Highest rank on the hot list over the last two weeks - #346 in Chick Lit

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© 2016 Shay Spencer. All rights reserved.

Something Real

[ Chapter 3 ] Family's Are Full of Secrets

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My things fit perfectly into my new room. Not that I had much compared to my two brothers. While I had assumed my life had been lived to the fullest, I'd obviously never met the Pennington's; or seen their house, for that matter.

"It's right here," Hayden motioned despite the large box in his hands. I glanced to the side, noticing the many trophies adorning the wall in the room next to mine. "Jay's a show off, but at least he keeps those in his room."

"You're telling me," I muttered as we continued to walk down the long hallway.

The interior of the house was just as amazing as the exterior. All across the house, was a white and gold tile that I hadn't seen any where else. The walls were adorned with the same shade of white, and the trim around the doors was a light gold color. Each door, was a dark brown, one that accented the white and gold perfectly.

Hayden kicked open the door to a dimly lit room next to Jay's. Brushing his head against the wall, he was able to flick on the light. It was then that I realized just how rich these people were.

"This was one of the guest rooms. But dad said you could have the bed and everything in it. You can replace a few things, if you want. I know you have a desk shoved into the back of your car," Hayden rambled. He tossed the box he was holding onto the elevated bed.

I'd never had a bed frame in my apartment. I'd always just left the mattress on the floor.

"This was one of the guest rooms?" I gawked as I spun around, taking in the space.

The room was small compared to the others, but it was more than big enough for me. There was a set of black drawers lining the wall next to the door. Above that, hung a silver rimed mirror.

A mirror in which Hayden absentmindedly checked himself out in. I'm sure he didn't think I was watching.

The bed was sitting on top of a white fur rug, and the bed was pushed up against a black headboard. There was a white fur blanket hanging off the end of the bed to match the carpet, and a black paining hung in the wall above.

A chandelier was hanging from the ceiling, one that didn't match the rest of the house. Actually, nothing about this room matched the rest of the house. There was even a weirdly placed ladder set up against the wall where Hayden was standing. Where it led, I wouldn't know.

Hayden simply nodded before he let his hand rest on the ladder. "My dad had his designer come in and redo the room for you." I nodded, the statement clicking with my thoughts. "Your mom told me you liked purple and black, so that's why there's black and purple everywhere. The designer kept asking me what you liked and I didn't know what to say-"

"You helped?" I interrupted him. I could feel my face scrunching up as I set my book, diary, on the drawers. Without missing a moment, I turned around to face him.

"Yeah," he laughed. "I figured that if you were going to keep coming around from time to time, you might as well have a good place to crash. Jay and I do, at least. I didn't know you'd be staying here all summer, though."

"What's your room like?" I asked suddenly, almost shocking myself with my words. I was a curious person, there was no doubt about that. But never in my wildest dreams would I have thought of asking about Hayden's room.

"Why?" He asked with a short chuckle. "You planning to bunk up with me? You want to cuddle, Blaine?"

I rolled my eyes, "definitely. My dream is to start something up with my stepbrother."

"Oh good," Hayden sighed. He placed his right hand over his chest. "I thought I was the only one."

I could feel a laugh playing on my lips with his words. "Seriously, Hayden. What's it like?"

"My room," he started as he pushed his hands into his pockets. "It's across the hall, and off limits."

"Well can I see it?" I prodded. "I am your stepsister, after all."

"Future stepsister, as you so graciously pointed out." Hayden said as he leaned back against the ladder. I could feel my curiosity growing as I watched him.

Compared to his brother, Hayden was a mystery, one that I was determined to solve. Jay was an open book, even wearing clothes that showed exactly what he was passionate about. He wore his personality on his sleeve, while I was sure what I had seen of Hayden was merely an act.

The real Hayden was someone I was almost scared to know, and yet determined to understand all at once.

"Do you have a lot of trophies? Like Jay?" I started once more, pushing my hands into my pants pockets.

"No," he scoffed before he strode towards the door. "As sweet as it is that you're so determined to learn everything about me, I want you to stay out of my room."

"Do you keep your soul in there?" I mocked his earlier words as I gestured towards the room across the hallway.

"As if," he laughed. Within seconds, we fell into silence.

I could feel the tension growing in the room as we stood there, neither uttering a word. I bit into my lip, only to see an unreadable expression pass across Hayden's face.

"Don't do that," he muttered before he ushered himself out of my room.

I could hear his feet shuffling across the while tile before his door promptly popped open, and quickly shut there afterwords. I could even make out the small click of the lock. A little much, Hayden.

My mind raced as I glanced around the room once more. One thing that Hayden never explained, was why there was a ladder along the back wall of my room. I thought a questionable object like that would have been dealt with first, but after I'd asked about his room, it was all snarky remarks.

"Scarlett?" My mother's voice rang through the hallway. I quickly composed myself before taking a seat on the bed.

"In here, mom," I called. My mother scurried inside, not wasting a second before quietly closing the door.

I guess she didn't want to disturb her future husband that wasn't home. Considerate.

"Did you need something?"

"I wanted to talk to you," my mother announced as she pulled over one of the boxes Hayden and I had brought up.

She plopped down on the box before continuing. "It completely slipped my mind, I feel almost stupid for allowing something this big to fall to the waste side."

It was phrases like those that forced me to leave the house the night of graduation. "What's so big?" I played along.

"I really should have told you," my mother's voice grew more frantic. I could see the calm aura rush away as her face scrunched up in worry. Her hands were balled up into fists, and her feet were rocking back and forth nervously.

"Just spill it," I groaned without meaning to.

"Scarlett! There is no need for that tone-"

"There is when you refuse to tell me what the hell is bothering you," I interrupted.

My mother held back her corrections... Just this once. "Okay. Now, I'm sure this won't be too big of an inconvenience. Elias and I have planned an engagement party for tonight. I honestly wasn't sure if you would be coming home or not, so I forgot to tell you. But you're here now, and that's all that matter's." She rambled before shaking her head at herself.

"But you guys got engaged ages ago," I reminded.

"Yes, we did," she nodded. "But we never had a party. One with all the members of our new family, where we could rightfully present ourselves to your father's family and colleagues. It just hasn't been the right time."

"Until tonight," I laughed. "The first night that I'm in this new house. All my things are packed away in boxes and I'm sure this party is extravagant if you had anything to do with it."

"Oh don't worry, love." She teased before standing up from her seat. Not once has my mother ever called me love. It must be some pet name from Elias. "I've got just the dress for you to wear. All you have to do, is be ready by six."

My mother walked across the room and towards the door before stopping herself. "Please do bring all of your things upstairs before three. The caterer will need the driveway, and we don't have room for you car," she issued. "We're going to have a magical time tonight!"

I nodded with a fake smile before she showed herself out. The door came to a close, leaving me alone in my new room, full of black and purple things that didn't belong to me. Thanks Hayden, for being an ass who cared enough to remember my favorite colors.

Now all I have to do is prepare myself for the party I didn't know I was attending. Sounds easy enough.

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A party? I wonder how that will turn out... There'll also be a party happening in The Buddies Rule - I definitely didn't plan that out.

But, how is everyone liking it? Do we like Hayden?

The next update will be on October 29th.

Remember to vote guys! This story is getting pretty popular.

There's also an AMAZING sneak peek at chapter 4 up on my site. It's one of my favorite moments so far 😜 check it out!

~Shay Spencer