Unexpected

• Chapter Sixty-Three •

"Don't search for the meaning of life. Simply be present for the people you love." ~Maxime Lagacé

• • •

The summer starts to pass by pretty quickly and before I know it, we only have two weeks until school begins again. I decide to push this thought to the side because well frankly, it's depressing. Especially as it's my final year in secondary school; that means my A-level exams that determine what university I go to are soon and that's terrifying.

Right now, I'm outside in the garden with my whole family playing football. On my team is my dad and Nolan leaving Marcel, Omari and my mum on the other team. Considering Marcel is the one that actually plays football here, it's highly likely that he's on the winning side.

"Keziah! Move back!" My dad yells to me.

We have two goals placed on opposite sides of the garden and although it isn't the normal size of a pitch, it's big enough for our family to play properly.

I head back towards the other teams goal where my mother is standing guard and wait for the ball to reach me.

My dad kicks the ball from his position back at the goal all the way to me.

Now I know I'm not a skilled player but I have to say that I do hold my own.

I lift my left leg up to receive the ball but as I turn to shoot, Marcel comes out of nowhere and slide tackles me.

"That's not fair!" I whine out.

"It's within the rules you loser!" Marcel yells back.

He sprints back to the opposite side with the ball at his feet and heading straight towards Nolan.

"Nolan,get the ball!" I scream.

Nolan however, is only 6 so of course he stand no chance.

Marcel runs past him with ease causing Nolan to groan in frustration.

"It's alright son!" My dad shouts. "Just keep trying."

Marcel passes the ball to Omari who sprints forward before passing it back to Marcel.

Marcel heads close to the goal without slowing down and lifts his leg back in preparation to shoot.

"Mum! Block him!" I yell while running towards them.

Marcel shoots and even though my mum tries to block it, the ball goes right past her and into the corner of the net.

"He shoots and he scores!" Marcel pumps his fists into the air before running to Omari and lifting him up even though he's pretty big now.

"Put me down!" Groans Omari.

Marcel complies while still cheering and head over to mum to hug her.

"Okay, we get it Marcel. Stop acting like you won the freaking championship." I roll my eyes. He's so annoying.

"Don't be a sore loser Kez!"He responds back.

"Okay that's enough kids." My mum breaks us up.

We all head back inside with Nolan on my dads shoulders and Marcels arm wrapped around Omaris.

All of a sudden, loud and repetitive knocking resonates throughout my entire house.

My family and I all look at one another in confusion. "Who do you think that is?" Nolan asks with wide eyes.

"I'm not sure honey." My mum heads to the front door and opens it to reveal Rani hugging her stomach with tears rolling down her face at an alarmingly fast pace.

A gasp escapes my lips before I immediately run to her and wrap my arms tightly around hers.

Rani breaks down into loud sobs that wrack her chest. I pull her into the house and sit her down against the wall with her head rested in my shoulder.

I usher my family away from us to give Rani some space and start whispering consoling words to her.

I'm not exactly sure what happened but I know I won't get anywhere if I try and speak to her right now. I have a feeling that it's about her parents though, it always is.

• • •

Once Rani stopped crying, I helped her upstairs to my room for her to get some rest. That was three hours ago. All that crying must have really tired her out.

"I'm guessing Rani is still asleep?" My dad asks while joining me in the sofa with mum.

I sigh out loud and lean on the arm of the sofa, "Yep. Still sleeping like a baby." I reply sadly.

"That poor child. I wonder what her parents did this time." My mum wonders out loud.

That's exactly what I was thinking earlier.

"She'll probably tell me when she wakes up." I pause for a second. "Whenever that will be."

"Tsk. You don't know how she's feeling right now Keziah." My mum says sternly.

My dad continues sitting there quietly watching TV.

"Yes yes, I know." All of a sudden, an idea comes to mind. "I know exactly what she needs."

I immediately run upstairs leaving my parents with confused looks on their faces and tiptoe into my room quietly. I grab my phone and leave my room to sit on the stairs. I open the group chat with Rolo, Rani, Evelyn and I and send a quick message.

Me: SOS!

I instantly get a response.

Rolo: Where's the fire?

Ana: Are you okay?

Evelyn: ??

Me: Ranis in a bad state, come over ASAP. And plan to stay for the night.

I quickly rush downstairs to let my parents know they're coming over and get ready for a night of hopefully resolved problems.

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