Blossom

"You have got to tell us what happened." Kaylee said rolling her eyes at Jupiter who couldn't stop admiring the room we were in. It's been exactly two days since the gala and we were packing our bags to catch our flight back to LA.

"There's nothing to tell." I sighed looking at Alessa put her things back in her suitcase while it rained lightly outside. She put a yellow jumper over her sweatpants and humpfed. I smiled a little looking at her roll her eyes at her reflection in the mirror.

"I almost forgot how relentless the weather can get over here. We didn't even get time to go shopping , what a bummer." She scoffed and roughly shoved the rest of her clothes in the suitcase.

"I agree! I mean, how many times do we get to come to freaking New York?" Jupiter said slumping on the bed in one of the bedrooms we were using in Damon's famous,and might I add, beautiful penthouse.

"That's a rhetorical question for Kee and Bloss, not you Al." She added awkwardly and the girls silently agreed with her.

I sighed and closed Alessa's other suitcase. She brought three suitcases for the short trip and don't get me started on why. "You guys should stop feeling sad, we had an amazing time even if we didn't go shopping or whatever."

"You mean, you had fun." Kaylee scoffed.

"We stayed at the Gala and drank too much so we spent Saturday in because we were hangover and before we know it, it's already time for us to fly home."

"Well there you go then, your idea of fun is exhausting your liver so why complain." I laughed as Alessa grimaced at my choice of words.

"If we're talking about that, every decision has a consequence." Jupiter said adjusting her big glasses while sitting cross legged on the bed.

"Yeah! Like drinking affects our liver, having sex makes you pregnant." Kaylee said looking at me. I scoffed and continued to help Al pack.

"Nothing of that sort happened or will ever happen." I said matter-of-factly.

"Yeah sure! Whatever you say genius." Al giggled and started tickling me. I shooed her hands away and closed her last suitcase.

"No but seriously girl, tell us what happened to you two after you left." Kaylee said putting her suitcase on the floor. We all followed suit and decided to sit on the bed.

"Nothing of importance, he took me to an amusement park a bit far from the city where we played games, rode a few rides and ate food." I said as they all starred at me.

Before I could they could say anything, my phone started ringing. I fetched it from my pocket and practically squealed in joy when I saw my momma's name pop up. I showed the girls and they beamed at me.

"You girls want to say hi?" They all agreed in unison and I couldn't help but grin.

"Hey Mommaaaaa." I yelled into the phone as soon as I picked up.

"Some things just never change." She said chuckling from the other end and I could imagine her holding her ear.

"How are you doing Mom?" I heard shuffling from the other end and I frowned a little.

"I am good abaayewa! Just a little busy with work as usual."

"I told you you shouldn't work as much. I am not there to help you with half your load Ma." I frowned remembering all the clothes we had to wash in order to get money and then go to the market place to sell vegetables.

"It's okay abaayewa, I am not doing much." She chuckled to try to lighten the mood but failed miserably. I sighed and shook my head at her as though she could see me.

Jupiter tapped my shoulder and signaled for me to mute her. "Your other name is aba-abaaye- what ur mom just said."

"No, that's what she calls me. It means daughter." They all nodded and I unmuted her.

"Mom, I am with my friends right now and they want to say hi."

"Oh yes! I am so glad to hear you have friends already in the foreign land. Please please put them on."

"Hello Mrs.Wright! My name is Jupiter, one of your abaayewa's best friend." She said and I chuckled at her funny accent.

My mother burst in laughter and I could imagine her using her knees for support. "Very nice to meet you young lady!"

I giggled, a bit surprised my mom could understand what Jup just said due to her American accent compared to my mother's strong one. When I was younger, Moma used to make fun of Americans due to their accent but I think it's just because she couldn't understand half of what they said.

Kaylee suddenly grabbed the phone and cleared her throat. "Hello there Mrs.Wright! My name is Kaylee and this is:-" she put the phone closer to Al.

":-Alessa, it is very much our pleasure to speak to you ma'am."

"You are such sweet young ladies indeed! I'm so happy to hear that my Blossom is surrounded by such good people."

"No ma'am, we are the ones that are happy to have her. She's uh, a really special person." Al said and grinned at me. My heart swelled in happiness watching them.

"Well anyway, here's your daughter. She misses you and talks about you almost all the time." Kaylee said handing me back my phone. I excused myself and left the bedroom.

"So, how is everything going over there! Is uncle John taking care of you?" I asked.

"Don't worry about me my love, uncle John is taking good care of me like you told him everyday before you left."

"Thank God! I really miss you Moma." I sighed and closed my eyes trying to push back tears threatening to spill.

"Don't you cry on me now sweetheart." I chuckled at that. Of course she'd know I'm sad.

"Focus on your studies so you can get a scholarship for your University education. Then you can get a good job and come get your old Moma okay! Just focus on that." She said.

"I am not going to wait that long to see you." I breathed out.

"You know what I mean." She sighed.

I cleared my throat knowing what I'm about to say might make her angry.

"I've been thinking about getting a job but part time. Like in a restaurant as a waitress or something else."

"I don't agree with that Blossom. What about your education." She said and I could hear her working on the other side.

The rain had stopped a while back and I walked up the stairs towards one of the rooms to admire the view from the balcony.

"It's part time Ma! And besides since when have I ever neglected my studies before, even when we had so much to do." I said matter of factly.

"I know dear but that is a different place and people. I am so glad you've found good friends over there but getting a job is a whole other case."

"I need you to trust me okay! This money could help us, uncle John and the others." I said.

"Abaayewa:-"

":-and plus, I can send money so you can finally buy your own phone instead of having to borrow Uncle John's. That way we can talk anytime we want." I smiled at the thought of that.

"Your uncle doesn't mind me borrowing his cellphone."

"I know Ma! Just, let me do this. Please!"

"Alright then but remember not to neglect your studies my love."

I jumped in delight and nodded my head, forgetting I'm on a phone call. "Yes Moma! I promise I won't."

"And Blossom, if you ever feel like it is weighing you down, do not and I repeat do not hesitate to stop. Do you hear me?"

"Yes, I promise I'll stop." I smiled a little I couldn't help the sadness that came over me every time I thought about not seeing her.

"I have to go now, it is time for me to go home and see your very stubborn uncle."

"You mean your very stubborn son." I chuckled.

"Oh well, he's ours." We both laughed but hers lasted a bit longer, allowing me time to soak in her voice before she could hang up.

"Please say hi to the boys for me, tell them to try and behave while I'm away."

"No promises my dear, you know your cousins only listen to you." She chuckled lightly and I couldn't help but smile.

"I'll bring them presents when I come home." I said cheekily.

"Now your talking."

"You should go before I keep you on the phone Moma." I said a bit sad.

"I love you very much Blossom! You keep that in mind."

"I do. I love you too Moma!" She blew me some more kisses and hanged up.

Suddenly, that hollow feeling returned in my chest, like I was breathing fire through my nose. I held on to my chest and sat on the carpeted floor, tears streamed down my face as I had to face the reality that I wasn't going to see my Moma anytime soon and I hated it with my heart. Not to make it seem like I don't like being in the place I am in right now because coming to the US has helped me meet people I could've never dreamed of meeting. But the fact that I couldn't share this with my Moma hurt.

I heard footsteps coming up the stairs and I hurriedly wiped my tears away before anyone could see. I stood on my feet and at the same time, Phraser made it up the stairs. His face was a bit flushed, probably because of the cold and I wondered how he could still look like that with the huge navy blue fur coat he had on top of the white sweater and dark blue jeans. He looked at me with a frown on his face and I cleared my voice.

"I didn't realize you were back." I said, trying to break free from his weird gaze.

"We just got here." He said and stayed rooted by the stairs.

"Well, is it time to go?" I asked.

"Yes but we brought something to eat before we head out so, that's why I came to fetch you let's go." With that, he walked back downstairs. I followed closely behind him as he led the way. We soon heard laughter coming from the kitchen.

"Hey Blossy!" Al grinned at me from ear to ear with a slice of pizza in her hand. She sipped on her juice and held a chair out for me.

I said hi to the boys as I was taking my seat but realized one was missing. I looked around until I caught Phraser looking at me while taking a seat across from mine.

"He got held up with work but, he'll be here." He said casually grabbing a slice of pizza.

"You took a while back there. Everything okay!" Kaylee asked munching on what looked like a chicken breast.

"Yeah of course." I smiled a little and grabbed a slice of pizza from one of the many boxes laid out on the table.

Surprisingly, we ate in silence but with the occasional 'pass me this' or 'close your mouth while you eat' but the latter was mostly said to Ace. Alessa tried to engage in small with the boys but failed as they all seemed too engrossed in their own thoughts and she looked really disappointed and confused. We finished eating and cleared the table spotless because apparently Damon likes his place neat.

I wondered where he was, what was so important that he couldn't come with his brothers but the list ended up being short considering I knew very little about him. At one point I considered asking his brothers or Hayes since he looked approachable and was kind to me on the plane but thought better of it as I didn't want to come off as entitled to him.

Before I knew it, it was time to go so we went upstairs to carry our luggage down to the car but the boys were kind enough to help. Help Alessa, Kaylee and Jup but not me. I frowned a little and grabbed my bag. It wasn't that heavy since I owned little clothes but Phraser was quick to stop me.

"No, you won't ride with us." He said sternly.

"Why not?" I asked, a little hurt by his tone.

"Blossom it's not like I don't want you to come so please stop looking at me like that and allow me to explain." He said and sighed a little. I nodded my head and he continued.

"Damon will be here any second now and he asked if you could wait for him."

"Why didn't he just text me or call?"

"Good question! You'll ask him that as soon as he comes." He chuckled a little and moved towards the bedroom door. I followed him outside and said wished them a safe journey but assured the girls that I'll be right with them as soon as possible.