Chapter 59 · Hugs

It took me a few seconds to fumble out the car after Terry open the door for me. It also gave me a few seconds before I heard the tapping of shoes on soft dirt.

"Baby come here you," I heard before my chest was squeezed in a steel grip.

I looked down to see my uncle crushing me. He stood just a bit shorter than me with light brown hair tied back into a short ponytail. He looks up towards me his eyes a deep amber brown the wrinkles around his eye's only seemed to have deeper in my time away.

"I'm so glad you back and you don't have to worry about your university it's fine I understand," he said still not letting me free.

"Its good to see you too," I whispered learning forwards hugging him back.

"Mr Ripley, lady jade and guest's have arrived. If you do not mind sir I will park the car," Terry commented next to us with a slight head nod before heading back into the car and restarting the engine.

"Guests?" My uncle asked now looking behind me to see Zoe and Wick who had gotten out the other side of the car.

"Sorry I hope you don't mind," I whispered unhooking myself from his grip before turning point to them in turn "this is Zoe's my roommate and um friend. Oh and that's Wick I know him threw Zoe."

"Hello, I'm Zoe, you have a super great niece and its really nice to meet you," Zoe started holding out her hands with a wide smile.

"Yes," my uncle crept closer shaking her hand quickly before continuing "yes well, glad to see Jade making so many new friends, my names Ripley please feel free to call me so."

"The names Flitwick, I must say you have a very large place here," Wick commented still looking at the building now only a few steps away.

"Yes it's been in the family for many years and I plan to keep it that way," my uncle said holding out his hand to Wick.

Who foolishly took it without picking up on the look on my uncle's face. I'd seen that look before whenever I'd asked him about dating. The edge of what I guess is hate or something much like it.

It was almost like watching a deer walk into the line of a gun. The hands meet. And then they shook. Wick with his fin arms use to carrying books and I guess little else and my uncle with his tree trunk thick arm's. My uncle's hand crushed Wicks hand in a vice-like grip so much so that I fault I heard something 'pop'.

Wicks' face gave a slight grimace of pain before my uncle stood back and let go still giving Wick a death glare.

I was actually kind of impressed. From the looks of it that must of hurt yet Wick didn't make a single complaint and just gave a very fake smile while massaging his poor hand.

"I don't think your uncle likes Wick," Zoe commented leaning next to me so as too now let the others hear.

"I don't know why he's been ok with everyone else I bring round like Ruby," I whispered back.

"I think I might know why," Zoe replied

"What is it?" I asked still confused

Zoe gave a tiny evil smile before poking my nose and leaning back, "its no fun if I just tell you."

"Ok," I whispered still feeling was she poked my nose. It was still warm even if it was only for a second.