Page 7 of Treasured Secrets
"See what? Me on my first day of school? That's so... embarrassing."
They all chuckled and shook their heads.
"We have a surprise for you," Iris said, sounding giddy.
"A surprise? Grandma, you've done enough. More than enough. I think you've spent more money on me than most people make in a year."
"That's what happens when I have a lifetime to make up for."
I huffed slightly, considering I hated feeling on display. I studied the crescent moon in the center of the eye that was etched into the fennel on the banner of the staircase. It seemed like a good focus point while they all gawked at me.
"Come on, girl," George said excitedly, startling me.
"Oh," I murmured, not realizing the surprise they spoke of was elsewhere.
I warily followed them outside, uncertain about what was going on, until I saw a BMW SUV with a bright red bow tied on top of it. A gasp followed my realization, and I whipped around while shaking my head.
"I can't. It's too much."
"You can and you will," George said with a wide grin. He looked like a child at Christmas right then.
"This had to have cost a fortune. Don't give me a car. Give me a bus pass or something."
They both chuckled, seeming wildly amused by my adamant refusal of such a lavish gift. George continued on as though this wasn't an absurd gift.
"You've spent too long in the jungle, it seems. This is what grandparents are supposed to do - spoil their grandchildren. You should feel like a princess. Now, let's eat some breakfast before you head off."
My jaw remained unhinged. The two of them were the craziest pair in the world to be giving me something this expensive. I barely had my driver's license. I'd only ever driven on old narrow dirt roads in the rust bucket jeep we had in Haluali.
Jay clapped my back too forcefully, which threw me forth, and Chris - Aster's husband - caught me at the last second before I flew off the porch.
"Easy, Jay!" Aster scolded.
I coughed on a new breath, surprised by what the hell had just happened.
"Shi... I mean, shoot. Sorry, Aria. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine," I mumbled, ignoring the burning handprint on my back. "Ease off the steroids though."
Everyone chuckled uneasily, and a slight awkwardness settled in the air as we made our way back inside.
"You okay?" Jay asked sincerely, regret in his eyes. "I didn't mean to do that so hard. I was just going to slap you on the back... a congratulatory thing."
"I'm fine. Stop treating me like I'm so fragile."
Of course, I felt pretty fragile right then. It wasn't exactly common to have someone knock the wind out of me.
Normalcy resumed when Ash and Jay began bickering. That's one thing I didn't miss when they moved out. They left almost the exact same time to come back to the states, even though Jay was a year older. Ash was eager, not resistant like me.
Iris finally brought the annoying argument to a halt by separating them as though they were children. I laughed while walking over to Jay. I studied the newlyweds, both sets. Aster and Chris were lost in a silent conversation as they stared into one another's eyes. Gear and Olivia were resting in each other's embrace while swaying lightly to an unheard melody. It seemed so natural.
"So, when you getting married, hot shot?" I asked Jay, nudging him playfully and instantly regretting it when my elbow tried to crack against his steeled ribs.
"Ha! You're funny. I'm in no hurry, there, jungle girl. I like my sweet little bachelor life." He put his head down, bashfully grinning. His dimples showed with so much definition when he smiled.
Ash snorted. "Yeah, he thinks he's a real stud," she said sardonically while rolling her eyes and drinking a sip of coffee. Then with even more sarcasm, she continued, "Not trying to say that his ego may be a little overly inflated or anything."
Jay scoffed, casually brushing off her insult. "Yeah, well, I do have Bradbury genes, and Weislen, too - makes it hard for the ladies to keep their hands to themselves. I guess the men don't care too much though, because they sure haven't been beating down your door."
