"Ain't no sunshine when she's gone / It's not warm when she's away..." Oriana sang softly to herself as she rushed up the stairs behind Alex, carrying yet another large box revealing the marker scratching bearing Alex's name. She blew a damp blonde curl from her cheek, gathering another deep breath to complete the heavy trek up the many stairs. She was exhausted. They had taken the entire day to move the three men into the Riley household after Oriana and Alex had perfected his bedroom. Oriana tried to act as if she weren't affected by the transition, but Brian's stares had turned murderous and Kevin's needing of approval made her sick to her stomach. She hated the worry flopping through her aching heart and she hated being so alert to disasters. So, instead, she focused on forming a relationship with Alex. If she were to be involved within this Hell, she wanted someone that would offer even the slightest tinge of comfort.
"Okay, someone's got to say it," Oriana finally heaved bluntly, stumbling into her room with the box. They had decided to unload Alex's things in her room to let the paint finish drying in his and giving him more ease of unpacking. "You have a ton of shit!"
"It's not shit! These are my prized possessions!" Alex objected, setting down the box he was holding onto the floor. He ran a hand through his sweaty locks, drying them slightly.
Oriana rolled her eyes with annoyance before speak, "I highly doubt that your huge box of Playboys is considered a prize possession."
"Playboys are in the black trunk," Alex blurted without thought, leaning down to the box Oriana had carried. He quickly opened it to reveal several hundred pairs of sunglasses and a variety of hats. He then opened the other boxes to reveal piles of expensive clothes.
Oriana withdrew in surprise, biting down on her bottom lip to keep from laughing. "Did we forget to discuss your sexual orientation before engaging in this sibling-hood?"
Alex looked up at her with raised eyebrows. A pair of sleek, silver sunglasses rested on his nose, slightly falling down the bridge with the chance of his facial expression. "What do you mean? I just like to be different."
"You have more clothes than Teagan..." Oriana drawled, shaking her head in disbelief. Oriana had always teased Teagan for having such a bountiful supply of clothing, enough to burst from the two large walk-in closets in girl’s room. It was just amusing to see a boy having more clothing than Teagan.
"I like to shop," Alex shrugged as he shuffled through the box and pulled out a black and blue leopard print cowboy hat. He walked over and placed it on Oriana's head. "Perfect!"
"What am I wearing?" Oriana asked in confusion as Alex pulled out a red Yankees baseball hat and pulled it on.
"Well, those in our species usually identify that item of apparel as a 'hat'..." Alex drawled, arching his dark brows again in confusion.
"Okay, why the Hell am I wearing it then?" she rephrased, moving to glance into the floor-length mirror that her mother deemed appropriate for each girl to have. She bit down hard on her bottom lip to keep from laughing at the leopard print, finally deciding it was her step-brother's signature pattern. Though, as she turned to the side, Oriana had to admit she had a certain flare to pull off the odd hat.
"Because you look good in it," Alex approved, fishing through the box again to find a pair of sunglasses to go with the cowboy hat.
"Why are you doing this, though?" she questioned again, jumping back in shock as Alex pushed a pair of silver-rimmed glasses onto the bridge of her nose. She rolled her eyes, knowing they were masked by the dark tint, and then turned to look in the mirror. She was wearing a pair of tight, worn flares with a baggy gray t-shirt knotted at her waist. Alex had a knack for accessorizing.
"Do I need to have a reason for doing it?" he questioned back with a snort. "You look good, so stop complaining."
"It's not that I'm complaining," Oriana replied with surprise at Alex's sharp snort. "It's just that this is your stuff..."
“We're going to be siblings. What's mine is yours. For instance, the hat and glasses I put on you are now yours. I could never make them look as awesome as you do," Alex gave a smile and placed his hands on Oriana's shoulders.
"I look like an idiot," she blushed, fingering the rim of the cowboy hat. She hadn't expected for Alex to be so warm and inviting when she had first met him. They had only truly known each other for at least two days. But, he offered everything willingly, making Oriana wonder if Howie had enforced something with his best friend.
"No, you don't. You look like a natural cowgirl in that hat. The sunglasses give it a finishing touch along with your clothes. Did you ever live in the South or anything?" Alex wondered.
"My... I guess it'd be our grandparents... They live in North Carolina. Momma grew up there with Moms... But they moved to Florida to get a fresh start... Haven’t really seen my Grandparents much since I was little. Momma doesn’t get along too well with them… But I am allowed to visit their horse ranch during the summers... Why?"
"You look like a Southern girl, that's all. I think that's why you look so good in that hat," Alex looked at Oriana in confusion. "What do you mean, to get a fresh start here in Florida?"
"Moms had Gabby right out of high school, but Gabby's dad got scared or something and ran away. Then, Momma met a guy and foolishly decided she loved him and got involved with him while she was in high school. She ended up pregnant with little old me... Gramma disowned her for the first couple of months, because Momma couldn't hold onto the guy Gramma thought she was going to marry. Then Pappy helped her transfer to Florida State while she was pregnant with me... So, Momma and Moms moved to Florida into their own apartment, Momma went to medical school while Moms worked on her R.N. degree taking care of Teagan and then me..." Oriana explained, her eyes transfixed on the mirror. She could never forgive her 'father' for abandoning her. Her 'father' had been the source of all her torment.
"Oh..." Alex was quiet for a moment, taking in the somewhat sad and bittersweet story of Oriana's life as a child. "I'm sorry your grandparents reacted that way. And I'm sorry your dad left your mom. But... look at it this way. If he hadn't left, you wouldn't have me as a kick ass older step-brother?"
"I'm not sorry," Oriana countered with a fake smile. "My grandparents love me. Gramma couldn't be more proud of my dancing. Pappy loves that I can handle a horse better than anyone on the ranch. And... I was raised by two beautiful women and spent my entire life with my best friend. Besides, he's not my 'dad.' He's a grateful sperm donor."
"Huh?" Alex deadpanned.
"Nothing," she sighed, withdrawing the cowboy hat and sunglasses. "Here."
"Didn't I say they were for you?"
"And didn't I say they're yours?"
"But now what was once mine is now yours, so you have to keep them."
"Why can't I just steal your comfy t-shirts?" she groaned with a playful whine, thankful for the shift in conversation. She hated talking about the past, because it offered such a deep depression and too many questions that were left unanswered.
"You can borrow those, but I want you to have these," he whined back with a laugh.
"Never in my life would I go out of the house with these on!"
"What's wrong with them?!"
"Nothing for you, but have you looked at my wardrobe?"
"Yeah, I've seen it. And...?"
"Forget it," she laughed after several moments, realizing Alex would never understand. She should just accept the gift as is. Alex was trying to be sweet. So, with a shy smile, she leaned up and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," he smiled. Reaching to cup his cheek, he began to shriek like a crazed fan. "Like, oh my God! Oriana kissed my cheek! I'm like, never washing this like, ever again! Oh my God!"
Oriana immediately shrank back in horror, covering her delicate ears at the ear-piercing shrieks. She had never expected such a bizarre squeal to erupt from Alex’s low voice. "What the Hell was that?!"
“Teenybopper moment," Alex shrugged with a laugh, kissing Oriana's cheek before heading out the door to get more stuff.
"Why a teenybopper moment?" she called after him.
"Because that's what it was!"
"You're so full of—" Oriana's words were halted as she was thrown sharply into the nearby wall as Alex disappeared out the front door. All the air snapped out of her lungs, dissipating into the cool home. She wheezed in shock at the sharp pain radiating down her back as she met a pair of fiercely blue eyes. Growling with displeasure, Oriana pushed Brian and the large box he was carrying away from her body. "Dickhead!"
"Not my fault your dyke ass doesn't look where you're going!" Brian snapped back.
"No, it's your fault that your head is stuck so far up your ass that you can't see straight!" she snarled, slamming him back against the wall with the same force he had used.
"Don't fucking touch me, you freak!" he hissed, regaining his balance. He was about to raise a hand at her when footsteps rushed up and heard Cassandra's voice.
"Oriana! Sweetheart, you're going to be late if you don't get going."
"Late..." Oriana drawled for a moment, glancing down to the delicate watch perched on her wrist. Her brain zapped with remembrance, causing her to jump. She pushed Brian's hand away from her face to scramble into her room. "Thanks, Momma!"
"That's what Momma's are for," Cassandra chuckled, looking at Brian. "Do you need any help with stuff in your room, Brian?"
"No..." Brian murmured, throwing his box sharply into his room. He watched as Oriana tumbled out of her bedroom, hopping as she pulled on her sneakers. An excited smile spread across her face as she scooped up her boom box, hurrying down the steps to retrieve some other articles. Brian immediately pushed passed Cassandra, running down the stairs to see Oriana accidentally bump into Kevin as she struggled to balance a basketball and boom box.
"Sorry!" Oriana immediately blurted, stepping back as if she expected a heavy punch to be thrown into her body.
"It's alright, Oriana! No harm done," Kevin replied with a smile as he bent down to grab the basketball she dropped. "Do you need any help?"
"No!" Oriana recoiled in horror, reaching to snatch the ball. She could recall the 'help' offered by her mother's previous boyfriends. That type of help left her bruised, pained, and filthy. She wanted no such help.
"Okay, sorry. Just thought I would ask if you needed..." Kevin’s voice trailed as Oriana ran towards the front door. His heart immediately sank to his feet with disappointment "…help..."
"Where are you going?!" Alex blurted in surprise, catching Oriana's arm as she tried to squeeze past him through the door. Her lithe form almost made a quick escape, but Alex dropped the box of clothing in his hands to catch her. There was an unfamiliar glint of horror mixed in her blue-green orbs, alerting Alex to trouble. "What's wrong?"
"I'm late, okay?" she breathed as the basketball fell from her hands. She tried to travel after it, but Alex kept a tight grip on her upper arm. She grunted, kicking the ball toward her Hummer. She breathed with slight relief when it against her tire.
"Late for what? Where are you going?"
"I volun—"
"Nuh-uh, there's no way in Hell that's she's skipping out on the moving in. That's unfair! I had to push back my date with Teagan because you said I had to help!" Brian objected as he stormed down the stairs, overhearing the entire conversation.
"She was given permission already," Cassandra answered simply, grabbing her purse from the nearby table. She immediately thumbed through a few bills, pushing them into her daughter's hand. "Make sure you stop and actually eat something, how 'bout it? You’re skinny enough, Oriana Ryan."
"Yes, Momma," Oriana answered, avoiding Brian's blistering gaze. She tucked the bills into her back pocket, finally managing to pull away from Alex's grasp. She gave him a knowing look. "Is Howie calling you tonight?"
"We tend to talk on the phone every day..." Alex drawled in confusion, still not understanding why Oriana was in such a hurry. He glanced sideways to see Brian drawing into a furious debate with Kevin over Oriana's dismissal, leaving Alex to speak freely. "Why? Need me to start apologizing for whatever you're doing? You're not going to see that Mac guy, are you? Because I heard he was bad news---"
"Will you tell him that I'm sorry, but I can't call him tonight because I'll be super-late getting home?"
"But what are you--"
"I'm not seeing Mac. Just tell Howie I'm sorry and I'll call him tomorrow. Okay? I'll see you later!" Oriana ran out the door and to her Hummer.
"Why the fuck are you letting her go anywhere?! What? Did she tell you she's doing some important research? Because, I guarantee the only research she's laying down is blowjobs at the football field!" Brian finally burst with a cold hiss, drawing Alex's attention back to the hellish flames burning within the house.
"I have had enough with your nasty comments about Oriana! She has previous commitments that she talked to her mother about. You judged Oriana the minute she beat you in football and because of that you insist on talking bad about her. I'm sick of this attitude, Brian Thomas! One more word from you and you can't go out with Teagan tonight. And don't think I can't stop you. I will. You're my son, you're under eighteen and you live under my rules," Kevin replied, narrowing his eyes at the oldest son.
"Well, I'm fucking sick---"
"Brian, please, don't fight with your father," Cassandra interrupted with a soft airy tone, stepping between the furious father and son. She glanced between them with a soft sigh, wondering why Brian would be so hateful to a girl the world seemed to cherish with open arms. "I gave Oriana permission to leave, because she's going to The Center? Have you heard of it? It's like this oasis for children who have terrible home lives. They go to The Center for refuge away from the pain. Oriana participates actively with the children, teaching them dance, basketball, and just plain fooling around. She would never lie about going anywhere but there, because she loves it so much. She'd live there if she could. And, she even has a lot of the kids come over and spend the night for a giant slumber party. And at The Center they have Oriana's name and picture plastered everywhere. She's like the Guardian Angel of that place..."
"Bullshit--"
"You swear at me or Cassandra one more time, and you're not going out tonight."
"Hmmm... Fuck you!" Brian spat, walking out the door.
"Brian Thomas!" Kevin started after him.
"Don't," Cassandra whispered, watching Brian stalk off toward the car Kevin had purchased for both his sons. She reached out to grip her fiancée’s upper arm. This battle wasn't worth the war.
"He needs to stop acting like this, Cassie. He's been so vile towards you and Oriana," Kevin sighed, stopping at the doorway.
"He just needs time..." Cassandra trailed, not really knowing what else to say. She had expected the cold shoulder from Brian, but the spiteful venom brewing in Brian's heart for Oriana shocked the crumbling family.
"What he needs is to grow up," Kevin disagreed as Brian sped out of the driveway.
"C'mon, I'll make you your favorite dinner... You know that fancy feast where I just push some buttons upon a connection unit and it magically appears in a warm box in about thirty minutes?" Cassandra teased, affectionately wrapping her arms around Kevin's broad waist.
"Fried chicken?" Kevin asked hopefully with a smile, wrapping his arms around her. The belief that men were controlled through their stomachs always seemed to ring true with the Richardson men. Kevin’s mind was drawn away from his son’s disobedience with the promise of food. He leaned down and kissed her softly.
"I'll call for delivery and make you two some sundaes while we wait," she promised, running her fingers through his dark locks. Her heart caught with excitement as she offered her own kiss. She couldn't recall a time she had ever felt more loved by a man.
"I love you so much, Cassie. More than you'll ever know," he whispered into her ear.
"As long as you promise to love my daughter half as much," she countered.
"I promise to love her as much. Oriana, Alex, you and Brian... you're all my life."
"That's all I needed to hear," Cassandra enthused with a sweet smile, leaning up to capture his lips in a sweet kiss.
"Okay! Yeah, time for that fried chicken Mom keeps talking about!" Alex declared loudly, pushing in between the parents. He stifled a look of disgust, deciding it was semi-sweet his father was so crazy in love. Still, he found it quite sickening to see the exchange of sentiments.
"Mom?" Cassandra drawled.
"Well, you and Dad are getting married. So yeah, Mom!"
"That's about the sweetest thing I've heard all day," Cassandra proudly declared with a smile, affectionately kissing her soon-to-be-stepson's cheek. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, leading him into the kitchen. "I think I might have to make you an extra large sundae, but if we only have one jar of cherries... I'm going to have to hold them... Oriana has a thing about her cherries and a very odd sense of eating habits..."
"I've seen some of those eating habits and I'll have to agree with you, Mom. Could I just have extra whip cream instead of cherries to go along with my extra large sundae?" Alex asked with a grin.
"Sure," Cassandra agreed, immediately moving to retrieve the necessary items from the freezer and fridge. Alex looked more than pleased as he plopped down at the table with his father.
"What are the bizarre eating habits?" Kevin drawled finally after placing the call for delivery. He had started such a rocky relationship with Oriana. She always backed away from him like he would attack her at any given moment. She was so skittish, but her words were a lethal as the most potent venom. He didn't know what to make of the situation, but decided getting to know her better than any other past boyfriend might be wise.
"Ketchup goes on almost anything... And cold meatloaf sandwiches are a very beautiful thing..." Cassandra laughed, glancing at an old photograph of Oriana and Teagan on the fridge before gathering the supplies on the counter. "But the best would be during any important event in her life, because each calls for a strict code. Like any time there's a big football game - she eats carbo-everything. We're talking mounds of pasta, bread, cereal, anything she can get her hands on. Dancing recitals call for a strict limitation of veggies and fruit. Finals are her pig-out sessions - McDonalds, Taco Bell, ice cream, candy, pizza... Oh Lord she can devour a pizza like there's no tomorrow... Such a tiny little frame and she can cram it all it. Drives Teagan up a wall."
"Sounds like she could give me a run when it comes to eating," Alex whistled in approval. He had what his father called an iron stomach and could eat pounds of food.
"No one could give you a run when it comes to eating," Kevin murmured dryly, ruffling his son's locks.
"She only piles away the food during big events. Hardly eats at all as the days pass. She's so busy nowadays... Between that god-awful football, all her dancing classes, The Center, her high academics, and then all the extra-curricular activities at school... That's why I was hoping you boys would be the ones to take her under your wings. Kind of guide my little girl and help her realize that she doesn't have to carry the entire world on her shoulders," Cassandra sighed, scooping large chunks of ice cream from the container. Teagan could only do so much to control Oriana.
"Senior year is known to be busy, Mom. Won't she calm down after graduation and stuff?" Alex asked, watching Cassandra pour on the chocolate syrup, sprinkles, strawberries and whip cream. "I mean, I can try to calm her down."
"Calm down?" Cassandra laughed wryly, turning for just a moment. "Oriana can easily be defined as a never ending tornado. She's constantly moving, even when she was a baby. Do you know that she didn't even walk first? She was dancing before she even learned to walk. Talked faster than the rest... Did everything faster than the rest... And the day she learned to dance and walk, all Hell broke loose. She doesn't know how to calm down. She just picks everything up and keeps on going. I mean, it's a beautiful trait to have in some ways, because just watching her impish energy is so amusing and brings joy to my heart, but I worry about her. And after graduation, she'll be picking up a lot more with applying to Duke for Pre-Med and Medical School."
"Oh. Well, I'll think of something," Alex replied sheepishly as Cassandra set two large sundaes in front of him and Kevin. "Sweet! Mine's actually bigger than Dad's!"
"That's because Cassie's my real treat," Kevin growled with a seductive manner, pulling Cassandra into his lap.
"Ew! I don't need to hear this!" Alex groaned, covering his ears.
"Then take your sundae into another room," Kevin laughed, playfully delivering kisses to Cassandra's neck.
"You can't kick him out!" Cassandra scorned.
"Yeah, what Mom said!" Alex agreed, now covering his eyes.
"But---"
"Eat your ice cream," Cassandra commanded, gently shoving a spoonful of ice cream into her fiancée’s mouth. Kevin's emerald eyes widened in shock as he quickly swallowed, pulling the spoon from his mouth. Cassandra turned to wink at Alex as Kevin dove deeper into the sundae. Alex in turn smiled, realizing he would love having a mother and little sister.
