Unexpected

• Chapter Thirty-Two •

"If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

• • •

The next few weeks pass by in a blur of the same monotonous routine; wake up, go to school, come home, sleep, repeat. I guess I could throw in the occasional outing with my friends and boyfriend. I still love saying that.

We've reached the time where Christmas is all anyone can think about; the decorations placed all over town and on houses, the constant thoughts on gift ideas and most importantly, the food. Well to me, that's important.

I've also come to the realisation that Abel's birthday is next week on the 18th, right before Christmas holidays. I still have absolutely no idea what I'm going to get him and I'm starting to panic. What do you get your boyfriend who you've been going out with only for a month? If someone could send ideas my way, I'd be so grateful.

On top of that, Eliza and Carter have been strangely absent. Ever since that party, I've not seen Carter around and ever since Eliza's comment at lunch, she's pretty much evaporated into thin air. Not that I'm complaining about it, she is a pain in my butt but I'm getting suspicious now. She probably has a dirty plan up her sleeve.

Anyway, the temperature has reached below zero degrees so I am wrapped up warmly. And by wrapped up warmly, I mean thick leggings, a long-sleeved top, an oversized hoodie, my black puffer jacket paired with thick socks and my timberlands. As well as that, I added a lovely navy-blue knitted scarf from my grandma and a matching hat. What can I say? I don't like being cold. But now, I look like a penguin waddling when I walk. Maybe Abel is into that kind of thing, who knows?

This morning, Abel is picking both me and Omari up in an attempt to get him and Zane as friends. It's going to take a lot longer than a ten-minute car ride for Omari to open up, but I like that Abel's trying though.

I let Omari know that it's time to go and begin to head out.

All of a sudden, Nolan jumps right in front of me splaying his hands out in a stopping motion. "Wait! How come Abel isn't taking me to school today?" Nolan looks at me with sad questioning eyes.

"Because he's taking his other brother and Omari too. There wouldn't be enough space for you and the twins." I say calmly.

Nolan stomps his foot, "But that's not fair!"

"Nolan, stop being a baby, Marcel will take you to school today."

Nolan sighs dramatically and hunches his shoulders forward, "But Marcel is annoying. And he never lets me touch the radio." He whines.

"Marcel used to take you all the time so stop complaining."

Nolan turns around and groans loudly while dragging his feet back to the kitchen to wait on Marcel.

Younger siblings are so annoying. If you don't have one, then count yourself lucky.

Omari has already headed outside so I follow suit and into Abels car.

"It's literally freezing. If my toes fall off by the end of the day, please tell me you'd sew them back on." I say while rubbing my hands together.

"Firstly, you were outside for like 10 seconds, there is no way you could be that cold already. Secondly, your toes aren't going to fall off; you're being dramatic." Abel rolls his eyes at me before pulling out of the driveway.

"Fine then, feel my hands." I place my hands on top of his that are on the steering wheel for a second. "See? Very very cold."

"Okay, whatever you say Brown Eyes." Abel laughs lightly at me.