Page 80 of Habits

“You should practice more. Did you apply to Julliard? I’m sure they would feel honored to have you as their student. Or are you still thinking about going to Harvard?”

“Granny …” I turn around to give her a pointed look. She knows very well how I feel about discussing my future; she just likes to ignore it. After everything that happened almost two years ago … it’s hard to make a decision like this one.

“Alright,” she sighs, letting the subject be. “How are you holding up?” Her sharp eyes take me in from head to toe, not missing anything. “You look skinny, but then again …”

Then again, that’s my new normal.

“I’m fine, Granny. I’ve been doing eve—”

I don’t get to finish because Mom bursts into the kitchen, startling us both. At the same time, the water starts boiling in the pot, so I move it and start working on our tea.

“Mom! When did you get here? Why didn’t you call us to come and pick you up at the airport?”

They hug stiffly, exchanging air kisses. I’m not sure how their relationship was before, but since Mom married Dad, it has been strained. Grandpa, God rest his soul, and Granny took it really hard that Mom wanted to marry a “commoner.” The Davies family comes from old money and thinks their blood is blue instead of red. The men work in politics, law and economics, while their female counterparts are responsible to keep up public image, produce heirs and do charity work. Old fashioned and sexist, but those are my grandparents. They even tried to set her up with one of their family friend’s son they deemed suitable, but it didn’t work, so they had to accept the fact that she married Dad.

“I’m old but not immobile, Jane Elizabeth.”

I muffle my giggle as I pick the tea cups. “Earl Grey, your favorite.”

“Thank you, dear.”

Sitting by her side, I carefully stir the hot liquid in my cup.

“Still, you should have said you were coming today.”

“Is there a problem with me being here, Jane?” Granny lifts one of her perfectly shaped brows in question.

Mom’s cheeks glow red. “Of course not!”

“Then, it doesn’t matter.” Granny shuts her down. “Once we have our tea, Jeanette and I can help you with dinner.”

Mom looks at us for a second in silence. I’m sure there are a lot of things roaming around her mind, but she keeps her mouth shut.

No matter their relationship, Grandma has always treated Max and me with love and respect. She’s never pushed her wishes and judgment on us, never tried to convert us into something we’re not.

“No need, I have it all under control.”

Granny looks around the spotless kitchen. “Oh really?”

“The delivery should be here around six thirty.”

Grandma huffs, but doesn’t say anything. Mom waits for a bit, but when nothing comes out, she nods her head. “If you’ll excuse me.”

The two of us exchange a glance. “Welcome home.”

* * *

After our tea and chat, Granny decided to go to her room to “freshen up” and have a nap before dinner since there was nothing to help with.

I wanted to go and play violin for a bit, but even if I tried to be really quiet or went on the other side of the house, I’d probably wake her up, so in the end I decided to Netflix and chill.

It’s been a while since I’ve binge-watchedThe Originals. I can’t decide who’s the sexiest, Joseph Morgan or Daniel Gillies. They’re complete opposites, both their personality and physical attributes, but they both have so much charisma it’s impossible not to like them.

Just when I was immersed in Klaus’s killing spring, my door flies open.

Not lifting my eyes from the bloodshed happening on the screen, I take one of the pillows on my bed and throw it in his direction. “I told you to knock, dickhead.”

Max chuckles, his hands gripping the pillow he caught mid-air. Of course he did.

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