03
"Call me once as soon as you land at New York airport,"
"Also, call me when you reach the university and settle down at your dormitory,"
"Make sure to attend all the classes and pay attention in the lectures."
"Don't get into trouble with professors or seniors. They could ruin your studies and future along with it,"
"Don't bunk classes,"
"Don't sneak out of the dorms and get caught."
"And Don't forget to visit your grandparents and your aunt. They have called tonnes of times already."
Aaron leaned back on the couch and sighed. He was tired from listening to the lecture on dos and don'ts in New York from his father. Adrian was beyond worried to send Aaron away to New York, the city which he had left when Aaron was just 2 and half years old. Aaron had absolutely visited New York during holidays and spent time at his paternal grandparents' house. But this time, he was going to stay in the city, on his own, at the dorms. This was the matter that was bugging Adrian. He just wanted his son to be safe and sound.
"Ohho… are you still not done with your lecture," Jordan, Aaron's mother, questioned as she came out of the bedroom.
"It is not enough how much ever I tell him things," Adrian retorted, taking a seat on the couch.
"I am so tired mommy," Aaron whispered to his mother. She giggled at his act and brought a chocolate bar from the refrigerator. She sat down next to him and they both shared the chocolate bar. Adrian could only sigh at this act of mother and son. They always found a way to change the topics and divert things.
Suddenly, there was noise at the front door. Adrian unlocked the door only to see Elena, Jordan's mother and his little princess, Amity.
"Hey, what's up?" Elena greeted Adrian. He sighed and replied, "Nothing much. As usual, your daughter and grandson are diverting me from giving him a lecture." Elena giggled lightly at his response, "Oh, come on, Adrian. Give that boy a break. He is grown up now and I am sure your mother will be under his neck when he reaches New York."
Amity tugged her father's pants and he smiled at her and picked her up onto his arms. "I know that Aaron and Xavier are going to be on their toes around my mother. But still as a father, I feel a little nervous." Adrian reasoned. Elena gave him a warm smile and replied, "Don't worry, he will be fine."
They reached the living room as they spoke. Aaron and Jordan finish their chocolate as Elena sees them. "He is going to be high on sugar," Elena commented.
Aaron groaned loudly, "Grandma, I am not a baby to get sugar rush."
"Oh really, my baby," Elena pinched his cheeks.
Elena continued to talk to her grandson and Adrian gave a chocolate bar to Amity in order to make up for themselves by being around the gossip gang.
"Where is Uncle Harley?" Aaron enquired about his uncle, Jordan's younger brother.
"Well, you know that he is busy with soccer matches. He just got into one of the biggest teams," Elena reasoned. Aaron pretended to be upset, "Oh come on, Grandma, he joined the team like last year. I am sure that he could get some days off. It seems like he does not love me anymore now that he has become a famous soccer player." Elena swatted her grandson's chest at his cute little antic.
Amity runs to the door when she hears the door bell ring. "Hey, uncle Dan!" Amity chimed at the people on the other side of the door.
"Hey, sweetheart," Dan hugged Amity while the boy next to Dan ruffled Amity's hair making her scream, "Don't touch my hair, Xavier."
Xavier put his tongue in a teasing manner.
Dan is Adrian Marvel's best friend and Xavier is Dan's son. Aaron and Xavier have been best friends since they were in diapers. So that sums up why Xavier loved teasing Amity just like Aaron.
"Finally, you are here. I can't wait to go to New York," Aaron exclaimed seeing his best friend.
"Why? What is the itch to go to New York?" Xavier smirked at Aaron despite knowing what Aaron meant. Aaron sent fake daggers through his eyes.
"Are you done with the lectures? Or have some more to give now that Xavier is here as well," Dan asked Adrian in a teasing manner. Adrian shook his head knowing what Dan meant.
Xavier went on and hugged his aunty Jordan. Dan Rodee was a single father and Xavier found a mother figure in Jordan since he was a little boy. Jordan too loved Xavier and treated him like a son. "I am going to miss your food, Aunty." Xavier mumbled. Jordan chuckled lightly before responding, "Don't worry Xavi. Come home whenever you two want. I will cook for you." Jordan pampered the boys some more until they were done getting stares from Adrian and Dan.
Aaron and Xavier found a corner in the room to discuss about their own dos and don'ts in New York city.
"Everything is set?" Xavier is asked by Aaron discreetly. Aaron subtly nodded his head, "Yeah, can't wait to explore New York on our own." Aaron had a wicked smile plastered on his face.
"What are you two discussing secretly?" Amity jumped on Aaron's lap and asked.
"Secret," Aaron replied as he held her. "Tell me the secret," Amity demanded.
Xavier chose to change the topic. "So Amity, are you gonna miss us while we are gone?"
Amity kept a finger on her chin and pretended to think, "I don't think so. I am going to enjoy all the attention and I am going to have so much fun without having anyone to pull my hair and put chillies into my lunch. At least my life won't be in danger."
Xavier and Aaron burst out laughing at Amity's words. Now that Amity mentioned the things that they had done in order to tease her, made them a little sad. They are gonna miss teasing Amity and they are definitely going to miss her.
Aaron mustered the courage to not feel sad and pinched her cheek, "Aww… my baby sister. Don't worry we will be back here for the holidays. We shall take good care of you then."
Amity pouted and punched Aaron's chest, "No… I won't let you two pull pranks on me anymore."
"Oh… is it?" Xavier said and moved closer to Aaron and Amity. He began tickling her and so did Aaron. Amity was literally hanging from Aaron's lap while they tickled her to no end. The elders looked at the kids and could only smile at their fun. Even the elders are going to miss this laughter at home when the boys leave.
Aaron's mother, Jordan, got up from her seat and announced, "Okay guys. It is time to leave. Come on, grab your bags."
The time had already arrived for Aaron and Xavier to leave the peaceful Bozeman and move to the city that never sleeps, New York.
In the car, Dan and Adrian seated in the front while the others settled in the back seats. When they almost reached the airport, Dan glanced at Adrian and asked, "Do you have any last moment don'ts for the boys?"
Adrian thought for a moment and said, "Yes, boys, don't get involved with any female professors."
"That is unfair. You got involved with a student, but we can't get involved with a female professor?" Aaron grumbled only to get a death stare from his father. Aaron was referring to his father's relationship with his mother.
"Parents are such hypocrites!" Aaron whispered to Xavier while the best buddy tried his best to not crack up with laughter.