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The light peering out from the window of the crease between the drapes bothered me enough to switch my position in bed to the other side, only to be greeted by the same thing. Groaning allowed me to rise up comfortably and stretch my legs, the clock beside me said nine thirty in digital red lights. So pushing my legs on over to I think of going on downstairs to take a snack.

"Goodmorning honey. Do you want a pancake? Waffle? Eggs?" Rubbing my eyes and pushing the hair behind my head was I greeted by her feeding the bouncing baby in the seat, his smile became clear the second his beating eyes landed towards me. And I just shook my head to my mother, sitting at the island with the cup of fruit and some yogurt from the fridge. 

Eating in silence was expected, so I just ended up reading whichever issued magainze was in front of me. Not really interested in the dramatic life of a millionaire Hollywood movie star, so I skimmed for anything interesting in the sense of anything else. "gooooodmorning!" The long greeting just had me shake my head in disapproval, he came over to kiss my mother on the cheek before going off to find his own breakfast. "How was the game last night?" "The one my own sister didn't stay for? We won." With my mouth full of fruit I needed a moment to respond, and there I told the same lie as I told mom.
"Hey, I need your help moving something in the barn. Think you can manage?" He chuckled, saying he needed to eat something beforehand. Giving me enough time to get dressed for the day, normal jeans and my tall boots. Following my signature tank top and flannel, only they were much warming than the ones I wore yesterday. 
I've gone soft to the heat, and now I'm fighting the bitter cold. He met me outside on the porch and I continued walking towards the barn, he was quick to follow. "What needs to be moved?" "Nothing. Didn't want to talk in front of mom. Couldn't tell me you had a girlfriend?" He was confused on what I meant by calling him out on it until the everything else fell into place.
"Anyone give you shit for it?"
"No. Some girls gave me a warning on who my tour guide was." He sighed, but still continued to follow me to my only spot for hanging out.
"I have friends coming on over, maybe I should tell them..."
"Don't have to, I can hang out in here the entire day. Or go to work." That sprung the conversation up ten times, as he was interested to know where I'm working. "The dinner in town. If anything I can just go there when your friends come over...I'm alright with this, I don't want any more attention than I have already." He nodded in agreement, it's protecting me. Something I have to remind myself about, how his friends will be more than willing to show me around. 
And that isn't something I need.

But Jarod did stay with me for a good hour just talking, where he wants to go to college all this and that. He talked about Madison, how in love he was. While I was sitting down on an upside-down bucket giving my bike some maintenance. "What about you? College something you're looking forward to?" "Yea. If I can pick a damn major." I said, getting up to look for a few more tools. And once I turned back to the conversation he was on his little slide up phone, texting like crazy. "Friends are coming in like an hour. Want me to grab anything from the house for you? I mean if you're staying here." Telling him to get some snacks and my backpack from my room was the only thing I could think of. My math homework was not completed, a sad truth I found out this morning. 
Along with the fact that I am bound to the barn until the guys leave. Hopefully for both our sakes, mom doesn't ask too many questions.

*


The loud sound of a truck rolling onto the property was just the warning I needed that they were here, I did peak my head out of the hole in the wall. But nothing more than to see who was here.

Of course, it would have been the one to blow out in my face the first day of school, along with a few others. They threw the football around, practiced and ate snacks. Everything I would have assumed they did, but nothing more than that. Them leaving was probably the highlight of the day because I cannot stand to hear about their girlfriends and which positions they enjoy the most. 

The images are bad enough but the motions they did, I don't feel bad spying on them. But I do feel bad for my mother having to stay in the house as well, don't think she's realized yet that I don't like anything about his friends. The others seemed nice, just that one particular one is giving me the attitude I did nothing to deserve.

However, the second they were gone. I went back on over towards the house, just to get cleaned up and go to my first practice day of work. "Hey, thanks...For keeping quiet." "No problems. Just don't make this a habit." We shared a small chuckle in agreement before going off to do our own thing. Grabbing a change of clothes do I take a shower, wanting to look at least a bit presentable my first day. 

But before I could leave the house, did mom stop me. Wishing me good luck on my first day of work, or my first day of work that she gets to see. 
I truly hope she won't be this was during Christmas and another holiday. Then again, it's to be expected. She allowed me to go a few minutes later after the pointers, if someone asks who my family is. Say Holden, apparently the name is known. Other than the fact that Jarod is the caption of the football team, I've entered in this household not knowing what good the member under this roof has done.

And I don't know if I can live with that weight on my shoulder to do something good.

Hopping onto my bike did I speed off to the main road, going down by the speed limit or even slower. The little turns I still have to get used to, but everything else was easy from there. Parking at the front was my way of saying that I'm here, and a good amount of the people within the area had looked on over to see who it was. 

Before I could even enter was Joe smiling on towards me, handing me off the little waist apron that was filled with everything. And I began the day, mostly just setting food down while she takes the orders. I clean up and we split the tip. All in all, the tips were fairly good. Both in the jar and on the table. 

Everything was looking good, the small atmosphere was one of the only places to get decent food. Unless you want to wait and go off to the bar across the street. "My brother owns the place. Not in the state anymore, manages it from afar. I sometimes close early to go and help over there." It was us cleaning up, wiping the tables down and sending the dirty dishes to the back for the busboy. 

"Think you can sneak me in?" "Serving drinks? Probably. Little less likely to get a cop in there who doesn't want a beer on duty than off." Fished with my last bit of work do I take off my apron and put it on the counter before taking my flannel and jacket. I knew before I left the house that it'll be cold, thank the heavens I've done that.

Entering the house was the heat already a welcome to the family going off to bed, Mickey not being my mom's care must have already gone to bed. And I was again, left to do whatever I pleased.

*


The end of the month came quicker than expected, it's been easier to cope with everything else. My mother and I are getting on more easier terms now, not always so upright with her, normal conversations. Like I would have with a friend, everything else was solid as ever. 

The only issue is, Jarod doesn't agree with my friend choice. Tells me every morning, and I just come back with his damn friends wanting to start a fight over some nonsense but to still be mad about it a month later. Isn't going to fly past me, especially with all these events socking up. Michael said we have a ballroom event coming soon at his base of operations, something I am looking forward to seeing. And also nervous in turn. So I told him that if he told his friends about us being in the same family. That it would bring more people to be friendly towards me, unlike the stoners I was with. 
And his threat was he's gonna tell mom. When he told me that threat I rolled my eyes, what my friends and his friends do is the same thing. Only one doesn't lie to the public about who they are.

"Blake. Gotta light?" Barely off my bike for a minute did Trevor ask for a favor, lucky for him that I didn't really empty the bike from the weekend. I did have a slight break from work to have a smoke outside in the back, but nothing more than one cigarette a day in that sense. Or even two days. They were my suppliers so I had to be nice, I wasn't eighteen yet. And the moment I am, I'm going to get a legitimate tattoo and cigarettes. All in the same moment. Couldn't wait for that day to arrive. "Any of you seen Dixon lately?" My eyebrows scrunched together, I haven't heard that name before. And looking around the group, everyone turned to shake there head in silence. The dude alright? 

"Who's Dixon?"
"Another friend. I guess it's one of those monthly disappearances."
"He's alright though...Right?" I felt unaware of what the situation was for this guy, and I didn't understand how anyone could be so chill about him just going off. I've been here a month and a good few days and he hasn't shown up back to school? 
At least K and D find it a little obvious to do their homework, the rest of the people surrounding me didn't bother to show up to class half the time. Seeing school as a social event wasn't something I could ever see myself doing. Especially when my brother and his friends are the main reason for me hating it here. Leaving out my brother that is. The bell rang signaled for everyone to move on to the school, the flimsy door was just an awakening of how earlier it is and how neutral the school is. Bland lighting, bland walls. My old school was more colorful than this.

Having my helmet still in hand did I head on off towards my locker, but before I could even open it. Did I see Maddie and her click of friends come down single file towards me, finally getting my locker open did I eye her before returning my attention to getting my books and things. "I heard a little secret about you." "What might that be?"
"Blake Holden." Chuckling at the fact that she initially thinks my name is actually Blake is a sad regret in itself, but I guess it is also a handle on things. I hate my first name and never wish to hear anyone say it here. I'm pretty sure I even switched it around on my school profile. Blake Aurora Holden. Whichever someone wishes to see it as. "Mysteries solved. Jarod tell you?" "Jarod tells me everything, especially since he doesn't want you hanging out with...Them..." Her pause had her point in the direction of Trevor and the gang bonding on in from the back door. If they save me talking to her, it might bring questions I'm not ready to answer for. "What else did he tell you?" "Nothing really. Stepsister from his stepmom side. Half sister to little Mickey...isn't he adorable." My eyebrows rose in agreement as I continued to fill up my bag, playing the part of an annoyed being as my friends passed on by. I was annoyed, but this...This was worse than anything I could have imagined. "He tells his football friends?" "Going to at lunch. Watch out for Daniel, he already has eyes on you." She said, now walking off in the completely opposite direction from wherever the hell she spawned from. Another reason why I shouldn't go to lunch, so this was the point of the day I wished to tell my own friends what the deal is with Jarod. 

I ditched my backpack last week, easier to manage a large purse than the shit I was carrying. Just putting it into my leather pouches on my bike is even more fortunate as well. But enough of that, I was just thinking how clever it was to buy this last week. With my first paycheck, along with some paint for my bike. "Hey B! We're hanging out at the pond next week. Wanna come?" "Think I have work, if not yea." The first time I'd be hanging out with them outside of school, should I blow it now? When I'm already in with them. "Got something to share....Jarrod Holden is my stepbrother." There was no thought process in me just blurting it out. It was done and over with. But most of them just began to do their high laugh as if I was kidding. "Heard a rumor going around. Fine by us. Maybe it will stop us from fighting them next time they come after you." I chuckled with the rest of them, I doubt that will be the case. Especially when Maddie warned me about Daniel.

I've seen his type before, hell I watched his type ruin girls lives. Not dumb enough to fall for anything anyway. "Just don't let him come near me, beat his ass."
"Bad history?"
"Could say that...the whole town praises the damn football team like their gods." I couldn't agree more, but I guess there isn't much to look forward to other than this shitty life. "Ya know what, save your sick day for the bonfire."
"Bonfire?" I asked, Trevor was the only who was into the conversation, as well as K and D. But they were just silent, silent until now that is. "Yeah! We cook food, smoke, drink. Dixon's getting the shit right?" "Fuck didn't even think of that, haven't heard from him yet." He whipped out his phone to text whomever this Dixon guy was, his name continues to pop up. And I doubt asking my brother would be the smartest thing in the world.

The day ended, and I was relieved to get on home. Only to find my phone filled with messages, from Maddie, Jarod. And out of everyone, Daniel. The first one I texted out of all of them was the girl, because she warned me. She obviously knew what this was about, and she asked if she could come over for a quick moment. 
So running downstairs did I tell my mom, and she was fairly surprised that I finally made friends with Maddie. She was a sweet girl at heart, or so she says. But the second she came into the house, she was clearly different. Bringing me into a hug and everything. "Hi Mrs.Holden, it's nice to see you again. Mickey!" Was the first thing she said right after my own greeting. I did answer the door, but I assume she's closer to everyone else in the family other than me. Even my little brother seemed to be excited. "Did I tell you that Maddie here helped me decorate your room?" My eyes arched together, she knew the entire time. Jarod you little shit. 

"Didn't change that much, come on I'll show you." We excused ourselves from my mom, she knew everything before everyone else. Should have seen that one coming. The moment I opened the door she was pleasantly surprised at how much I kept the same. Hell, I was in my normal home attire getting ready for work. "Thought I'd paint the walls black and hang posters everywhere?" She laughed at the slight joke I made, the posters didn't come in yet. But I don't think I'm painting anything anytime soon, she took a look at my vanity table. Looking through the makeup and I just sat on my bed pulling together what homework I had to take with me to work. "Daniel's been talking about asking you out....Jarod can't say anything because of damn 'bro-code' but that doesn't apply to us." The fact that she blurted it out had me fall back into my bed laughing, where did he get the idea to ask me out?
"Isn't he the one that wanted to start a fight with me the first day of school? We're on good terms now?"
"That's the thing, I don't what games he wants to play. He dated my friend Jessica and...It's a long story but it doesn't end well. You cannot date him."
"Not planning on dating anyone." I chuckled my last little thing before putting together a work folder and pulling up the light tote bag for work. "I hope we can be friends." She said, twisting around my chair to look over at me. Her attitude completely changed from cheerleader to normal girl in an instant. "I hope so too. Thanks. For watching out for me."
"No problem. And don't be too hard on Jarod. He was just trying to protect you." Nodding in agreement did she come on over to hug me, like we just faced a battle and won. Before saying her goodbyes and finding her way out by herself. Daniel made her friend switch school? I need to look into that more than just the normal amount. So I texted K and Rachel before finishing my makeup at the vanity table. 

Buying a light was another good purchase, along with updating my makeup area. Waiting for a reply I went on over to get my helmet from the dressing and began walking down the stairs. Until my phone buzzed behind me, the end result wasn't the best in what I found.

He sent out nudes. And in general isn't the best guy to hang out with, but my friends have always had problems with them it would seem. As I was almost out of the house did Jarod come into the doorway, making mom come into the living room. "I need to talk to the both of you...." "Dad's leaving. Ain't he?" My mom nodded, shit. This was the first time this is happening. 

Sitting down on the armrest of the couch do I look to my mother, having my helmet on my lap and waiting patiently for her to explain what is going on. "Aurora this is the first time you're with us, and we sort of have a little thing we do as a family. A nice cooked meal after church and then we drive with him to the base. He isn't leaving until Wednesday." Nodding do I think this is a perfect idea, and asking a follow-up question was smart as well. I don't know much of what Michael does, I heard warning from Jarrod that we have a ball coming soon. But few months isn't soon. 
I'm just waiting for mom to come around the corner and say we have to go dress shopping one day. And assuming Maddie will be coming as well. "He is going to be away for a month or two, it isn't like the other time." "What happened the other time?" "Dad...Missed Mickey's birth, and most of the pregnancy." Jarod was the one to explain this to me. Assuming that is a long while, did he know she was pregnant. What is the story to that...

"Alright...alright. Go to work Aurora. Don't be as late as yesterday. Alright?" I chuckled like I did that on purpose, I wasn't going to leave Joe without any help cleaning up. Besides, it's a school night. I prefer to get a good few hours of sleep before the next cycle of the week continues. So waving everyone off so I hop on my bike and fly down to the restaurant. Having my bag and homework take up the small corner area opposite to the costumer's area. 

There was not much going on here, so I sat myself down and began to do homework. But every time someone came on over, Joe handled them as I readied their first round of water drinks. It was a system that we worked well together as a team. 

But the biggest conversation starter was with the guys eyeing my bike, asking the restaurant who's it is. And it always turns out the same way when I explain it's mine. 'What's a pretty girl like you riding a bike like that.' I don't know what they'd expect me to have. A hot pink Harley Davidson, it's a nice solid black color. And I have yet to get the paint and gun for it.

Might be a little rusty for not doing it in a while, but getting a few pieces of scrap metal is another idea in the jar as well. The hours flew by quicker than expected, and it was clean up time. "It's early, wanna head on over to the bar?" "Gotta finish this up. Ten alright?" She smiled and waved me on over to put everything into my bag, lucky for me I could just leave it here. No one is going to steal when the chief is just in the back cleaning up with the two other guys.

Bringing me into the back area was I greeted by five different people, all rushing at the same speed to bring through the rush of the crowd. It's Monday night, and half the town is packed into this little area. Or it might be big, there are too many people within the space to be sure. "There's a station over there, ya can teach her the main drinks." Joe took hold of my hand before leading me on over to the little area, a cutting board and tabs were available. 

Waitressing to this wasn't too unbelievable, probably good upgrade. Especially with this crowd. But even then did Joe need to help out with everyone else, I managed to serve the other tables. Taking down orders and bringing them up, but the moment the clock struck twelve. Did I know I was going to be in for it. "Joe. I have to go." I said, coming up behind her as she was making a drink. Her eyes brows scrunched together before she looked at her watch, it was midnight. On a school night. "Gogo." She said handing me the keys to the restaurant, I hurried on over. Making sure to get everything of mine before locking up. 
My mistake was thinking I could get in without proper identification. "Can you give this to Joe. She's working tonight and wanted me to lock up the restaurant." The bodyguard wasn't that much of an asshole and agreed, making me race home on the bike. Trying to be as quiet as possible sort of just rolling into the barn without using the engine. 
However, Michael and my mother were waiting for me. Their darting eyes shot towards me as I walked on in. "Sorry. Sorry. There was a big clean up." I whispered, trying not to wake Mickey upstairs. "We'll talk about this tomorrow Aurora." Nodding did I say my goodnights before silently walking upstairs to my room. Taking a quick shower and returning to my homework. 
It was almost two o'clock when I finally had gotten around to go to sleep.

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Date Posted: 12-24-17 // Time: 
Word-Count: 4061

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