The Fallout

Chapter 29

Henry: can you come spend new year's eve with me, my parents booked themselves into a hotel and will come back on new year's. And I don't want to spend it alone. Pretty please.

He attached a crying emoji at the end of the text. It was nice waking up to that text, it made my cheeks flush. Of course I would spend the new year's eve with him and do a countdown to the following year with him. The thought excited me.  The old Henry would prefer inviting a girl over to smash instead of calling me. I guess I was a catalyst in his change.

Riley and my parents planned to do fireworks, I had to bail on them. They would be okay with it, I was eighteen now, I had to enjoy with my friends. Especially when we would not be seeing each other anymore the following year.

Me: okay cool. Be there at ten.

Henry. Thank you. You're the best friend in the whole wide world.

He replied instantly and it made me feel important.

Me: please tell me that there is mac and cheese, or at least nachos.

Henry: Unfortunately not. But there are tons of other snacks. And wine.

Me: Those are good substitutes. I will be there.

I put a smiley at the end of the text. I smiled then went to shower and brush my teeth. I then went downstairs to eat breakfast. Mom had made heart-shaped pan cakes. Talk about creativity in the kitchen.

She dished up for me and squirted  maple syrup on them. I went to the lounge to sit with dad and Riley and have breakfast.

I've had the same New Year's traditions every year. If I was not with Kylie, I was with my family lighting fireworks like any other family. I had never been kissed when midnight struck, maybe someday I would get that midnight kiss.

"How are you baby?" Dad asked me. "How was the game last night? I did not hear you guys come in."

"I'm good thank you dad. It was awesome. Yea, we came in really late."

"I heard them. I did not sleep until they came in." Mom said as she sat down.

Family time. I loved it. It felt just right sitting around the lounge table, having breakfast with the people that I loved and sharing stories and laughing together. It made my heart happy and content. I would definitely miss this. A lot even. Laughter clouded the room as we shared jokes and crazy stories. The sound was pleasant to listen to. Dad made tons of jokes and Riley was weak from laughing at them.

"Mom, I'll be with Henry for the countdown."

"What about our tradition of fireworks together?"

"Mom please, he will be all alone and we have a whole night planned."

"Can't he come here?"

"Nope! We want to have fun together. I will be leaving soon and I will miss him."

"But you will miss us too, right?"

"But I will spend the whole of new year's day with you. And I also spent Christmas with you guys. I'm not totally abandoning you."

"Rebecca, let the child go and have fun with his best friend."

"Okay, you can go." She said after a few minutes of contemplating. I smiled and winked at my dad to thank him for helping me. He was literally the only person that could get to my mom.

"Riley, please don't tell me you have plans too." Mom said.

"No Mrs. M. I will be spending the night with you guys but I asked Carl to come over. Is that okay with you guys?"