Bonus 9: A Call


    It was well after the party, and everyone else had gone to sleep. ]


    Lori and Jessica took over the guest- room after all due to the fact that Mnia, using her magic,


    conjured up an amazing little hut outside. When we walked into the hut, we were all astonished to see


    that it was bigger on the inside, although I was more astonished to see the loving look in Luke’s eyes


    when the attractive witch performed her trick.


    The hockey team took up residence on the floor of the living room, and now Enzo and I were lying in


    our bed, too energized to sleep. We had a movie ying quietly on the television, but neither of us


    were watching it. We had … more important things to do in bed.


    As the credits rolled on the screen,


    Enzo and Iyfortably entwined in the bed, a nket drapedzily over our nude bodies.


    The peaceful silence was broken only by the low hum of the movie soundtrack and our quiet breaths


    syncing in harmony. It was the calm serenity of shared solitude, aforting quiet that came with the


    understanding that it was enough to just be in each other’s presence.


    A slow smile was creeping across my face as I traced patterns on Enzo’s chest with my finger.


    Suddenly, the shrill ring of my phone pierced the tranquility and caused my smile to fade.


    I nced at the screen, an unknown number shing brightly. I furrowed my brows, expecting an


    annoying spam caller at thiste hour. With a sigh, I picked up the call, ready to hang up at the first sign


    of a recorded message.


    But the voice that greeted me was tar from mechanical. It was warm, familiar, and it brought a lump to


    my throat. “Nina?” The voice was shaky, hesitant.


    “Taylor?” I asked, sitting up abruptly.” I can’t believe it’s you,” I whispered, the surprise and emotion


    clear in my voice. “Why haven’t you and mom been answering my calls?”


    “I know it’s been a while,” Taylor replied. “We’ve been really busy, and mom’s phone hasn’t been


    working properly. I’m sorry that you haven’t heard from us, but we have received your voicemails and


    letters.”


    Relief washed over me. “It’s alright,” I replied. Enzo sat up behind me. I felt him stand and watched as


    he walked over to the bathroom, tugging on his boxers as he went, “I’m just d you’re alright, Taylor.”


    I could hear the sounds of cars honkingand people talking in the background, but I knew fully well that


    Taylor didn’t own a cell phone. “Are you at a phone booth?” I asked.


    “Yeah.” He chuckled. “They’re still a thing over here. It’s actually awesome. You know I always hated


    cell phones.”


    I had tough. “Yeah,” I replied. “I remember.”


    Once, when Taylor and I were teenagers, he got so frustrated with his cell phone ringing too often that


    he threw it in the street and watched with satisfaction as the school bus ran over it.


    He was always a little more old- fashioned than I was. I always teased him and said that he should just


    start using telegrams tomunicate with people, and he was open to the idea.


    “So… What happened?” I asked, wanting to know why he and my mom had been radio silent for


    almost a month now.


    Taylor let out a long, exasperated sigh. “We’ve just… been busy,” he replied. He almost sounded as


    though he had more that he wanted to say, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it.” Listen, Nina… I


    know you’re getting married soon. But I don’t think we can make it. I’m really sorry.”


    The disappointment washed over me like a wave. I had been clinging to the hope of my family being


    there on my special day. But understanding and love for my brother quelled the rising storm of sadness


    within me. He was sick, after all. I swallowed hard, forcing a smile into my voice.


    “I understand, Taylor,” I murmured. ” I’m just d you and mom are okay. I’lle to visit soon, okay?”


    I could hear Taylor’s smile through the phone. “Good,” he replied quietly. “I promise we’ll see each


    other sooner than you realize.”


    There was something almost cryptic about Taylor’s words, but I decided that I was just imagining


    things, and decided to change the subject.


    Taylor said that he only had a few minutes left on the payphone and, not knowing when I would get a


    chance to talk to him next, I wanted to make the most of those few minutes.


    Our conversation flowed, revisiting shared memories, love and longing stitched into every word. Our


    words, echoing with years of lost time and connection, painted a bittersweet picture. By the time we


    hung up, tears were already blurring my vision.


    I fell back onto the bed, the phone call leaving a hollow ache in my chest.


    Enzo, who hadid back down and put on another movie, turned to me, his brows creased with


    concern at my tear- streaked face. I sank into his arms, seekingfort in the familiar scent and


    warmth.


    N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    “What happened, Nina?” Enzo asked, his voice soft as a whisper, his hand running through my hair in


    soothing strokes.


    “They’re okay, but they can’te,” I replied, my voice trembling with the weight of unshed tears. “I


    don’t know why, exactly. I think they’re just too busy, and it’s too far. Taylor is sick, after all, but still…”


    Enzo held me tighter, his silence giving me strength. He didn’t need to say anything. His presence, his


    arms wrapped around me, spoke volumes.


    I let myself cry, the tears staining the sheets as he held me through my sorrow. It wasn’t a dramatic


    outburst,but a gentle release of pent-up emotion, shared in the intimacy of our quiet bedroom.


    Eventually, my sobs subsided and were reced by aforting silence.


    “It’ll be okay, Nina,” Enzo whispered, kissing my forehead gently. “We’ll see them soon.”


    I nodded. “I know,” I replied quietly. I shook my head then. “I’m sorry for being dramatic. I shouldn’t be


    comining when…”.


    My voice faltered. We both knew what I was going to say; that Enzo had lost both parents. Neither his


    mother nor his father would be attending our wedding, and not because of extenuating circumstances.


    He wouldn’t be able to see either of them, not ever. My biological mother was long dead, but I never


    knew her; my adoptive mother was my real mother, in that aspect. I could see both her and my


    biological father whenever I wanted to, and here I was, whining about my mom not being able toe


    to my wedding.


    Enzo narrowed his eyes. “Nina-”


    “I’m sorry,” I murmured. “I didn’t mean to be rude.”


    Surprisingly, Enzo shook his head and just pulled me closer. “You’re not being rude. I was only going to


    say that you’re allowed to be sad over this. Just because my parents are gone doesn’t mean that you


    have to push down your feelings about your mom.”


    Enzo’s words were an odd source offort to me. Without saying anything else, I nuzzled down


    further into his arms.


    I realized that this was what love meant -holding each other up during times of heartache, sharing in


    the other’s sorrow, providing a sanctuary in the midst of the storm.


    As I drifted off to sleep in Enzo’s arms, lulled by his steady heartbeat and the soft movie in the


    background, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. Grateful for the love I had found in Enzo, for the


    conversation with Taylor, for the chance to move forward while cherishing the past.


    Life was full of surprises and hurdles, but as long as I had Enzo by my side, I knew we could weather


    any storm.


    The phone call was a reminder of that- a testament to the ties that bind, the love that heals, and the


    strength we find in each other.”