Unforgiven

Memories

I eat my chicken roast in silence, listening to Lord Harrison and Eli discussing important...stuff. I zone out of all conversations.

(This chapter is a whole bunch of flashbacks from Stephania's life)

"Steph!!" I spin around to see my best friend. He runs up to where I stand, a smile plastered across his face as if it's drawn in marker which you can't erase. I feel a grin creep across my face. I wave enthusiasticly.
"Dominick!! Hi!!" I shout into the air. Dominick reaches where I stand and we walk across the pavement to the park.
"Morning," He greets.
"Morning!" Dominick stuffs his hands in the pockets in his jeans. I can't stop smiling.

***

I swipe my hands in the paint and rub it in three strokes on my face like a warrior. Dominick does the same. We keep our eyes fixed on each other. Holding the friendly, competitive glare. I extend my arm and Dominick shakes it as we both nod.
"Ready?" I ask.
"Ready,"
"GOOOOO!!!" I reach down and pick up my first water balloon, tossing it hard. It explodes on contact with Dominick's shoulder. I punch my fist in the air.
"TAKE THA-" my sentence is interrupted by a water balloon to the face. Oh, it's on. Water balloons fly through the air. Some missing, but most exploding.

***

DING DONG!
I race up to the door and snatch it open, my Santa hat drooping. Once the door opens I see Dominick with reindeer ears stuck on his head, attached to a headband.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!" I chant. I gaze behind Dominick to see his family. "Please, come in!" I say, unable to stop smiling. Dominick, his parents and his younger sister, Mia, follow me inside. I lead the four of them into the dining room connected to the lounge room. The Christmas Tree stands tall and proud, presents piled underneath.
"Yale, Karen, glad you could make it!" My mum says to Dominick's parents.
"Thank you very much for inviting us for Christmas Lunch!" I feel a tug on my shirt.
"Stephania!" I gaze down at Mia, smiling up at me.
"Hi Mia, Merry Christmas,"
"Merry Christmas Steph!" I feel another hand on my shoulder. I turn my head around to see Dominick. I smile, receiving one straight back.
"Merry Christmas, Stephania," He says softly.

***

"Stephania?" I hear. I shake my head. "Stephania, you alright? You're kinda zoning out," I stop thinking about my past, it's making unwanted emotions to surface. I gaze around the dining hall, my mouth widening a bit. It's completely empty. Eli grins. There! He did it again!
"E-Eli! Remember rule two!" I say quickly. Eli looks at me surprised that I care about that, then nods and looks away, a frown growing on his face.
"S-sorry, it was just so funny seeing your reaction,"
"Okay,"