||Hello Neighbour: A Better Timeline||

||Chapter 8: Sleepover Offer||

Over the following weeks, Nicky got much closer to The Petersons.
Aaron was very artistic, loved theatre and was amazing at picking locks, he also knows where to find the best old movies and shows, it's really fun to hang out with him.
Mya was very hyper, she loved dolls and liked dancing like her mom, she also seems to have a good eye of details as she points out small things or things her brother should do for a drawing or painting, it's pretty fun to talk to her.
Mrs Peterson, or Diana, she's also very nice, and she makes good food, according to Aaron and Mya, along side some CDs; I learned she use to be an actor/dancer, before she quit and became a teacher for industry reasons and to spend more time with her kids.
Mr Peterson, I learned he's a big time Roller Coaster creator, he's made many rides from simple to extreme, though apparently he's on a break for some time from making rides, but he still designs them; Kind of hope I can see some drawings or in action some time, he's not much of a talker unless to Ike, kids or his wife; But I get it, I'm not the social type either.
Uncle Ike, who I thought was Mr Peterson's Brother, is just a friend that grew up with Mr Peterson and they became close like brothers, he's pretty neat and funny, he reminds me of my Uncle Saul; He does radio for the Banner, and Dad said he's really nice too.

Nicky tapped his pen on the notebook, he hadn't met Norman yet.
Mya and Aaron referred to him as Uncle Norman, so possibly someone else that grew up with Mr Peterson and is seen as a brother, and his Dad's new boss is Norman so given some conversations about him; It must be his dad's boss.
How odd.
Nicky kind of hopes to meet him soon.

=

"Wonder why they stopped making movies or shows like these."
Aaron sighed, Nicky enjoyed the movie as it came to an end.
"That was great."
"Yep! Some of the best movies, are the old movies."
Nicky nods, checking his watch,"I better get home for dinner.", Aaron nods,"Oh yeah, right.", Nicky put his shoes on and went to leave,"Hey, uhm. . .", Aaron went after him,"Yeah?", "Would you be interested in, a sleepover?", Nicky was surprised,"Really?", "Yeah, I mean yeah: I have fun hanging out with you, and my mom and dad were curious if you would be interested?", Aaron had gathered from the weeks of getting to know Nicky, that his mom was. . . The most strict one, he didn't know why but it just felt like she didn't like him from the first glance.
Especially since Nicky's not allowed to invite anyone over, though they are fixing up the house so there's that. . .
"Sure, I'll ask my dad and we, see if we can get a day that works?"
Aaron smiled,"Yeah, no problem; Take all the time you need.", Nicky nods and ran back across the street.

~

Nicky looked up from his dinner,"Uhm. . . Mom, Dad? Can I stay at Aaron's for a sleepover?", they turned to him,"Uhm, he invited me and said if I can, figure out a day that works for both sides.", Jay smiled, Luanne looked nervous, gripping her fork a bit tighter,"I dunno. . . We haven't met Aaron's parents have we?", Jay glanced at his wife,"No, I've not seen them around town but Ike and Norman speak highly of his parents.", Jay turned to Nicky, smiled and turned back to his wife,"I can go talk to them.", Luanne sighed, turned to her son,"Nicky; Do you want to sleepover at Aaron's?", "Yeah.", Luanne nods,"Okay, let your dad talk to his parents first alright?", Nicky nods,"Will do, and thank you mom.", she smiled, though she was nervous though.

=

"Morning, Cat."
Aaron sat at the table, rubbing sleep out of his eyes and trying to look presentable,"Morning. . .", Diana had Aaron Beans on Toast and was preparing Mya Eggs, Toast and Bacon.
Aaron glanced at his dad, reading a newspaper and having already, and was just drinking coffee.
Ike was here too, he helped bring some stuff out as there was still. . . So much to go through that Mya and Aaron thought this was house was a fun house or even alive.
"Oh, and Aaron?"
Aaron drew himself back from his head, turning to his mom,"Huh?", "What did Nicky say about a sleepover?", Aaron nods,"He's down for it, just said it would be best if his parents talked to you guys so there can be a set date that would work for both of us.", Diana nods, turning to her husband,"We haven't met his parents have we?", Ike raised his hand,"I have; Or at least his dad.", they turned to him, Diana handed him some tea,"Thank you; Uhm, his Dad is Jay Roth; He's the new employee of The Banner, he's a really nice guy and Miguel goes way back with him, apparently they were roommates back in college.", Mya and Aaron turned, interested and Diana smiled,"Well then, perhaps we should go talk to him when he's free?", Mr Peterson nods, putting the paper down,"I guess but. . .", Aaron looked at his dad, he knew his dad was not a social guy, quite the opposite and when the pandemic hit, it kind of set him back a bit since his mom wanted his dad to socialise more.
"You know, we will need to eventually talk to them."
"I know, it just-. . . I don't know why it takes so much effort to talk to someone."
Ike smirked, raising his cup,"Want me to come with and support you?", Ted glared at him, pointing at him as Ike hid his obvious smile with the cup,"I'm not 10 years old, Ike!", Mya giggled, Aaron covered his mouth as he chewed his food.
"Besides. . . Besides the Banner, I don't when I can catch him."
"True, it would be rude to go over for the soul purpose of that, it would be best to approach when they're free."
Mr Peterson finished up and stood up,"I'm going to go work on the basement, clear it out and once that's done I'll have my office moved and. . . I dunno what we'll do with the basement but I'll figure it out.", so their dad left downstairs to continue moving stuff or throwing things out.
"Hey Mom? Why does Dad find it hard to talk to people? He talks to us all the time."
Diana looked at Ike, who smiled and shrugged,"Your dad just isn't much a people person, he just finds it harder to talk to people and likes a small friend group of people he knows for years.", Diana nods,"Exactly, your father just finds it a bit harder and more tiring to talk to people.", Ike knew that for a fact, it was so hard to get Theodore to talk to him before they were friends but he eventually cracked.

~

Ike went into the basement, seeing Ted seal a box with tape.
. . .
"Would it be better if Diana spoke to him?"
Ike titled his head,"Theo. . .", "Ike; From every experience I've head, I've scared people off, I don't wanna give the man a heart attack and or ruin Aaron's friendship with the boy.", Theodore then proceed to wave his hand up and down,"I'm not the most approachable person.", Ike shrugged,"You'll be fine, Ted; Jay isn't one to judge based on what they look like.", Theodore sighed.
. . .
"Okay, Fine. . ."
"Trust me; You'll get along with Jay."