The guys have been gone since the last day of school, and I haven’t heard a word from them. I have no clue where they went or why. They just vanished.
I even went over to Midas’s house and banged on the door until Zane answered it. That was a mistake. He answered the door only in his boxers and asked me if I liked what I saw. I completely ignored that comment and asked where his son was. He wouldn’t tell me or give me any clue when they would be back. I kept hounding him for information until he slammed the door in my face. That was two days ago.
Dante has also been quiet. We have sent each other a few texts here and there, but I haven’t seen him. All he said to me about that was Christmas is a hard time for him, and he wanted to be alone.
My heart broke at that, and all I wanted to do was rush over to him to comfort him. I didn’t, though. I tried to speak to him more, but he eventually stopped responding to all my texts.
After that, I gave up on my phone.
I walk into the kitchen. Christmas music is playing loudly in the background. Mom and Grandma have been up since dawn baking and cooking for tomorrow. I don’t know why we need all this food, there are only four of us after all, but it warmed my heart to watch them together.
This reminded me of growing up. Even after Mom and I moved out of their house, we still did weekly dinners at Grandma and Grandpa’s. Mom would always help cook, while Grandpa and I would hang out together. As I got older, I started helping in the kitchen, but they would always shoo me away back to Grandpa.
I pour myself a cup of coffee, can’t start my morning without it, and ask if they need any help. In typical fashion, they shoo me out, telling me to enjoy myself. I don’t bother arguing, it won’t get me anything.
If I thought my mom was stubborn, Grandma takes that to a whole new level. She always doted on me and spoiled me growing up. I was her one and only grandchild and the last piece of her son. She would tell me stories about him as a child, but never as an adult. I assume that’s because she wanted to remember him as the same age I was at the time.
Grandpa is sitting in the plush chair in the living room, watching some British car show. I plop myself down on the couch and watch with him. Cars have never been an interest for me, but knowing that Zeus loves them, I want to know more.
I spend hours watching this show. Picking up little pieces of information that I could use to talk to Zeus with. I actually enjoyed the show. Sure, they talked about cars, but it was quite funny. They went on challenges around the world, and they had me laughing so hard at a few episodes. We watched one where they went to Bolivia, which was so hysterical to watch. Though it is not something I would normally watch, I would watch it again.
I wonder if Zeus likes this show. Maybe it is something we could watch together.
Thinking of Zeus made me think of the rest of them and the worry I felt. I hate not knowing where they are or what they are doing. They could be hurt and need help.
Once my thoughts started going wild, I excused myself and went to my room. I needed a little alone time to worry in peace and hopefully not let it show on my face anymore.
Grandpa more than once looked over at me with concern and asked me what was wrong. I always said nothing and would focus back on the show. It didn’t stop him from checking on me every couple of minutes, so I knew it was time to get out of there.
I flop onto my bed and check my phone for the millionth time, hoping to see a text or missed call from one of them. And for the millionth time, there was nothing.
I groan out my disappointment as I throw my phone on the opposite side of the bed. I rolled on my side to face Midas’s window. It was still dark in there, no sign that he had been home in a while.
I don’t know how much time has passed since I have been staring into the dark abyss that is Midas’s room before my phone chimes. I scramble towards it and smile as the message pops up.
Odin: Princess. Fuck I have missed you.
We will be home tomorrow. I need to see you.
Me: I’ll be waiting.
A girly squeal explodes from me at the thought of them being home soon. My spirits instantly lift, and a smile takes over my face.
A knock sounds at my door. I yell to come in. The door opens and Mom pops her head in. Her blonde hair was tied up in a messy bun. Flour all over her apron and hands.
“Wanna come help decorate some cookies?”
I nod my head enthusiastically and jump out of bed. Following Mom to the kitchen, my phone chimes again.
Unknown: 51
Christmas morning is spent like it should be. With my family, around the beautifully decorated tree that Mom spent too much time on. She is very particular about ornament arrangement. Ornaments of the same color can’t be placed next to each other. The special ornaments (the ones I made as a child) had to be front and center for everyone to see. The lights had to be a perfect width apart from each other so that not one part of the tree would be better lit than the rest.
The day was perfect, except for one thing. Odin said they would be home today, and I haven’t heard from them since the one message last night.
I tried to call, text, FaceTime, anything to get a hold of them, but nothing. The first few times I tried rang out, but eventually they started going straight to voicemail. I want to say it didn’t hurt, but I would be lying.
Grandpa is sitting in his chair in the living room while Mom and Grandma are finishing up the last touches of dinner. I already set the table with seven places, thinking the guys would be back by now and would want to come to dinner. The more I look at the three extra plates, the more depressed I feel. They aren’t coming, so we don’t need them.
