Gifted Connections 3

I looked up with a smile. We had both elected for comfort over practicality. We both had changed into comfy clothes, and I had taken over one side of the huge wrap-around couch and using ottoman for my over flow, while he was on the opposite end with the same exact set up.

He was more scientifically and mathematically inclined. He hated English and struggled with it, but breezed through all his math and science problems.

“Sure,” I said as I put my notebook away. It was pretty convenient that I was done and he needed my help. I was now officially done with all my catch-up work and working on next weeks assignment.

I had already emailed my professors and requested the assignments for anything they have may have prepared for the week after the holidays. Some of them had already sent me the links and assignments for them.

He slid his laptop over to me, and I promptly began to read his paper. “Did you do a spell check?” I asked as I stumbled across his third misspelled word. I laughed. “They’re highlighted for a reason.”

“Gah,” he muttered as he stood up and stretched. He stumbled over to the fridge as the doorbell rang. “There aren’t any drinks.” He frowned as he turned around.

I leaned over and saw a man in a red uniform standing at the front door. “That’s probably him now,” I stated with an exasperated smile. “Maybe you should help him unload while I continue looking at your paper.” I stated as I fixed some of his misspelled words.

“K,” he shrugged as he headed towards the door.

“The Bells?” the man asked as Kade opened the door. He looked like a college student, barely older than myself.

Kade fidgeted for a moment before nodding. “That’s us,” he peered around the man and starting putting on his shoes. “That’s a lot of groceries.” He whistled.

The man chuckled. “Tell me about it. I have two more deliveries to make up here. You guys ordered at the right time. Where do you want me to put it?”

“We can put it on the counter,” Kade said as he ambled past the man.

“It’s all good, dude. I can get it all,” the guy said.

“My sister said I have to help,” Kade said over his shoulder, relief evident in his voice.

I laughed to myself as I stood up. It sounded like they may need help. I could finish his paper when we were done.

It was the first time I heard him call me his sister. It kind of warmed my heart. I knew we could never replace his other family, but I wanted him to understand that new families were created every day. We shared the same blood, but it didn’t have to be all that we shared. We could become a family, too.

I slipped on my shoes and noticed what they meant. His little pick-up was filled with groceries. All neatly piled in canvas bags.

“I’ll help,” I told the guy as he entered the kitchen.

He gave me an appreciative smile after I noticed him checking me out. I nearly snorted. I had changed into a pair of yoga pants, Troy’s tournament hoodie, and my hair was haphazardly thrown into a messy bun.

“You here with your parents?” he asked casually, too casually, as he walked back out with me to his truck.

Kade was carrying up several bags of groceries and must have overheard and started to laugh uproariously. “No, dude.”

I noticed his use of the other guys’ slang and had to hide my own smile.

Drake and Jaxson came jogging up to the truck as we reached it. “Hey, perfect timing,” Drake smiled as he grabbed several bags. He leaned down and kissed my cheek. “Did you get any work done?”

I laughed as I noticed the guy watching us avidly. “You guys have been gone for nearly two hours. What do you think?”

Jaxson laughed. “We had to help the other’s unload their bags,” he gave the other guy a curious look as if he noticed his interest. “Then Terrance wanted to show us his game room that they have in their basement. They have a pretty sweet set up over there.”

The guy snorted and laughed simultaneously. “Mr. Banks didn’t skimp on these cabins. You normally have to have the whole month of December through February reserved a year in advance. I was surprised to see our regulars chose to vacate or cancel their plans this close to Christmas and during the peak skiing season.”

I exchanged a glance with the guys but smiled charmingly. “We were so happy to find out that there was so many cancellations ourselves.”

“You guys big skiers?” the guys asked skeptically as he looked down at our shoes.

“Let’s go shopping then boarding!” Jemmy squealed as she came running into the house. She stopped short as she looked at all the bags of groceries. She turned to leave, and I knew her intentions.

I was glad for her interruption as the guy looked at us once more before shrugging and turning to get more bags.