BECAUSE OF MY embarrassing ordeal yesterday, it became more than just a little clear to me that I obviously should have thought that plan through. It actually showed just how much I didn't know the place as much as I had thought I did. I was never again going to put myself in a position where I had to either ask or depend on Ashley for help.

I would much rather eat grass and down it with horse piss while deep down in the underworld. That last part could now be easily arranged since apparently, scientists or whoever the hell they were- since they're clearly insane- had apparently, somehow stumbled across, I mean discovered a gate to the underworld.

How on earth does that even happen?

I wasn't one to believe in crazy stories especially about the supernatural but I've seen worse shit to actually raise a brow at the possible extinction of our species. Because surely whatever resided down there wouldn't come bearing gifts. But for some reason, I wasn't even phased by that.

Yep. I forgot to tell you I was that crazy.

Therefore I would gladly volunteer myself as tribute rather than live to see another day at that guy's mercy. Asking for help had never really been my strong suit. I wasn't exactly going to start now. Especially not because of that big headed fellow. Just the thought of it felt like having my teeth pulled out without any anaesthesia. It hurt like a mother.

The weather had done a turn around therefore it was slightly hot so I decided to put on another navy blue skirt with a black oversized graphic t-shirt. I was obsessed with marvel so it was only natural of course that I owned a couple of pieces. It felt like endgame when I discovered them on Takealot. Let's just say I was unarguably their best customer.

Maybe I should be given a membership premium discount or whatever.

I put it on and said a silent prayer in honour of our fallen friendly heroes. I closed my eyes again, cursing the writers or whoever was in charge for killing off most of my favourite characters. Whoever they were, I was definitely volunteering myself with them through that gate. No way were their sins ever going to be forgiven or brushed aside like that.

Naturally, I paired my look with one of my black chunky combat boots. I stared at myself in the mirror and cringed for the umpteenth time when my poor eyes slowly slid over the room. I didn't even feel like taking it in at all. I've never seen anything more horrendous.

I much preferred the dramatic and sophisticated look of dark colours that gave it that boldness and glamorous feel to the place. The fact that I had my own little pink amd white dresser with all the variety of makeup stuff was wildly alarming.

I sighed and shrugged it off, putting it to the back of my mind. Although it felt like a life or death kind of situation, I had to muster up the courage to bear it all.

I'll live.

It wasn't like I hadn't lived through worse shit before and survived. I was a tough girl. I could handle a little bit of pinkness and depressing peach.

I grabbed my school bag and bounced down the annoying stairs. Isabel had already gone to work which meant Mr Wilson was taking us to the school.

"Don't worry, go on without me. I'll walk to school today." I said already headed to the door.

I'll rather crawl to mars than sit anywhere near him.

"You'll be late Lanaya. And you know the rules right? Wilsons ride together."

Maybe it was just my mind but I cringed at how that landed on my ears. It might as well been just my gutter mind. But I wished I hadn't heard that.

I'm not a Wilson so that counts me out.

"I prefer to walk. It helps me clear my mind. I concentrate better at school."

He looked at me hesitantly before nodding.

"Alright. Do you at least have some money with you? In case you decide to take a taxi. I don't want you getting lost or something." I waved him off.

"It's all good. I'll walk."

Ashely snorted grabbing his backpack and an apple.

"Cheapskate." I glared at him.

"Migos wannabe." He glared back.

"Wednesday wannabe." I rolled my eyes.

"Oh wow. How original. Because Wednesday is totally into skirts, graphic t-shirts lover and boots. How cool." He stared at me like I wasn't making any sense.

"Uh heah she is."

"Oh really. Navy skirts and graphic t-shirts right? How amazing. Where'd you see her? From Shein?"

Mr Wilson sighed grabbing his keys. Ashely amd I were almost nose to nose at this point. I shot daggers at him and he shot daggers at me. It felt like we were in a samurai battle field. All I had to do was draw my samurai sword and all hell would break loose.

"Alright kids. You can fight in the car. I'm getting late and I don't have time for this. It's too early okay." Then he turned to me.

"You don't have an access card so they won't let you out of the gate. I almost forgot about that. Isabel will help you with that when she picks you up from school."

I sighed and stormed out the house. I wasn't throwing a tantrum but I wanted to get to the car so I wouldn't end up sharing the backseat with the dumbo. Peter was sitting quietly in the car, with a video game clutched tightly into his hand. And of course he was sitting in the passenger seat.

"Scoot out. Go sit in the back." Ashely said to him and I watched as he quietly did as he was told and sat in the back besides me. There was something wrong with the kid. The way he avoided eye contact was alarming.

"Hello." He said as he sat next to me.

"Hello." I chanced a glance towards him and he shied away and concentrated on his game.

"Kids."

**********

"Okay we're out of the gate and nearly halfway to school. Will you drop me off at the next intersection Mr Wilson?" He stared at me through the rearview mirror before loudly sighing.

"Brian." He said and I frowned at him, unable to get what he was trying to say.

"What?"

"It's Brian." He repeated and I glared at him.

"Who's Brian?"

And what did he have to do with our conversation?

"The name. My name. It's actually Brian. You've been calling me Mr Wilson since you came to live with us. No-one addresses me by that except for my employees. And sometimes your mother when we..."

His name is Brian? How come I didn't know that?

But then my mind instantly went back to his words. Or rather the words that had caught in his throat.

Ashely choked on his breath before cringing at his father's words. I wasn't exactly that close to them but I couldn't help wanting to gag as my face scrunched into the nastiest frown.

"Ew dad. Not cool. Now you've just ruined my mind."

I wasn't fond of the guy but at least I mirrored his sentiments at this one.

I need a brain transplant or something. I wouldn't mind having a prefrontal cortex removal of some sort so I wouldn't have to recollect this memory and have the same cringe worthy reaction to it again and again.

"Oh just grow up. I didn't say anything that bad or nasty. You're just making it seem more bad than it actually is. Now wipe that disgusted look on your face." Then he looked back at me through the mirror.

"So what do you say kiddo?" I scowled at him. Both at the name he addressed me as and the question. We were mostly certainly getting rid of it in the next breath.

He chuckled passing glances at me.

"What do I say about what?"

"Brian." My scowl deepened.

"Who's Brian?" He laughed shaking his head but I could tell he was getting exasperated.

"Now I definitely believe you. You really do need your walk. Especially if your concentration is that bad." Peter smiled stealing a glance at me before looking away.

I narrowed my eyes at him before poking at his side with my finger. He saw the movement even before I touched him and he instantly tensed. I withdrew my finger, my frown deepening. The kid clearly had some serious issues. It made me wonder what they were.

Nope. Not interested. Definitely not.

"You can drop me off here Mr..." He raised a brow and I sighed not wanting another round of the painful repetition of his name.

"Brian. You can drop me off here."

He smiled winking at me.

"Whatever your wish is, I am at your command." I cringed stepping out of the car. That wasn't how the saying went but I wasn't in the mood.

"Bye." A small whisper said and I winked at the shy boy who turned away when I looked towards him.

"Bye kid."

Earlier it was hello and now bye. The kid clearly had only one word answers in his vocabulary. We definitely wouldn't have any problems between us.

I was about to walk away when Brian opened the window on his side.

"See you after school. I'm picking you up today. I forgot that Isabel said she would be working late today. Be safe. And don't get into any trouble. If you need something then you can ask Ashely. He's your brother after all."

"Hell no!"

I said at the same time Ashely shouted,

"Fuck no!"

************

It was barely even a walk to get to the school from where Mr Wilson, Brian had dropped me off. I could see the school peeking from a distance. Just a five minute walk and one turn and I'll be home free. I had barely been walking for two minutes when a car passed me by and then stopped in a house two houses away from me.

The big gate slid opened as the car turned from the road to get inside. I could tell the person was a terrible driver since he swerved a few times just to try and squeeze itself into its open space.

It was comical and just borderline hilarious watching it.

"Idiot."

I muttered to myself completely amused when he finally gave up until the passenger door of the car opened up. And guess who it was. Mandy. She came out in all her unnecessary grandeur.

I quirked a brow wondering if there was a story behind this. She was a teenager and coming out of a strange car right before going to school was creepy. It was evident that this was kept a secret. I could tell she didn't want whoever it was driving to be associated with her at school. Because why else would the car park in another house and not at school. She was being dropped off after all.

Being the curious person that I was, I stood right there and acted like I was on my phone so I wouldn't be too conspicuous. I turned my body to the side but kept my eyes at the car. There was no need to ruin the fun by making her see me. That is, if there was any fun. But it was Mandy, drama was bound to ensure.

I couldn't help but imagine a big pot bellied man on the driver's seat. It wouldn't surprise me if she was into older man. Not because of the way she dressed but because most girls did. I'd seen worse shit in my life but it didn't mean it didn't disgust me. Especially if the girls were underage.

Then a devilish smirk splayed right across my face.

Looks like the princess has some ugly things in her closet.

She bent over and popped her head into the car to do whatever it was she was doing. I took a few pictures hoping the guy would perhaps come out and grace the stage for a photoshoot. If Mandy was determined to come after me, it was only smart of me to have some few weapons ready at my disposal.

Who doesn't like some blackmail material for future use?

*********

Okay. If I mentioned Mr Wilson's name before and it's not the same then I apologize because I forgot it and I can't seem to find my little notes with the characters names.

But hey mistakes happen right.

And I can't believe I took so long to update this chapter!

26 October 2023 11:35