Majority of dinner was awkward and excruciating. I was glued to my seat, sitting close to Zac, making sure I didn't bump into him as I was eating.

The seating arrangement was quite tight, with everyone huddled around the table. It didn't help having to sit next to him.

After eating, we were all lounged in the living room, sipping on hot cups of tea, and munching on biscuits. My dad and Brian were deep in conversation, same with my mum and Mary. Me, Ava, Zac and Lexi sat in silence, sunken faces wishing this evening would come to an end.

Every so often my eyes would avert to the clock, situated right in front of me, high on the wall. What felt like hours, only minutes had passed. For me my night was finished, but for my parents, they were merrily chatting away like there was no tomorrow.

"So, Hannah and Ava," Mary captured me out of my boredom. "Do you girls have any hobbies or interests?"

"My girls are truly special." My mum proudly said, not letting us speak for ourselves. "Ava loves to bake, her cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes are amazing! When you come round to ours she'll make her famous lotus cheesecake."

Ava scoffed at my mum words and my elbow abruptly jabbed her side. I scowled at her, making sure she wasn't portraying any rudeness.

"And Hannah." My mum continued. "Is my talented artist. Her artwork is exceptional."

Mary widened her eyes, and looked almost taken back, as if she didn't expect me to have a passion for art. Taking a quick glance over to Zac, sitting in a laid back posture, I felt his eyes on me. The mixture of my mum hyping me up, and Zac's eyes latched on to me, made me feel flushed.

"Well, I'm looking forward to trying Ava's famous cheesecake and seeing Hannah's artwork." Mary chimed excitedly.

"And what about Zac and Lexi?" My mother enquired.

Adjusting myself in my seat, I listened carefully as I was quite keen and interested to know their hobbies.

"Lexi is a keen dancer, she just loves to dance!" Mary announced proudly.

Ava let out a suppressed snort, as if she was about to cackle with laughter, I jabbed her with my elbow once again. Subtly widening my eyes towards her, making sure she didn't react to the news of Lexi being an avid dancer.

"She goes to dance classes." Mary continued. "She has a show coming up soon, you guys should come."

"Mum!" Lexi said through the grits of her teeth, turning evidently red with embarrassment. Mary brushed her off, waving her hands.

"I'm sure we'd love to come." Ava sarcastically whispered. I jabbed my elbow once more, the awkward tension was rising in the room. Both my dad and Brian were non the wiser, as they were in their own world.

Lexi and Ava were both scowling at each other, and I was dreading what was going to happen at school on Monday.

"And Zac is an amazing photographer." Mary gushed, filling the awkward silence. "Zac sweetie, go get your portfolio, show them your photos."

This peaked my interest, I was suddenly wide awake and interested. Zac, a photographer? Who would have guessed it. He let out a sigh, and forced himself to get up and retrieve his portfolio.

He came back down, and placed a large scrapbook in front of us. Me, my mum and Ava shot our eyes to it, and slowly opened up the book.

I was taken back by what I was seeing. There were various pictures, it ranged from stills of buildings, to the beauty of nature. Each photograph was crystal clear and seemed professional. The positioning and tones of the pictures, were surreal and beautiful. As much as I didn't want to admit, Zac was an amazing photographer.

Creativity was oozing out of his portfolio. The artist in me was very intrigued, and it was clear to me that Zac had a great eye for detail. Even though my mother and Ava were interested flicking through the book, they didn't have as much appreciation as me.

"These are amazing." I let out, still in awe of the variety of photos.

"Thanks." Zac let out in a small voice, as if he didn't want his secret passion to be revealed.

Turning my eyes upward to Zac, he was wriggling his feet, as if he was embarrassed. I shot him a reassuring smile, to let him know there was no need to shy away. I see him relax in his seat, and he sends a warm smile back.

***

After a long evening, we finally arrived home around ten. I headed straight towards the shower. It was much needed, the warm water enabled me to relax and forget about the awkwardness. My mind was cast back to Zac's photographs, they inspired me to create my own artwork.

After showering, I got changed into my night clothes and proceeded to FaceTime Ruby. After two short rings she picked up and I feedback everything that had happened.

Like me, she was shocked to know about Lexi's secret passion for dancing, and Zac's artistic side. Whilst we were deep in conversation, suddenly I began to hear deep muffled sounds of arguing. It sounded like it was coming from downstairs.

"Ruby, I'll speak to you tomorrow, I can hear something downstairs." I said, abruptly getting up from my bed.

"Okay babe, speak to you tomorrow." She responded.

After hanging up, I make my way downstairs, the muffled sounds started to become clear, and it seemed like my dad and Ava were in some kind of disagreement.

Upon making my entrance into the living room, my mum was trying to calm my dad down, who was flustered and pacing up and down the room. My heart sank at the unknown.

"What's going on?" I enquired, as they all turn their heads to me.

"Oh it's nothing sweety. It's fine." My mum calmly sighed, she made her way over to me and tried to usher me out of the room. I brush her away, staying put.

"Maybe you can talk some sense into your sister." My dad snapped in a frustrated tone towards me.

I shake my head in confusion, waiting for someone to explain what was going on, as I still didn't understand what the tension was about.

"Why are you not listening to me!" Ava raised her voice.

"Can someone tell me what going on." I demanded, moving my head from my mother to my sister, who were not explaining anything.

"All I said to dad was, that he can't stay in business with that family." Ava blurted out, putting emphasis on the word 'that'. My dad let out an angry sigh, closing his eyes and placing his fingers on the temples of his face, he stopped pacing up and down the room.

My brows furrowed in confusion and I moved my head, waiting for further explanation.

"How can dad have a business partner, whose bloody child hates me. Nobody even cares that Lexi hates me and she makes my life hell, it's fucking-"

"You watch your mouth!" My dad angrily snapped, interrupting Ava. "Just because you have a little spat, doesn't mean I'm going to change my whole business plan."

"But dad-"

"No buts! Brian is my business partner whether you like it or not. Now you are going to resolve your issue with Lexi, I don't care how you do it, but I want you both to be good friends. And that's the end of it."

And with that said, my dad stormed out of the living room. Ava shrieked in frustration and soon followed, banging the door to both the living room and her bedroom.

My mother and I stood silently, looking at each other, thinking what on earth happened. After a few seconds, my mum planted herself onto the sofa, leaning back and closing her eyes.

I sit close to her, leaning my head on her shoulder. Her motherly touch made me feel like I was a young child again.

"Please tell me you don't have any issues with Zac." My mum said with a lot of hope in her voice.

"Nope. You have nothing to worry about." The lie rolled off my tongue like it was nothing.

Ava's problem with Lexi was out in the open, and my dad was clearly angry about it all. I knew telling my problems with Zac would have only added to the pile of stress. Deciding to keep it to myself was the best choice. I didn't want to worry mum or dad.

Thinking about this new partnership. This could either turn out good, or end on a very bad note...

A/N

So we have learnt a few things, Ava likes to bake, Lexi is a dancer and Zac is a photographer.

Did anyone expect a laid back guy like Zac to have a passion for photography? Hannah is definitely surprised.

Let me know what you guys think!

Comment, vote and share!

Love _xxAMxx