Yeet double matching digits
Please read the update posted yesterday if you haven't already.
Feel free to point out spelling errors, I'm a tired, lazy bastard and I ain't proofreading, fite me.
-
Alex was running around the hotel for a really long damn time. I mean, I get it, it was a fancy place. It had a pool, and a sauna, and a restaurant, with a communal sitting area with pool tables. But, he was just running round like a madman.
Why doesn't he see the appeal of just sitting down...alone...in a room... quietly...
After the second time entering the pool area I quietly slipped away from them all and headed back upstairs.
It seemed like the rest of them minus Hunter and Zac, were sitting in the floor specific sitting area. They were talking calmly, and briefly.
A strange idea, that only a few more years of living can turn an Alex...into a Chance...
What exactly gets rid of that childlike excitement, do they simply not have the energy anymore?
"Why are you just standing there?" Luca suddenly asked while not looking up from a revision book.
"Oh, sorry, day dreaming." I smiled kind of awkwardly before edging past them and escaping into my room.
Being right next to the foyer is going to be really annoying...
I sighed as I sat down on the edge of the bed, rubbing my temple.
I must admit the idea of going back to their house is attractive. I feel that maybe I'll be able to sleep better in a room that is familiar to me.
"You doing okay?" A familiar gentle voice made me smile and lift my head.
"I'm fine Aaron, seriously." I said then tssked.
"Well in that case." He sat down next to me. "Tell me what's wrong."
"That damn word, sometimes I mean it, I swear."
"Not this time."
"How do you know."
"Like I said, you have other tells as well."
"Godamnit. Aaron."
He chuckled at me and I exhaled sharply.
"Everyone's tired, and it's really tense, because of me. That's what's wrong."
"Hmm. That isn't your fault."
"Yes it is, we're only here in the first place because of me."
"Okay, but it's all our own fault that we're fighting with eachother." He defended. "And you're here for someone else, you're not in the wrong."
"I'm not in the wrong?" I gave him a skeptical look.
"Well, I mean." He frowned. "There are things that you've done that haven't been great...but..." He sighed.
It was quiet for a few moments.
"It's weird..." I eventually said. "It used to be ignored, not even slightly considered. But now, it just seems to be out in the open, everyone keeps on mentioning it."
"What?"
"It."
He blinked at me.
"Oh, right. You mean, the whole,er..." He coughed awkwardly. "Everyone's attracted to you thing?"
I rolled my eyes and sighed.
"Yeah, sure. Call it that."
More like everyone has had sex with me and knows about it but we can pretend it's just that.
"Why am I talking to you about this? It's probably better if we don't talk about it." I sat up slightly with a frown.
"Because I told you you could. And there's no point ignoring it anymore. It was bound to get to this point eventually."
"It wouldn't have if I just had more self control..." I chewed on my lip.
"It takes two to tango Sunshine." He smirked and I blinked at him.
"Wow, okay. True I guess."
"I mean, it's not just your fault, it's all our own doing."
"Your doing? What have you done."
"Um..."
"Nothing wrong is the answer to that. Yet you've been dragged right into the middle of it, like a few others. Chance was right when he said it wasn't an option for me to share. Because the person sharing with me would've been at the end of some stupid jealousy or something. Even if it was someone as innocent as Caleb."
"So it's the younger lot's fights that worry you more?"
"I don't know...it's more out in the open with them, but with Chester and Chance it's more... passive aggressive and suggestive. I don't really know which ones more dangerous yet."
"At least the younger ones have more innocent intentions...it's not about sex." He said and I made a face.
"Right..."
He frowned. "Or not."
"Er." I chuckled awkwardly. "Let's change the topic."
"I think, you should blame our father."
"What??"
"I mean, if we weren't such love deprived, spoiled brats we wouldn't be so desperate for your attention in the first place." He smiled in amusement as he leaned back on his arms.
"Right, okay. Sure." I stared out of the window. "You think something as simple as that, could result in such strong feelings?"
"No. It's not just that. It's also things about you that you can't control."
"Things about me?"
"Well, your looks and attractive patient personality are also a strong pull for rich brats like us that are used to getting what we want."
"Us? You say it like you're as bad as them." I mumbled, then turned to look at him when he stayed silent.
He looked kind of guilty and put off as he stared at the floor.
I chuckled. "Aaron, you're nowhere near as bad as them. Trust me." I reassured. "And it's not like I'd call it bad really anyway. They're still good people and I still like them. Everyone reacts differently is all. And yes, some people's reactions are stressful and causes tension. But I don't hate them for it."
"Really? None of them? You don't have any ill will towards any of them?" He seemed skeptical.
"Well, I mean." I bit my lip. "I don't really want to talk about it...think about it." I mumbled.
He opened his mouth to say something, then frowned and sighed.
"Okay, tell me about it when you're ready..." He put a reassuring hand on my shoulder and I eventually smiled up at him.
"Thank you."
He smiled at me warmly and genuinely, which was refreshing, especially after my interactions with Luca and Chance today.
I haven't seen him all day, feels like it's been ages...
"You seem to be low energy at the moment, are you doing okay, physically?" Aaron asked after a few moments.
"I'm a little drained and tired. But so are you." I pointed out.
"Do you think you'll be alright to sleep in here tonight?"
Not really, I'll try, but it's unlikely. He needs his own sleep though, and to stop worrying about me.
"I think I'll manage, I'm tired enough to just fall asleep no matter how uncomfortable I am." I lied with a chuckle.
"Okay then..." He frowned for a moment before standing up. "I guess I'll call it an early night..."
"Are you okay?" I wondered and he smiled unenthusiastically at me.
"I'm just tired. Today was a little stressful. And so are... things in general."
"You'll be home soon, maybe things will go back to normal."
"I think things have changed a little too much to go back the way they are, both physically and mentally. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes change is good, even when you feel it's not at first." He reassured, in the way he does when you're not sure if he's talking to himself or not.
I smiled at him, but I didn't really have anything reassuring I could say.
"I thought you were going to bed?" I asked after several moments of him just standing there.
"Right, yeah, sorry. Just, thinking."
I chuckled as I stood up. "You sure you don't want to talk about it?" I questioned him and he frowned.
"What?"
"There's obviously something else bothering you. I'm not the only transparent one remember."
"Oh, right. Not yet." He smiled at me as I stood closely infront of him, and it made me feel a strange kind of tension...
I sighed before moving forward and hugging him, making him tense up for a second.
"Okay then." He chuckled and I closed my eyes and tightened my grip.
"I'm sorry I have put so much stress on you." I apologised.
"Riley..." He sighed, before wrapping his arms round my waist and hugging me back. He rested his head against my shoulder for a few moments.
"You aren't to blame for any stress I'm under. Most of it is no different to normal family feuds I've been in the center of many times before." He reassured with a little chuckle.
"And the other stress?"
"Well, that's just something I have to work through myself." He muttered, and I frowned before stepping back.
"It's fine, Sunshine. Goodnight. Remember to tell me if you're feeling bad, okay?" He gave me one last smile before quickly disappearing, and I frowned after him.
He obviously doesn't enjoy talking to me about that. Yet he does anyway, it's really strange. It's like he'd rather make me feel better at the expense of his own mental health. And that thought just makes me really uncomfortable.
It's probably best if I distance myself...
Ugh, at this point either option just causes pain.
I walked over to the doorway, observing Chance, Chester and Luca talking in the sitting area.
Chester was showing Chance something on his phone, and he actually smiled and laughed at it. I don't think I've ever seen that before...
It's like the tension isn't as strong when I'm not around.
Well, that's a lovely thought.
I sighed moodily before closing the door and flopping down on the bed.
I think I'm just going to lie here and do nothing till they're all asleep...
-
I could hear the slight drone of voices through the wall until late into the evening. I didn't have a phone, so just started doodling cartoon unicorns into the hotel branded notebook on my nightstand.
Eventually, I took a shower, but got into a fresh pair of clothes afterwards as I was too afraid to even try to go to sleep.
The idea of turning the lights off and letting my self think in silence put me on edge.
I felt okay at the moment, and I didn't want to ruin it by freaking myself out.
I opened the door and looked out into the hallway. There was a lamp on next to the sofas, but everything was quiet.
"Great..." I whispered to myself before sitting down on one of the sofas.
It remained silent, with just the tick of a large grandfather clock, or whatever they're called.
I sighed and put my notebook down, tired of drawing unicorns.
I watched the pendulum swing in the glass cabinet, despairing over the slowness of time.
Still 2 AM...
Another sigh, and the sound of a siren in the distance.
Ugh, cities...
I tensed as a door opened next to me.
"Hey gorgeous, can't sleep?" Chester's voice asked after a yawn.
I looked up at him to see him in just obnoxiously pink boxers and a hotel robe.
"Too scared to try." I chuckled, and he frowned.
"I'm sorry about that." He said, before collapsing down onto a seat opposite me.
"I'm better than before, at least." I smiled. I didn't really mind telling Chester about this, his judgement wasn't something I really cared about.
"Oh, right." He suddenly stood up and walked back into his room.
Okay...
He came back out with a box and handed it to me.
A phone...
I looked up at him with a frown.
"What?"
"It's yours, I bought it earlier."
"...What, when? Why?" I blinked.
"After we arrived, from a shop down the street. You might as well put your old American SIM card in it." He smiled down at me.
"Chester...I can't just take free shit from you." I sighed.
"Seriously, it's no trouble for me." He rolled his eyes, before smiling mischievously and leaning down over me with his hands either side. "Besides, it was your birthday a few days ago, consider it a present." He smirked.
I raised a brow at him. "Well don't expect me to have enough money to return the favour any time soon. But, thank you...like, really."
"That's okay, I don't really benefit from material presents..if I want it I just buy it."
"Hmm, good for you." I grumbled and he chuckled.
"There is something I can't buy that I want though..." He quirked a brow.
"Oh really?" I gave him a look.
"Yeah, unfortunately it's something that can only be given, not taken. Morally speaking, at least."
"Since when was that one of your concerns?" I quirked a brow with a smirk, noticing he'd gotten closer.
"Since I started wanting to keep it."
"Keep it? Well, good luck with that."
"Hmm, indeed." He chuckled. He glanced down to my lips, before smiling at me. "I might as well try." He said, before standing up and moving away.
I blinked, in a daze. Oh. Okay.
He sat back down on the chair opposite. "You said you had trouble sleeping when you're alone?" He said as he lifted his feet up and got comfy, and I blushed.
"Y...yeah, most of the time." I smiled awkwardly before shuffling in my seat.
"Okay." He rested his head on his hand, and smiled at me.
...
Um.
"Say, what's the story of that bird of yours?" He asked calmly after a few moments of silence.
"Ana? She's just a companion."
"But I doubt you have a falconers license."
"Oh, no... I shouldn't have her, but I found her. She looks after herself, but she likes to follow me, because I raised her."
"Oh, does your mother know? She didn't tell us about you having a bird."
"No...I didn't think Anatara would be a problem...she is barely even seen once she settles down in an area. I've kept her while living in hotels that didn't allow animals before, it doesn't make a difference."
"What about vets?"
"She's wild, I've accepted the fact that when she gets injured its over. That, or she'll be taken to a sanctuary."
"Lucky she's okay then."
"I guess, but maybe she'd be happier if she went off on her own..."
"I'm not sure she'd find a family, they're not common that's for sure."
"Yeah..." I gave a tired sigh. "Just another thing I have to add to my worries..."
"She's fine at the moment, Caleb talked to the person looking after her earlier."
"That's good..." I mumbled before stifling a yawn.
"Do you still think about that part of your life?" Chester asked after a minute or two.
"What? England? Or, California..."
"Any of it, in America. Before and after that. Do you still have contact with any of the people?"
"Um, maybe a few stored on my old phone SIM, but I don't talk to them anymore."
"So there aren't any missed friends?"
"No, I refused to make friends back then. They were only... acquaintances." I smiled, thinking back on vague memories of people I'd met.
"Hmm...." He frowned.
"That part of my life felt very temporary...I was always moving around. So I felt it was inappropriate to make friends, only to leave."
"What about now?"
"I mean, ideally I wouldn't have got to know you guys. That was the plan... but, yeah it didn't work out like that." I bit my lip, then chuckled when he made a face.
"Yeah, not quite." He smirked. "You think you'll be moving soon then?" He suddenly frowned.
"I don't know, it's different now, I'm eighteen...but my mother will be leaving, at least." I said and he smiled.
"That's kinda funny, she's kinda badass to be honest."
"What?" I sniggered.
"I mean, in her own villainous way. Like, she constantly uses her looks to marry and steal money from naïve rich men? It's beautiful honestly."
"Yeah, well it only works if the guy isn't able to protect himself legally in time, so shh about it." I shook my head when he just laughed. "She will take a lot of money you know, aren't you worried about it?"
"Not really, my funds come from our business. And despite owning the business my father can't take it out for personal reasons."
"Is that what you wanted to do when you're older, run his business?" I questioned.
"No, my job isn't important to me. It's my pass time that I'm interested in. And with lots of money, you get to do cool things for fun." He raised his eyebrows with a smile.
"Interesting perspective..."
"Yeah, well, one of us had to do it, I volunteered as tribute." He sighed, before smiling again.
"What is your father's company?" I questioned curiously while reshuffling on the sofa until I was lying down comfortably.
"You've never asked?" He smirked.
"I couldn't give two shits what got my mother's victims their money." I commented and he chuckled.
"Architecture." He said, and I frowned.
"Seriously??"
"Why? Were you expecting me to say share holding or something."
"Well, to be honest. Yeah."
"We buy plots of land and build interesting houses there. That and get commissions for renovations and people's houses."
"...And you design it?"
"Nowadays not so much, there are hired designers. I just organize it all. My father just sits in the penthouse pretending he's important while I do all the work."
"... Who's doing that at the moment?"
"My assistant, she's a bit stressed out. But I am ignoring her calls."
"Oh, ok..."
"I mean, it's not like anyone is going to die while I'm gone."
"M'kay..."
"It was a good excuse for a holiday." He sighed.
"You do seem more relaxed."
"Hmm, do I?" He smiled at me while tilting his head backwards over the armrest, making me chuckle.
"I guess you don't want to go back..." I yawned again and rested my eyes for a moment.
"Not really... but you have to go back to your life eventually. You have to do that too..."
"Hmm, my life...."
"School?"
"Yeah, I'm not so sure that's going to work out..." I mumbled.
"You're not doing well?"
"Not..." Another yawn. "... really..."
I was expecting him to say something else for a little bit, but after a while, I just drifted off...
--
"Have you no shame??" A voice made me open my eyes, and I blinked in confusion, before my eyes focused on Alex standing and looking at Chester.
When did this blanket get here...
Chester blinked at him, wincing at the light, before seeming really confused at the blanket over him and sitting up.
"What..." He mumbled while rubbing his face.
"You're in your underwear in a public space..."
"Right, that. Then, no, I don't." He smirked at him, before looking over at me.
"Did you do this?" He motioned to the blanket and I shook my head.
Strange...
"Alex, I told you to leave them be." Aaron's voice sounded from behind me, and Alex shrugged.
"Welp it was either me or the cleaning lady."
"What time is it..." I sighed.
"7!" Alex smiled and I gave him a look before pulling the blanket over my head.
"Nope."
"Come on, Riley, time to get up." Aaron pulled the blanket off and I sighed.
"Why...I thought the plane was later on..." I grumbled as I sat up.
"Yes well we want to get out of the hotel."
I stood up and stretched slightly.
"Did you even try go to sleep..." Alex wondered and Aaron sighed.
"No, I found him out here at half three in the morning. No idea why Chester was there though." He said, and Chester pulled his tongue out.
"Keeping him company, unlike you." He teased, making me give him a look.
"Get changed, you ungrateful hoe." Aaron spat and Chester snorted.
"Yes sir."
-
I didn't see much of the other brothers that morning. Alex dragged me out with Caleb into the city centre as soon as I got changed.
It was much quieter than London. Well, I wouldn't describe it as quiet, but it was smaller.
Caleb obviously didn't like the crowded streets, and I couldn't say I was a fan either.
"You're going to make yourself sick." I commented as Alex stuffed his face with a giant cookie, and he shrugged at me.
"Shouldn't we be getting back soon, aren't we lost?" Caleb worried.
"Google maps exists." Alex stated with his mouth full and I cringed at him.
"Nice."
"You two just have rucksacks, but I've been dragging around this suitcase for ages." Caleb complained.
"Sorry, I can hold it for you if you want?" I offered and he shook his head.
"No, thank you, it's okay..."
"I must admit, my shoulder kind of aches."
"That's because you're only carrying it with one shoulder you fool." Alex rolled his eyes at me.
"I don't like using both straps..."
"Why?? That's how you're meant to do it!"
"I just don't like something against my back, okay!!"
"Surrree!!"
"Is this necessary..." Caleb mumbled and Alex pulled his crumb covered tongue out.
"Gross."
"What is this..." Alex wondered out loud as he walked over a large empty area.
"Um, Alex, I wouldn't do that if I were you..."
"What?"
"Are you an idi-"
"Eek!!" Alex squeeked as the fountains on the ground turned on all at once and I sighed.
"Great, now you're wet."
"What the fuck, they're practically hidden!! I've been tricked." He complained as he ran back to safety, and Caleb stared at the obvious holes in the ground with a raised brow.
"M'kay sweetie, you tell yourself that."
Alex pouted at me as Caleb smirked.
"Can we go get changed..."
"Where are you going to do that?"
"Idk, a shop?"
"You want to go all the way to a clothes shop just because you got your trousers wet?"
"Uh, yeah, it's cold."
"Hey!!" A voice made me jump, and Alex made a face at Nate Hunter and Zac as they approached.
"Fancy seeing you here." Zac commented as he grabbed me in an uncomfortable hug and I stepped away from him when he let me go.
"What...have you been doing...?" Hunter questioned when he looked at Alex and he sighed.
"Falling for booby traps." Caleb chuckled and I smirked.
"Ugh, I just want to get on that damn plane already." Nate sighed, and I bit my lip.
I wonder if this is one of the last times I'll be able to go back to England...
I'm from here, but it doesn't have the feeling of being home, so what's the point in being sentimental about it.
"We should head back to the meeting point. Don't want to stress the others out." I suggested and Zac pouted.
"No way, that's boring." He pulled his tongue out and I gave him a flat look.
"I'm going." I stated before turning around.
"Hey, Riley!" Alex complained before running after me.
"You don't seem to like Zac much." He commented after a few moments.
I looked back to see the others still hanging around the fountain. "Not really. It's... complicated." I frowned and he furrowed his brows.
"He's a prick..." He trailed off and I just walked in silence for a bit.
"Is there any chance I could, like, get changed in a shop, without you leaving me?" Alex asked as we walked through a mall area and I rolled my eyes.
"I won't leave you, knowing you you'd get arrested or lost or something."
"Uh, thanks, I guess." He snorted before skipping towards a branded shop.
I walked inside the quiet store while looking at it's retro décor curiously. Alex was jumping around looking at clothes. Obviously planning on changing into new trousers rather than just getting some out of his bag.
I gave him a look when he walked past me with bright green skinny jeans.
"What? Might as well." He defended before approaching the cashier.
I found myself tiredly staring at a large poster of a man obnoxiously smiling on a bike while Alex got changed.
The background isn't even in England...what is this advertising?
"Are you okay?" A male store worker asked me with a fake smile and I sniggered.
"Uh, yeah, sorry, lost in thought. I wasn't actually staring at that man..." I coughed. "Um, anyway." I made a face as I turned around.
Oops.
I walked up to the changing rooms and paced up and down for a minute until Alex finally came out.
"Ready to go now?" I asked and he smiled.
"Yep!" He chirped and I didn't waste any time in escaping.
"Hey, slow down..." Alex complained after he almost got pushed further away from me in the flow of people.
"Sorry, just, want to get this over with." I smiled.
"Don't you want to stay in England?"
"Not really, there's nothing for me here."
"Oh..." He chewed on the inside of his cheek. "I miss when we were here by ourselves.
"That was certainly more fun and peaceful that's for sure." I smirked. "Despite your best efforts."
"What? I can be peaceful!"
"Right, sure. When you're asleep."
"Welp, I did say people preferred me when I was asleep." He laughed, and I shook my head.
"I'm sure that's not actually true, you're fine the way you are."
"Hm, then why do you reject me?"
"Are we really bringing that up?"
"Why not?"
I sighed at him as we walked.
"Because I don't want to talk about it."
"But I don't want to just... forget about everything."
"Then don't."
"...Do you still have that Bandanna I bought you?"
"Yes, it's in my bag."
He smiled at me, and I started chewing on my lip.
This idiot...
---
We were the first ones at the meeting point, and Alex soon started to regret following me, as I just stood there tiredly daydreaming for a while.
Chance and Chester arrived first, and Chance suggested that we might as well get a taxi already to get it out of the way.
"Where are Luca and Aaron?" I wondered as he finished on the phone with the taxi company.
"I don't know, I'm pretty sure they didn't go off together though, unless they wanted a place to argue or something." Chester smirked and I gave him a look.
"Ew." Alex teased as the others came round the corner.
"I'm glad you didn't leave without us." Caleb smiled, while the other three argued about something.
"We're missing two." Hunter pointed out.
"Luca's just coming, Aaron says he'll meet us there."
"What's he off brooding by himself for?" Nate asked and I frowned.
My question exactly, for both of them.
I really hope I'm not the reason. I've already made Luca feel awful by being angry at him, I'd hate to think it's affected his relationship with his brothers as well.
"Go on you lot, get in." Chance insisted once a taxi arrived, and all of us but Chance, Hunter and Zac got in.
"This is going to be fun." Chester worried as we drove and I snickered.
"It's time for you to be the parental sibling, good luck." I teased and he made a face.
"Haha, not happening, if you get yourself lost or killed its your own fault."
"Oof." Alex commented earning an elbow jab from Nate.
-
"Alex, I swear to god!" Chester shouted through the crowd of the airport once we'd arrived.
I rolled my eyes as Alex pulled his tongue out and ran off towards a shop.
"There's plenty of time until the flight leaves, he should find us by then." I reassured, and Chester just glared after him.
"That annoying little brat." He sighed. "We'll just sit at a café before checking in and wait for the others." He suggested and Nate sighed.
"I hate airports."
The others got here ten minutes later, and we all stayed waiting for Aaron for a while.
He apologised for being late, and we checked in for our flight. Straight to Seattle. Definitely convenient they had a flight like that.
Of course waiting in the terminal was hell. Doing it with just Alex was bad enough, but now there was Alex and plenty of brothers to antagonize him in boredom.
No one was happy when Chance explained that this was a full flight, and there was no room for changing seats. We were all split up across the plane.
Personally I didn't mind sitting by myself, but Chance insisted he sat with me so we could talk about Matias's trial coming up.
Ugh.
I could've sworn both Aaron and Luca were avoiding me all day. Hey, maybe they'd finally decided that was the best option, less likely to get into a fight if they're not involved with me.
I frowned in displeasure as we all made our way to our seats, with Chance dragging me along to the back of the plane with him.
I hate the atmosphere. And the smell...
"You're not scared of flying are you?" He asked as he finished messing with his bag and sat down.
"No, are you?"
"I fly all the time, so no."
"Why?"
"Job related things." He said simply while looking at his phone. I glanced at the screen to see a complicated document with graphs and pie charts on it making me make a face and look away.
Nopeee.
"Does law really need all that, complicated shit?"
"What?" He chuckled in surprise at my question, despite his mood.
"You know, graphs..."
"This is the forensic evidence for a case I'm working on..."
"Ohh, right."
"Don't look at my phone." He narrowed his eyes and hid the screen from me, almost playfully.
"Don't worry, I can't read that language." I snickered and he frowned.
"It's in English...oh, I get it. You made a joke." He raised a brow at me and I nodded before laughing.
I stayed quiet as he continued to fiddle with his work, and stared out of the window.
It was a few hours into the flight when he decided to bring that subject up.
"Hey, Riley. I need to talk about a few things with you if that's okay." He said suddenly, making me sit up.
"What?" I asked lazily.
"Well." He sighed, making me frown. "We may need to contact a few people you used to know, and it's best if I know about a few things beforehand so we're not taken by surprise."
"What do you mean..."
"Well, the defending lawyer will be trying to dig up anything to invalidate your testimony. This means he'll look at things like your education, criminal record, medical history. Anything to make you seem unreliable."
"Oh, okay..." I sighed. "Great."
"Education wise there isn't much to say. I mean, you barely have any records... which is probably a bad thing."
"Are they going to say I'm too stupid to know what was going on?" I sniggered and he sighed.
"You have some written warnings, but nothing solid when it comes to your record. All juvenile, so they can't use it in a trail anyway." He seemed to be scrolling through a fact file about me.
"What is that?" I wondered.
"Oh, it's just a document with all my research."
"You've been researching me?"
"Yes, for the custody trial. I've added the investigation the police did as well."
"Okayyy." I chuckled awkwardly.
"You never told the hospital staff about where you got your injuries, did you..." He sighed.
"What, for recently? Yeah I did?"
"No, I mean, when you were younger."
"Um, no. Why would I do that? He threatened to cut my eyes out if anyone found out, so I opted out of that."
"Right..." He sighed.
"Why is that important?"
"Well, they'll use that case against you. They'll imply that the fact you didn't tell anyone what was going on meant that you wanted it to happen. Therefore meaning you were the one that initiated the interaction with Matias, because you wanted to do it."
"Gross. They're going to bring that up?" To be honest, the idea was too wild for it to sink in properly.
"Yes, they'll probably contact San Fransisco PD. And investigate it."
"What?? They'll contact them?? As in, let Finn know that I let it slip??"
"Yes, I'm sorry. They'll definitely be communicating with Julian Aicher and his son..."
"No way, can we drop the charges?" I worried.
"It's too late for that. And either way, your father is also pressing charges, for the divorce hearing, so it's not our choice."
I chewed on my lip anxiously.
Fuck.
"Now I want to go back to England..." I smirked sourly and he watched me in concern.
"Does he still scare you?"
"Definitely, he won't know where I live right?"
"I mean, it wouldn't be too hard to find out."
"Ahhaha, okay then." I made a face and turned around to stare out of the darkening window.
"You don't need to worry about that Riley, he can't contact you."
"Why not? It's not like I've pressed charges against him or anything. As far as the law knows we just used to be step brothers and that's it."
"There'll be an open investigation about him though." He sighed. "So you never contacted the police, or anyone?"
"No, no one ever knew." I exhaled sharply. "Until now."
"So there's no evidence?"
"Well, there may be some in the hospital, but I doubt they kept it all."
"It all?"
"Well, I went there a lot." I took a moment to think. "Maybe the nurse I always used to be treated by could say something. But it wouldn't be very reliable."
"So there's someone who knew about it?"
"In a way, I never told her who it was. She wasn't allowed to say anything, patient confidentiality."
"If it was life endangering she could."
"If I was too seriously injured he'd get one of his dodgy friends to treat me. He knew how the system worked. The nurse only ever saw minor injuries, well, the fresh ones at least."
"She still could have said something..." He frowned.
"Don't blame the nurse, it was her job to make me trust her, and I asked her not to say anything. She did the right thing, at the time. And it's not like she didn't care."
I still feel guilty about what I put that woman through...
She'd always look so sad when I came through those doors yet again.
Strange, I forget her name...
"I'll see what we can dig up." He sighed with a frown. "I'm sorry, Riley." He apologised making me give him a look.
"Don't pity me." I complained.
"I mean, about, what I have done. I should have treated you better."
"Well, true, but my past doesn't make a difference, either way you should have."
"You're right, and I'm sorry about that."
"Hm." I rolled my eyes and stared out the window again, although all I could really see by now was mine and his reflection.
I watched his reflection look at me guiltily before he sighed and put his phone away.
"What time will it be when we arrive?" I wondered.
"We get to the airport by 2 AM PST. We should be home by 3.30."
"Ew." I commented while cringing and he snickered.
"Jet lag will be tough, but at least it won't be in the middle of the day. This way we can just have a lie in and sleep it off."
"Right, sleep." I sighed, deciding to start setting up my new phone.
Once I put my old SIM in it I actually got a few notifications coming in all at once, which was weird...
I frowned at all the notifications from one unfamiliar number, then clicked on my conversation with Joe, the kid I met in Chester's office a while ago.
We didn't really communicate all that much after that, but we did share some texts.
He basically asked if I was the reason Chester hadn't been there for ages. He said all that he was told is that he had family matters in England, and he remembered I was British. That's very observant to be honest...
The final notification was him saying he was an idiot for not realising I wouldn't be using this number, and that was it.
I smirked to myself before sending a reply, then scrolled down my other notifications.
Lots of voicemails from one number, but the voicemails were one second long and silent.
Okay, that's not creepy.
I decided to block the number and forget about it, texting Erin.
: On my way back :) see you sometime?
The reply came only a few minutes later.
Erin: !!!! Yes!! When will you be back I'll see you straight away.
: 3 AM.
Erin: .... I'll see you tomorrow afternoon maybe.
: I thought you'd say that.
I smiled before putting the phone away.
"Where did you get that?" Chance asked after a few moments.
"Chester gave me it." I explained simply.
"Oh, okay..." He frowned before sitting back and staring down the aisle.
This darkness makes me sleepy...
-
To say things were hectic when we arrived was an understatement. The airport was relatively quiet seeing as how early it was, but it didn't stop Alex and Zac arguing while we were going through security.
And then arguing at baggage claim, and while waiting for a taxi.
It didn't surprise me that Aaron made them split up on the way to the house. He made sure Alex was in the taxi with Caleb and I, begrudgingly asking Luca to join us as well.
Despite Alex, the ride was silent. The driver didn't say anything. I mean, I wouldn't be very friendly at 3 in the morning either.
Alex just tapped his foot and hummed to himself.
We were the second group to arrive, with Hunter, Nate and Chester still to come.
It was all dark until all the lights in the house turned on at once, and I cringed at the brightness.
"Ugh, dying..." Alex complained, and I was about to reply until I was absolutely scared shitless by a bird coming out of the dark.
"Fuck, Ana, of course." I chuckled awkwardly when I realised what was happening. She was trying to perch on my arm, but became confused when I just wildely flailed it about.
"I'm surprised it remembers you." Zac commented and I gave him a flat look.
"Omg, can I hold her." Caleb smiled happily, and I chuckled.
"Sure, just hold your arm out, she'll jump over." I explained, and it took a few moments for her to understand what I wanted and swap arms.
"Be careful, she does scratch...a lot."
"Oh, I know, I've held her before."
"You should really have a falconers glove." Luca sighed and I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah sorry, didn't exactly have the resources to get my hands on one of those."
I smiled at her as she screeched loudly.
"Wow yeah, so cute." Zac complained while covering his ears and I just ignored him. "Time for bed..." He said before leaving, while Alex and Caleb fussed over the falcon.
Please don't attack them... haha...
"Come on you lot, inside." Luca insisted while the last taxi pulled up.
Caleb pouted when Anatara flew off after something, before yawning.
"I can't wait to get in my bed." He sighed with a smile.
"You know you lot are going to school tomorrow right." Chester teased, probably, as we walked in through the door.
"Ahhaha, fucking hilarious." Nate grumbled, dragging his bag aggressively behind him.
"I think I'm still suspended..." I bit my lip, making Luca sigh yet again.
"I'm going to bed." He mumbled before climbing the stairs.
Yikes...
"Hopefully everyone will have better moods in the morning." Chester smiled, before sighing. "Back to work for me though...."
"That's a shame, I'll try to remember you with a good mood." I teased and he smirked.
"Please do."
"Mhm, okay, bed time." Alex stated before stomping up the stairs.
I bit my lip as I looked at Aaron and Chance having a conversation in the kitchen, before deciding to just go to my room.
I sat down on the bed, and let out a breath as I looked around the room.
Well, back again. It's not like I actually thought I'd permanently left though...
I chewed on my lip while looking anxiously around. I don't exactly feel comfortable in here, it just reminds me of not so pleasant past events...
I really need to get some sleep though...
I can't rely on Aaron, especially now he's trying to avoid me. Well, at least it seems that way.
"Hmm." I mumbled to myself before standing up and locking the door. I dumped my bag down near the nightstand before gathering the quilt and pillow up.
I walked into the bathroom before placing my stuff down in the tub, and locking the bathroom door.
Yep, I'm going this far.
This is stupid.
Fuck you, brain, you're a paranoid hoe.
Welp, if there's a tornado in the night I'd survive so that's good at least.
....Ugh.
Hello America, thrilled to be back.
---
You know, I actually like sleeping with quilts in a tub, it feels secure and cozy. Lol
I really hope wattpad let's people see this chapter, kind of sad to think no one can read it, especially after coming this far ;-;