"Um..." I just blinked, unable to comprehend what the hell was going on, as Chance walked over to speak with the rest of the brothers.

Luca just crossed his arms and looked at me, almost like he was staring me down. I could swear I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my forehead, but it's a bit too cold out here for that.

I glanced at Alex and met his eyes, giving him a few looks in which he responded with his own in some kind of conversation. Going along the lines of 'WE'RE DEAD' and 'I KNOW RIGHT'.

"Alex, why don't you go put that horse back in its field?" Chester interrupted us with a forced smile and Alex laughed awkwardly.

"Good idea." He said before turning Ziathe around and walking away from us. 

....

And then it was silent.

Wow, this is awkward.

"Um, well. Have fun?" I said while rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly and stepping away from them.

Luca looked frustrated that I was leaving,  but seemed to hold back from bossing me around.

Aw, is he trying to be nicer this time round?

I just walked over to Layla who was leaning against the fence and stood next to her in silence.

"So. Lively step-family you have!" She eventually commented.

"Right?"

"You going over to say hello?"

"...In a minute."

"Aw, didn't know you were shy?"

"I'm not shy."

"Aww do they make you self-conscious? Adorable"

"Shut up, I'm just traumatized."

I looked over to them again to see Alex talking to them. Their interaction didn't seem to be that warm however, as they all had their arms crossed or were facing away from him.

Don't tell me they're angry at him?

Alex didn't seem fazed in the slightest however, and eventually just skipped over to us.

"Haha they hate me." He exclaimed with an exaggerated smile before randomly hugging me.

Um...

"Are you okay?" I eventually asked when he leaned against me instead of letting go and he chuckled.

"I'm being spiteful, I mean they're obviously jealous" He explained making me bite my lip.

"Damn, can't we all try to have more peaceful interactions this time?" I asked hopefully and he started laughing.

"Um, you can try?" He moved away then looked over to them before smiling again.

"See they glared at me."

"Are you a masochist?"

"...Um, what's going on?" Layla asked, confused.

"Good question." I replied with a sigh and Alex snickered.

"Familyyy troublesss. Oh. Wait...that'd be incest." He commented making me slap the back of his head and give him a look.

"Ohhh shhhii..." She exclaimed and I huffed.

"No it's not what he just made you think."

"It's not?" He continued to tease.

"You can stop that now." I said through gritted teeth and he just chuckled.

"Do you think I'm scaring them off from coming over?" She asked and I snickered.

"I don't think any of them are the type to be intimidated by strangers."

"Nah they are probably thinking Riley is angry at them so won't approach, which he should be."

"Me? Angry at them?"

"Yes, being angry at people, you should try it out sometime."

"For what reason?"

"...Don't answer that." I said after he raised a brow at me. "I wouldn't be angry for something like that, we're all at fault."

"What?! You're not even angry at Chance?!"

"Well,  I'm sure he was just letting the blood rush to his head too much. That atmosphere would've made anyone snap. Plus I wasn't exactly helping the situation." I excused and he huffed dramatically at me.

"Oh you smol weakling!" He commented and I raised a brow at him.

"Um, excuse me?"

"Don't worry, I'll protect you in the future." He said and patted my shoulder making me frown at him.

"What?"

"Alex!" Someone exclaimed before a small white cardboard box was thrown in our direction. It hit and bounced off of his forehead before I caught it.

"Your pills." I stated before shoving them into his hands as he still had yet to process what was going on.

I looked over to the person who threw it to see Aaron, Nate and Hunter walking up to us. Aaron had his hair up in the cutest, bouncy high ponytail making me smile at him.

"That's adorable" I commented and flicked at it as soon as they were close enough, making him smile and quirk his eyebrow slightly.

Wasn't expecting that reaction to be honest, thought Aaron tended to be one of the more grumpy brothers? Speaking of which, he appears to have changed a lot, with a new unshaven look as well, and a few inches of undyed black hair at his roots.

"Could say the same about that actually." He commented as he tugged at my bandanna making me chuckle and blush slightly. I really need to take that off.

"'Hey guys!' 'Nice to see you again guys.' 'oh how's your life been guys?'" Nate said what must have been things he was implying I should have said and I smirked.

"Ah, yeah, hi."

"Had a nice break from us?" Aaron asked with a passive smile and I smirked.

"It was great!" Alex commented, making Hunter and especially Nate glare at him.

"Yes, speaking of which, we need to talk Alex." Aaron said and Alex chuckled awkwardly.

"Right..."

"Why are you covered in rainbows and flags anyway?" Hunter asked both of us and I smiled.

"We went to a pride day." I explained and Nate continued to glare at Alex.

"Wow. Well I'm glad you had fun. Meanwhile..." He complained and I bit my lip.

"You need to break that habit. Your lip is starting to scar." Aaron pointed out and I looked away awkwardly to notice Layla just standing there in silence.

"Oh. This is Layla by the way, she's a childhood friend." I introduced and Aaron and Hunter smiled at her politely while Nate was still busy sharing dirty looks with Alex.

"Hey there, sorry for the intrusion, I'm sure we're all a bit overwhelming." Aaron greeted and she smiled.

"Doesn't bother me. I'm sure Matías's feathers are a bit ruffled though." She commented with an amused chuckle.

"My father's partner." I clarified when Aaron seemed a bit lost and he gave a nod of understanding.

"It's getting seriously cold." Hunter commented and tried to huddle into his hoodie a bit more.

"Let's go inside then, I'm now really tired." I commented while trying to hold back a yawn.

"That's a good point actually, we're all jet-lagged; it will be a while before we're tired."

"Great." I grumbled before turning around and making my way towards the house, which was now lit up with warm yellow lighting.

Wow, this turned into a really tiring, and eventful day. And it's probably not over yet.