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Don't play song yet people.

BAD CUPID

Created By; Snow Marisvega

Chapter 91

Dylan's P.O.V

"Mom, I'm off to Henry's." I said as I ran down the stairs, dressed in blue plain pants and a white top.

"It's like....ten o'clock. Isn't that too early?" She asked as she walked towards me from the living room.

"It's kinda important."

Her brows rose. "You're dressed up all nice and cute, got a date?"

"No, not a date. Henry and I are going to pay his mother a visit today." I said with a sigh.

"Ooh, finally. Is he gonna be okay?" She asked worriedly.

I shrugged. "He'll be okay, he has to see her. She's his mother and he will only get over his dark side if he is closer to the only light in his life." I said with a smile.

"You make me proud, hun."

I beamed. "Well I want that baby to be jealous of the things I accomplished before he...or she even stepped foot into this world."

"You know, I'm not sure about the proud thing anymore. You disappoint me, get out of here." She said and with a laugh I made my way to the door.

"Bye, take care of yourself." I said as I exited the house.

I took an uber straight to Henry's place, paying with the money I took from mom's purse. I walked into his house with a smile and I was greeted with a familiar face.

"Hey Danny."

He looked up from the newspaper he was reading while walking and smiled widely at me. "Heeeey, if it isn't my favorite homeboy." He said and walked towards me, giving me a hug.

I chuckled and hugged him back, I could feel some muscles which Danny didn't have before. "Oooh, you've been working out, huh?" I asked as I pulled away.

He smiled. "Yeah, if you can tell then it's working."

"Oh, it is. Just start wearing really fitted shirts when going to the mall or any other place and you'll have girls begging for your attention."

He grinned and then frowned. "Wait, are you saying girls don't appreciate guys who don't wear fitted shirts?"

I scowled at him. "You didn't have to be one of those people who twisted my words and make me feel like I'm hurting people, jackass."

He snickered. "I'm kidding."

"Fuck you, Danny." I said and walked past him. "Where is your mom?"

"Out." He replied.

"Oh, well I'll be up." I said and made my way up the stairs and into my boyfriend's room. "I'm h-" I trailed off when I saw lots of clothes on the bed and Henry trying to knot a tie, he turned to me looking stressed and scared as fuck.

"Hey," I shut the door and made my way towards him. "You okay?"

He shook his head. "Y-Yeah, I just, I can't pick."

I looked around the room, there were clothes on the floor and on his bed.

"I just-"

"Okay, Henry breathe." I said and turned to him, cupping his cheeks.

"Dyl, I'm fine."

"Breathe." I repeated. "Take deep breaths, okay? In...Out." I instructed and I did it with him until he felt calm. "Just calm down, okay?"

He hugged me tight with a sigh. "I'm nervous."

"It's okay to be nervous, Henry." I said and stroked his back. "It's gonna be fine. How about you go make yourself a cup of tea," I said and pulled away before cupping his cheek again. "And I'll clean this up and help you...pick a better outfit because I feel your nervousness made you blind. Light blue jeans, black shirt and an orange tie? How did you even come up with such combo, how do you even have an orange tie?"

He laughed. "There's nothing wrong with orange and besides it was my father's. My mom got it for him on his birthday and I just thought to wear it."

I furrowed my brows. "On black and blue? Baby, no." I said and shook my head and he smiled, looking more relaxed. "Why don't you go have that tea, take your time. No seriously, take your time." I said and patted his shoulder.

He smiled softly. "Thank you."

I nodded with a smile. "Go now,"

He nodded as well and walked out of the room, running a hand through his hair. I sighed and looked at the mess, I placed my hands on my hips and whistled. "Well, let's get you cleaned up room. You know I love you so much to leave you this way." I said and began picking up the clothes.

***
(Play song here)

We were in the car an hour later, I had finished arranging his room in like thirty minutes and the ride to the place isn't...close. Henry's outfit was much better now, black office pants, a white shirt that fit him so well and the orange tie. I wasn't gonna change that one even if I changed everything he was wearing, it was his father's and maybe his mom would remember once she saw it.

Henry was tense, he was nervous and although he kept trying to act like he wasn't, i knew he was. He was gripping the sterling tight and I couldn't count how many times he had gulped, he was probably battling with his mind and he kept looking around when we would be stuck in traffic. I understood why he was nervous, I mean it's been years since he saw her and he was definitely feeling guilty as well.

I placed a hand on his lap and squeezed, he looked at me and I gave him a warm smile. "I'm here, it's okay."

He said nothing, just smiled and placed his hand on mine as he drove, I decided to change his mood a bit and the only way to do that was to sing that song he sang to me in Westbrick. I quickly downloaded the beat of the song and played it, he gave me a weird look and with a smile i sang, he looked at me and furrowed his brows like I was crazy. In a way, the song was perfect for his emotions and I wanted him to understand it, he was human and it was okay for him to be nervous and worried, to feel guilty for not seeing her but it wasn't also his fault, after all he's only human.

He just smiled as I sang and I nudged him and persuaded him to join me, he laughed and when he saw I wasn't gonna let him keep quiet and just let me sing, he joined me and his mood became calm, he kept smiling and we turned the car into Broadway. He had forgotten about his other emotions, we switched from Human to Havana which Henry confessed that he loved cause of how jazzy it was.

It was when we finally got there thanks to Google map since Henry hasn't been to the group home in forever, that he returned to his nervous state. We got out of the car and he held my hand as we both made our way towards the group home. The place wasn't big but it wasn't small either, the surroundings looked really nice and warm, there were a few old people outside as well with some staffs members around them. Henry suddenly squeezed my hand tight as we got closer and just as I was about to walk into those doors, I couldn't move again, it felt like I had been tied a pole. I turned and Henry had stopped walking, he really was that strong huh? I frowned and moved closer to him.

"Henry, calm down."

"I don't want to go in."

"Henry,"

"What if she hates me? What if....What if she's disappointed or doesn't still remember who I am?"

"Henry! It's okay. She understands. And even if she doesn't remember who you are, we're to visit her often to bring back that memory. That's what our mission is remember?" I said and kissed him before cupping his cheeks like before. "You've suffered enough, I'm not gonna let you stay again without a mother when I know you have one so you're gonna come with me."

He looked at me and nodded. "Okay."

"Okay."

"Okay." He repeated and smiled.

I smiled as well. "Okay." I kissed him again and held his hand before walking into those doors with him. The air was warm, it smelled nice funny enough and it did look homely but I knew it wasn't the home these people wanted. I looked around, there were a lot of old people here, some old men were playing monopoly and smiling, some women were knitting and talking, some were reading, some were talking with the staff members. I smiled.

We both made our way to one of the staff members, a strawberry blonde woman who was about 5'5ft, she was wearing the same uniform as every staff member, a pink gown, she looked like she was in her thirties.

"Hi," I greeted with a smile and looked at her name tag. "Theressa."

"Oh, hello." She smiled. "Um, today isn't visiting day, so-" she trails off once she saw Henry and her eyes widen. "It can't be."

Henry smiled softly. "Hi, Theressa."

"You came back." She said with a sincere smile. "Look at you, you're all...muscles and...you're taller now. Wow." She chuckled slightly. "How long has it been since you last came into these doors? Three years?"

Henry nodded. "Yeah, three."

"What took you so long to come see your mother?"

Henry said nothing and just stared.

"Um, Theresa. Can you please tell us where Mrs. Ashcroft is? We need to see her."

She looked at me. "And I don't think I've seen you before."

I smiled. "Yeah, you haven't." She looked at our intertwined hands and her brows furrowed.

"Oh," she blinked and looked at me before smiling. "I see." She couldn't stop smiling. "Today isn't visiting day but, I'll let you go see your mother."

"Thank you so much, Theressa."  I said and she shook her head.

"No, thank you." She said to me as if hinting at something else. "Follow me." She said and walked passed us, I squeezed Henry's hand and smiled at him, he returned the smile but it was fake. We both followed Theressa to the other side of the room, we stopped walking once we saw her stop walking, she squatted down in front of a woman who was sitting on a wheel chair while her dark hair was being combed by another staff member, her back was facing us and so we couldn't see her face. "Catherine, you have visitors. One that," she looked at us. "Hasn't seen you in a while." She said with a smile and then stood up, she instructed the other staff member to leave and then approached us.

"Thank you, Theressa. We'll be quick." I said but she shook her head.

"No, dear. Take your time." She said and looked at Henry. "She's missed you." She softly said and walked away.

Henry's hand became sweaty, he looked at me and with a nod I let go off his hand and told him to go to her. He shook his head at me. "Please," he said and I knew what he meant so I nodded and we both walked towards her, we stood in front of her, a smile printed on my face.

She was definitely the woman in the photo but prettier in real life, she had aged a little but that didn't stop her beauty and she still looked young. I noticed her green eyes which looked so much like Henry's, they were so noticeable. Her black hair was long, she was wearing a red dress and a Grey sweater in this hot weather, holding a small photo frame.

Henry had not said anything so I decided to. "Hello, Mrs. Ashcroft."

Her eyes met ours for a split second, then she went back to staring at nothing being displayed in front of her with a blank expression like we weren't even here. She was indeed beautiful and I knew my boyfriend had gotten most of his looks from her, I couldn't help but smile.

"Um," I sat on the couch beside her and so did Henry, he couldn't stop staring at his mother and I wanted to know so bad what was going on in his head but I felt I already did. "Mrs. Ashcroft, I'm Dylan and uh this fine young man by my side is your son, Henry." I introduced, she merely blinked. I cleared my throat. "Henry your son is finally here to see his mother, he's been sad and I had to scold him you know? He's so stubborn, you should see the things he does, he is even mean to me, can you imagine? You know what?" I looked at Henry. "Why don't you speak to your mom and tell her everything." I said and stood up, he sat where I did and I sat at his previous spot so he'd be closer to her.

He was battling with words and so I placed my hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "Go on," I muttered and with a smile he spoke.

"Y-Yeah, I uh, don't listen to Dylan, he's stubborn and he says nonsense." He said and I gasped loudly.

"I do not."

"You do. I'm not stubborn, I listen to everything you say and I'm never mean to you, it's the others day round. You're always mean to me and then I have to be mean to you."

"You're a big liar and your mom here would agree." I said and looked at her but she barely moved.

"She loves me more, she'll support me." He said and looked at her. "Right, mom? You still love me right? You d-don't, you don't hate me r-right?" His voice cracked and I couldn't help but feel bad. "I know I've been a horrible person, a h-horrible son. What kinda son doesn't visit his mother for three years?" His voice broke. "I know you're mad at me for not visiting but don't hate me. Look at me, ma. Just...Just look at me and tell me you remember me, that...that you still love me, please." He said and held her hand, I felt the urge to cry cause I could feel his pain, his sadness, it felt like it filled the air.

She looked at their hands and back at Henry before looking away again and my eyes widen at what I saw. "Mommy, please." Henry said and I could feel the pain in his voice. "Remember me." He said but she didn't look at him, Henry let out heavy breaths and let go off her hand. He sniffed, stood up and walked away real fast.

"Henry!" I called out, I stood up quickly and ran after him. He was leaving, he didn't answer my calls and just went to the car. I caught up with him and stood in front of him. "Hey baby, calm down."

His eyes were red, he had wiped off his tears and was breathing hard. "She doesn't still remember." He sniffed and ran a hand roughly through his hair. "She doesn't know who I am." He said, his lips trembling.

"Come here." I said and pulled him into a hug, I wrapped my arms around him tightly and just like that, Henry cried on my shoulders like a baby. "It's all my fault. Why can't she remember me?" He sobbed. The pain in his tears, in his voice as he blamed himself brought tears into my own eyes and I found myself crying silently as I held him tight and never released him until he was done. I had one hand in his hair and another that stroked his back softly while muttering soothing words to him to console him. I spotted Theressa watching us with a sad expression, she gave me a sad smile and I returned it with a small nod, she went back inside and I placed a kiss on Henry's cheek and went back to consoling him.

Henry couldn't go back in and just wanted to go home and so we went back home, he didn't want to go back in there and so I decided we'd come back here during the weekend. He drove in silence, I tried to start up a conversation but he barely replied and there was no breaking the ice. It was so bad I felt I was gonna go crazy but I understood him and just held his hand as he drove back to his place.

Henry and I laid on his bed in bed, cuddling each other while a song played through my phone.

"You okay?" I asked, finally.

"I'll be okay." He said and rubbed my back. "I'm sorry you had to see me like that." He said and I huffed.

"You've seen me at my worse, Henry. I don't think you're less of a man just because you cried on my shoulder. I've seen you cry before and you've seen me cry severally and we're still together. It only means we trust each other to show that part of us we don't show anyone, so shut up and love me," I said and looked up at him, he smiled and kissed my nose.

"I love you."

"I love you too." I said, he pulled me closer with a sigh and held me tight. "You're s-suffocating me!"

"Thank you." He said and I frowned in confusion.

"For what?"

"For being my boyfriend."

"Wow. That is actually sweet." I said sincerely and he let out a short laugh.

"Can you stay with me for a little while? Please."

"Okay," I replied. I wasn't gonna let him face his darkness again, I knew he was trying to act like he was okay, he wasn't.

***

"Shit, I'm fucking late." I said as I got up from the bed and began putting on my shoes. "I can't believe I slept off, Diana or...Ivy, or whatever her name is, is gonna kill me." I said with a sigh.

Henry yawned softly. "Be careful." He said and at that moment, I tripped and fell.

"Ow!"

He laughed.

"You're a jerk." I said and stood up. "I gotta go, I'll call you later." I said and walked over to him quickly, I gave him a kiss on the lips and ran out of his room and the house, leaving him to sleep some more.

It was already thirty five minutes past one when I arrived at Diana's place. "I am so so so so sorry," I said the minute she opened the door, she didn't say anything and just walked inside. "Something important came up and I had to-"

"Do you think I care?" She asked with a frown. "Our schedule was from one to two pm. Do you think this is some joke or something?"

"I...I'm sorry, I had to take my boyfriend to see his mother and that's why I'm late, he needed me and I couldn't leave him and I lost track of time."

She snorted. "Oh so your boyfriend is more important than this, isn't it? I swear you gay people really think the world will wait for you, you feel like you live in some rainbow world, this is the real world and I won't take this shit, okay?"

I clenched my fists angrily.

"You're late, you're annoying." She said as she made her way towards the table. "I don't even give a shit if your boyfriend gets hit by a car, maybe then you'd focus." She said and smiled.

I snapped, I felt something in me go mad. "I. Am. So sick of your vendetta against gay people." I said angrily and she turned.

"Did you say something?" She asked and folded her arms.

"Yes!" I said and made my way towards her. "Why do you hate gay people? Why are you so homophobic?"

She snorted. "Please, I'm not homophobic." And then it was my turn to snort. "Y'all are just annoying, you gay boys turn people gay like you and then ruin lives and act like you're the only ones who know what love is, you guys are just horny set of people. You don't even know what true love is, young man. You're just a kid. How old are you? Seventeen? Your boyfriend will leave you soon enough and move on to another guy, that's how it works for you gay kids, isn't it?" She asked with a smile, her voice still calm and that annoying smile still printed on her face.  "The truth Dylan, is that you guys are mistakes brought into this world and people know that." She shrugged. "Your boyfriend will leave you so fast, quick silver would be put to shame." She said and snapped her fingers. "He probably doesn't even love you, he could just be fooling you cause I mean that's you all's game. Gay people are a bunch of cheats and your boyfriend is probably tired of your ass cause your attitude stinks, you are really annoying and maybe he's just as bad."

I was mad, I was beyond mad and then I laughed.    "You know I tried so hard to ignore the fact that you're a homophobic piece of shit for a long time,"

"Excuse you?"

"Yes, I tried to tell myself that you are not a fucking imbecile, that's she's not so bad but guess what, sweetie. You're not just that, you're much more and I have realized that you are also a miserable, rotten lowlife who hides behind this personality when she's just a weak girl with so much makeup and an expression to scare people away but the truth is you're miserable."

"I would watch the next thing I say if I were you." She said with a glare.

I laughed again. "I don't care! Don't you get it?! I have been careful not to say the wrong thing but I don't care now! No one says shit," I took a step towards her. "About my boyfriend or talks about gay people like that cause it affects everyone, you get that? You can talk smack for as long as you like about me because that's what you talentless bitches know how to do best, but don't you dare say shit about my Henry or refer to gay guys like that when I'm there. But then, what would you know about love, huh?" I cocked my head to the side and smiled. "I'm happy, I am very happy, Madam Ivy, which is something you wouldn't understand at all, you'd never know what it feels because never ever in your sad, empty, disgusting, pitiful life will you ever feel such emotion." I said in a taunting voice. "You're just a messed up girl who uses her pain or her past to judge and hurt others, you've said a lot of crappy things for a while now and all I do is keep shut and let you talk crap cause I want to learn from you but enough is enough, Diana or Ivy, or whatever the fuck your name is! If Mr. Frost never told you what I'm capable of, you should know I've got ice in my body, I won't take shit from anybody, okay?"

"D-"

"Today was important to me and my boyfriend, and if I was to relive this day over and over again, I will still repeat this and do what I did and I will still arrive here by this time again and again because I don't regret helping and staying with my man, you got that? You'd never understand that and I really wanna feel sad for you but I don't, you're not worth it and I pray when you get married or find the man of your dreams that he gets taken away from you by a gay man." I said with enough venom in my words. I couldn't hold back my anger and the fact that things didn't go well today after meeting Catherine, it all just poured out and honestly, I didn't regret any of this.

I was panting while staring at her, Ivy had a shocked look on her face, her eyes became red like she was about to cry and anger took over her face as well, she was panting just like I was. She clenched her fist and turned so I wouldn't look at her. "Get out." She muttered.

"What? I-"

"GET OUT!!" She yelled and turned back to me, anger in her eyes and tears threatening to spill. "GET OUT! LEAVE! GO FIND ANOTHER TEACHER CAUSE WE'RE DONE!" She said and although that scared me a bit, I didn't care cause I'd defend Henry and gay people over and over again. You might have encountered a horrible gay person in your life or two but don't judge the rest with the mistakes of others.

"Whatever." I said and made my way back to the door. "Have a nice life, Ivy." I said as I walked out and slammed the door shut. I let out a sigh once I was standing right in front of her door. "Bitch." I murmured and walked away, heading back to my boyfriend's house. He needed me.

He'd support me if he knew about this

***

"You shouldn't have done that." Henry said looking down at me, I sat up from his bed and gave him an 'are you kidding me' look.

"Oh, so I should have just stood there and listen to her say shit about you and gay people? I'm sorry that I care about my kind, I can't let people walk around with that idea about gay people. We're not all like that, I just had to be clear. She really pissed me off and I hated the way she talked about you, she's such a bitch."

"Hey, Hey." He smiled softly. "Come here." He said and with a sigh I moved closer to him and he pulled me into a hug. "Thank you for defending me, baby."

I smiled. "I'd do it over and over, she doesn't even know you." I said, wrapping my arms around him.

"I told you to be nice to her though."

"I've been trying, I'm done love." I replied.

He chuckled. "What are you gonna do now?"

"I'm not done," I said and pulled away to look at him. "Mr. Frost promised me this and so shall it be, he's gonna have to find me someone if Diana decides to quit. I don't even want her back,"

"I thought you said she's one in a million?" He asked with a smirk.

"She is, but I'm also one in a million and I'll put you in your place if you piss me off." I shrugged.

"You make me happy."

I beamed. "And the same goes for me." I said and kissed him before caressing his cheek. "How do you feel?"

He gave a small nod. "I'm better."

"Wanna talk about it?"

He said nothing at first and then smiled. "Seeing her there, not saying anything or even looking at us, it scared me. It made me blame myself over and over, I couldn't keep looking at her sit there and not....know me. Not look me in the eyes, she's just there....numb. It's scary."

"Henry, she will get better. I know it, I'm certain about that because....because she's your mother and if we keep visiting her then she'll come back to you. Don't abandon her there again, I won't let you. She needs you, trust me she was happy you were there." I said with a smile and he smiled in return.

"You really think she'll get better?"

I nodded. "Only with your help."

He kissed my hand which was placed on his cheek and flashed me a smile. "Okay, we'll see her again. I'm not running this time."

I nodded. "Good. You've got me, I'm so not leaving your ass to face anything alone." He might have it noticed it, he might have not seen it but I did. I saw the spark in his mother's eyes when we visited, even though it lasted for a second, I saw it, when Henry held her hand. 

He grinned. "You're the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"Oh stop it! You'll make me blush." I said and placed a hand on my chest making him laugh.

"Come here." He said and pulled me on top of him. "I love you."

"And, you also want to have sex with me."

"No I do n-"

"Henry, I can feel you poking me through your briefs." I stated and he snickered. "Maybe Diana was right about the horny part."

"She wasn't right about any damn thing." He said and smashed his lips against mine before turning and placing me on the bed with him on top of me.

"Well now I'm glad my session ended already." I said with a smile as he pulled off my pants.

****

I left Henry's house about an hour ago, I rushed home to change and went to the beach to meet Christian. Christian and I were supposed to meet up yesterday but something came up at his part and so he asked if I was free today and since I was free anyways, I decided we meet up. So here I am waiting for Christian to appear with his brothers.

I was putting on a blue singlet and white shorts while staring at the waves, it was filled with people like the summer had just started, I enjoyed the wind, I didn't care that it scattered my hair. Watching kids chase each other and teenagers take selfie and kiss was all calmly, I felt like I had to enjoy all these right now because soon enough it'll all be gone.

"Yo, Dylan."

I turned and smiled once I saw Christian walking towards me with two boys at each side, Christian was shirtless and wearing a red shorts, they were all shirtless actually. The second taller one I assumed was Simon since he was fourteen, he looked so much like Christian and even had the same hair, he was almost the same height as Christian but slimmer, he was close to Christian's shoulder, that's tall right? And James, he looked adorable and kept smiling, his hair was browner, he was wearing matching shirts with Simon and his smile was cute, he had a towel hanging on his right shoulder while Simon had a lot of beads on his right hand, when they got to where I was, Simon was giving me this look like he was trying to remember something

"Hi."

"Hey, sorry we took so long, someone forgot to take his phone and we had to go back." Christian said and Simon groaned.

"You were rushing me and you know how I feel about my phone." Simon said, defensively.

I chuckled. "It's okay, I mean if it's the phone then you gotta go back for it. It's the twenty first century, who walks around without their cellphone?" I asked with a little frown and Simon pointed at me while looking at Christian.

"See, he's smart. You can learn a thing or two from him."

"Hey. Watch it." Christian said and I grinned.

"Well boys," he pulled names closer to him. "Meet Dylan, Dylan meet my brothers, Simon." He pointed to the taller one. "And-"

"James." I finished with a smile. "He's really cute. Hi, nice to meet you boys."

"Oh, you're Dylan. Wow, we've heard so much and I mean," Simon grabbed my hand and shook it. "So much about you, you really need to hear the way Christian praises you at home like you're some kinda g-"

"Okay!" Christian let out a laugh and pulled Simon back as he covered his mouth. "He's just....high on fanta. Don't even pay attention to him." He said with a nervous smile and I held back my laugh.

"Oh, okay."

"You've got cool hair." James said with a smile, I smiled back at him.

"Thank you," I noticed James eyes were just as brown as his hair unlike his brothers who had black. "I like your eyes."

"Your is much cooler." He said, his smile widening.

"Thank you, James." He was really cute.

"You're gay, right?" Simon asked out of the blue.

"Simon!" Christian scolded through gritted teeth, he looked at me and smiled. "You don't have to answer that."

"I'm sure you already told them I am and he's just trying to confirm." I said and looked at Simon. "Yes, I am."

"Interesting." He replied with a slow nod.

"Okay, so, what are we doing first?" I asked and clapped my hands once, the boys looked at each other and began smiling like they were having a telepathic conversation. "Okay that smile is really something, what are you boys thinking?" I asked and arched my brow.

"I go first!" James said and quickly touched my arm before grinning. "You're it." He said and the boys all ran, scattering.

My jaw dropped as I watched them go. "That. Is. Cheating!" I said and ran after them. "You boys didn't even tell me we were playing tag!" I yelled.

I ran around the beach playing tag with Christian and his brothers like a kid for close to forty minutes and then we played volleyball and I watched Christian surf with Simon, the boys did share a great bond.

"Ugh, I'm hungry!" James whined as he jumped on Christian's back, almost pushing him down.

"One day you're gonna pull out my head, James!" Christian said and I laughed. "Get down so I can go get us some hotdog." James got down immediately he heard that and Simon rolled his eyes.

"You're all about food and you don't even get fat." Simon attacked.

"Are you jealous of my super power?" James asked and folded his arms.

"Pfft, please, I have muscles." Simon said and James laughed, making me laugh.

"Yeah right, you're not even like Christian. You look like a potato that got to make out the with the back of someone's shoe!" James shot and I gasped loudly.

"Oh that was cruel!"

Simon's eyes widen. "Oh I'm so gonna kill you." He said and ran towards James but James was already running away.

I laughed as I watched Simon chase James. "Are they always like that?"

Christian smiled and sighed. "You have no idea. They just love to roast each other but they love each other like crazy."

I grinned. "I can tell," I said as I watched Simon tackle James to the ground and tickle him, James kept screaming and laughing while trying to get Simon off.

"Dylan, stop!"

"No, take that back! I do not look like a potato!" I said while ticking the life out of my brother.

"I'm sorry! Stooop!" Isaac screamed while laughing.

"Say, you're a potato!" I ordered as I ticked him.

"I am a potato!" He screamed, laughing maniacally.

I let go off him and sat on the sand, beside him. His laugh slowly came to an end and he began catching his breath, he stood up and pushed his white hair backwards, it looked cool on him now with the black roots but I want gonna yell him that. He was older now, he was thirteen. His eyes were the brightest kind of blue, he was tall but not as tall as I was and I intimidate him with that. "I hate you so much!"

"You can't hate me. I am your king, you fucking nerd."

He stood up and gave me the middle finger. "You are ugly, you know? You need surgery to fix your face."

I gasped dramatically. "Oh, I am so gonna kill you I swear to the heavens!" I said and shook my head slowly at him.

"Yeah right. You can't even spell heavens, your brain is as good as a dead dog."

"Oh, you fucking cumbag! You are so done EYE FUCKING ZIC!" I said and sprinted up, with a laugh he ran and I chased after him. "Get back here, I will show you how someone with a dead dog's brain can still beat the shit out of you!"

"Yeah, right. If you can catch me!" He said as he ran.

"ICEZAC!" I yelled, using the nickname I used whenever I was mad at him. "You're so lucky you don't stutter anymore, I'd have killed you before you finish your words." I said as I stopped running.

"Shut up, old man." He said and stuck out his tongue at me.

"Old man? Bitch, you have white hair too!"

He gave me the middle finger again and I shook my head at him again. "For a thirteen year old, you give middle fingers now? I'll break that finger when I get you." I said, he rolled his eyes and was about to speak but I was already running towards him, he almost tripped and fell but caught himself and kept running.

"Hey, are you...are you okay? You're crying?"

I blinked and looked at my side, Christian was looking at me with concern. I looked back at James who was being chased again by Simon.

"Dylan, are you alright?"

I sniffed and touched my cheek, I had been crying. "Yeah, I'm fine." I wiped them off. "Excuse me please." I said and walked away and to the bathroom.  I shut the door and went into one to the stalls, I sat on the sink and just like that, the tears fell again.

It was August, in two months it was gonna be nine years since Isaac died. I couldn't stop my tears as they fell and my chest was hurting, he would have been thirteen now. Was that how he'd look like? We'd have been the best of the best. I wonder what he would have looked like now if he was here, if he was alive. I ran a hand through my head and cried like a baby. I missed him so much, I fucking miss him so much.

Isaac.

***

"Hey, are you okay? I was worried." Christian said once I stood in front of him, a smile on my face like nothing ever happened.

"I'm fine, my allergies started kicking in, I smelt-"

"Mangoes?" He asked and I wanted to ask what he meant until I remembered the lie Raven and I cooked up several months ago.

I nodded. "Yeah, mangoes." I grinned. "I needed to wash my face."

He let out a sigh of relief. "How do you feel now?"

"I don't have a huge ass pimple on my face do I?"

He laughed. "No, spotless."

I smiled. "Thank the lord."

He chuckled. "I'm about to govt some hotdogs, wanna come along?"

"How about you go with James," Simon said, appearing in front of us with James by his side. "He'll make you hurry up."

"Oh, I-"

"Come on." James said and pulled him away. "I want the biggest."

"I'll be right back." Christian said as he was beings dragged away.

I gave him a nod and looked back at Simon. "You all are cute, you know?"

"You're not hitting on me are you?"

I snorted. "Please, you're fourteen and you're not my type at all."

"I feel offended." He said jokingly and I chuckled. "You okay?"

I nodded. "I am, why?"

"I saw you walk away."

"Allergies." I replied and he nodded.

"Oh."

"So James, he seems like a really cool kid."

"He is."

"I like the bond y'all have and you don't treat him....different, it's amazing." I said and Simon smiled.

"Well the truth is, when he was adopted I wasn't happy about it, I wanted to be the last child of the family and get all the pampering and what's not but then James was brought home and I was furious. I hated him. I tried to make his life miserable but Christian was there to patch his wounds, I...I said something horrible to James one day and he ran away," he said and the sadness took over his face.

"Everyone was so mad at me, Christian was so furious and...scared. My mom wouldn't stop crying, we searched for him all night. Christian scolded me, he's never yelled at me before but he did that night, he told me James was part of us, he had no parents because they were both killed by a thief who tried to rob them and James had to watch his parents get killed in front of him. He needed love and I felt so stupid, so ugly for what I did. I didn't stop searching for him, crying he was okay and the third day Christian found him unconscious at the train station, I promised to give him all the love he deserves and never got. We've become inseparable since then." He said with a smile.

I smiled softly. "I'm glad you understood this before it was too late because if you all had lost him, you would have never recovered from that."

He nodded. "I never told anyone this except from my girlfriend Tracy, you seem like an amazing guy and you make Christian happy and the vibe I feel about you is that you are an okay dude."

"Thank you, I guess."

"Why aren't you dating Christian?" He popped the question that he had wanted to ask from the beginning.

"Simon, we don't control our hearts. We don't control whom we fall in love with and your brother is an amazing guy, but-"

"You feel nothing."

I nodded.

He smiled. "At least you're honest. He cried one day when he returned from school and I knew it was you."

I sighed. "Well thank you for making me feel so amazing." I sarcastically replied.

"You're welcome."

I rolled my eyes at him. "I'm gonna find Christian someone, someone who's gonna make him happy, someone who's gonna give him what I couldn't."

"And where are you gonna find him?" Simon asked with an arched brow. "I don't think there are enough you in Eastwood."

"It doesn't have to be me. I would have hurt him more if we were together anyways, just trust me. I'll get him a Juliet," I smiled. "A Juliet with a penis."

Simon laughed. "I like you."

"I like you too, Simon." I replied. "But, to do this I'm gonna need your help."

"Me?"

I nodded. "You're close to him, you're gonna be my inner spy. I always have one and if you want Christian to be happy and like me like you said you do then you don't have a choice but to say-"

"I'm in." He shrugged. "Anything for Christian, Savior."

I frowned. "Savior? Where'd that come from?"

"Pfft, you've been in the news a lot. I didn't think you were the Dylan christian liked and I knew you looked familiar, I just didn't know where I had seen you. Eastwood highs savior."

That explains the staring earlier.

"I wouldn't say savior, Simon. I just do what's right."

"Which is save people."

I smiled. "And ruin them as well."

He opened his mouth to say something but looked behind me. "They're coming."

"We're here!" Christian announced and I turned with a smile. "What were you both talking about?" He asked, staring at his brother with an accusing look as if he revealed something.

"Not your business bro, it's between Dylan and I, right?" Simon asked and looked at me.

I smirked. "Right." I said and looked back at Christian.

"I hate this." Christian sighed and handed us our hotdogs.

"Thank you so much." I said as I took mine and was about to eat when James stopped me.

"Wait!"

I stopped and frowned. "What?"

"We have a tradition." James said and Christian groaned.

"We can pass today."

"No, no. I wanna hear." I said and looked at James. "Go on."

"Okay, so, on the count of three we'll have our hotdogs at the same time." He said and I frowned.

"Why?"

"Because it's good and at the same time all we'll hear is the sound of refreshment and sweetness as we eat it." He said with a grin.

"He's...joking, right?"

Simon shook his head. "Nope."

"Why the hotdog?" I asked.

Christian smirked. "You'll know."

"Okay, one." Jesse began.

"Two." Simon counted.

"Three." Christian finished and we all took a bite at the same time and as I chewed, the sweetness of the hotdog took over my body, the taste was so divine, the way it flowed in my mouth as I chewed made me moaning.

I wasn't the only one moaning, we were all moaning as we ate and the sound of it made my brows knit and I burst out laughing, and once I did everyone joined.

"How do you guys do this with a straight face?" I asked in between laughs.

"We don't." Simon said with a laugh.

"Y'all are crazy," I laughed. "But, but this is goooood! I swear what is in this? How did they even..."

"She's the best, she's not far from here, sometimes we drive all the way to this place to get it." James said.

"Sometimes or all the time?" Christian corrected with a smirk.

James chuckled. "All the time."

"Oh, God!" I moaned as I took another bite.

"Can we go have ice cream, I don't want water." James said and began walking.

"I'm coming too." Simon said and followed.

"Well, I don't want water too and the payment is all on you." I said and followed.

"You all are mean!" Christian said before following.

***

After having our hotdog and ice cream, Christian and I were both walking around and talking about random stuffs. It was beginning to get dark, it was almost six pm and I have to admit that I was having a lot of fun Christian and his brothers.

"Thank you," I said to Christian as we walked.

"For what?"

"For this." I replied and he chuckled.

"It's nothing," he shrugged. "You wanna head home now?"

I nodded. "Sure."

"Alright, I-" Christian's cellphone began to ting at that moment, he took it out and looked at me. "Could you help me round up my brothers, I have to take this."

I nodded. "Okay," I said and went ahead to look for Simon and James, it was starting to get a bit cold since it was slowly getting late. I couldn't help but wonder where they were, I looked back and just like the gods wanted it, someone's body clashed with mine and drink spilled on my singlet. I gasped and looked at it, the person began to apologize continuously and then I looked up at the person and all anger disappeared as a smile appeared on my face.

"Tyler?"

He smiled shyly. "Dylan, I am so sorry, I wasn't even looking."

I chuckled. "It's okay, I would have thrown a drink at the person but luckily, you're Tyler." I said and he chuckled softly.

Tyler was the shy kid who always got bullied, I could never forget him even if I tried. He looked cute, he had grown some bangs and was wearing a spongebob polo and white shorts.

"How are you?"

"I'm good," he replied with a smile. "You?"

"I'm good too, you here with anyone?"

He nodded. "My sister and her kids, they insisted I come with them." He said with a small sigh. "You alone?"

"No, I'm here with-" I turned back to point but Tyler already finished up.

"Christian," he finished, his voice low.

"Yeah," I turned back to him, still smiling.

"H-He's a cool guy." He said and sipped what was remaining in his glass.

My brow rose. "Yeah, he is."

"Oh my God," he choked and began to cough as he slowly turned. "He's coming here," cough. "Oh God, I'm in my spongebob shirt, what could be more embarrassing."

And a smile spread across my face as I realized what was going on. "Oh my, you like him."

Tyler turned to me with wide eyes, his face suddenly becoming really red. "W-What? No. I don't like Christian, I just t-think he's... Cool." He said with a shrug.

"Wow, you are a horrible liar, Tyler."

"I don't like him." His face was getting redder, how is that possible.

I snickered. "This is really cute." I said and smiled the more.

Tyler.  He's not a bad kid and he's nice, he's not me but he's a good kid and I mean he and Christian's relationship would be like a jock and a nerd and theirs always last longer in every book I've read even when they fight, they always come back to each other.

Tyler's my answer.

Christian was still making a call and looking towards the beach, I looked at Tyler and back at Christian and smiled.

"Look, Ty." I put my arm around his shoulder and began to walk ahead. "You don't need to hide your feelings from me, I know already. Listen, you'll never know if Christian likes you if you don't tell him."

"How do you tell someone you like him that you like him? He's a jock and I'm a...nobody." He replied, looking at me.

"You are a somebody, you're Tyler and you're cool." I said as we walked.

"What do I even say? I read on the internet that when you meet your crush, you should ask them if they like bread, I mean it sounded strange but maybe it will work?"

"No! No. T-Those are memes, they don't really mean ask them, It's....it's meant to be funny and not...taken seriously."

"Oh! Well now it makes sense." He said with a sigh. "Stupid me, what do I even tell him? I can't speak to him, I'm short and he's tall, I'm a nerd who thinks biology is the love of his life and Christian is different, he's hot and I look like a potato."

"I wouldn't say a potato, you can do better than that." I said and he glared at me but his glare had a pout, he doesn't even know how to glare.

I chuckled. "You're really cute, Christian would like you and plus you're not too tall, more reasons for him to like you."

"I can't tell him, no thanks."

I stopped walking with a smile and made him face me. "Too late." I said and pushed him backwards and his back collided with Christian's and I fled. I had been distracting him so he wouldn't notice we were close to Christian, he better not disappoint me.

I watched from a distance as Tyler tried to act normal and Christian stopped his phone call with a smile and began having a conversation with Tyler, probably a 'hey, Tyler right? Hi, how's your summer?" random talk while Tyler keeps looking awkward and blushing and trying to keep up. It will work.

"What are you up to?" a voice asked, startling me from behind.

I turned and clutched my chest. "Jesus, Simon. Really?"

"Why are you spying on Christian?"

"I," I looked back at Christian and Tyler. "Found him his match."

"That guy?"

I nodded. "He's sweet, he likes your brother, he's all shades of cute. Maybe it will work out for them."

"You think?" James asked, appearing at my left side.

I sighed. "It has to. I'm never wrong when I do my pairing thing, I mean there's always some drama and denial but it always works." I said with a smile and mentally patted myself at the back.

"So, you're like a love guy?" James asked.

"More like Cupid?" Simon's brow rose.

"Cupid's work is stressful boys but I have to do this and I'll be bitten but meh." I shrugged.

"So, what do we do now?" Simon asked.

"I think they are out of topics, let's go." I said and the three of us marched to where Christian and Tyler were. "You both are gonna do most of the work so your brother doesn't suspect me, make sure they exchange numbers."

"Got it." Simon said as we got to where they were.

"Hey, I found your brothers."

Or they found me

"Oh, thank you." He said with a smile. "Okay, y'all ready to go home?"

"Oh, I see you met Christian." I said, smiling at Tyler. "Tyler told me he thinks you're the best player in our school team."

Christian smiled. "Really?"

Tyler was staring at me with wide eyes and an open mouth, I gritted my teeth at him and he blinked and fake smiled. "Yeah, I said that."

"Thank you," Christian chuckled. "I try."

"You do more than try, you're amazing." Tyler found himself talking more and Christian flashed him a smile.

"Hey, Tyler." Simon called and Tyler looked at him. "We're Christian's brothers."

"Oh," he was really blushing. "Hello."

"Would you like to come over on Saturday?"

"Simon!" Christian scolded.

"What? He looks cool. So," he smiled. "You gonna come?"

"I uh," Tyler looked at me and I gave him a slow nod.

"Oh come on, please." James pleaded.

"You can't say no to James." I said with a smile.

"Uh, s-sure. But I don't...I don't know where you live."

"Christian will text you his address." Simon said and looked at his brother. "You have his phone number right?"

Chris frowned. "Um, no"

"Well, take it!" James said and Christian had no choice than to exchange numbers.

I loved this kids, I didn't have to do much work to avoid being Christian think I'm trying to match him with someone when I actually was.

"Uh, I'll call you then."

Tyler nodded. "Okay."

"Well, we better get going then." I said and the boys agreed. "Bye Tyler." I said and walked over to him, giving him a hug. "You can thank me later." I whispered into his ear. The boys all said goodbye to him and as we exited the beach, I rose my hands a bit high and the boys gave me a silent high five which made me smile.

As Christian drove me to my house, the boys decided to talk some more about Tyler.

"I think Tyler is nice." James began, I like this kid.

"He is, the nicest kid at school." I replied.

Christian smiled. "I remember when you saved him from Eric and his dogs."

"That was still my first week." I smiled.

"Everyone talked about it, you were the lord of peace and war, makes sense?"

I fake laughed. "Yeah," I said and looked at the boys at the back with a worried expression, they understood.

He was talking about me instead of Tyler.

"So Christian, how do you know Tyler?" Simon asked.

"School?"

"No, like...personally."

"School." He shrugged.

"Are you two even friends?" James asked.

"I wouldn't say friends, we just greet each other and that's it."

"Well he's coming over and that's it." Simon said with smile.

"Why did you boys invite him without telling me you were gonna invite him?"

"Are you scared of him? What is he gonna do? Blush till he kills you?" Simon asked and I chuckled.

"Well," Christian looked at me for a brief second. "Since it's gonna be a little party on Saturday, wanna come?"

I blinked severally. "What?"

"Yeah, Tyler would be there and my stupid brothers and-"

"Saturday, can't do. I have plans, my annoying aunt is coming to town and I have to give her a tour, I'm sorry." I lied.

"Want me to join you? I can cancel."

"No." I shook my head. "It's fine, I'll manage and besides my parents wants us to bond cause we hate each other."

"That makes sense." He said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, ha! It does." I replied and stylishly looked back at the boys who both let out heavy silent sighs at the same time.

"We're here." Christian said as he stopped the car.

"Thank you so much for the ride, Christian and thanks for inviting me." I said as I undid my seatbelt.

"It's okay," he smiled. "I'll see you around."

I nodded. "Sure, bye. Bye boys." I smiled at his little brothers as I opened the door.

"Bye!" They chorused. "Visit us!" James said and I chuckled.

"I will." I said and shut the door, Christian waved and drove off. I let out a heavy sigh and groaned, he really is in love with me.

I walked into my house tiredly, closing the door behind me I began making my way up stairs.

"Sweetie," mom called, I looked down and saw her at the bottom of the stairs with a smile. "We have a visitor."

I groaned. "Mom, no. I'm tired."

"An important guest."

"Is it Henry?"

"No."

"Mr. Frost?"

She frowned. "No."

"Then let me go to my room, tell them I'm...in Australia or something, I just need to shower and...fall asleep. I love you, mom." I said and as I turned and climbed a stair, I heard

"Typical Dylan, lazy as fuck. Couldn't even come say hello to me." The female voice said, stopping me from moving, she sighed afterwards and continued. "I see he hasn't changed, Bonnie."

I could recognize that voice anywhere but it can't be, it really can't be who I think it is. How? I stood there, frozen, my eyes wide as I slowly turned and there she was, smiling at me with her curly long blonde hair and her eyes filled with excitement.

"Hello, Dylan."

I screamed. "Isabelle!!"

Author's Note.

Well we both got the good and the bad. I mean Isabelle is here! What could go wrong? 😂

Let me know your thoughts on this chapter and the visitation.

Don't forget to vote and comment loves!! 💜💜

I personally like this chapter.

Mrs. Catherine Ashcroft

Isabelle ⬇