Chapter 9
9
Bryce - 18 years old
M y eyes zoom in on the woman bossing around three other people in my living room. The wedding organizer and his two employees are jotting down diligently what Astrid is spitting out, not daring to lift the pen off the paper or look straight at her.
“Did the Rasmusen Manor already confirm the date?” Astrid asks the man wearing a dress shirt.
“Ms. Lee,” he says in a diplomatic tone. “The Rasmusen Manor is a popular wedding venue. I think we need to adjust our expectations. If you would like to get married there, a summer date would not be possible.”
Astrid shakes her head and scoffs. “I hired you for a reason. Make it happen. A winter wedding in Elsham Cove would look ridiculous in photos; this is a beach town.”
They all turn their heads toward us when they hear me clearing my throat, making myself known.
“Bryce,” Astrid says in a fake chirpy tone that I have grown to hate with every fiber of my being. “What are you doing here?”
“The last time I checked, I live here. Don’t let me stop you from taking the fucking reins of this house, though. The floor is all yours, Astrid. I’m just here to grab my stuff before I fly out to Hawaii tonight.”
“What do you mean, fly out to Hawaii ?” She crosses her arms over her chest. “You’ll be here for the wedding, won’t you?”
“I promised my dad I would come. Haruki and I are going on a trip, but we’ll be back before the wedding.”
Haruki looks at me uncomfortably. I know what she’s thinking. She thinks my coming along with her is my way of avoiding the whole Astrid-Dad mess. Maybe that’s not wrong to a certain extent, but the truth is, I just don’t want to leave her side. I want to be with her all the time, and I want to make sure she’s going to be fine, especially after what she said to me before. She needs me. She might need me more than I need her.
“Now, if you’ll excuse us, I need to pack my bags.”
“Nice to meet you again, Ms. Lee,” Haruki says apologetically to Astrid as we make our way to the curved staircase that leads to the second floor where the bedrooms are. The bedrooms that stayed mostly empty for my entire childhood—except for mine.
I pack my suitcase on autopilot, shoving different clothing items into it, while Haruki studies the room I grew up in. She shakes her head and laughs when she sees my bong hidden underneath the bed.
“My other nighttime hobby,” I tell her. I kiss the black part of her hair before I continue speaking. “Sometimes I get bored and lonely, so I just get stoned and watch funny videos.” It’s such a loser thing to admit, but somehow I don’t think she’ll judge me. And she was vulnerable with me, she laid everything bare. Why shouldn’t I do the same?
“I hope you’re not bored and lonely anymore, Bryce.”
“With you?” I loop my arm around her shoulders. “Never.”
We both perk up when we hear the sound of footsteps and something heavy dropping on the floor in the room next door. Haruki and I walk out of my bedroom and spot Lillian sitting on the carpeted floor with a massive duffle bag.
“Hi,” she greets us, wide-eyed, like she’s been caught doing something she’s not supposed to. “I’m really sorry, is this your room? I didn’t mean to invade your privacy any more than we already have.” She stands up to leave, but I stop her, shaking my head and mouthing nah. At least the daughter understands to some level that she’s in my territory.
“I’m next door, but we’re going to leave for vacation soon. You’re good.” My finger points at her duffle bag. “What’s with that? Is it move-in day already?”
“My mom said she wants to have the meetings with the wedding organizers here at your house because your living room is bigger than ours. I figured since I’ll probably be spending a lot of time here, until then, I might as well bring some stuff here to entertain me.” She unzips the bag and shows me her books, laptop, snacks, and a two-piece swimsuit.
“That’s how you’re going to spend the summer holiday?” I can’t help but let out a laugh. “Don’t you have friends?”
I meant that as a joke, a rhetorical question. Guilt jolts inside me once she starts speaking. “I used to,” she admits, not looking me in the eye. “But he moved to Japan over a year ago. We don’t really talk anymore.”
“Where in Japan?” Haruki asks curiously.
“Tokyo,” Lillian answers with a bittersweet smile. “His dad got transferred there for his job.” She looks like she’s about to cry, but then she tucks her side bangs behind her ear and puts on a fake, happy face that can be sensed from a mile away. “Anyway, don’t let me disturb you guys. Like I said, don’t worry. We’re not moving in yet. It’s just so I don’t get bored.”
I can’t believe this. There will be another lonely kid in this house, staring at the blank wall, hoping that their family pays attention to them.
I nod to her and Haruki waves goodbye, pressing her lips together and trying her best to hide the pity that she feels for Lillian. Just as we are about to walk out the door, I twist my body and call out to her, “Hey, Lillian.”
“Yeah?”
“Keep the room.”
“Huh?” She looks at me, confused.
“When you do move in, pick this room. This one has the nicest balcony out of all of them. And if you do get bored, feel free to raid mine next door. I don’t know if it’s your thing, but I have an Xbox that you can play with. Just, ah, don’t break anything.”
She looks at me, stunned. I don’t wait for her reply and grab Haruki’s hand to walk out the door when Lillian shouts from behind us. “It’s Lily. You can call me Lily.”
“Alright, Lily. See you at the wedding.”
My new stepsister, Lily. I kind of like the sound of that. I always wanted a sibling.
“Hey,” Haruki chimes in. “You only have a few more years left before you become an adult, you know. Have fun and find your own version of freedom. You don’t always have to follow your mom everywhere she goes and listen to her orders. You have to live for yourself.” She winks at Lily.
Lily laughs at what Haruki is saying. “Thanks, maybe I’ll dye my hair green, too.”
I carry my suitcase down the stairs and head to the front door when Astrid’s voice echoes in the high-ceiling living room. “You still need to go with your father to get your suit fitted, Bryce!”
“I’m sure I can just buy one in Honolulu.”
“What about your toast? Your father said you are going to make a toast at the wedding.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose and shake my head. Haruki squeezes my hand, and the gesture calms me down enough for me to not raise my voice. “I’ll write it while I’m there.”
“Are you going to say anything that might embarrass me and your father?” she says, trying to hide her fear.
Yeah, no . Not letting this one slide . I turn on my heel and face this woman, my jaw clenching from all the pent-up anger.
“If you’re asking me whether I’m going to bring up the fact that you started dating my father and got engaged to him within six months of your husband’s death, the answer is no.” Bitterness seeps out of me with every word. “Don’t worry, I won’t do that to my dad. I actually love him. He has a different approach than you. Believe it or not, our relationship is based on respect. Maybe your daughter will benefit from his parenting methods. Your style seems to be based on witchcraft.”
Astrid’s mouth hangs open, and so does Haruki’s. Just like Lily before, Astrid straightens herself and gives me a dubious smile that disappears as quickly as it appeared. “You haven’t told us whether you’re bringing a plus one or not. Will your friend be joining us?”
“Yes,” I answer without hesitation. “Put her on the list and seat her next to me.”
“Plus ones are only for significant others, Bryce,” she sneers. She’s playing a game. She wants to make Haruki uncomfortable. “Not holiday flings.”
“She’s my girlfriend.” You’re not going to win this . “Now, if you’ll excuse us. We have a plane to catch.”
“Your name, dear?” Astrid looks at Haruki. “We need your full name for the place card.”
“Ha…Haruki Sano,” she says, flustered. Her cheeks are still flushed from what I said earlier.
I scratch the area near my nose, my narrowed gaze still not leaving Astrid. “Are we done now? Because I would really like to get away from you colonizing my house and take my girlfriend on a nice summer vacation.” And with that, Astrid huffs in annoyance and leaves us alone.