Splinters: Part One

Part One | 3

"I'm okay without one."

"I want you to have one. Ursanne sometimes leaves hers on silent and it drives me crazy. And I want to make sure you're okay wherever you are."

I nodded.

After a moment of silence, I asked, "Would Ursanne and I be in the same class in high school?"

Melissa shook her head. "Ursanne's a freshman."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What am I?"

"You're a sophomore. But I'm thinking about speaking with the principal. If your classes are too hard, Brayden, we can hire a tutor or we can hold you back if you'd like."

I sighed, knowing she'd understand my silence.

I was beginning to be more comfortable around everyone. I was most comfortable around Melissa than everyone else. It might've just been because she was the first person I met. Greg seemed to be trying too hard with me. I guess he wanted to have the best relationship with me as possible because he's always wanted a son apparently. He was really putting in the effort, but he didn't need to. I already liked him.

It then made me think about why they chose me to adopt. Why me? I'll be eighteen in a little more than two years. There was no point. Why not a baby boy they can actually raise from the beginning?

It made no sense. I've wanted to ask but I felt like Melissa wouldn't tell me.

...

When Greg came home, he had all the girls with him except for Ursanne who they explained stays after school to study in the library on Mondays and Wednesdays. Apparently the other girls get too loud here.

Melissa put Odera in charge of the girls while they took me to the phone store. I wasn't up for the whole idea of a phone. I didn't want to have to carry something around me all the time and make sure I don't lose it. I didn't want to have a responsibility over something like that.

But of course, they insisted on getting me one. I told them that I wouldn't need internet or anything so I might as well not get a smart phone. Melissa wouldn't have it, so here I am, going to my supposed home with an iPhone in my left hand.

I felt a little dirty, like I was using them. I didn't deserve my own room and my own phone. I didn't deserve to live in a Barrington mansion or go to a private charter high school or have two happily married parents with five sisters. Josephine and Riley deserved this. J and Jake deserved this. I didn't.

"Brayden, what would you like for dinner?" Melissa chirped from the passenger seat.

"Anything's fine with me."

"Anything in mind?" Greg asked, glancing at me from the driver seat.

"Not really." I mumbled.

They didn't ask me anything else and conversed about what the other was craving. They decided on pizza.

When we returned home, Ursanne and Odera were arguing over the remote. Melissa told them to turn it off if they couldn't stop fighting in which ended up being the result. Afterwards, we all entered the dining room and had our first dinner for the first time that included me.

"When is Brayden going to Constance?" Ursanne asked.

Melissa glanced at me. "Starting Monday."

"Monday?"

"That's what I said."

"Why Monday? Why not tomorrow or something?"

"Ursa, Brayden's still gotta get situated." Greg replied.

I didn't say anything. Edaline and Annetta were talking to each other about something relating to Sleeping Beauty but Odera and I seemed to be interested in the conversation about me.

"What if he wants to go tomorrow?" Ursanne asked.

I instantly paled as all the eyes turned to me.

"Do you, Brayden?" Greg asked.

"No, he doesn't. He's not going to Constance tomorrow." Melissa said firmly, shaking her head and biting into a breadstick.

"But why?" Ursanne went on.

"I just think everything's getting a little overwhelming for Brayden. He just moved in. I don't want him to be freaking out over school so quickly."

"It's not like the teachers are going to pile him with homework. Didn't you say he has to take his placement tests?"

"Yes, and he's taking those Saturday."

Ursanne rolled her eyes and looked towards me. "Do you want to start going to school, Brayden?"

"Ursanne, I said no!"

I jumped. It was the first time I've heard her raise her voice, and to be honest, it frightened me. I stared at my plate with a single half-eaten slice of pizza. It got uncomfortably quiet until Annetta chirped, "I'm done!"

"Finish your crust, Net." Greg told her.

"I don't like the crust." she whined.

"Net."

She sighed and lifted her crust, playing with it before taking a small bite.

I finished my pizza just when Ursanne did. She said she was going to go to her room and since there was nothing for me to do as well, I did the same.

...

Two knocks were heard at my door. I slowly crept back inside and closed the window, hoping that whoever was at the door wouldn't catch me sitting on the roof. Thankfully, I slipped under the covers just as they opened it.

"Brayden?"

"Yeah?"

Melissa stepped inside and then closed the door.

"I'd like to talk to you for a minute."

My stomach fell and my mouth suddenly felt dry. She came towards me and sat at the foot of my bed.

I sat up, leaning against the wall. "Okay."

"Have you told Ursanne that you want to go to school soon?"

"No."

"Do you?"

I didn't reply just as she asked. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go to school. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to fit in, or keep up with the education. The nuns mainly taught us religion. The math I was taught was at my pace. It'd be different at an actual school. I wouldn't be given the same attention the nuns gave me.

"I don't think there'd make much of a difference if I went next Monday."

Melissa sighed. "I don't want you to be overwhelmed."

I looked out the window and at the stars. I felt like going to the beach.

"I'll be overwhelmed anyway."

"Is that a yes that you want to go tomorrow or next week?"

"Tomorrow's fine, I guess."

Melissa didn't look satisfied with my answer. I didn't blame her. I didn't necessarily give her an answer. I was just going with whatever and I don't think she liked it.

"Okay." she said, nodding, and then got up and left the room. "I'll go make a call."

...

I made an update because tomorrow will be super busy for me. I've got a history project to complete so enjoy this chapter. Next chapter, everyone meets Collie! x

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