Seven

ANNALIA’S POV 

I wake up and as I sit on the bed I feel quite dizzy and I tiredly lay back on the bed, my hand touches something. I turn my head and see Andrea laying on my bed and then last night memories come flooding in.The tears fill my eyes again and I groan as I force my self back to sleep.

I wake up again and the smell of pancakes wafts through my nose.I touch the other side of the bed and I find out that Andrea isn't there anymore. I stand up and go pick up my phone which is on the dresser. I check the time as I yawn and stretch. I grumble as I walk out my room and into the kitchen, as I get there I sit on the stool and watch as Andrea makes delicious looking pancakes.She turns around noticing me. “Ah, you are finally awake, here have some pancakes”. She says as she dishes it on a plate for me and then pours syrup. “Why are you up so early, aren't you supposed to be in bed or something?”. I ask as she hands the fork to me. “Well I thought I would make some pancakes for you before you awake, and you are welcome”. She says as she turns around and brings down the pan from the fire. “Come on Rea take a little joke”. I say before I start chewing on the pancakes. “I’m sorry, it's just that last night seeing you in that state broke me. I felt useless”. I stop chewing and drop the fork. I look at her, her eyes are watery and she looks like she's going to cry. “Do you know how comforted I was throughout my sleep by just knowing that you were so close to me. You don't, do you”. I look at her but she doesn't say anything instead she tries to fight back her tears. “I wouldn't call that being useless Rea”. I finish as I pick up my fork and continue eating still looking at her.She blinks and then wipe off the tears that fall. “Leave it to you to make the atmosphere light again”. She says smiling.I return it. “Just shut up and get a fork so you would join me, I won't be able to finish this pancake alone even though they are so good”.She laughs and gets a fork. “So what time do you leave for the volleyball tryouts?”. She asks as we eat. “Three o'clock, I really hope I get picked”. I say as I swallow. “Of course, they will pick you unless they don't know a good volleyball player”. “Leave it to you to elevate my spirits”.She laughs as she softly shoves me.We eat the remaining pancakes in silence and then she says “I'm actually stating facts dummy”.I am confused at first but then I remember our conversation earlier. “Yeah, spirit-elevating facts”. I say as I take the plates and the fork to wash. “By the way, you would be coming to watch right?”. I ask as I grab a towel and clean up the plates. “I'm so sorry babe, I would but I owe my mum and dad a video call. My mom texted me yesterday”. She says and I nod my head in understanding. “Yeah before I forget, you are invited to the grand party which the Ruebens are organizing on the 27th of March”. She stands from the stool and goes into the living room. I follow her and sit on the couch with her. “When was this invitation given?” I ask as I cross my legs on the couch. “My mom called last night while we were still at the bonfire and informed me”. “Oh, are things getting better between you and her now?”. I ask again dreading her response.She lowers her head and her voice goes soft. “Honestly, I can't really tell. I mean when she called last night and we spoke. I didn't feel as though I was talking to my mother, I felt like someone that was called just to be let on about a party”. She stops and I rub her back prodding her to continue. “You know when she called we didn't even exchange pleasantries she just went straight to the point and said, “Ah, yes Andrea. I called to let you know that your dad will be organizing a big party in a few weeks to kick of his new hotel and I wanted to inform you ahead of time so that you'd be prepared and possibly clear your schedules”, and that was it no ‘how are you faring?’, ‘do you enjoy that place at all?’. Nothing at all”. She exhales as she lifts her head up. “Well silly, look on the bright side I mean she did text you and you are going to be video chatting with she and your dad today. That's some progress”. I say enthusiastically in a bid to cheer her up.It works. “Well, you are right. Maybe the strain on I and my mom's relationship will loosen up”. She says and there's a big smile on her face.I get up from and couch and I'm about to proceed to the bathroom to have a shower but then Andrea says something that keeps me hooked. “Your parents are coming too”. Those words don't settle with me I turn and go sit back on the couch. “You really mean what you said?”. I ask trying to clarify what I heard maybe it's just my mind playing with words or something. I look at her and she nods. I feel goosebumps on my skin as I try to shake of a weird feeling. “You okay?”. Andrea asks and I nod. “Well it's time we saw each other again, don't you think so”. It is not a question but a statement. “I'm really sorry that you are going through this Anna, if you ever need someone to vent to...” “I know where to come to”. She smiles as I complete her sentence. I hug her and give her a peck on the cheek. “I'm really happy you're here Rea, I really don't know what I would have done without you”. “Me too Anna, me too”.

As I step into the shower my mind takes me back to two and a half years ago, that fateful night when part of my life crumbled. I shake off the memory and take my time to wash my body. After two and half years of being apart from my parents with very little communication I will finally be meeting them soon. I do not know if I'm happy or not. I just don't feel anything at all but one thing is for sure, I'm quite eager to see them, I don't know if they are too. “Hey, Anna your phone is ringing”. Andrea's call jolts me. “What are you waiting for just pick it up”. I shout back as I rinse my body. I take my towel and wrap it around me and I take another and wrap it round my head.I step out of the bath tub and out of the bathroom. As I go into my room I hear Andrea's voice. “Sure, we will be expecting you”. She says and end the call. “Who was that?”. I ask I dry my body and then nudge Andrea who is laying on my bed to pass me my body cream. “It is Mari, she called to let us know that she would be coming to visit tomorrow”. “That would be fun, are the boys coming too?”. “She didn't say, why do you ask are you expecting someone?”. She asks and winks at me. “Shut up and help me pick the clothes I would wear”. “You like him”. She doesn't ask and she waits for my confirmation.I roll my eyes and stand from the bed and start to dry my hair. “Yeah, he is pretty handsome and quite cool and I think we are becoming good friends. So yeah, I do like him”. She looks at me and shrugs. “Alright, if you say so”. She walks over to my wardrobe and opens it. She brings out a polo and a flare skirt. “You should wear this, it will look good on you”. I nod my head and she brings out my sport wear for the tryout, a sports bra, leggings and a singlet which has a deep c-cut. “Where is your sports bag?”. I point at it as I wear the clothes she brings out for me. “Here put this in too”. I tell her as I give her my black addidas sneakers.She takes it, puts it in and zips the bag up. I tuck my polo in and then use a belt on the skirt. “Come on Rea, see me to the door”. I say as I tie my hair up with a rubber band and wear my flats.