Valerie

17 - Val

"Risotto?" Mable asked as we walked back to our apartment for with Thomas and Marcus.

"Fuck yes." I said.

"Absolutely." Marcus said, practically salivating.

"Alright, risotto it is." She said as we started walking up to the apartment.

"I'll help." I said as we entered the apartment.

"You don't-"

"Mable, it's fine." I said and she gave me a grateful smile.

"So, when did you guys move here?" Marcus asked as he and Thomas sat on the sofa facing the kitchen.

"Nearly five months ago now." I said.

"What about your families?" He asked and I immediately stiffened opposite the fridge, onion in hand.

"Mable is originally from New York." I said, trying to relax. "Her family has a house here but they're currently in London."

"What about you?" Marcus asked and Thomas gave him a warning look.

"My father and three brothers are in London but my mother was from New York." I said quietly, focusing on chopping the onions next to Mable who was measuring the risotto rice.

"Does she live here?" Marcus questioned.

Mable, Thomas and I stiffened in unison.

Marcus seemed to notice the shift in mood because he said, "...What?"

"Marcus." Thomas warned.

"It's fine." I hurried to add. "My mother passed away around four years ago."

"Shit. I'm an asshole." Marcus said, his head in his hands.

I heard Thomas mumble something a lot like, "Yes you fucking are."

I gave him a reassuring smile. "It's okay." Then I cleared my throat. "What about you guys?" I already knew a bit about Thomas' family from the disaster that was his 20th birthday party but I would be lying to myself if I lied and said I didn't want to know more.

"My mother and father live in New York." Marcus said.

"You're an only child too?" Mable said, her head lifting from the rice.

"Only children are insufferable." Thomas said and I nodded,

"Agreed."

Both Marcus and Mable looked between us before Mable said, "And yet here you are, both best friends with only children."

"Tell me about it." I rolled my eyes playfully. "It's a nightmare."

Thomas laughed which in turn made me laugh. His laughter is contagious. He's contagious.

Mable frowned before sending a sly grin my way.

"What about you, Thomas?" She asked.

"My mother, brother and step-father are in New York but my sister is in..." He paused, as if considering whether he should say this before he looked at me and he must have come to a decision because he said, "she's in Edinburgh."

"I love Edinburgh!" I exclaimed because it was very true which made Thomas' eyes brighten.

"Remember that school trip we went on?" Mable asked.

"Oh my gosh yes! And we performed in Edinburgh."

This seemed to have put Thomas at ease because he asked, "What did you perform?"