7 Chris Is Home

Her mom read out the forum, carefully, so as not to miss out any details. "There are so many new games introduced this year!" She exclaimed. "Yup." Emily replied, smiling. Her mom put the forum carefully on the side table saying, "Well, me and your dad will sign it together, when he comes home." She said and got up. "By the way Emily, why are you so exhausted today?" Emily froze, should she tell her mom or not? Emily sighed and replied in a low tone, "Uh, mom, I went to the gym." As she was expecting some scolding, her mom replied sweetly, "Oh yes! You gotta start going, have to keep yourself fit!" Saying this she went to the kitchen.

Emily went to her room, and took a nice relaxing warm shower. She came out and saw a message on her phone, it was from Linda, saying, "Hey Emily, I would not be able to accompany you to the gym from now on, my mom is a sick and dad is gone abroad. I hope you understand." Emily thought about it, well, maybe she didn't need anyone's company any way, after all she is a grown up now and she can take care of herself. She replied, "It's okay, I totally understand." After a minute or two she got a reply from Linda, thanking her.

She laid on her bed, holding the biology book, reading it for her presentation tomorrow. Her phone blinked, a message from someone again. She didn't wanted to pick it up and reply, but what if it was something important? Reluctantly, she picked up the phone and saw a message from her younger brother, Chris.

Chris had been in summer camp, so that is why he had no contact with any of his family members. She unlocked her phone and opened Instagram. He sent a few pictures of him sitting in a bus. "Probably returning home" she asked in a message. He sent a wink emoji in return. Emily rolled her eyes and texted, "Don't disturb me, I am studying!" And switched off her phone. She continued to study, for a long time, perhaps three hours.

Her eyes opened when someone was calling her on her phone. She didn't even bother to look who it was and picked it up and answered it in a sleepy voice. It was her younger brother, Chris.

Chris: Heya, sis! 'Sup?

Emily: Who's this?

Chris: CHRIS!

Emily: Oh. Ok. Good.

Chris: Are you ok?

Emily: ...

Chris: Wake up!

Emily: Five minutes more, I wanna sleep!

Saying this she hung up. While on the other hand Chris rolled his eyes. Sleepy head, he thought. He was now in front of his house. Home sweet home, he thought, smiling. He knocked the door and his mum opened. "Chris! Welcome home, my darling!" Alicia greeted him, while hugging and kissing. "Hey mom!" he replied in a low voice, as her mom was squeezing his face.

When he entered the house, his dad was on the couch, working on the laptop. He lifted up his head to see who it was, as soon as he saw Chris, he quickly shut his laptop and greeted him, rubbing his head, "Ah! You are back!" He laughed. "I sure am." Chris replied, fixing his hair. All of them laughed and sat on the couch. Alicia bought four cups of warm coffee on a tray and put it on the table in between. All of them took a cup and sipped delightfully.

Emily just woke up due to the racket downstairs, wondering who had come. She splashed cold water on face, which took away all the laziness. She quietly went downstairs. Seeing his brother sitting on the couch and enjoying coffee, she sneaked from behind, putting finger on her lips, signaling her parents to keep quiet. They both smiled secretly.

When she approached just behind him, she shouted, "Welcome back!" This made Chris jump and yelp, almost spilling the coffee. All of them laughed. Chris pouted, "Haha, very funny." Emily shrugged, beaming.

All of them had dinner after some time. The table was filled with the clatter of spoons and forks, all of them talking to each other, happily. After dessert they all went to bed.