"If you are not willing to risk the usual, you will have to settle for the ordinary." ~Jim Rohn

                              • • •

Over the last few days, Rani has still been staying round my house. Now, I love my friend there's no doubt about it but I've come to realise how annoying she actually is.

"Rani I swear if you don't get out of the shower right now I'm breaking down the whole freaking door!" I bang both of my fists rapidly against the door.

"Stop complaining I'll be out in a minute!" She shouts back.

"You're going to use all of the hot water before anyone else can!"

I turn around and find the rest of my family looking extremely irritated.

"Hurry up and get this girl out of our house." Marcel grumbles as he stomps away.

I lean my head against the bathroom door, "Rani you're annoying my whole family. It would be best if you came out now."

"Fine fine I'm coming geez."

I step back as she opens the door and looks at everyone.

"Sorry folks. The showers all yours." She saunters away while I roll my eyes.

I head into the bathroom and jump in the shower finally happy that Rani got out.

"RANI THE WATERS COLD!" I scream in frustration.

Even from the bathroom, I can hear her cackling like the witch she is.

I leave the bathroom feeling more aggravated than refreshed and stomp back to my room where Rani is laying on my bed.

"Seriously Rani? Like no offence but when are you going home? I'm not sure how much longer I can be around you without wanted to strangle you." I blurt out.

Obviously not taking offence, Rani just shrugs her shoulders, "I'm not sure yet Kez. I still haven't spoken to my parents."

I sigh out loud and lay down next to her, "I think it's important that you do. They're still your parents."

"I know that Keziah." She picks up her phone and starts tapping away obviously signalling the end of the conversation.

I leave my bedroom and head downstairs where I know the rest of my family are.

"How's Rani doing?" My mum asks.

I take a seat on one of the sofas in the living room next to Nolan.

"She's clearly fine if she's hogging the bathroom for a billion years." Marcel says bitterly.

"Apart from that, I like her." Omari starts. "I think she's funny."

"Yeah yeah. Now let's focus on the most important thing today." Says Marcel.

"What thing?" I ask.

Marcel stares at me with an incredulous look, "Really Keziah?"

I raise my eyebrows at him.

He sighs loudly, "My university application?"

I click my fingers with realisation, "Oh my gosh yeah!"

Marcel rolls his eyes and mimics me ridiculously.

I throw one of the cushions at him which barely misses my dad.

"Stop messing about. How'd I raise such annoying children?" My dad grumbles.

My mum smacks his chest which he grunts at. "You can be just as annoying Jamal." She says to him.

Marcel refreshes the page on the laptop which then reappears with a university offer.

"I got in!" He shouts.

We all immediately jump up with equally joyful shouts and squeeze Marcel in a group hug.

"Well done son." My dad slaps him on the back.

The university that he got into is bath university. It was his top choice so I know he's completely ecstatic about it. Marcel wants to study health and exercise science so that he can become a physiotherapist. I'm so proud of him but it means that he won't be living with us for much longer and that's the saddest part. Marcel will act like he's not bothered but he'll miss us too.

"Does that mean you can't take us to school in the morning anymore?" Nolan asks him.

"No, because I'll be going to a different school little man." Marcel relies.

Nolan crosses his arms and pouts, "I'm going to miss you though."

Marcie bends down and picks Nolan up to hang him upside down by his legs which Nolan promptly giggles at. "Don't worry Nolan, I'll come back and see you as much as possible."

He places him down just as Rani walks in, "What's all the noise about?"

"Marcel just got into Bath university." Omari replies.

"Oh my gosh that's amazing! Well done!" She exclaims to him.

Marcel thanks her and picks up his phone probably to text Tenaya. I know they both applied to some of the same universities so who knows if she got in as well.

"Tenaya got in as well!" He shouts.

Well that answers my question. At least they'll be together.

                              • • •

To celebrate today, my dad has decided to take us out for dinner. Rani included.

I pick up the menu and scan through it several times yet I still can't choose what I want. Everything just sounds too good.

"Rani what are you getting?" I ask the girl next to me.

"Probably the steak and chips." She responds nonchalantly.

"Marcel what are you getting?" I just need to see what everyone else is having to make an informed decision that's all.

"The double bacon burger with some sides."

I move on from him to my parents.

"Mum what are-"

Unfortunately my dad interrupts me before I can finish leaning, "Keziah do you really need to ask everyone what they're having? I don't need to hear the same question 20 times."

"Do you even know how hard it is to choose something?" I throw back at him.

My dad sighs, "Just hurry up. The waiter will come around soon."

After assessing the menu a few more times and asking everyone again what they are having which earns some glares from my dad, I finally settle on the half rack of ribs along with chicken tendons and chips.

While waiting for the food to arrive, I shoot Abel a quick text. He's been kind of distant lately and I haven't seen him in ages. Everytime I suggest going out, he always claims to be busy. That doesn't stop me from trying though.

Me: Hey. Do you want to go to our spot later? I miss you.

Unlike usual, Abel doesn't reply straight away.

I place my phone down on the table and engage in conversation with everyone. We all joke and laugh about various things and it's clear that there's so much happiness in the air. But apart from that, this whole feeling that I'm having about Abel is still on the forefront of my mind and it's making me go crazy. I don't know what to do about it.

While thinking about all of this, I see Rani typing rapidly on her phone.

"Who are you talking to?" I question.

"My parents." She grumbles out.

I I leave her be since that's obviously something she needs to deal with on her own.

About ten minutes later, Ranis parents come storming into the restaurant and right up to our table. Her dad looks extremely angry and her mum just slightly less so.

"Rani Nadia Paldova!" He starts. "What do you think you're doing away from home for this long!"

"You told me to leave and that's what I did!" Rani exclaims back.

My whole family and I are sat there with wide eyes at the unexpected turn around.

"No more of this Rani! We raised you better!" Her mum shouts.

"You're coming home right now." Ranis dad grabs her by the arm and leads her outside and into the car.

"Goodness gracious me." My mum speaks in a shocked tone.

"What an interesting family." My dad says in response.

"I agree."

When I get home, I check my phone and find that Abel finally replied.

My Abel: Not today.

That's it. That's all he replies with. No reason and no explanation. I'm so close to barging into his house and demanding that he speaks to me. I've given him so many opportunities yet he hasn't taken a single one of them. A few more days and I'm visiting him whether he likes it or not.

My phone pings again but this time it's from Rani.

Rani: I'm going back home now. My parents finally realised that they've been treating me unfairly and are willing to change. It's what I've been waiting for.

Me: Oh thank God. I'm glad everything's sorted for you.

Rani: Me too Kez. Thanks for everything.

Me: It's no big deal.

At least things are going well for everyone else.

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