Chapter Seven- Travis

Travis woke up in Gina's bed to the smell of breakfast being cooked.

Gina shared an off campus apartment with two roommates, Travis' friend Natalie and Daphne's former interpreter Josh.

The three of them had become good friends in the dorm last year and had decided to get a place together. Since Gina's dad owned quite a few buildings in K.C. the trio was living in a rather luxurious loft style apartment for next to nothing.

Travis came out to the kitchen in the basketball shorts and t-shirt that he left at Gina's. The ones that she always washed after he stayed over so he didn't even have to think about it.

And here she was now, cooking breakfast for him like she always did the next morning.

Natalie and Josh were eating something, that Gina had undoubtedly made them. They were seated across from each other at their large kitchen island. The island served as not only their dining table but also as the only separation between the kitchen and the living room in an otherwise open floor plan.

"I'm making you a Greek omelet." Gina signed to him.

"Travis loves everything Greek style." Josh teased referring to Gina's heritage.

"Very funny." Travis said feeling his ear warm in embarrassment. "Thank you Gina, you didn't have to do that." He told her taking a seat next to Natalie.

Gina always insisted she loved doing stuff for him, but he still felt a bit weird about it. Perhaps it was because he wasn't use to people doing things for him. Or at least that is what Gina always told him when he expressed his unease about her taking care of him. Maybe she was right, he wasn't really sure why it made him feel uncomfortable. One thing he did know for sure was that he certainly didn't want her to think she was obligated to do so.

Natalie waved to get Travis' attention. "Guess who starts a new job today?"

"Really, where?" Travis asked excited for Natalie. She had been looking for a job for months.

"Gina hooked me up with a nanny gig. It's for some super rich family with a deaf kid." She explained.

"One of my dad's real state investor friends." Gina shrugged it off like it was no big deal.

"Wait, someone is entrusting you their child?" Josh asked Natalie in his normal sarcastic way.

"Thanks for the confidence boost, pal." Natalie jabbed back.

"I'm sure you will be great!" Gina said serving up Travis' omelet.

"Thank you, and that's why, YOU are my favorite roommate!"

Gina smiled and turned back to the stove to start her own omelet.

With Gina's back turned Natalie signed to Travis "We're so spoiled!" She said indicating all the food Gina had made them.

Travis felt his ears once again warm as he forced a smiled.

"Did you get that email from Daphne?" Josh asked both of them.

"Yeah." Natalie said, "I can't wait to see Bay and Daphne, it's been a long time!"

Gina locked eyes with Travis but he looked down at his omelet.

Natalie tapped his shoulder, "What do you think?" she asked.

"About their visit?"

"No, about throwing a surprise welcome home party?!" Natalie said filling him in on the conversation he had missed when he had been studying his breakfast.

"Oh, I don't think they would like that." Travis said.

"Bay would definitely hate it." Natalie said with a devilish smile.

She definitely would, Travis thought.

"We could have it here." Gina offered taking a seat across the counter from Travis with her own breakfast.

"Really?" Josh asked, "Didn't your Dad forbid parties here?"

"Well… this is a special circumstance. Plus, I'm looking forward to finally meeting Daphne and Bay."

"And… we won't be telling your Dad?" Josh confirmed.

"Exactly!" Gina said.

"Great!" Natalie said excitedly "I'll let everyone know. Josh, can you take care of the booze?"

He nodded.

"And I can do the food!" Gina offered.

"Obviously!" Josh agreed.

"Wait, when do they get in?" Gina asked directing her eyes to Travis to answer.

"Yesterday." Travis signed.

"Oh… So maybe Friday then for the party?" Gina suggested.

"As in tomorrow?" Why was Travis's stomach suddenly in knots at the thought of seeing his friends in person again?

"When did you want to do it? Two weeks from now?" Josh asked.

"Tomorrow is perfect!" Natalie said, "You're in charge of getting the guests of honor here." She told Travis.

He had been afraid of that.

"And keeping it a surprise." Josh added.

"Great." Travis said with no enthusiasm.