I'm seeing mom off the next morning when Ben walks in.

"Hi Mrs. Aaron." He says, holding open the door for her.

"Hello, Ben. Did you have a good time at UCLA?" Mom asks him as she walks to the door and pauses.

"I did. Have a good day at work." He says as she says goodbye to us and gets into the waiting car.

I lead the way back to the kitchen where Sebastian is having breakfast.

"Hey Seb!" Ben thumps him on the back as he sits down on the stool next to Sebastian. I take out the cake that mom got me yesterday as a coming home present and cut myself a slice.

"Do either of you want some?" I offer and the boys shake their heads. Ben knows his way around the kitchen after spending hours on end with me here. He pulls out a packet of crisps and munches on those.

"How's soccer practice been while I was away?" Ben asks Sebastian.

Sebastian sets down his fork and shrugs, "You'll have to wait and see at trials."

"I was talking to some of the guys who're also looking to join the team and they're thinking of you as serious competition. Some even think you're already on the team." Ben tells him.

"Really?" Sebastian sounds surprised.

"You are the swimming prodigy's brother after all." Ben smirks at me and I roll my eyes at him.

I leave the boys to discuss the latest matches and carry my plate to the living room. I sigh as I glance towards the door, expecting Vanessa to come prancing in but all that's left are her memories. She died peacefully last year after living to a healthy age of sixteen.

I lose my appetite at the thought of Vanessa and set down my plate just as tears start spilling down my cheeks. Will I ever stop missing her?

"Hazel?" I hear Ben in the doorway and I try my best to wipe away the tears before looking at him but of course he sees that I'm crying.

Without a word he comes and sits on the couch with me. He wraps an arm around my shoulders and I wrap my arms around his waist.

"I miss Vanessa so much." I gulp for air as a new round of tears spill out until I'm sobbing, "I want her back!"

"Sshhh." He whispers, rubbing my arm. "Vanessa spent such a good time with you. She's probably smiling right now as she thinks of them and loves you every bit as much as she did when she was here with you."

"I miss her so much." I gasp through the tears.

"Of course you do. You loved her and it's not easy to forget someone you love." He tells me and lets me cry out the last of my tears. A few minutes later I get a grip on my emotions and sit up to wipe my cheeks.

After a moment of silence I say, "I had been feeling this build up since yesterday."

"You shouldn't bottle up your emotions. It's okay to let them out." Ben soothes me and I nod in understanding.

"Thanks." I smile at him as I clean my damp cheeks.

He holds out the plate with my cake and I gratefully take it from him. Cake can be meals, celebration food, sorrow food, comfort food, it basically fits all occasions and moods for me.

Ben is on his phone as I finish eating the cake and then get up from the couch to get myself some more.

"Can you please get me some water while you're in the kitchen?" Ben asks.

"Sure." I nod and return a minute later with a glass of water for him and another slice of cake for myself.

"Where did Sebastian disappear to?" I ask, realizing I haven't seen him since the kitchen.

"He said he'll be in his room if we need him." Ben replies.

"Everyone's planning a big meetup before school begins. Check the class chat." Ben tells me.

I reach for my phone on the table in front of the couch and scroll to the group chat I'm looking for. Sure enough there are forty messages waiting for me. They're meeting for a party at a bar in the city tomorrow night.

"I want to go." I say and look to Ben who nods in agreement.

While he checks with Ash and Liam, I message Adam.

Hey! There's a class meetup tomorrow night. Want to go with me?

A moment later he replies, Of course! Maybe I can get to know more people.

I send a reply, I can introduce you to some with similar interests as you.

Looking forward to seeing you 🖤  Is his reply as I lock my phone, smiling.

"Adam is in." I tell Ben.

"So are Ash and Liam. Tomorrow will be a fun night." He says and I nod already thinking of what outfit to wear for my first outing with Adam where all our school friends will be present.

Comment and let me know what you thinkkkk! :)

-T