Eleanor

"El!" My mother chirped, pulling me into a hug, of sorts. She had my youngest brother, Matthew, perched in one of her arms so it was hard.

"Hello mum," I answered, pulling away with a smile.

It's been two days since the storm, and so far the power has only been slightly turned back on. Meaning every once and a while it goes back off. So I decided it would be a great time to go and visit my family. My very large family if I may add.

Almost within two seconds of one another, my four eldest brothers came running down the stairs, probably from the game room, and my two sisters, one of which is older than me, walked in from the kitchen. "So you actually decided to visit this year?" Celeste, the eldest of my mother's kids, snapped at me.

Sometimes, like now, I refused to believe we were related. Or that she was related to any of us. We were all usually happy and giddy and loving, but she was hostile, cold-hearted and more like a reptile than anything.

My mother sighed and set Matthew in Donny's arms, Donny was one of my older brothers, he was almost always the happiest to see me. If I didn't bring gifts that is, otherwise it would be Merle, the second youngest, right before Matthew.

"Now, girls, no arguing or fighting, she's here to visit and get away from anything like that," she motioned between my sister and I, "and lets not forget Matthew, who is only three, doesn't need any bad influence."

With a toss of her hair, my mother regrabbed Matthew and exited the room, going down the right hall. No doubt to put Matthew down for a nap. As mom exited, Donny pulled me into a tight squeeze. "Hi Don." I chuckled, wrapping my arms around him.

I could feel him smile against my hair, "Hey lil sis one." As he went to release me, mostly due to the littlest girl in the family, Joe, tugging at my arm, he whispered in my ear making sure only I could hear. "And if I ever see that Nathan guy, I'm going to bust his ass."

It took all I had to smile a little, I wanted to break down, then and there. Just the mere mention of his name tugged at my heart. I know I shouldn't have felt like that, considering my brother wanted to hurt him for me, and I wouldn't argue with that, but it made me feel like shit to even think about him.

I sighed and smiled wider, picking Joe up in my arms.

-

"Here you go, hun," my mom sat beside me on the couch, setting an iced coffee down beside me on the in table. I smiled over at her, slipping my legs underneath me and grabbing the beverage.

"Thank you mum," I sipped on the drink. It was about nine and almost everyone had went to sleep. I knew Celeste was in the kitchen doing dishes up from dinner. And I knew at least two of the guys were probably still up playing video games. I smiled slightly while taking another sip, I really loved my family.

Most of the time when it came to Celeste.

I set my mug back down on the table and turned back to the television. That was, until my mother spoke up, "Are you alright, dear? You seem a little off. Is it that Nathan guy?" I turned my head to face her, a little shocked she'd kept up with the gossip columns on me.

But she is my mother, what else should I expect from her? I weakly smiled at her, "I'm okay mum, I am a little hurt. But I'll heal. I'll be fine. Besides, I'm already planning for New York Fashion Week, a relationship wouldn't be very wise right now."

She nodded, understanding, and took a sip of her iced coffee. "I saw," she began, a slightly upset face becoming her, "what he said to that GQ Magazine. So I'm glad you two decided to call things off. I never liked him anyway." I chuckled, noticing how my mothers eyebrows were knotting together. That only happened when she was mad.

I smiled at her again, "I'm okay mum, I promise. Nathan can say whatever he'd like. Besides," I shrugged slightly, remembering back to the guy, Louis was his name, and about how I'd given him my number, although he hadn't text or called me yet, "I met a cute guy."

My mother laughed at me, and I grew sheepish, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks, "How cute? Like, department store cute or vintage cute?" My mom did know how to speak to me, and she did know I had a very keen eye with cute vintage things.

"Vintage," I assured her, the blush that had covered my cheeks growing darker.

She smiled again, this time it seemed genuine and I was glad I could perk her up from her I-Hate-Nathan mood. "Any pictures? Any videos? Do you have his number, hun?" I shook my head at her last statement, but then remembered how he had a channel on YouTube.

"He is, kind of like a YouTuber," I answered to her first questions and she moved closer to me motioning toward my phone that was currently on the table by my iced coffee, charging. I chuckled and picked it up, opening the YouTube app and typing in his name.

The first thing that popped up was the video in which he'd came up with the trend from a little while ago, I sighed and scrolled down, coming across a video titled 'How's My Life'. "That one," my mom said and I nodded, clicking down on it.

Almost immediately as it started playing he burst onto the screen, "Hey guys! It's Louis!" He screamed and I couldn't help but smile. His outgoing-ness was adorable. "So, I lost power for a while in my apartment building. But," he paused for a moment, showing some pictures of his place completely, well almost completely, dark.

"But, I did meet this girl at a library. No name shall be given." I could feel my mother's gaze focus on me for a moment, the blush returning almost immediately. "Turns out, she lives here to, so wish me good luck with that." He smiled into the camera, before continuing with everything else he'd been doing.

At the end of the video, I set my phone back down on the table to continue charging. That was, after I checked the date. It had been uploaded not even an hour ago. So power must be back on at home.

I turned to my mom and smiled again, she had this look on her face that I couldn't read, so it made me nervous. It wasn't the same look she had when she found out about Nathan, she had a disapproving look then.

But she silently stood up, grabbing both our cups and walked into the kitchen. I heard the clanging of dishes and sighed, leaning into the couch. She must already hate him. I shrugged to myself, he hadn't texted me yet, and it wasn't like we'd date. My life was too complicated and his was too normal. I'm sure he wouldn't want to give that up.

"Honey," my mother said, walking back into the room. She sent me a smile and headed for the stairs, probably about to get ready for bed, "You're right, he is vintage cute. And a bookstore, really?" I chuckled as she walked away, feeling only slightly better about my situation.

I turned to the telly a few minutes later, changing the channel to Cartoon Network. I'd grown up with this channel, so yes, I am still hooked on my childhood. "I miss being little," I pouted slightly, to myself, but chuckled as Courage the Cowardly Dog came on. I loved this show.

About half an hour later, my phone began to vibrate, breaking me from my insane laughter. They were having a Courage the Cowardly Dog marathon, showcasing some of the oldest episodes, and I adored them all. They managed to make my stomach churn with upcoming laughter. But I knew I had to be quiet so I wouldn't wake anyone.

It was hard though, I noted in my head, pausing the show for a second. I grabbed my phone off the table, unintentionally unplugging it from the charger cord. I shrugged though, it being seventy eight percent charged, and looked at why it was buzzing. I'd gotten a text, from an unknown number.

'Hey! It's Louis, from a little while ago.. sorry it took so long ! So, whatre you up to? Have anytime to chat?' Despite being tired, I replied with a 'Don't worry bout it and I've got plenty of time' and saved his number into my phone. I smiled and unpaused my show, waiting for his reply. After all, he is vintage cute.

Notes

The ending of this was written, like, a little too quick, so sorry if it sucks. And if there are any mistakes, excuse them, we're 'bout to start our summer roadtrip so as of now, I didn't have time to edit anything. I will as soon as I have internet again, promise!

So, how'd you like it? How's it going so far? Byyeee.