Sitting in class, I barely listen to the professor as I yawn and recall the incident from yesterday night. After leaving another waitress for Ezra and his friends, I got an early dismissal from Mr. Lee, went home, studied, and fell asleep two hours after.

Who did that guy think he was?

"Irina," I hear someone call. Coming out of my thoughts, I look up to see that I am the only one left in class. "Class is over. Is there something you wanted to stay behind and talk about?" Mr. Randy asks.

Instead of making up some lie, I shake my head no, gather my things, and leave out of the class room pushing Ezra to the back of my mind.

"Irina," I hear Amelia call out to me. Slowing my walk, I watch her catch up as she loops her hand in mine. "How was work?" she asks.

I groan. "A pain in the ass," I tell her. "There was this guy and his friends. He was a total jerk. He lies to me about his friend having an allergy, and then he nearly rips the bus boy in half for accidentally spilling wine on him."

"He does sound like a jerk. Do you work again tonight?"

"No. Mr. Lee gave me the day off."

"And Mrs. Hernandez?"

"I go in later."

"Good, because you and I are going to visit my family."

I groan again. "Again? Didn't we just see them weeks ago?"

"Yes," Amelia says letting go of my arm standing in front of me making me stop. "But, my sister just had her baby and I really want to be there for them both. So, are you in?"

Amelia starts to give me her puppy dog eyes which always makes me laugh because her puppy dog face consisted of her raising her eyebrows and poking her bottom lip out. "Okay, fine I'm in. When do you go get them?"

"Well, they are actually here. They are at the house now. Thomas let them in and went back to work, so we are going to drive there. Want to carpool?"

"I actually drove again so I will just meet you there," I tell her as we exit the school. My hands fly to protect my eyes as the bright sun shines rays from behind the multiple clouds.

Heading to the parking lot, I get into my Nissan. Putting my keys in the ignition, I stop and take a deep breath.

Just relax. Stay calm. It's okay. There's only one reason you hate seeing her family, but don't let that get you. Okay?

Slowly breathing in and out, I look at myself in the mirror and smile. You can do this. Cranking up the vehicle, I back out of the lot of campus and head into the direction of Amelia's house.

*****

Amelia and Thomas are high school sweet hearts. Thomas was a senior while Amelia was a junior. At homecoming, he was crowned King as she was crowned Queen. They have been together since, and when Thomas proposed two years ago, I knew it was meant to be for them.

Pulling into the two story brick house, I notice the driveway is full of cars, so I park in front of the house. Taking another deep breath, I get out of the car and make my way up her bricked walk way and to the door. Before I am able to knock the door swings open and I am tackled by a little boy.

"Aunt Nina!" he cheers as I bend down to pick the handsome six year old to my chest. "Why hello Chris. My, my, my look how big you have grown," I say tickling him. Chris is Amelia's younger brother and has the cutest brown eyes ever. As his laughter erupts, his body swings in different directions. Walking fully into the house, a combination of vanilla and cinnamon tickle my nose.

"Hello everyone," I smile as I walk into the living room of the family of five. "Oh my gosh Irina!" they cheer as I place Chris down to hug each individual. "I have missed you," says the young woman with light red hair and the same complexation as Amelia.

"I have missed you too. You are really looking more and more like your big sister Liz," I tell her even though she is a year under Amelia. She rolls her eyes and chuckles.

"And where is that beautiful baby?" I ask ready to see the new member of the family.

Liz walks me to a car seat and as I look down I see a small sleeping baby boy. Trying to contain my squeal and not wake him I make a mental note to pick him up later.

As I move to hug everyone else. The smell of vanilla and cinnamon grows stronger and brings a smile to my lips. I know that smell from anywhere.

"Momma Gina," I cheer as I go into the kitchen to see the young but elderly woman pulling out a pan of fresh baked cinnamon rolls.

"Is that my baby Irina? It is! Oh Irina come here and give me a hug sugar," she smiles placing the pan down on top of the stove and cutting the oven off.

Making sure the pan is put down, I make my way to her and embrace her in a hug that warms every part of my heart. This woman could smile and brighten my whole day.

"Oh Irina I have missed you so much," she says breaking away. "And you look so beautiful. I wish I could wear a baggy sweater and blue skinny jeans and make it look that good," she laughs.

"Oh Momma G, I hope I will look as young as you when I turn fifty."

Which is honestly true. Mrs. Gina has deep red hair and fair skin that had no wrinkles and went well with her light blue eyes. She wasn't petite, but she wasn't bigger than a petite woman either. Her size was just right for her.

Making my way to the wooden cabinet, I pull down two glass plates and set them on the counter beside the stove. Turning to the sink I wash my hands and rip off some paper towels to dry them. Returning to the sweet pastries, I pick up and place them on a the plates. Washing my hands and drying them again, I pick up both the plates which makes me earn a smile from Gina.

"You have always been such a big help, instead of that lazy daughter of mine," she jokes.

"I can hear you momma," Amelia says still in the living room. As we both laugh, we head into the living room and as Gina sits down, I place the plates on the glass table in the middle of the living room and sit down on a couch with Amelia. It doesn't take long for everyone to grab a roll including myself.

"Where is Thomas? He left in a hurry," Liz asks chewing with a full mouth.

"Manners," her mother tells her.

"He is at work at the moment," Amelia says with a hint of sadness in her voice. "But, he will be off soon and he can join us."

"Good. So girls, how is school going?" Mrs. Gina asks crossing her hands into her lap.

"It's going good," Amelia smiles. "I am just so glad we get to graduate soon. It feels like we have been in school forever. I have been studying for finals now, I think I have a good shot at passing them. And as you all know Irina study's more than me so I'm sure we all know she is going to pass."

Everyone looks at me which makes me stop eating my cinnamon roll. I hate when Amelia directs attention towards me.

"School is good. I am still maintaining all of my A's and work is going good too. I think what we all should talk about is this wedding," I say giving Amelia my "I got you back" eye.

"Yes!" Mrs. Gina cheers. "Have you two set a date yet?"

Amelia avoids her mothers eye contact. "Amelia Mia Kay," her mother starts.

"I'm trying mother. It's just hard being in love. I forget sometimes. I told Irina that we thought about December. Doing a winter wedding."

"A winter wedding? That sounds beautiful," her mother smiles.

"What about you Irina?" says the only person I haven't spoken to since I have been in the house. Dave.

I should've known he was going to say something sooner or later. It's okay. Just breathe. Rip it off like a band-aid.