••••••••
{ DELANEY WANG }
“So tired!” Melinda yawned, coming out of the class with the girls.
“Me too, schooling is not a joke” Gigi replied.
“I know, right?” Carina added, and they all laughed.
“I really can’t remember the last time we laughed like this” Melinda said.
“Maybe when we were in Nigeria” Gigi replied.
“I still can’t believe we left that country without planning, we didn’t even take the Garri” Carina said.
“And I miss the pepper soup” Madelyn replied behind them.
They all looked back to see her standing there with a wide smile glued to her face.
“Now you remember us” Carina said.
“And who said I forgot you guys?” She replied, coming closer.
“Laughing around and wearing trendy clothes after Delaney’s death, isn’t that enough evidence?” Gigi replied, and Madelyn sighed.
“I’m being happy because, our baby is not dead, she’s all alive with her baby” she said.
“Gawd, she has gone crazy” Melinda muttered, and Madelyn smiled.
“You guys don’t believe me?, Should we go give her a visit?” She said, hanging her arms on their necks.
“What are you talking about?” Winnie asked in front of them.
She’s just descending the stairs.
“Oh!, Senior come!, Come please!” Madelyn waved, and Winnie came closer.
She hugged her together with the three girls, leaving them in shock.
“Madelyn” Winnie said, feeling her temperature.
“You’re not sick” she muttered.
“I know I look insane right now, but it’s not entirely my fault, just follow me and see things for yourself” Madelyn replied and pulled them all out of the hallway.
She was taking them to the park when they met Mavis and Nicholas on the way.
“Join us guys!” She said, taking them along with the girls.
“Where are you guys going?” Midas asked, joining them with Trevor.
“Full house” Lexi said, coming with Tony too.
“Oh gawd!, Perfect!, Y’all should get in your cars and drive after me, I need to show you something” Madelyn said, and they kept looking at her.
“Get in your cars, I swear on my life that Delaney and Sweeney are still alive” Gladys said from the car, taking off her sunglasses.
They all exchanged glances before starting to get in their cars.
Ten cars drove out of the school at once.
•••
Summer sat in front of Sammy, looking sad as she played with the straw in her iced coffee.
Sammy sighed and took her hand away from the straw, then she faced him.
“Huh?, Summer” he persuaded again, rubbing the back of her hand.
“It’s not as easy as you think, he’s the best brother in the world trust me, he’s the best” Summer replied, batting her lids as she fought back her tears.
“Don’t let those tears fall, else I’ll leave” Sammy said, and Summer nodded.
“I won’t”
He stood from his seat and walked to her, then he wiped the tears and kissed her forehead.
She looked at him and smiled lightly.
“There, that’s what I’m dying to see” he smiled, going back to his seat.
“It’s not your first time here , right?” He asked.
“Yeah, I do come with Naomi when she was still here” she replied.
“Your best friend you talked about?, The one in Manila?”
“Yeah, friend like a sister” she smiled.
“I can’t wait to meet her”
“She’s coming home next week, so you’ll surely meet that crazy girl” Summer smiled.
“Should we talk about your new exclusive book?” He asked.
“Did you even check out the updates on my page?” She pouted.
“Of course baby, should I tell you the title?” He asked, and she nodded.
“THE MASKED BRIDE” He replied, and a big smile appeared on her face.
“Naomi is working on her next exclusive right now” she said.
“She got an exclusive before?” Sammy asked.
“Yes, when she was in Manila, she wrote INTO THE PUDDLES, but right now… she’s working on another one… BUTTERFLIES” She replied.
“When are you getting your second ex?” He asked.
“I got it just today” she replied, and his eyes widened.
“Really?”
“Yes, but trust me I can’t work on two ex at a time, so I’m focusing on the first one for now” she replied, and he stood.
He walked to her and pulled her up to hug.
“Congratulations, I’m so happy for you” he said, and she smiled before hugging him back.
“Thanks, Sam”
•••
The cars halted in front of the house at a time, and everyone came out, still looking confused.
“Where’s this?” Gigi asked.
“My parents vacation house, and y’all shouldn’t be too shocked, ok?” Gladys smiled.
She walked to the door with Madelyn and opened it, then they all came in.
Mrs Bills is in the living room with Sweeney and Delaney.
Immediately they saw her, their eyes widened beyond length and breath. Trevor almost fainted.
“Delaney!!!!” Gigi screamed, running to her immediately.
Delaney was already in tears before she got to her, and when she finally hugged her, Gigi’s tears fell too.
“My Delaney” Gigi sniffed, crying on her shoulder.
“My Gianna” Delaney cried, leaving the others in awe.
“Is that really… Delaney?” Winnie said, still looking like she saw a ghost.
“She is, don’t be shocked” Mrs Bills smiled.
“Sweeney!” Midas said, rushing to take her from Mrs Bills.
“Finally someone to always remind me of Dylan” he said, hugging her fondly.
Carina and Melinda hugged Delaney next, then the rest except Mavis.
Right now, seeing her alive is all that matters, all he needed and he got it.
He only smiled and stroked her hair lightly.
“Thanks, for staying alive” he said, and she nodded once.
“Here, Paisley left you a letter” Gigi said, handing her a white paper.
Delaney opened it and started crying as she read it.
