL news, Heather and Carol talked about many things.

Erinna and Oliver started to talk, Erinna was nervous and used the conversation with Oliver as a distraction. In the middle of her conversation with Heather, Carol mentioned Erinna’s phone. She tried to interfere much but she didn’t want Oliver to feel joules.

“Oh, no worries the phone comes with strict rules, Erinna understands that. I won’t let my daughter wander the Internet without me knowing what she watching and doing all the time, also no social media until she’s 13,” Heather explained to Carol.

Carol nodded happily, if she bought Oliver a phone, he won’t feel less than his friend and with these rules, she can be comfortable with her son having a phone. Besides, they already have brand new tablets, even though they mostly use them for school.