WILLOW'S POV

I was woken up by a thudding on my bedroom door but it wasn't clear because I was in Charlie's room. When we got home from the Arcade and our impromptu picnic at the park, sneaky Charlie has talked me into playing fortnite with him. We ended up passing out on his bed as I didn't have the energy to make it to mine.

I was about to get out of bed and go see who was waking us up so early when the knock transferred to Charlie's bedroom door. My angry looking mother burst into the room before I could even invite her in. Her eyes zeroed on me shooting daggers as if she could bore a hole through me.

"Why aren't you sleeping in your room?"She screeched hands on her waist.

I wasn't going to give her an explanation so I just have her a blank stare in reply. She hadn't bothered with us for two days so why would I care explaining myself to her.

"Don't you dare ignore me young lady?"She scolded.

I rolled my eyes at her wondering why she picking a fight with me so early in the morning. I was grateful that Charlie was a heavy sleeper otherwise he would wake up all cranky from his interrupted sleep.

"Why are you here so early?"I asked looking at the alarm to see that it was nine am.

"It's already mid morning. Get your ass out of bed, we have guests coming over for lunch."She demanded.

"We haven't even had breakfast yet and you're already making lunch plans?"I asked shocked.

"It's not my fault you two are lazy. Now make sure you dress decently and cover up your tattoos. I don't want you embarrassing me to our guests."She continued.

"We're not attending your pompous lunch with some pretentious family you're trying to impress."I declared rebelliously.

My mom's eyes narrowed to a slit as she glared at me. She hated it when I defied her which I did a lot. I got my way most of the time but with her stance and heavy breathing, I knew I was going to loose this round.

"Yes you will young lady. Don't make me ask you again or I will make your life in this house hell. You will not embarrass me."She yelled.

Charlie stirred and I knew it would take one more screaming match to wake him. I held myself back knowing I had to pick and choose my battles. It was just one simple lunch anyway of playing the perfect family. How bad could it be?

"Fine we'll be there."I mumbled.

She grinned like a Cheshire cat happy to have gotten her way before turning on her heel and walking out of the room. I fell back on the bed already feeling drained from that interaction with her.

Charlie stirred again and his eye's fluttered open a few seconds later.

"Why are you up bud? It's still early."I whispered.

"I heard yelling in my dream."He mumbled.

I was not going to tell him that it had been real. He already knew his mom was a monster, no need to emphasize that point.

"Why don't you get a few more minutes of sleep while I go get us something to eat for breakfast. What do you want?"I asked feeling myself crave some waffles.

"Waffles."He replied.

"Just read my mind kid. Get some sleep, I'll be back with waffles soon."I said kissing his forehead.

I went to the bathroom first to pee and brush my teeth before going to the kitchen to get us breakfast. There were a few maids in there already preparing lunch. They ignored me and I them so we all kept out of each others way as I did my thing. My mom had probably already incited them against me from the disgusted looks they were giving me but I didn't care. They were insignificant in my life anyway and their opinion didn't matter.

After I made waffles with a side of fruit, syrup and whipped cream I carried it back to Charlie's bedroom. We had breakfast together before I cleaned up both our messes and helped Charlie get ready for the day. I was combing his hair when I decided to tell him about the lunch we were being forced to attend.

"Bud there's something I need to tell you."I started struggling with a knot in his hair.

"Are we going back to the Arcade?"He asked excitedly.

"No, I mean, yes, maybe, not today though. That's not what I want to talk to you about."I continued.

"What is it?"He inquired.

Charlie didn't do so well with grown-ups,he was shy about his wheelchair and condition because they asked too many questions that he couldn't answer. He had taken a liking to Jack but only because he had been in his element there so I hadn't been worried. Lunch with whoever was coming was not going to be as easy as meeting Jack. My mom only sought out friendship with the most important of people so whoever was coming to lunch had to be someone important.

"Mom has guests coming over for lunch."I informed him.

"Do we have to go?" He asked me cutting me off.

"I don't like this any more than you do Charlie but yes. It's only for a little while then you and I can do whatever you want."I proposed.

"Fortnite?"He suggested looking at me hopefully.

"We played fortnite for hours last night."I argued.

He jutted his lower lip out and I knew there was no need to argue anymore. Charlie knew I couldn't resist his pouty face.

"We'll play fortnite."I promised him.

He cheered victoriously but his face fell a second later.

"What's wrong bud? We can okay something else maybe DnD or Call Of Duty."I suggested hoping to turn his frown upside down but it didn't work.

"It's not that. What if they don't like me or make fun of me?"He asked looking on the verge of tears.

My heart broke for my little brother. It was true that some adults could be insensitive and a few of my mom's past friends had made fun of his condition. It made me want to go back and punch all of them. It was a different time and new town though so I had to cast away those thoughts and find a way to calm Charlie otherwise he wouldn't even want to attend lunch yet I had promised that we would.

"I can't promise that everyone will be nice to you but I can give you my word on one thing. I will be there to defend you and put anyone who messes with you back in their place. Remember its just me and you. Forever and Always."I promised holding out my pinkie for him.

He smiled tears still moist with tears as he joined his pinky with mine. We both kissed our thumbs sealing that promise.

"Forever and always."He echoed back.

"And besides it will be their loss as they will be missing out on knowing the most amazing kid in the whole world."I added smothering his face with kisses until he begged me to stop.

"I love you sissy."He breathed once I stopped torturing him with kisses.

"I love you more Charlie."I smiled.

After our little intimate moment I helped him get dressed in a white shirt and some khakis before leaving him on his own for a while to get ready.

After my shower I stood naked in front of my full length mirror in my closet wondering what to wear. My mom wanted me to cover my tattoos but I was feeling rebellious. There was nothing wrong with my tattoos anyway, I personally loved them and Charlie said they made me look cool like one of his online gaming characters. I had quite a few on my arms, torso and thighs.

After I put on my underwear I realized that as much as I wanted to rebel against my mom she could actually deliver on her promise to make our lives hell. I could handle whatever she dished out but Charlie was still fragile. With my little brother in mind I chose a cropped long sleeved checked top and a matching high waisted skirt. Completing the look with a pair of black boots I put on my make up next. I didn't have it in me to tame my unruly curls so I just let them be.

After I was done getting ready I joined Charlie in his room and we played Mario Kart for a while before my mom called for us, more liked yelled but whatever.

We found her in the living room yelling orders to the maids wanting everything to be perfect. She was definitely dressed for the occasion in a floral floor length dress. My mom did know how to dress her body well enough to hide the ugly inside.

"You two look...." She trailed off as she inspected us both.

I was waiting for her to say something nasty to us. If she did I would change into a bikini and put Charlie in swim shorts to see what she would say about that. I had on more layers than I normally did and all my tattoos were covered so she had better watch her words.

"Presentable. That'll do."She finalized meaning we had gotten her approval.

Before she could say anything more there was a loud noise in the kitchen followed by a lot of cussing.

"Damn those maids. What are they up-to now?"My mom cussed walking towards the kitchen mumbling to herself.

"Charlie why don't we watch some TV for the time being."I suggested to him.

"Okay."He nodded taking the remote and turning the TV on.

He randomly chose a movie that I wasn't concentrating on as I was too lost in my thoughts. I was worried about starting a new school term in a new school. I was more worried for Charlie but he seemed to have an easier time making friends in the new town than I was. I wanted a stress free school year where I'd just concentrate on my studies, getting a new job and making plans of the future for Charlie and I.

My thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. I looked towards the kitchen hoping my mom heard it but when she didn't come out I decided to go see who it was. Charlie was too engrossed in his movie to even hear the door.

I gave myself a once over to make sure that I looked okay before opening the door. The welcoming smile I'd plastered on fell as soon as I saw who was on the other side of the door.

"You?!"I exclaimed shocked.

He must definitely be crazy if he thought I was going to allow him into the house. Why was he stalking me?

"Hello sunshine. Miss me?"Matthew grinned and I resisted the urge to punch his teeth out of his mouth.

"Don't call me that. What are you doing here anyway?"I asked arms crossed over my chest.

"Didn't your mom tell you. My family was to join yours for lunch."He answered.

My jaw fell on the floor. I had no idea that my mom's guests were our next door neighbors. If I had known I would have resisted harder against joining them.

"No need to drool all over me sweetheart, all you have to do is say the word and I'm yours."Matthew said with a wink.

"Ewh, gross. In your dreams."I retorted.

I noticed someone behind him before we could exchange any more words. When she came into view I realized it must have been his mom for they had the same blue eyes and tan. She was blonde though so he must have gotten his hair from his dad. I was proven right when his dad walked behind her talking on the phone. He was just as tall as Matthew with dark hair, brown eyes and same body build.

"Hello darling, you must be Willow. Your mom told me all about you when we met yesterday. I'm Sophia and this is my husband Hunter. I see you've already met my son Matthew. "She introduced in her over cheery voice.

"It's so nice to meet you all. Come in."I welcomed shaking their hands after picking up my fake smile from the floor.

It was clear they were a dysfunctional family which meant lunch was going to be a long one. My mom was already in the living roomy when we all walked in there.

"Sophia welcome."My mom greeted matching her new friend's cheery voice.

"Thank you. I brought a lasagna."Sophia replied handing my mom the dish.

"Awe you didn't have to but thank you."My mom said handing over the tray to one the maids.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Mayor. Welcome to my home."My mom said holding out her hand for Hunter.

I called it when I said my mom only sought out friendship with important people. Now it all made sense why we were having them over for lunch. Hunter was the mayor of Crescent.

"Call me Hunter please and its a pleasure to meet you."Hunter responded shaking her hand.

My mom nodded her head politely with a smile.

"And you must be Matthew, so nice to meet you. Your mom speaks highly of you. You are a very handsome young man."My mom praised Matthew and I held back a gag.

"You are very beautiful as well ma'am, definitely not old enough to have a teenage daughter."Matthew replied and I might have thrown up a little in my mouth.

The lot of them were disgusting.

My mom blushed shaking his hand and I knew they had won her over. Robert picked the perfect time to make his presence known. My mom introduced him as she gave me a pointed look. I excused myself knowing she was asking me to fetch Charlie. He was not pleased when I took him away from him movie but the promise of extra dessert won him over.

All eyes turned to us when they heard the roll of Charlie's wheelchair. They all seemed shocked but none dared say a word.

"This is Charlie, the baby of the family."I introduced making Charlie pout at me.

"I'm not a baby."He whined making everyone laugh softly.

"No you're not. What you are is an adorable young man."Sophia remarked with a polite smile.

Hunter and Matthew said their hello's too.

"I thought you had another son?"My mom asked Sophia.

"Yeah he's running a little but late, but he will be here."Sophia said with a pinched voice backing up my thoughts of them being a not so perfect family as they appeared to be.

"Why don't we all go to the dining room, he'll join us there."My mom suggested and we all followed her to the perfectly set dining table.

Robert sat at the head of the table with my mom on his left and Sophia on his right. Hunter sat next to his wife on the right while I sat next to my mom with Charlie between us. Matthew picked the seat directly opposite mine and I had the urge to switch places with Charlie but I held myself back. It would have raised a few questions that I didn't want to answer.

My mom and Sophia were engrossed in deep conversation with Robert. Hunter was on his phone while Charlie was playing with the napkin on his plate. Matthew was trying to get my attention but I ignored him hoping he'd get the hint and leave me alone. It was already shaping up to be a lovely meal, note the sarcasm.

A few minutes later of sitting there awkwardly someone else walked into the dining room and all attention turned to him. My eyes must have been deceiving me because standing at the other end of the table was Matthew. I looked at the one sitting opposite me then back to the newcomer.

"They're twins."Charlie exclaimed pointing at the stranger.

His statement diffused the tension in the room as the adults laughed.

"Yes they are, perfect observation Charlie. That's my other son Matthias."Sophia explained.

Matthias took a seat next to Matthew and seeing them next to each other cleared up something for me. Matthias was the one I ran into at the Arcade and not Matthew. No wonder he had looked so confused. I also realized that I had been rude to him when he didn't deserve it.

It wasn't my fault though, they looked exactly alike except Matthias hair was longer and falling over his forehead and was way less built physically compared to Matthew.

I'd apologize to him when I got the chance or not depending on if he was a prick like his brother, the meal would tell. After my mom introduced us to Matthias lunch was served and everyone dug in. Matthias appearance definitely made things a little bit more interesting.