Alexia Kirby

"Stay with me. I adore you more than my solitude." -Unknown

I start opening my eyes when I don't feel a weight pressing into my head anymore. Peeling my eyes open I see no one in the room but me. Everything is perfectly cleaned and tidied up and I'm the only thing out of place.

I get up off the sofa, throwing the fluffy blanket to the side, and walked over to my phone on the nightstand to check it. One message from mom. I open the message to see what it says.

Mom- Astrid is fine, we are home now. Girls are sleeping still. I'll be out today just looking around, finding things to take back to Stephan and Dex. Have fun today. The girls say they wanna go to the spa. Love you.

So mom is out for the day and I'm stuck with the rugrats. Wonderful. I take my phone off the charger and unplug my charger from the wall before going into Grayson's closet to put my charger in my bookbag. Beside my bag I notice folded up the outfit I wore yesterday and the shirt I wore the night of the concert. I brush my teeth and fix my hair before leaving Grayson's room to see where everyone is.

Walking down the long and turning halls I start to admire the abstract art on the walls. The house has a very clean, rich vibe. Very unlike his mom's house. As I round a corner I start to hear voices.

"Yes, Brianna, Grayson will start working on designing those phone cases today and when shall they be coming out." Grayson's dad says. Shit, he's not supposed to be home. That's probably why everyone is gone but why was I never woken up? I quickly look around me and go into the door to my right and gently close it.

An office?

Looking around it's mostly light blue, white, and block items with some blazers hanging on a clothing rack to the side. On one wall are some of the band's albums and awards. I look at the table beside me and see a family photo. This is probably his dad's office considering the marketing plan board on the side.

I hear the talking getting closer and realize he is probably coming in here. I look around and decide hiding in the table beside the door is the best option. Yes, in the table. I open one of the cabinets under the table and find it empty, luckily I'm small and can fit right in. Just in time too, because the door to the office opens. I can see them walk in through the crack of the door of the cabinet.

"Sorry, I've been making all calls this morning. Everything needs to be set up for Grayson." Mr. Archer says to some blonde lady in a tight work dress. " It's fine, I also managed to get Beatrix a modeling session with Teen Vogue and an audition for a new upcoming thriller show at Hayden Studios." The lady says. " Brillant, I have to tell Beatrix later. She has ballet and vocal training today." Mr. Archer says. " Will the limo or I be taking her to her classes today?" The lady asks. " The limo, I need you to go shopping for Beatrix, she needs a red carpet dress for the movie premiere." Mr.Archer says. "Okay, I will talk to the designers now. See you later babe." The lady says.

Babe? Didn't Oliver Archer get remarried to a redhead named Lena?

Mr.Archer moves forward to the lady and pulls her in for a kiss. Well, that is not his step-mom. The kiss begins to get more in-depth and now not only am I shocked but disgusted because they are making out. I look away and try to defer from thinking about hearing it. This is honestly disturbing and not because it's two adults making out, but it's Grayson Archer's dad and some blonde women.

The sounds stop and the two pull apart. " I'm going to go tell Beatrix." Mr.Archer says. Him and whoever the blonde is leave the office and I can finally breathe again. I wait a moment and then get out of the cabinet and quietly open the door. No one is in the hall so I start my way to the kitchen.

I don't find Grayson and Beatrix in the kitchen but instead, in another living room, that looks way cozier than the other three I've seen. This time it's been easier getting around due to Mr.Archer being in his office and his step-mom being wherever she is but she's out of sight. The blonde lady has also gone off to do whatever.

"Did anyone see you?" Grayson asks. "No, I did have to hide in your dad's office and I saw your dad make out with a blonde lady, who I'm pretty sure is his secretary." I tell him. I probably shouldn't but who am I to care about his feelings. " I'm not surprised. Then again Lena won't care, she just wants money." Beatrix says, making a face. " At least you weren't up to see the chaotic yelling of my dad." Grayson says, leaning back into the sofa. "What happened?" I ask as I take a seat in front of Grayson as he tells me what happened. "So we all got cleaned up and cleaned the room, while we did so I put you in Bea's room because I didn't wanna wake up. So, after that Kenan made breakfast because he's a bomb ass cook and my dad comes in and starts yelling at me and Bea about having them over and everyone left but you because I'm taking you home." Grayson explains. " I'm sorry about your dad." I tell him. Am I sorry? I guess so. "Now I'm stuck in an audition." Beatrix says.  "Anyways, you probably need to get ready. It's like almost eleven am." Grayson says. "I'll go up with you." Beatrix says.

Beatrix walks me up to Grayson's room and we put on a playlist so her dad doesn't hear the shower going. I go in and shower trying not to take a long time but still taking a decent time to shower. I exit the shower and towel my hair dry a little and then I walk into the closet to get my clothes.

"Sorry, I thought you'd still be in the bathroom." Grayson says from the opening to the closet. I turn around holding my clothes. " It's fine." I say. I'm not embarrassed, I'd say because he can't see anything. I'm wearing a towel and weirdly socks. " I brought you this, Raven brought it by." Grayson says, holding out a medium-sized Victoria's Secret bag. I accept the bag from him and head for the bathroom, sliding the foggy glass door closed. I go to the counter and sit my clothes on top of it and go to open the bag. Inside is a red bra with jewel straps that say Victoria's Secret along with matching underwear. Okay, so he knows the underwear I'm wearing today. Classy.

After I'm dressed and ready I head out to the main part of the room. Beatrix looks up from her phone and sees me standing there with my bookbag. "Do you have everything?" She asks. " Yes, I do." I reply. " Okay, Gray is down in the car." Beatrix says, getting off the bed. "Raven got you a red bra." Beatrix states and laughs. " What's funny." I ask as we walk to the door. " Red. It's Archie's favorite color." Beatrix says and opens his room door. You've got to be kidding me. So he knows what my bra and underwear look like plus it's his favorite color. "Too bad he won't get to see it." I say and walk around her. I don't care what game they're playing.

***

I walk inside the house to find Lia and Astrid sitting on the couch watching a movie while going through some shopping bags. " Good morning bitches." I say, and throw my bag into one of the big sitting chairs. " Morning Lexi, try on this dress." Aaliyah says, holding out a purple sparkly dress. " What's all the party dresses for?" I ask, taking the dress and holding it up. It's a pretty dress but where would I even wear this dress too. " Don't be mad." Astrid says, with caution. " Whenever you say don't be mad, nine out ten I will so get on with it so I can say no." I tell them, setting the dress on the center table. " So yesterday Marina invited us to this party in Hollywood tonight and she's bringing her limo around for us to go and I thought we could all go." Aaliyah explains. "No." I state and grab my bookbag and the dress. Just because I'm not going to the party, is no excuse to leave a perfectly cute dress. " At least think about it, please." Aaliyah pleads. " No." I reply. I make my way up to my room and throw all my things down before falling back on the bed.

I search around the room for something to do before deciding on reading one of the books left in here for me. I'm feeling a very calm vibe right now. For once there's nothing to do.

After I have made it halfway through the book, I decide to finish a song I started writing. I honestly don't know what exactly it's about yet, but maybe finishing it will help. I go to the music space by the window and get the guitar before going back to bed and pulling out my songbook. I flip to page eight, yes I draw numbers in them. I haven't picked up a guitar in a while, It feels a little strange but nice too. I begin playing trying to let my creativity flow till I'm done with the song.

"That's a good song." I hear someone say from the door and I quickly turn to see Scarlett and Raven standing in the doorway. Shit, I wasn't expecting anyone to walk in. "Hi." I mumble and sit the guitar to the side. " I take it, writing music is more of a private thing you do." Raven says and I nod. " Stage fright?" Scarlett asks, walking into the room. " No, just never played for people, other than Faith." I tell them. " You should. What's the song called?" Raven asks, joining Scarlett and walking into the room. " Still pending." I answer. " Well, we didn't come here to interrogate you about your musical talents." Raven says before Scarlett picks up and finishes the sentence. " -But we wanted to ask if you wanted to come over. Today is just a song brainstorm and playing songs day and since your sisters and her friend are going to set and then out with Marina to a spa or whatever, we wanted to give you something to do."

"Yeah I'd love to come over, first I need to change and ask Lia something." I tell them. " Take your time." Raven says and sits on the couch in my room while Scarlett looks around.

I walk out of the main part of my room and go to the closet and pick out my outfit which will be black cargo jeans and a matching black cardigan crop- top, and a layering piece that has a purple full-back but four strings you tie in the front of you. Just to be extra I add a rhinestone belt for fun and pair this with white and black Nike low dunks.

I change and go into the bathroom and brush my teeth again and spray perfume on and put on some more deodorant, I put all my jewelry and some highlighter on before grabbing my black Prada purse.

"I'm ready." I tell them. " Alright let's ride." Raven says, jumping up and walking out. Scarlett walks toward me with my red chrome book bag and hands it to me. I take the bag and put it on my back even though I have my purse.

We end up driving back to Malibu in Raven's dark blue Jaguar and we stop for smoothies along with cake pops on the way for fun. Raven also thought It'd be fun to take Instagram photos and so we do. Scarlett sends some of the pictures we take to the group chat, entitled Avengers 2.0 to which I am now added to.

Everyone is named after someone in Marvel. It was Zara's idea when she made everyone take a Marvel quiz. Raven is Black Widow, Scarlett is Hawkeye, Emerson is Captain America they changed the a to e though, Noah is Thor, Grayson is Loki, Shawn is Nick Fury, Kenan is Tony Stark with slash and dad, Zara is Wanda, and I am Doctor Lex Strange.

"Welcome to the fortress." Scarlett says. " It's so close to Charlie's Private house." Raven says. "Most of us have two houses. This one, the one we live in, and another where all public things go." Scarlett explains. " But you all live here?" I ask. " Technically yes but Shawn and Grayson are the only ones who don't stay here full-time." Raven explains.

Raven drives up to the parking garage and parks the car beside like ten others before unlocking the doors.

We all get out and go to the front yard with nice flower brushes and a stone path to the front door. The house kind of sits up on a hill and you can see the large pool area in the back. The house is modern and made of some parts of stone, some parts white with many windows, and has different levels in rectangle shapes with one side taken to be curved. The front steps are between two waterfalls that have plants at the top.

We walk up to the front and enter in and the floors are medium glossy wood, with to the right some steps that go to a platform where a bunch of seating is along with a piano and guitars, in front is a hall, and to the left is another seating space that has an archway to lead someone and in the middle are some floating stairs with glass railing and on the wall going up is stone with plants at the bottom in a garden space.

This is a nice house. "Guys come on, let's get started!" Raven yells out. We walk over to the right and Scarlett starts pulling out some instruments. Over in part of the living room is full of boxes, PR packages, shipping bags and envelopes. "What are all those?" I ask. " Fan mail, brand deals, PR packages, and stuff." Raven answers. " Lex!" Charlie exclaims and squeezes me into a big hug. " Hey, Charlie." I say, laughing a little. " Don't kill her Charlie." Kenan says. Charlie let's go and goes over to Scarlett tackling her and planting kisses everywhere. " I missed you, pretty girl." He says, in the most dreamiest voice ever. If I could shoot myself I would. " I'm sure she missed you two now, come on lover boy." Shawn says, pulling Charlie off of Scarlett. "It's nice to see you again." Zara says, walking up to me. " You didn't have school today?" Raven says as more of a question. " School?" I ask. " I go to a year-round school but today we don't have school due to conferences but I still have ballet practice at three." Zara answers. " Take it, you'll be gone by three." Kenan says. "Where's Grayson?" I ask. " On set with Emmy and Noah today. They have to film behind-the-scenes tapes and an interview." Shawn answers. " He'll be back in an hour or so. He left early, like at twelve so he'll be back soon." Charlie says, holding my shoulder. " Come on girls, stop the boy talk." Raven says, slinging on her bass.

I watch the group play for a while and I end up talking to Zara. We all even tried making a pyramid because they wanted to see some cheer skills. I even managed to teach Ravan and Scarlett how to do a back walkover. Shawn brought us all pizza as lunch and me and Zara made pink lemonade to go with it.

"Grayson, Noah, and Emery are pulling up." Shawn announces. " Lex, why don't you sing this with me and Scar." Raven suggests. " Yes, I want to hear you sing!" Charlie exclaims. " I don't know, I-" I try to say something to get out of this. "You'll be great. Just try." Zara says. I sigh and get up. Charlie holds out Grayson's guitar. "Are you sure I should be touching this?" I ask, skeptically. "He won't be mad if you touch now he might beat me up, but eh whatever." Charlie shrugs. I take the guitar and put it over my head. " You're singing lead. I'm sure you know the lyrics."Scarlett says before starting their song called " Lover Boy". It's more of an uplifting girl song that also somehow shares feelings of how you feel about a boy.

I've never performed anything outside of musical performances and arts shows at school so this is new and I'm nervous. Surprisingly I'm actually able to open my mouth and sing, just as Grayson walks in.