"I'm here to stay with you for a couple of weeks." The male said

Rick grunted and stayed silent.

Rina approached her brother and cousin, "What the hell are you doing here?" she asked

"Hello to you too Rina." He forced a smile.

I took a moment to assess the situation, my thoughts swirling as I approached the trio of Rick, Rina, and the unfamiliar boy.

Rick's facial expression held a mix of emotions, while Rina's expression mirrored some annoyance.

The newcomer, however, seemed completely unaffected by it all.

"Guys who's this?" I asked them both

"Yeah and who is you?" he stared

Rick took a moment to collect himself before breaking the silence, his voice tinged with a hint of annoyance. "He's my cousin," he said, his tone a mix of irritation and resignation. "And he's staying over for a couple of weeks." The words hung in the air, and Celine could see the tension in Rick's demeanor as his explained the newcomer's unexpected arrival.

Celine's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing Rick's revelation, and Rina's irritation flared as she exclaimed, "You didn't mention that he was staying for WEEKS!"

"well now I am." Rick replied

Rick's cousin feigned a yawn, his gaze turning towards me as he appraised my appearance from top to bottom. He looked me up and down with a casual yet somewhat assessing expression. In a dry voice, he asked, "And who you might be?"

Rina barged in "She's Rick's Girlfriend, Celine."

The sudden news suprised him, his eyes widened at Rick.

"Is that so?" he said with a grin

Rick stood there silently, his face showing clear signs of annoyance.

Rick's cousin chuckled and playfully hit his shoulder, a hint of teasing in his words. "Looks like my little cousin is growing up fast," he said with a smirk, enjoying the chance to poke fun at Rick.

"Stop fucking touching me
Ren."

Celine looked slightly uncomfortable as Rick abruptly flipped off his cousin and walked away, down the hall. Obviously not pleased with him for some reason.

"Well someone's grumpy today!" Remy turned his attention to his other cousin Rina.

"So how are you—

Rina glared, the irritation across her face visible, "aht aht." she said shaking her head, silencing him before he could finish his sentence.

"See you at the house Celine." Rina walked off with a miserable attitude.

Ren watched Rina walk away without much reaction, appearing unperturbed by her attitude. Next, he turned his attention to me, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

"What?" I said confused

Ren eyes lingering on me. "What did Rina mean when she said she'd see you later at the house?"

"I live with them."

My response left Ren momentarily taken aback, his expression changing slightly.

"And why?"

"..Because of my parents— they're dead."

His eyes widened, Ren definitely wasn't expecting that answer.

"Regan took custody of me, since my mom and her were close."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

I observed Ren carefully, noticing the flicker of sympathy in his expression when he looked at me. "So, Why do they hate you?"

Remy's eyebrows furrowed as he responded with a nonchalant "Huh?" seemingly caught off guard by her directness.

"Rick and Rina seem upset around you, what's the problem?"

Remy let out a sigh, his nonchalance seemingly shielding a deeper truth. "It's not really your concern," he said dismissively, his tone nonchalant.

He tried to brush it off as nothing significant.

Remy patted my shoulder, "Nice meeting you— I guess I'll see you at the house later then." He said with a nonchalance that mirrored his earlier demeanor. He then turned away and began to walk off.

what's up with people walking away?

☙❧☙❧

Celine and Rick sat snuggled together on the living room couch, the TV screen casting a glow on their faces. They had settled in for a cozy movie night for titanic, wrapped in a comfortable blanket. Rick's arm was wrapped around Celine's shoulders, pulling her close in a gentle and protective embrace.

"They've could have shared the fucking door." Rick blurted

"Or take turns." Celine added

As the movie played on, Ren suddenly burst into the room and plopped down unceremoniously on the couch beside Celine and Rick. He was carrying a large bag of popcorn in his hands.

"You've got to be kidding me." Rick muttered

"What's the problem?" Ren asked

"You!" Rick replied

"Me?!— oh fuck you!" Ren threw some popcorn at Rick's face.

As Celine sat up, she glanced furtively between Rick and Ren, her eyes betraying her curiosity. The tension between the two cousins was palpable, and she couldn't help but wonder about the source of their ongoing rivalry. Sensing her quiet gaze, both Rick and Ren shifted their focus towards her.

"Y'all are both acting like children, and it's really annoying." Celine stated

Celine's words cut through the air, her frustration apparent. She couldn't stand the constant bickering between Rick and Ren, finding it childish and irritating. Ren, in his usual playful manner, imitated Celine's words, drawing a sharp glare from Rick. "Shut up," Rick snapped back, his voice laced with irritation.

As Celine tried to walk away, Rick stood up and blocked her path. His initial anger melted away, replaced by a softer tone as he quietly called her name. "Celine?" Rick repeated, his voice soft and low.

Celine arms were crossed as she stared impatiently, "what?"

"Sorry." He stated

"What's up with you two, why are yall arguing every two minutes?" Celine asked

"Because—

"Because what?"

"His dad killed my dad." He replied

Celine eyes widened in shock not knowing what else to say.

"Don't say it like that Rick, it was a accident— you knew that."

Ren stared at Celine. "He died in a car crash, my dad drove and survived— his didn't." Ren explained