Plot Twist

1

"Most likely. Also what about school and other things?"

"Right, give me a list of people who might help you. As for school, here is all his information, we've already enrolled him in one, just make sure he gets there on time." She says handing over a piece of paper from her bag.

They swap important details and have a chat. Angela comes back once she knows all the important stuff is over and tries to talk to Lance, taking a seat next to him but he turns away from her.

"I know where she keeps her chocolate chip cookies." She whispers to him.

"I'm not a child." He mumbles.

She fakes gasps. "He talks!" She then looks at him sincerely. "Look, Bones may seem like an alien sometimes but she's a good person and a good sister, I would know she's basically mine. I can give you my number and if you ever need a normal person to talk to, or someone to save you, I'll be here."

"Bones?" He looks at her confused with a slight smile.

Angela chuckles. "Yeah, we call her that because she has a special interest in them. It's a surprise she didn't become an archaeologist or an anthropologist."

"So what does she do?" He asks, opening up a little more.

"We run a bookstore together. I mean she owns it but I help her. I make sure it's not just nonfiction. We wouldn't get any customers."

"Oh, that's cool I guess." He says defeated.

"Hey! Books are cool. I make sure we have the cool ones. Graphic novels too." She says. He shrugs and looks away.

Angela sighs. "Okay then. Good chat." She stands up and walks over to Bones and Miranda.

"That looks like everything. I can't thank you enough for taking him in on such short notice. If anything and I mean anything comes up please call. Even if it's something simple. You'll get a call by the end of the week, about whether or not we find someone to take him. But again we think it would be best for him to be with family. But no pressure, we understand not everyone can or should have children. And I'm rambling so I'm going to go now." Miranda says packing up her stuff and turns to Lance.

She walks over to him and rubs his shoulder. "You have our phone number. Please be nice to her and everyone in her life. If you don't think this is a good fit we'll listen to you. I'm going now. I'll see you soon. Goodbye, Lance."

He looks up at her and nods. "Goodbye." He mumbles.

She stands up and walks to the door. "Okay, I guess I'll be off. I'll see you in a few days." She says before walking out and down to her car.

"Are you okay with this honey?" Angela asks Bones.

"Of course, I am aware of how rough it can be in the system, and I understand the challenges of having an older sibling who is unable to take care of you and ends up letting you go into the system." She says taking a seat back in the armchair.

Lance looks up. "You were in the system too?" He asks quietly.

"For three years, yes. I was in a few foster homes." She says to him, the first proper sentence directed at him. "So Lance..." She pauses to think of what to say.

"Sweets. Uh, everyone used to call me Sweets." He says fidgeting with his hands.

Angela sits next to him and smiles. "It's nice to meet you, Sweets."

"Okay, Sweets. How are your grades?" Bones asks curiously.

"Bones. Don't ask him that." Angela scolds.

"What? What other things would I ask him?" She asks confused.

He chuckles softly. "It's okay. My grades are pretty good. Mostly As. I've skipped a grade. I get picked on because of it. Or, um I used to at my old school." He explains.

"Good. Children should always strive for excellence, especially during their teenage years." Bones says proudly.

He chuckles again. "I don't study. I'm just "good at learning"." He says using his hands as emphasis. "Or that's what one of my old teachers said."

"Oh, great another genius to add to our collection." Angela jokes.

Sweets tilts his head in confusion.

"This town is full of them. First your sister here, little miss know it all. And Zack who works with us part-time. Plus the little boys who read at our store every day despite there being a library a block away. The café next door is always full of high school and college students. Daisy in particular, Cam's pretty smart too. She runs the café." She lists off.

"Don't forget Hodgins. He knows a lot more than just vehicles." Bones points out.

"You mean that greasy man who forgets how to speak sometimes?" She jokes. "Point is, I think you'll fit right in. Sometimes I think I'm the only normal person in this town."

"Angela, you are smart! You're an artistic genius."

Sweets laughs. "Is everyone as agreeable as you two?" He says looking between the two.

"Oh trust me, sweetie. We don't agree on much. But we're best friends so we get over it. If you want to see her argue with someone though, just wait until you meet Booth. He's pretty normal too." Angela says as Bones scowls. She leans into the boy and whispers to him. "I think they secretly have a thing for each other though."

He gasps giggling. "You two seem okay." His face goes serious. "I just wish my parents could have met you. My adoptive parents." He looks down sadly and kicks his backpack.

Angela and Bones look at each other sadly. "Uh, hey. Why don't I show you to the spare room? You can unpack and get comfortable." Angela says softly to him.

He nods and follows her upstairs.

Bones leans back in her chair and looks up at the ceiling trying to think through what just happened.