Austin steers the car gently into the driveway of his house and hops out, running around to the other side, opening the door for Nicole so she doesn't have to do it on account of her semi-injured hand, then runs to the back, opening Vanilla's door too, just being a gentleman in general.
They enter Austin's home, Austin holding the door and are immediately greeted by Sylvie who rushes to the door, holding a washing up tea-towel in her hands.
"Sylvie, right?" Nicole smiles. "Uh, yes." She responds, then turns to Austin. "Austin, I know that I'm only a live in housekeeper pretty much, babysitter too, but please let me know when you go out, where and that you're borrowing your parents car.
It's my responsibility to make sure you're safe." Sylvie tells him. "I understand Miss Sylvie, I apologize and will let you know next time. I just went to pick up my friends, Nicole and Vanilla here who were at the party.
They don't have much going on this afternoon and I don't either. We thought we'd hang out." Austin explains.
"Well... Okay, just I'm kind of in the process of tidying up a bit and yeah so try not to make a mess? Your parents will probably home in soon too. Go play and I'll call you and your brothers down when they're home." Sylvie instructs heading back to the kitchen, but she looks back over her shoulder, eyeing Nicole.
These three friends head up a short a flight of stairs together. "You're house is always so fancy, Austin and you're lucky that you're an only child to rich parents." Vanilla comments.
Nicole gives Austin a look. "I completely understand what you're thinking, Nicole. Just so you know, I do care about my friends, I don't buy them and money's not all that in life. There are other things more important like friends." He smiles. "And Vanilla? I have two brothers now, who I deeply love equally. So do my parents. They're going to officially adopt Levi & Noah. Everyone deserves to have a loving home."
Vanilla nods softly. "Is it tough for you at home?" Nicole whispers.
"I lucked out in my family. I was born into a family of Meifwa's and I received a stupid, rare recessive gene. I'm the first human in my family since like the in 50 years or whatever.
I hate it, I want to feel like I belong, but I don't despite my multiple sisters and one brother and parents telling me they love me regardless wether I'm Human or a Meifwa, but most days, I just can't helping wish I was a Meifwa and that being Human is a nightmare I'll wake up from to find I do have ears and a tail."
"But they love you, yeah?"
"They do and I love them, but it's just hard... They don't know what it's like to be a Human at the end of the day. I just want to be a Cat." She says, tears falling and I look to her fake ears and cats.
"Family's what you make it, Vanilla..." Austin whispers, reaching out to give her a hug. "And the days that are crappy where you don't feel like you fit in, just straight up belong, please know that you have another family too, us, your friends." He tells her.
"Thank you, Austin for picking me up. I just... Needed to get out of home for a few hours."
"Any time our, Vanilla-Bean!" He smiles. Then they turn to me. "What's home life like for you? I know it's rather straight forward and rude because you're new here, but do you want to talk about it?
I'll listen, it's the only thing I have to offer too... I feel bad about Levi's carelessness with his locker and you got hurt." Austin enquires. Vanilla nods her head for Nicole to tell.
"It's..." She trails off, taking a few cautious steps, spinning around to look at them. "Neo and I aren't like other family's. We have just each-other. I love him and he loves me too, but somedays, I just want space from him, but I don't get it.
His an emaciated minor, but required to stay in school and I'm dependant on him. Our parents left us, or, well, there was a reason they couldn't stay... When we were kids, well, Neo a kid and me, a toddler, I've mostly blocked it all out and Neo is all there is in my life. His the one thing I have left and the same goes for him, I'm all he has left, guys."
"Have you considered branching out, Nicole? It might make you happier and everyone has to take control of their own lives and be responsible for themselves at one time or another. I don't doubt that your brothers just looking out for you, but you should try exercising your wings." Austin suggest.
"This sounds sketchy, Austin. Wouldn't the wolf division the of child protection department taken custody of Neo & Nicole when they were younger? Where ever or whatever happened to your parents that you don't remember, a child can't raise his toddler sister. He can at the age he is now, but not when you both were so young." Vanilla points out.
"Oh... Good question." Austin responds, eying Nicole closely. "Hey guys, let's just forget it this. It's fine, I'm okay and Neo's okay too." She back-tracks.
"Well... If you're sure, Nicole, but if there is anything you ever want to tell me or you want to crash for a night or two, you're most welcome too. My parents don't mind me having friends over." He says, gripping her non injured hand in a comforting manner.
"Austin." Nicole speaks up. "Yeah?" He answers.
"What's the deal with Sylvie exactly if you don't mind me asking?I've met her a little bit before."
"Oh, Sylvie. Sure, to make a long story short, about 12-13 years ago, she had and her now ex-husband had a child together. He was a wolf and she's human. Their child was a human daughter. I don't know her name as Sylvie doesn't talk about it, but her ex kidnapped their child following him and Sylvie having a domestic dispute.
He took off and him and their daughter was never seen again. Local law enforcement did investigate for a little while, but it turned up nothing and laws were changing around the same time. Humans had been quite supreme back then, but now all spieces of people are equal under the rights regardless of species act that was passed.
Sylvie and my Mum, Crystal have been friends since their high-school days. After Sylvie's daughter and her ex vanished, Sylvie put their house up for renting and moved in with us in exchange for helping out.
There's not much more I can say. If you want to know more, you should talk to Sylvie yourself. She's a very kind-hearted woman despite the pain she's gone through. She's made a life for herself, Nicole."
Nicole nods and then feels her phone vibrating in her pocket. She checks it quickly. "Ah! I need to take this!" She panics, darting into the nearest room to Austin's shock.
She sees the lights are off and the room has a very, very, dark, emo, but gamer theme to it and sitting right there is Levi, wearing headphones with an entire gaming set-up in the midst of live-streaming and he turns his head, slowly glaring at her. He hits pause on his stream, but continues playing and focus back on the game.
"Answer your damn phone, then get out." He hisses under his breath, voice just as dark as his room and dress sense. Nicole quickly answers her phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Sis! It's your bro. I, umm, listen... I'm sorry about leaving you and the whole hand debacle, but you know I love you, right?"
"Yeah..."
"And I'm at... work right now and there's an opportunity for me to some overtime, like right now, tonight. I probably won't finish till morning, but... Is it okay if I don't come home tonight?
You can be a big girl and look after yourself can't you? There are some frozen meals in the freezer, clean uniform spares in your cupboard I did for you and you take yourself to school in the morning?
I'll see you in class."
"Uh, yeah. Sure, of course I can!"
"That's my Sis! You're growing up. See you tomorrow morning and if you really need me, call me, okay? I'll do my best to answer, but I might be busy.
And uh, ring emergency services I guess if something beyond bad happens, but! Don't be too hasty to call them, alright?"
"Of course, Neo! I understand and I'll see you tomorrow in class. Love you..."
"I love you too."
And then he hangs up. Nicole slumps against the door, exhausted. "Wow, you're brothers a Class A- Asshole, Nicole." Levi comments. "No his not!" She growls, defending him.
"And by the fucking way?" Levi hisses, turning around in his chair, letting go off his controller to play his game on the computer. "My locker door never even touched you. You faked your injury! I'm in trouble now, have detention for a month straight and on playground duty, picking up rubbish too so thanks alot."
"I'm sorry-"
"Sorry won't cut it!"
And then she sees an avatar walk up to Levi's character on the computer screen. It's their game and she starts to smile. It's him!
"What are you smiling at?" Levi growls. "Oh, nothing." She responds, trying to keep Levi distracted. Levi's character is murdered and entire inventory stolen.
Levi quickly notices this, but is too late to stop it and leaps out of his chair angrily and grabs Nicole by the collar of her school uniform. "That's it, get out!" He yells, pulling his door open, letting light stream in and throws Nicole out, slamming the door shut.
Nicole stumbles, struggling to keep her balance and sees Sylvie right there, carrying a basket of laundry. They're going to crash into each-other. She braces for impact and when she next opens her eyes, they're on the floor together, dry clothing everywhere and an angry Sylvie who yells at Levi's door, but Levi shouts back that he wants the world to leave him alone which includes some colorful, much worse words than normal colorful words.
Sylvie mutters that she'll be telling his parents about this and starts to pick up the laundry. Nicole helps her. "Oh, hey, don't worry about it. I got it, Nicole, really. How sweet are you, helping me." Sylvie smiles, tilting her head.
"I thought you'd be hanging with Austin and Vanilla in Austin's room. Levi... Can get a little moody sometimes... His medication hasn't uh, settled things down yet, it seems..." She trails off. "What?" Nicole whispers.
"So, what are your plans for tonight? Crystal and her hubby or even I can drop you home later? Would you want to stay for dinner first? We'll drop Vanilla off, home at the same time we drop you." Sylvie enquires.
"Oh..." Nicole trails off, looking down. Sylvia quickly puts the basket of washing down. "Nicole? What's wrong?" She asks.
Nicole starts tearing up. "It's just..." And she wipes her tears with her arm. "You can trust me, Nicole." Sylvia urges, gently laying a hand on Nicole's knee, giving it a squeeze.
"Neo has to work overtime. I won't see him till class-time. I can go back home, but I'll be alone overnight." She cries.
"Would you feel safe on your own overnight?" Sylvia wonders. "N-no!" Nicole cries, rapidly shaking her head. "Okay, okay, try and take a deep breath, okay, Nicole? We'll sort this out.
I'll talk to my friends. You should be able to spend the night here and we can drop you off at school in the morning when I do school drop off's."
"What about my uniform?"
"I can wash it for you and you can wear some pj's I have left from when I was your age in the mean time."
"Thank you!" Nicole cries harder, throwing her arms around Sylvie's neck. "It's no trouble, sweetie. Don't worry, I'll take care of this for you." Sylvie responds, hugging Nicole back and gently patting her back.
"Now, sweetie. Do you want to go hang with Austin and Vanilla? They're in Austin's room."
Nicole shifts around uncomfortably and Sylvie frowns. "Is there something else you want to tell me?"
"I just want to express my emotions, I hate having to keep them locked up."
"What-"
"I'm not used to have friends, I feel dumb, like a burden too. A waste of space because I can't do anything so I contribute nothing."
"Nicole, how long have you felt this way..."
And Nicole wipes her eyes and smiles. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up. Nevermind."
"Well, if you're sure..."
"I'm sure..."
"Say, maybe you might want to give me a hand in the kitchen if you're not sure about hanging out with your friends? Do you like cooking and baking? I need to make a start on dinner and would like to get a head start too on preparing desert."
"I'm not at excellent at it-"
"You don't have to be."
"Okay, yeah!" Nicole responds excitedly and helps Sylvie put away the last of some the washing and then holds her hand, the two making their way to the kitchen.
146Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MwnNPWql9
