Methis POV
We all sat at a theatre hall with rows of step-like seats filled with students. A grey-bearded professor stood in front of the class giving a lecture. There was silence as the voice of the professor travelled around the class.
".........and that's the foundation of every successful journalist. In fact, from what we've observed in recent times, there has been an............"
I was lost in thoughts as I tried to shake off the thought of what happened between Xander and Jamal. What's wrong with those two? I thought, “Why can't they just be more mature and talked things out? Dumb jocks!" I muttered in annoyance.
"Miss Delis? Miss Delis?" someone called, their voice suddenly reaching a crescendo and interjecting my thought flow.
"Yes," I stuttered as I snapped back into reality only to realize that it was the professor who called me. "Oh shit!" I thought as I stood up. "Yes sir," I corrected myself.
"I don't suppose you were referring to the whole class and I as dumb jocks," he said.
"No sir," I replied, "I certainly wasn't referring to you or the class. I just happened to think out loud by accident. I apologise," I said to him. He tipped his glasses down a bit with one finger, bending his head to see me properly without obstruction. Then he shook his head.
"You can take your seat," he said and was about to continue teaching when the bell went off and the class was dismissed.
A few minutes later I walked into the building and to my apartment and just as I was about to get on the elevator, I and a short blonde girl in a cheerleader outfit along with other girls in the same outfit, crossed paths.
"Hot uncle you got there," she said as they walked past me.
I stopped and turned around. "Excuse me?" I asked causing her to stop along with her friends and turn around.
"Yeah you heard me," she said confidently, "You've got a hot uncle and I'm so gonna smash him," she said with a smile as the other girls fawned over her. I quickly realized that she was one of those cool kids on campus.
"Uncle?" I asked, genuinely surprised since my dad's an only child and my late mom was the last of only four sisters. So I literally had no uncle ever.
"Yeah," she replied, "He's upstairs waiting for you. Tell him I said hi. Toodles" she said as she hopped away, while the rest of the girls followed her behind like sheep. She kinda had that Harley Quinn vibe.
Creepy, I thought as I walked into the elevator. While in the elevator, I wondered who saw that she was referring to as my uncle. The elevator sounded as the doors slid open. I walked out of it and towards my apartment. Just as I was getting there, I saw Jamal prancing back and forth about my door.
"Jamal?" I asked, causing him to pause his prancing.
"Oh Methis, you're back," he said.
"What are you doing here?" I asked with an interrogatory tone.
"I came to apologise for my behavior recently, particularly for getting into a fight with the other guy," he apologized, "Not only that, I would like you to come see the kids," he said. I looked at him with my eyebrows arched upwards.
"You don't think I'm a fool, do you?" I asked, "Don't you think that using your kids as an excuse is kinda lame?" I asked with my hands on my waist.
"They're your kids too," he said, "And I'm not using them as an excuse. They've been really sad since the last time they saw you and I'd like it if you can come and talk to them, even if it's for a little while," he said. I stalled for a moment as I thought deeply about it. "Please," he added.
"Fine," I groaned, "Just give me a moment to get changed," I said as I unlocked the door.
"Alright, sure thing," he responded as I shut the door.
"Methis... "
I stood in front of him, looking up with my jaw clenched. He sounded surprised by the fact that I was there.
"I am not going to stay for long Jamal." I said shortly, not wanting to engage in any horribly awkward conversation, "I am just here to see them."
He looked a bit disappointed, but said nothing else, only standing aside to let me in. The suite was big, say bigger than I expected, and when I asked for the kids, he simply motioned to the room they were staying. Taking a deep breath, almost too scared to meet my own kids, I walked towards the room.
* * *
I felt a surge of nervousness as I approached the hotel room where her children were staying. She had not seen them since I had left a long time ago. I had missed so many milestones in their lives, I barely even knew them and I wondered if they would even recognize me, or if they would resent me for abandoning them.
She knocked on the door softly, and heard a muffled voice say "Come in". She opened the door and saw two young faces staring at her with curiosity and wariness. They looked so much like their father, with the same brown hair and green eyes, but she could also see traces of herself in their features. They were sitting on the couch, holding hands, as if they needed each other's support.
"Hi, kids," she said, smiling tentatively. "It's me, Methis. Your mom."
They did not say anything, but she could see the recognition in their eyes. She walked towards them slowly, not wanting to scare them or invade their space. She sat down on the armchair opposite them, and tried to think of something to say.
"How are you? How was your flight?" she asked.
"Fine," the boy said, in a monotone voice. He looked about ten years old, and had a serious expression on his face. He was wearing a blue shirt and jeans, and had a backpack next to him.
The girl did not say anything, but nodded slightly. She looked about eight years old, and had a shy smile on her lips. She was wearing a pink dress and a matching bow in her hair. She had a stuffed bunny in her arms, and clutched it tightly.