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Literally been on the last few paragraphs for a week, but the new year has been so fuckin busy my gods people.

Anyway not proof read because nowadays that's just how my lazy ass rolls m'kay.

--

"Riley!!" A loud voice and a bang woke me up with a start the next day, and I practically jumped out of the bathtub.

I took a few moments to work out where the hell I even was, and the banging continued.

"Why is the door locked??" Chance's voice demanded from outside of my room.

"Oh, shit, hang on a sec!" I called before unlocking the bathroom door and the main door to my room.

Chance looked around the room then at me, blinking in confusion.

"Why...why are you...what?" He frowned and I just smiled.

"What's wrong?"

"...Don't lock the door, it makes me worry." He said and I bit my lip.

"Sorry, I'll make sure to tell you next time."

"...You're in the same clothes as yesterday." He pointed out. "And where are your bedsheets?"

"Oh, I forgot to get undressed, tired, you know...." I clicked my tongue. "What did you want?"

He sighed at me. "Um, your mother should be arriving soon, I thought you might want a warning."

"Oh. Great..."

"Yeah, how about you have a shower and get changed into clean clothes?"

"Yep, will do." I sighed before turning around, and he stayed at the doorway for a few more moments before leaving.

Great...

-

I went downstairs as soon as I had showered and changed. Only a few brothers were up, I'm guessing Chance only succeeded in raising a few people from their lie ins.

I avoided most of them, and just sat in the living room with Caleb.

He seemed to be doing homework, which was commendable, really.

The sound of tires on the gravel outside made my stomach leap, and Caleb look up from his work.

He frowned. "It's a shame, but I really don't want to see my father." He chuckled, and I sighed.

"Parents suck."

A few moments later the door banged open obnoxiously. "Where is he!?" A feminine voice demanded and I rolled my eyes.

Of course she chooses the angry reaction.

I wasn't exactly hiding, and she spotted me a second later, approaching with such a fury that it took all I had not to leg it out of there.

I stood up and crossed my arms as she glared at me. She looked to Caleb, then to Luca who'd followed her, before putting on a smile.

Of course, she couldn't have even her new husband's children slightly suspecting she was anything but an innocent loving wife. So she had to put on the nice act.

"Aha, Riley, my boy. So glad you're safe." She said awkwardly, before making me flinch when she suddenly grabbed me in a hug.

What the fuck...

I cringed at the strong smell of perfume, and she gripped my shoulders aggressively when she pulled back.

Ow...

"I'm disappointed you decided to visit your... pathetic excuse of a father." She said through gritted teeth, her makeup covered blue eyes staring me down as she dug her nails in.

"I'm so glad you're home now though." She snapped out of it and remembered where she was. "And I'm so sorry we couldn't make it to the hearing, my poor baby..." She patted my cheek as I stared at her flatly.

Caleb just made an awkward face before deciding to pick up his pen and carry on with his work. Luca however, watched her like a hawk.

"It's nice to see you again, mother." I forced myself to say and gave her a fake smile.

"Of course!" She beamed, before turning around. "Where's Andrew ran off to?"

I can tell she's going to unleash her wrath if she finds me alone any time...

A man I didn't recognise appeared at the doorway a second later. His face was flat and passive, with a light scruffy beard and platinum blonde hair. He had green eyes just like Luca, but by just looking at him I could tell their personalities were worlds apart.

"I can see this place is as chaotic as when I left it." He commented as he scanned the room, before his eyes landed on me.

"This is your son? Interesting..." He frowned, before seemingly losing interest the next second.

Wow, what an impressive attention span.

"Where is Chester?" He blinked, asking no one in particular.

"You just missed him, he went to the office." Chance explained as he walked in behind him.

They regarded each other like strangers.

"Shame, I had some things to discuss with him..." He trailed off. "I'm hungry. It's been a long day." He suddenly turned around and left.

It's 10 AM....is that man okay??

Yikes.

"Lovely." My mother smiled, finding the cold interactions the man had with his children nothing out of the ordinary.

"Clarisse!" The older man's voice called and my mother clapped her hands together.

"Excuse me." She said before she left.

"Welp..." Caleb chuckled awkwardly.

"I don't mean to be rude." I started. "But I'm unsure how that man became a multimillionaire?"

"Inheritance." Luca smirked, before turning and leaving as well.

"Everyone's usually happier when Andrew is staying at his penthouse in the city..." Caleb sighed.

"He has a separate home??"

"Yeah, he doesn't like living with children."

"But you're his children??"

"Yeah..." He bit his lip. "I can't say much, I've only known him a few years."

"Well, I'm glad he didn't abandon you all at least..."

"Uh, yeah. We do get his money...and a house."

That is so strange...this family is so strange.

Well, it's not like I can say much...

I really want to go see Erin. I wish going into town was easier. Well, I could walk, but that would take a very long time...

-

"Riley, I have an appointment with your principal today to talk about your suspension and...everyone else's lack of attendance." Chance sighed as he walked back in the room after several minutes. "Do you want to come? It isn't necessary, but maybe you have something to say to... justify your behaviour, or, something." He seemed distracted.

"Um, I think I'll pass. But, could I drive with you into town?" I wondered.

"Okay, if you want." He narrowed his eyes. "As long as you plan on coming back."

"I'm just going to see Erin." I smirked.

"Oh right. That makes sense. Of course. I just need some breakfast, and then we'll go, alright?" He smiled before turning around and leaving.

"... Our father's presence tends to make the house atmosphere a bit tense." Caleb sighed. "...I think I'll go do this in my room."

"Right, see you later..." I smiled before getting my phone out.

: I'm on my way into town, are you around?

I sighed before walking around the house a little. Everything was almost the same as the day I left it.

I smirked at the new empty picture frame covering where I punched a hole in the wall.

Erin: o!!1 yh I had an early morning app but I'm on the bus back now, see u in twn??

Pardon...?

: Er, sure? Appointment? at the Hospital?

"Riley, come on." Chance's voice called unenthusiastically from out in the hallway as I heard some keys jangling.

"Coming!"

-

Chance certainly took his time driving into town. He was obviously in a bad mood, and glared at the road.

I had to text Erin to wait for me after he arrived first, and he sent me a sad face, before saying he had Delilah along for emotional support.

Emotional support...to talk to me? Why?

I don't really want to talk to a stranger, but I didn't want to be rude, so I said it was okay.

"You know you're taking the long way right?" I asked while tapping my foot.

His sharp blue eyes snapped to me with a frown still on his features making me break into a sweat.

Don't kill me...

"Sorry, I'm just not in the mood to talk to an irritating old man." He sighed.

"Understandable..."

"Oh, you don't want dropping off at the school do you, should I go into the town centre?"

"No it's fine. I'll walk."

"Okay..." He sighed before it descended into silence again.

I got out as soon as he pulled up at the school. It was busy inside, reminding me it was just an ordinary school day that the brothers are missing, and have missed for a week, because of me.

"I'll pick you up again." Chance stated, and I opened my mouth to protest, before hesitating.

"Okay." I gave in when he stared at me flatly, and he smiled.

"Great." He said before just turning and leaving.

Okay...

I quickly walked past the school and towards the town. The weather was a bit breezy and cold, making me regret wearing a relatively thin hoodie....

It was easy to notice Erin and his new friend once I got there. Not only because the girl was in a wheelchair, but because they were the only adolescents in town on a school day.

Which made me wonder why she was here... surely she has school too.

She had dark hair and eyes, with hipster glasses and a knitted jacket. I was definitely thinking Latino heritage, she was also patriotic with American flag wheel covers. Nice.

Erin was wearing a beanie and thick clothing, making it hard to tell how he was doing physically.

Not the time to suddenly get shy...

I sighed before approaching them, Erin was looking the other way, but the girl was watching me, probably wondering if I was the person Erin was talking about.

I smiled at her and she pulled on Erin's sleeve.

"...Hey..." Was all I could manage when Erin's eyes snapped to mine.

He wasn't as apprehensive however and squeeked before tackling me in a hug.

"Oh my god!!" He wailed and I blinked in shock.

Well, he certainly has more energy than before...

"I missed you so much!!" He snuggled against me obnoxiously making me give a light chuckle despite my mood.

"...Are you okay?" He wondered as he stepped back.

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine, sorry. Just tired. We got back pretty late last night." I smiled, and he beamed back at me.

He was very pale, with pale lips and eyes. And that beanie wasn't fooling anyone. But he seemed happy, hopeful.

"Oh, right, sorry, how rude of me." He suddenly stepped back. "This is Delilah my friend I told you about, I was at her appointment and we we're riding back together, sorry about that." He smiled and presented his friend.

She smiled at me shyly and I nodded at her.

"It's nice to finally meet you." She said, her voice was raw and small, like it wasn't used often.

"You too." I smiled, looking back to Erin unsurely.

"So, how was England?" He asked with a smile.

"Cold, wet. Green." I chuckled and he narrowed his eyes.

"Huh, sounds kinda like Washington to me."

"Yeah, kinda does. A bit different though."

I looked to Delilah awkwardly again, and she eventually coughed to get Erin's attention.

"My mom just text saying I need to get back." She said as she released the brakes of her chair, and Erin pouted.

"Aw, okay." He looked at me nervously before smiling at her. "Bye."

She looked back at me as she wheeled away and I smiled at her.

Thanks.

"Well..."

"Any chance we could move from the centre of the street?" I wondered.

"Oh, right, yeah."

-

We ended up having awkward small talk till we got to the local park. Erin seemed a little distant and different to me, but it could just as easily be me. I felt a hesitation when talking to him, like I was doing something wrong.

"So, you seem alright." He suddenly said after a painful conversation about the greenness of grass had ended, and I frowned.

"Uh, yeah?"

"Well, you know, Alex seemed to act like something was up with you."

Damnit, of course, Alex.

"Well, it's just been a tough few weeks is all." I said, watching my feet.

"Right..." He sighed, coming to a stop. "Are your family not very nice?" He asked, and I looked at him.

"Well, my biological ones aren't, but that's something you can relate to." I said and he gave me a sympathetic smile.

"Then you can always hope to find one later." He said and I sniggered.

"Right, they just won't be in parent form."

"What about financial support? Something to fall back on."

"I mean, I technically still have parents, I just have to behave a certain way to keep them. If I want my mother's support it's very unstable and I have to support her back. And if I want my father's I have to do what he wants, which really isn't a preferred option."

"Why? What does he want?"

"Me to stay in England, and marry someone who can run his business into the family. I guess."

"Gross."

"Exactly."

"So, if you stay here you won't have any support?"

"No...I guess not."

"So you could really do with the money more than me. To be honest."

"Um, no. That's your money."

"But what are you going to do? Follow your mother when she moves again? Or stay with the brothers?"

I sighed. "I don't know...I guess I'll get a job, and try support myself."

"Yikes. You might want to pay attention in class then."

"Yeah...I think that ship has sailed. I'll just get a low skilled job."

"Wow, great aspirations."

"Well, I'm just happy to be alive, to be honest."

"Mood." He chuckled. "Oh, speaking of being alive. I'll probably start going back to school soon." He smiled.

"What? Already? Are you sure you want to do that..."

"Yeah, sure!"

"Well okay then. If you really want to be around people that much..."

"What's up with you? You used to be fine around people!"

"What? I'm fine..."

"No way, you're super anxious, you wouldn't even talk when Delilah was here, you used to be fine with strangers." He sighed heavily then frowned at me. "Something happened in England that you're not telling me. Something bad."

"Well, there was a trial for my parental custody that my mother didn't show up for. That was bad."

"Uhh, what." He blinked.

"... you don't know about this?"

"Well you did text but I didn't really think about it too deeply until now..
" He said with narrowed eyes. "...how are you here if your mother didn't show up."

"We won the trial anyway."

"What...how."

"My father's a shitty parent."

"Seriously? That's it?"

"...and other things."

"Right, bad things....that you aren't talking about." He pushed and I exhaled sharply.

"I'm not sure I ...ever want to talk about them." I said and he frowned at me before slowing to a stop. I turned and looked back at him.

"There are some pretty dark things running through my head. Like, I have no idea what happened, but it wasn't good, and you're worrying me." He said seriously.

"Look, it's nothing you need to worry about. It's over and done. Just, getting that money was a little more... consequence heavy than I let on, okay."

"What do you mean... I'm sorry." He seemed guilty.

"It's not your fault, obviously, I was doing that despite you telling me not to so it is in no way your fault."

"I still don't understand, did you get arrested? Your relationship was already bad with your father so it couldn't have been that..."

I sighed. He obviously wasn't going to let it go. "Just..." I looked around us for anyone close by, then quietened my voice. "My father's husband didn't exactly have the best reaction to it, well, ex husband, now."

"What?? He ... attacked you? You don't have any obvious injuries..." He paled. "Wait, what?? I'm seriously coming to dark conclusions right now Riley!"

"Well then you're probably right..." I said, staring down at the grass.

"Riley..." He choked, seemingly upset, and I eventually looked up at him to see him staring at me in distress.

"It's fine now...it's behind." I said awkwardly as he struggled to process it.

"He raped you???"

"Woah, could you not call it that..."

"But that's what is??! Riley... I....I can't believe I let this happen." He crouched on the ground and put his hands over his face dramatically. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"If you dare blame yourself for that I'll slap you. It's no one's fault but the two individuals involved. Okay." I stated, staring up at the sky.

I squeeked when he suddenly leaped up and tackled me into a hug.

"O-okay...." I blinked as he squeezed hard and breathed heavily.

He stayed silent, and I frowned as I felt his heart beating rapidly against his chest.

"Are you real..." He mumbled and I raised I brow.

"I fucking hope so."

"If it weren't for your swearing I'd think you're an angel."

"Erin..." I sighed.

"You've gone through so much for me." He choked, and I felt my face grow hot. "Thank you...I don't understand how you're so amazing."

Cough, um, well..."I think you're one of the only people that have that opinion..."

"I've done nothing for you, you've had to look after me from day one..." He sniffled, still gripping me dramatically in a hug. "I grew up around horrible people. And then first my foster parents come along despite me being recently diagnosed, and then you..." He exhaled.

Um..

"I love you." He said and I gulped.

Awkward thing to say while clinging tightly to my neck...

"I don't mean to make you uncomfortable by saying that, I've accepted that you don't feel the same way... especially after your trip to England...I kind of lost you. I knew that, as soon as I found out Alex went with you, I knew my chance had gone..." He sighed against me, and I listened while staring at the trees.

"I could have tried harder to stop you going. But I didn't, because I did want you to go, I know that deep down I did want that money, because I was scared. Of course I was. And a normal friend would have given up on me as soon as I told you not to go. But you went anyway. You risked so much for me, and you suffered so much for me...I wouldn't be here without you. I depend on you so much, I feel so bad about it."

"I depend on people too Erin. So much, it makes me feel like shit. I had to give back by doing something for you. I'm no angel, and I'm not an amazing person, I just did something for someone else for a change rather than just relying on people."

"No. That's not true. What you did is far beyond simple ethics and owed favours. I think you can rely on people and do nothing for the rest of your life and it wouldn't make up for what you did for me."

"Erin, that's a bit of an exaggeration." I smiled.

He sighed, and then moved back, standing closely infront of me. He looked solemn.

"I started hiding it, because I felt it was my new reality. But now it's not, it's just temporary." He said and I frowned, slightly confused. "Cancer treatment takes it's toll, man, I don't know how older people and children get through it. I have so many random bruising, and I can't sleep. I'm so tired, and I need to pee all the time. I hate that one. Of course there's also the alopecia which was a big deal at first...but I can get over it now."

I blinked at him. Holy shit...

He smiled at me before, grabbing at his beanie. "You were the last person I thought I'd show this to." He said as he slid it off, revealing very freshly grown and short hair. I gulped down the ball in my throat.

He smiled at me. "It's okay now." He said, laughing. "I'm going to be okay." I stared at him blankly, not

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