© 2016 Shay Spencer. All rights reserved.

Something Real

[ Chapter 2 ] His Name Should be Hellion

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The mere thought of moving in with the Pennington family made my stomach churn. I didn't even know them, and I hated them for everything and anything they'd ever done.

This morning, I had been forced to pack up what little I owned. Mr. Garrett had watched with the only smile I had ever seen from him as I shoved the last of my things into my small car. He dangled the keys to the place when I drove away. It was then I remembered that he owned the diner downstairs, too.

They'd just put up a going out of business sign. Take that, buddy.

There was a huge gate outside of the Pennington house, one that made me choke in disgust. Beverly Hill's may have been known for places like this, but the house sitting in front of me made me gag.

"Name." The guard asked through the small window sitting in between us.

"Scarlett Blaine," I answered simply. He nodded before pushing open the window.

"ID," he insisted, holding out his hand. I could feel a frown forming on my face. I needed to prove my identity to my new family's guard? This was overkill.

I shuffled though my purse and pulled out my driver's license. He ripped it from my finger tips before inspecting it. His eyes darted back as forth between me and my driver's license. It was like he didn't believe me.

"Go ahead," he sighed in defeat. He tossed my ID back through the window, the object landing in my lap. I rolled my eyes as I watched the gate open ahead of me. The Pennington's sure had a way with their staff. This guy was a tool and a half.

I pulled my small blue Kia Rio into the long, drawn out driveway. What I hadn't been expecting about this place, was the size. I knew my mother was marrying a lawyer, but this mansion was too much. Especially for the three members of the Pennington family.

The place was at least two stories high, but that wasn't the half of it. The place stretched out for what seemed like miles. The rounded driveway curved into the front 'yard' perfectly. There were two sets of stairs that led up to the elevated front area. The front door was immaculate, from what I could see. There were people scurrying in and out of the place with boxes. Those of which were probably my mother's.

I was more than scared to go inside.

"Scarlett!" My mother screeched from the opposite side of the large moving truck parked in the driveway ahead of me. I waved to her as I pulled the keys out of the car. This was going to be a long day. "Come meet your brothers!"

I held back an eye roll before managing to step out of the car. "Future, step brothers, mom," I corrected once more. My eyes narrowed in towards the front door of the palatial estate. From what I could see now, the front door was wide enough to fit ten people.

"You must be Scar," one of the two, who I'm assuming was Jay, called to me from the elevated front patio.

Jay looked to be about a year older than me. His dark brown hair had been shaved into a buzz cut, one that made him look like he should be in the military. He wore a forty-niner's football jersey, one with far too many questionable staines. He screamed football player.

I gave him a forced grin as I slammed my driver's side car door. With an interior tension brewing in me, I made my way to the small stairs that led up to the elevated patio.

"Hi Jay," I greeted with a short nod. Jay flashed me a winning smile, one that practically showed me all of his pearly white teeth. These kids grew up with great dental care.

"This, is Hayden. He's a little shy," Jay introduced as he stepped aside. Just below Jay, was Hayden sitting in one of the four outdoor chairs lining the area outside. The boy was sprawled out on the thing, his legs stretching out almost to the end of the pavement.

Hayden looked like a more youthful, hardcore, version of his brother. His dark brown hair was styled like every other boy around our age. The sides were shaved while the top was slicked back. Though Hayden's hair was mashed all around like he had just woken up from a nap. He had a scruff of a bear growing on his jawline, one that only made him look like he needed a motorcycle. He looked tall like his brother, even though he was sitting, and he wore grey skinny jeans with a simple grey, long sleeved shirt.

Hayden sent his brother a glare before he shot up from his seat. "I'm not shy, you dumbass. Just uninterested," he snared quietly. Hayden's fist came hurling at Jay's upper arm without warning.

Violence. This was why I had been so happy to have been an only child for so long.

"Nice to meet you too," I hissed. My mother, who had followed me up to the patio, had her mouth gaping open with my comment.

"Scarlett!" She shrieked. "Play nice."

"I will," I hushed before crossing my arms over my chest. "Oh how nice to meet you both. But where, oh where, could my step father be?" I asked snidely my mother's way. I could hear a small snicker come from Hayden.

"He's at work, dear."

"On a Saturday?" I scoffed. I shook my head and simply turned on my heel.

"Hayden," my mother whispered. "Help your sister unpack her things!"

"Wait, you said she wasn't staying. She was only going to be here for-"

"Plans have changed!" She urged. "Help. Her."

My raining moment from last night had to have been when I had to call my mother back. She had been more than happy, and inquisitive, when I told her I would be moving 'home' for the summer.

I quickened my pace back to my car, not wanting to indulge myself in mindless conversation with my slightly older brother. According to my mother, he was nearly three months older than me. "Wait up, Scar," Hayden groaned after me. I don't remember telling them to give me a nickname.

I bit my tongue to keep from verbally biting back at him. I knew from the moment I heard about him, that we wouldn't be getting along. Now, my suspicions had been confirmed. "You don't have to help," I muttered numbly as we came to a stop at my car. He shook his head and pushed his hands deep into his pockets.

"What your mom says, goes. My dad made that pretty clear."

"Your dad's a smart man," I nodded before popping open the trunk. "But I didn't expect any less."

"Your mom likes smart guys?" Hayden questioned, the boy trailing after me towards the back of the car.

"My mom likes guys who aren't my dad. The smarts are just a bonus," I said. My eyes narrowed in on the trunk of my car. It was filled with boxes and other unpacked things. I had no clue where to start.

"What's wrong with your dad?" Hayden asked. I shrugged, watching when he eyed a heavy box. "He left you both high and dry, or something?"

"Nothing," I shook my head once more. "They just hate each other. End of story."

Hayden let out a chuckled as he reached for the box. "Amen to that. You know, my parents cheated on each other with this couple at the club for years-"

"I don't want to hear this," I interrupted him sharply. The last thing I wanted to know, was how his parents had broken up. I'd barely gone into detail about mine.

"Fine," he said. I watched as he reached down for a book, only to have me slap it out of his hands. "What now!"

"Don't touch that," I issued with a snide smile. "I'll get that, and the rest of the things in the car. You don't have to help."

"I already told you, I kind of do." He hissed. His eyes fluttered back down to the book as I pulled it into my arms. "Did you put your soul in there?"

"As if," I dismissed. "Go and do something else."

"I have to show you to your room, the butler's busy." Hayden snarled.

"Fine," I snapped. "But after this, you stay out of my way." Hayden gave me a short nod before he stalked off in the direction of the house.

For the life of me, I don't know how I'll survive this summer. Let alone the rest of my life with the Pennington's.

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What'd everyone think? How do we like Hayden and Jay?! They're probably my favorite character's.

I wanted to tell everyone that this story will be updated every other Saturday! The next update will be on October 15th.

Remember to vote guys! It would mean the world to me!

There's also a sneak peek at chapter 3 up on my site! For those who may be new, the link is on my profile!

~Shay Spencer