I'm so sorry! This is looong overdue. "Again" school is crazy and I'm trying my best! If anyone is familiar with the IB CAS system then know that I am gaining Creativity to write and I'm trying my best to balance everything.
A big shoutout to pumkingking5 and PEACHESandBUNNY 17 for their reviews and encouraging comments! Also a big shoutout to everyone who are following and/or favouriting the story! You know who you are and you are the best!
I promise you PEACHESandBUNNY 17, that it will take a lot of me to abandon this story. Yes, the updates might be slow but I won't purposely neglect this story! I'm just saying that I might/most likely have planed a sequel. –But that is waaaaay into the future-
IMPORTANT: Crystal isn't supposed to be named Crystal. I was supposed to name her Araya. Sorry for any confusion!
It all happened so fast. As we were almost going to catch Araya my feet slipped from underneath of me and I tried to hold my balance. "Ahh!" Makayla exclaimed beside me as the two of us went crashing to the floor. Makayla, Calving and myself all lay somewhat on top of each other on the floor. Hearing footsteps I looked towards the sound and saw Troy along with the rest of his family returning from church.
Sunday December 23rd 2007
"Oh my," I heard Amelia say as Mikayla, Calvin and myself got off the floor. "Are you all right?" Troy asked us and we all nodded, Makayla and I still giggling a little.
Troy looked a little worried at me but I gave him a reassuring smile and he visibly relaxed. "We will see you teens later," Jack said and he left along with his parents and wife leaving the five of us alone.
"I need to get some dry clothes," Makayla announced and I knew what she meant. I was soaked to the bone. "Come on Araya," she said taking the toddlers hand leading her down a hallway and Calvin followed them.
Troy was just going to say something when we heard another pair of footsteps approaching us. A woman and a man I hadn't seen before came the same way as Calvin, Makayla and Araya just had left.
"Hello Troy it is so good to see you again," a woman said as she saw the two of us. Troy meet her and she embraced him into a hug. "Hello grandma. It is good to see you as well," Troy said returning the embrace. She looked to be about the same age as Amelia but she looked a lot like Lucille, yet different.
"I am so anxious to hear all about America," the woman gushed and a laugh could be heard from behind her. "Let Troy breath Kathleen. I am sure he is going to tell everything eventually," a male said appearing behind what I assumed was his wife. "Hello Troy," the man greeted Troy and they shared a hug.
"I see that everyone else has arrived," the woman stated looking at Troy surprisingly none of them having noticed me. "Yes. We just returned from church so I am afraid I do not know when they came. Calvin and Makayla must have left Middlesbrough early today," he told her and I had no clue where that was.
"Grandma, grandfather I would like to introduce you to my girlfriend Gabriella. Gabriella this is my grandparents on my mother's side Keith and Kathleen," he introduced us and I smiled shaking their hands. "Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you both," I said and they both gave me a warm smile in return. "You as well," Kathleen told me still smiling.
"Do you have a big family?" Kathleen asked me interested as we walked towards somewhere. I didn't really know, I just followed along. "No," I said at once shaking my head a little. "We don't have much contact with my family since they live in Mexico so it has just been me and my mom," she told the two of them.
"Oh dear," Kathleen said with a laugh. "I hope you are prepared. We have a big crazy family," she finished smiling and I had to laugh a little. "I don't think it could be that bad," I said mostly to reassure myself and even Troy laughed a little.
"I am sure you will all get along," Troy told me and we linked our hands together. "Mom said that there was food in the kitchen if you wanted. Other than that I do not know where the others are. I think grandpa went to his office," Troy told them and Keith nodded.
"Lovely. We will see you later," Keith said and the two of them walked away. I leaned my head on Troy's arm and he looked at me, squeezing my hand gently. "You all right?" he questioned and I nodded.
"Just tired and terribly jet lagged," I said and he couldn't contain his smile. "Oh come on. Don't tell me you don't feel it," I told him a little accusing. "Can't say I do. Already experienced it once and I'm quit used to flying through different time zones. One perk of being home schooled," he said with a smile and I got an idea.
"Speaking of school… We have to do the homework before we go back," I told him and he looked at me funnily. "I didn't…" he stuttered. "Come on, besides I need to change. I am soaked." I told him and I dragged him along and we found our books again continuing with our homework.
"Are you sure you are all right after the fall earlier?" he questioned me worried looking at me. "I am sure Troy," I said looking at him but I could still see his doubt. "Troy."
I leaned my head on his shoulder holding his hand. "I promise you. I know that you are worried but trust me ok? Trust me when I say that I'm un-injured," I vowed and kissed his cheek softly.
Glancing down at the book in his hand I frowned. "What are you reading?"
"Genjimonogatari," he said his whole accent changing. "Is the Japanese name. The English name is The tale of Genji," he told me. "One of the books I have to read and write a report on since to graduate and start college," he informed me.
"What's so funny?"
"Just you speaking Japanese. It's so different. I have never really heard that language before," I said to him and he smiled before starting to speak Japanese. I looked at him surprised with raised eyebrows.
"What did you say I questioned him," cocking my head. "Hello my name is Troy and I am seventeen years old."
He was interrupted by the door opening. "Troy!" Calvin's voice was heard and we both looked over at the door.
"Aunt Lucille said that dinner was ready," Calvin reported and looked funnily at the two of us. "What were you doing anyways?" he questioned suspicious.
"Calvin are you dens?" Makayla hissed at her brother and he just gave her a look.
"Homework," Troy answered stopping the brewing argument. "Homework?" Calvin questioned and Troy nodded as we collected our stuff.
"Yes. We got homework during the holidays," he explained to Calvin who frowned. "Come on," Makayla said annoyed dragging her brother by the arm out the door and we followed.
Troy and I put our books in our room before we all made our way to the dining room. Sixteen chairs were around the table with seven on each side and one on either end. As Makayla and Calvin sat down I was relieved to see two vacant chairs beside each other. Troy and I took the last two seats and we all enjoyed the family meal.
Looking at the plates I didn't know what any of it was. All I could recognize was the meat on the charger. What was beside it I knew nothing about.
"This is Dry-Roasted onions and tomato beef," Troy whispered quietly to me. Giving him a grateful smile I received the bowl of dry-roasted onions from whoever sat next to me.
Taking a spoonful, I passed it onto my right, to Troy. The tomato beef was beef marinated in tomatoes with small grilled tomatoes on the side. A bowl of baked potatoes was the last thing that was passed around before everyone started eating.
"It is so nice that we have two new faces this year," Alexander said and we all looked at him midway into the dinner. "Ben who is marrying Bridgett just after the new year, and Gabriella who joined Troy all the way from America," Alexander said and all heads turned towards me. Feeling the heat in my cheeks I gave them a shy smile.
"I can't wait for the next year," Alexander continued and raised his glass. "Cheers to family and love," he said and everyone toasted before continuing with the meal.
After dinner I was down in the kitchen along with Lucille and Adrianna doing the dishes, as Kalvin and Makayla had dragged Troy off to somewhere before he had the chance to say anything.
"So how did you and Troy meet?" Adrianna questioned as she was stacking some hand washed items.
"Well we meet at the first day at school," I told her putting down a bowl I had just dried. "The vice principal asked me to show him around and I thought that I could introduce him to some of my friends who also play basketball," I said with a smile and both Lucille and Adrianna started laughing.
"Oh I never get tired of hearing that story," Lucille smiled still laughing a little.
"I really want to know," Adrianna started turning towards me, "Is it really different from America?"
"After what Troy has told me and what I've seen it is quite different. The first thing is the government, and that we elect a president every fourth year. We don't have a national language but most people speak English, and we learn Spanish at a young age," she told the two women. "Um… In terms of education we have twelve years of education and then it varies depending on what you want to become. Also if you got to a community college or not," Gabriella tried to briefly explain.
"Interesting," Adrianna said putting away another bowl. "What do you want to do next year?" she questioned waiting on me to dry the last couple of things.
"I have decided on lawyer, but I'm unsure if I want to study in California which is on the west side, or in Connecticut which is not for from New York on the east side of America," I said and both of them had a fascinated expression on their face.
"We are done here. Thank you so much for your help Gabriella," Lucille thanked the teenager and dried her hands on a towel.
"No problem," I said with a smile, "I'll see you later," I said and exited the kitchen.
Finding the way back towards the dining room wasn't much of an issue, but as I walked out of the double doors I headed towards the right. Walking down the hallway I frowned a little as nothing seemed familiar. Then again it was only my second day here.
Looking up at some of the paintings and armour that was placed had me amazed. Thinking I had hit the right door I opened it, only to find a room that was fairly dark and furniture's and what not was covered by white sheets. It didn't look like anyone had been there in a long time, and I suddenly got the creeping feeling that I shouldn't be there. Walking out and closing the door quietly behind me I continued to walk down the hallway again trying to find the way.
Trying a second door I looked inside to find yet another hallway. Closing the door with I sigh I continued to walk down the hallway in hope of finding where I was supposed to be. Looking around to gain a sense of direction some of the ornaments looked familiar. Thinking back to where I had walked I opened a third door thinking it would be the one. However, what I found inside wasn't anything what I thought it would be. The room was filled with paintings, and I looked around in complete awe.
My gaze landed on a picture of what appeared to be a young Troy. He was being held by Lucille and Jack was sitting beside them. Amelia and Alexander were standing behind the three of them again all smiling. Continuing to look around the room most of the walls were filled with paintings. All of them were portraits and looked a little shine when the light hit them.
Looking at the clock on my phone I hadn't realised how much time that had passed. With a sigh, I had to call Troy because I was past the point where I could navigate by myself. Putting the phone to my ear he answered after the third ring.
"Hey," his cheerful voice answered. "Troy I got lost," I told him bluntly and he started laughing.
"It's not funny. I've tried so many ways I can't find the way back towards the dining room," I told him and he stopped laughing.
"All right. Can you try to explain where you are?" he questioned patiently and I looked around.
"There's a bunch of pictures here. From the floor to the ceiling," I said and felt stumped and a little scared. What if he didn't know where I was?
"Ah!" he started and I heard he was smiling. "I am on my way," he said and with that, he ended the phone call.
A door opened and my heart skipped a beat. "Got lost?" I heard Troy's smooth voice.
"I'm so glad you came," I said relieved walking closer to him. "Where am I?" I questioned looking around making a gesture with my hand.
"The portrait room. It was built with the castle in the 16th century," he told me and I looked around once more.
"Who are these people?" I wondered and Troy smiled at me.
"All the people on these paintings are every king that has lived in this castle and ruled Etrea.
"Wow," I muttered in awe. "So you can trace your family that far back?" I continued to question and he nodded walking closer to me.
"Yeah. Everyone has a portrait that is hanging in this room," he told me and he noticed that my gaze landed on the portrait of him. "That was from the day I was baptized," he explained with a smile before continuing, "I actually don't think there is a recent picture here…"
I turned my head to look at him but he was already looking at me. "What?" I questioned quietly and he gave me one of these lopsided smiles. "Most people who see this knows a lot of it. It feels different that you don't know about this," he told me and I got a sinking feeling in my gut.
"I'm sorry Troy," I apologized looking down at the floor. "No I didn't mean it like that," he hurried to say and cupped my cheek lovingly.
"I love the fact that you don't see me as any of this," he said gesturing to the paintings surrounding us. "It's just that I'm used to everyone recognizing me as a royalty and its unusual that the people I meet don't know the histories," he said and stopped for a moment.
Taking in a breath he continued. "I love that your curious but sometimes I just forget that you have barely heard of Etrea," he finished and I smiled wiping away a single tear that ran down my cheek. Taking a step closer I wrapped my hands around his back and rested my forehead on his chest.
"I love you Troy," I told him and he kissed the top of my head. "I love you too Brie," he told me and I looked at him as we shared a soft kiss on the lips.
That was it for this time! Some fluff at the end! Next chapter is Christmas eve I promise! I love to hear what you all think so please leave a review.
Until next time - FreeFlyingWriter