"Might as well be cooking for strangers" Code muttered. I don't think anyone was supposed to hear it but I did.
                              
I know it sucks when you're parents aren't home often. But with my mom I know it's temporary, unfortunately that's not the case with Code's parents.
                              
I squeezed his upper arm and he gave me a little smile that didn't reach his eyes.
                              
Maybe I should leave. This is obviously a family moment and since they rarely have those I really shouldn't intrude.
                              
"I'm leaving, I'll let you guys have your family time. It was nice seeing you, Paula and Derrick" I was already turning towards the front door until I felt a hand touch my shoulder.
                              
I turned around and noticed Derrick shaking his head "Nonsense, you're staying! You're practically family anyway" This guy is so charming. Seriously. If I was into much much older and married men I'd totally go for Derrick.
                              
"You're not gonna leave me alone with all that testosterone, are you?" Paula winked.
                              
They were just saying that to be polite.
                              
"Yeah, I know how much you love our parent's food" Chase walked into the kitchen suddenly. He did have a good argument.
                              
When I didn't reply immediately Paula clapped her hands "Great!" I guess I didn't have a choice anymore.
                              
I didn't mind though, I loved Code's family. I looked up at Code to check if it was okay with him but he looked relieved. Weird.
                              
"You okay?" I asked quietly. He was still standing next to me.
                              
"Why wouldn't I be?" Translation: not really but I'm answering with a question to tell you I don't wanna talk about it.
                              
Code and I went upstairs to play some Mario Kart until dinner was ready. He didn't say much but I knew his mood had improved since he was totally into the game. Needless to say I hadn't won yet.
                              
"Food!" I heard someone yell from downstairs. Code and I immediately jumped up. I would've laughed at the situation if I hadn't been starving.
                              
By the time I was sitting down I had to stop myself from drooling. The smell alone was to die for. It was chicken pasta and it looked and smelled heavenly.
                              
I was seated next to the brothers and opposite Paula and Derrick. I was mainly quiet while they were catching up with each other.
                              
"Any wild plans this weekend?" Derrick asked to no one in particular.
                              
"Not really, but next weekend we have, right Jill?" Code turned to me. What the hell was he talking about. Had we made plans I'd totally forgotten about?
                              
"Right...?" Was my convincing reply. I couldn't think of anything. Maybe I'd zoned out while we were making plans? I don't know. "Remind me again?"
                              
Code snorted "Only you would forget your own birthday" I laughed along with him.
                              
Wait what?! That was next week? Holy shit. I really had forgotten. I was turning eightteen next week and I hadn't started mentally preparing myself.
                              
"Our little Jill is growing up" Code cooed and ruffled my hair. I grunted.
                              
"At least one of us is, baby" I deadpanned. Chase snorted at my comment. Code was a few months younger than I was so he shouldn't be the one teasing me.
                              
"So Jill, what's new with you?" Paula asked. Nothing much, really.
                              
"Eh... well I'm tutoring someone" I guess that was something adults wanted to hear, right? My mom's initial reaction was to laugh at me. She'd thought it was a joke. She didn't really know how to react when she realised I was being serious.