New Haven: Awakening

CHAPTER FIVE. Imane.

It’s Sunday night and I’m reading Catching Fire, in the window seat when my dad knocked then came into my room. I looked at him. He looked really handsome in his navy button up shirt and dark slacks. He frowns. “Why aren’t you ready?” He asked, firmly. I sat up.

“Becauseee I said I’m not going.” I replied. He narrows his eyes.

“Yes you are, we all are.”

“Why do I have to go?” I whined.

“Because you need to be less antisocial and cause I said so.” He states.

“But I don’t wanna.” I whined, pouting.

“Lucas!” Dad yells. A second later Lucas appears dressed in a orange sweater and jeans. His hair are in braids like Travis Scott.

“Yeah?” He answers. Lucas eyes me briefly then turns his attention back to dad.

“Devin says she’s not going.” Dad says. Lucas looks at me.

“No, no, no. If I have to go so do you.” Lucas states. I give him puppy eyes. He eyes widened. He covers his eyes.” Your cuteness won’t break me tonight.”

I rolled my eyes.” Uncover your eyes and let’s test that theory.” 

“Nope, I’m good. You have five minutes to get ready, if you’re not down stairs in five your grounded.” 

“What!?! You can’t do that, dad tell him he can’t do that.” I protested.

“You heard him.” Dad says.” Thank you Lucas.” 

“Uhuh.” Lucas kept his eyes covered as he walked away.

I slammed my book on the window seat in frustration. I stood up and walked to my closet.” I’m pretty sure that you fathered me and not him.” I grumbled.

Dad chuckled.” You’re more stubborn with me than with Luke. When Luke says no you listen but when I talk you debate with me—“

“I don’t always do that.” I correct.

“True but I’m not in the mood for that. Anyway five minutes or you’re grounded.” He says then leaves. I rolled my eyes. I throw on a burgundy sweater over my tank top.”

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The door opens and Amalia beamed at us. Amalia hug me.” Hey Devin,” She says. She pulls away grinning from ear to ear.” For a second there I thought you’re coming.” I was going to, these monster behind me forced me to. I would have been on the second book by now.

I smiled at her. She’s wearing a bright red, flared, off the shoulder top and black pumps. She hair is in a neat updo.” You look pretty.” I stated. She smiling blossomed into a grin.

“Thank you. And you look even more beautiful than yesterday.” She says before turning to dad and Lucas. I blushed.” You must be Deaton and Lucas, I’m Amalia. Please come in.” Amalia says, stepping aside to let us in. I walked in first while Amalia hugs Lucas and kiss both of dad’s cheek. I’m jaw dropped at how simple yet elegant the foyer was. The foyer could accommodate five adults standing side by side. The walls are powder blue in collar with hard wood flooring. Beautiful, large, abstract paintings hang neatly on both side of the walls and a chic staircase.

”It’s a pleasure to meet you, Amalia.” Dad says. Lucas smiles and nods. 

“Nice to know there’s a hot girl in the neighbourhood.” Lucas says, smoldering. Ew.

Amalia smiles and eyes him seductively.” Cute, when you’re out of high school give me a call.” She says.” Let me take your coats.” She says. Dad and I looked at each other.

“He’s a spitting image of you.” I mouthed.

“What!?! No he’s not.” He mouthed back.

“Oh yes...not even a day in New Haven and you’re already shacked it up with a native.”  His eyes widened.

“That’s different, we had a lot to—“

“Hm mm. I saw the amount of wine the neighbours give us and there all still untouch, you liar.” I teased. 

“I-I err mind your business.” He mouths. I laughed behind my hand.

“Omg my dad’s a hoe.” I mouthed. He narrows his eyes at me. I shrugged off my coat and hand it to Amalia before running off to a room where faint chatter came from. 

It’s the living room. The whole neighborhood is here and y’all were dressed in formal where. I immediately feel out of place. I was about to back up into the foyer when Imane calls my name. She looks amazing in her aqua, spaghetti strapped, fitted, sequin dress. Her hair is pulled back into a sleek ponytail. She natural looking makeup . She smiles.” Thank heavens you came, I need your opinion on something. Do you mind ditching the party for a bit?” She asks.

“Not at all.” I replied. She grins.

“Follow me.” She says. She lead me back into the foyer then up the stairs. We went all the way up the third floor. My jaw dropped. It’s like a penthouse suit minus a kitchen and dining room. Dark hard wood flooring and cream walls. Living room on the left and bedroom on the right.

The living room has a U shaped, white, leather couch. The bedroom is pretty stylish. Sleigh bed with magenta covers and table stool inside of it. Two book selves were on opposite sides of the bed. On the left hand corner there’s two magenta sofas and a wooden coffee table. Imane walks through in toward barely noticeable closet door. She opens it goes inside. Seconds later, she walks out with three dresses. She walks towards the bed and puts them down. I walked over two her. The dresses are all pretty.” Which do you like best.” She asked.

I thought about it for a while.” The purple one.” I like the purple one because it remained me of  Marilynn Monroe. 

“Thank you for your help and as a reward I grate you permission to stay up here until my party is over.” She says.

I blinked at her.“ Is it that obviously that I don’t want to be here?”

How did she know I didn’t want to come.” Not really, I just remembered when Amalia and Sirena were—“

“Sirena?” I questioned, confused.

“My youngest.” She informs.” Anyway, they hated parties like this so I figured you might too.”

I nodded. Makes sense I guess. I stared at her.” Brother, Lucas, hated these things as well , can he come up here too?” 

“ Sure, I’ll ask him. I should head back now, feel free too read anything from the book selves.”

“Uh...thank you.” I told her.” She smiles.

“No problem.”

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I jumped up of my sleep. My heart raced and sweat beaded down my face. I clenched my hand to my chest.” He’s dead. He’s dead. He’s dead.” I chanted over and over in my head. I took me a while to calm myself down. I sighed. I got up and put the book I was reading back where I found it. I put my boots back on and went down the stairs. I stopped at the second floor. I looked at the right and saw an opened door. I looked away and it slammed shut scaring me to death.

I rushed downstairs. To my surprise dad was getting ready to leave.” They’re you are! Imane told me you were helping her resume. How did that go?” Dad asks. Helping her with her resume...wow nice one Imane. I shrugged. Imane appears with a folder. 

“She was such a big help, thank you again Devin.” She says. I smiled. She kisses both my cheek then give dad a hug.” Thank you both for coming.

“It was a pleasure.” Dad says. Imane smiles before opening the door for us. 

“Bye.” I told her. She waved back before closing the door.” Wait where’s Lucas?”

“He’s at home, he snuck out when I wasn’t looking.” I laughed.

“That’s Lucas for ya.”