"Wow..." Ryann gazed at the beautiful marble mansion in awe.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9rDgCXAmd
It towered above him, gleaming proudly in the afternoon sun, showing off its many dozen windows which were shined so thoroughly that he could spot the ocean’s waves from smiles away in them. The prideful mansion pointed out its magnificent arches and pillars, and how the pattern of its marble swayed and swirled like a coming storm, and it boast about how perfectly it fit its location. It pointed out to Ryann its red shingled roof which can be seen from miles away much clearer than any lighthouse, and the tall twin peaks of its chimneys which promised delicately carved masterpieces at its base. The mansion smirked down at Ryann, whose jaw hung at a hinge, waiting for his response of how beautiful it is. 788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjJbZOf5Yb
Ryann has always seen it shining from afar, like a beacon for the island villagers since they had built it with the intention of it being their safe house when the ‘big one’ comes, but he’s never made the pilgrimage to see it’s grandeur up close like this. He felt too inferior to even ogle at its perfections.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPDMP68nfO
"Hey, Tiger!" a feminine voice broke his trance and he turned to find a large smile.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3mqI4ZNH2
A woman, petite and caramel of skin, marched up the last few steps up the lofty hill carrying plastic bags that sagged in her grasp. 788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7kJoOi8JS
"Rebecca!" Myah sang as she bounced happily to her guardian's side. "This is Ryann!" 788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAJVCwfMYI
Ryann stiffened up at the introduction, especially since this was Myah’s foster mother. Sweat budded against the back of his neck, his blond locks gluing to his sticky skin, as he gave a tight smile to the shorter woman. 788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0kRJf8fm9
Rebecca's eyes lit up at his name, and she let her bags drop without a second thought, eagerly holding out a hand for him to shake. "You're the little boy in the picture she always carries around!"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuDDA02jF1
Ryann choked back a stuttered response to try and save her first impression of him. He hadn’t expected her to say that. “Excuse me?”788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhaSURwoqT
“The one in her pocket right now, which she talks to whenever she feels—”788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4uRtw74Xs
Myah threw herself at her foster mother with a heated hiss, her face burnt up in flames that matched her ruby hair. “Do you really have to talk about that of all things, Rebecca? And do you eaves drop on me?” she growled lowly, like a wounded panther. 788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe8c2Atlqt
Rebecca smiled innocently, playing dumb. “What do you mean? I’m just keeping a watchful eye on you! Mi chiquita, bonita niña mas preciosa!” * Rebecca cooed in a higher voice, pinching at Myah’s tomato cheeks to her abhor. 788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXv6lo0UPP
Ryann couldn’t help but smile fondly at their relationship, his chest ebbing in relief that Myah hadn’t shouldered all of her loneliness on her own, thanks to the warm, brilliant white smile that radiated from her foster mother.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpSMheKuof
His chest cringed at the last few words, realizing what he had said and what exactly it had meant. Even though Rebecca was a great person, it’s a shame for Myah to even know her. She should have her own, real mother to help her, to hold her, to embarrass and love her... 788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvquBF2ty6w
His heart felt heavier, reminding himself that a foster mother was better than no mother at all…788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck2K27PM4K
"Ryann?” At the sound of Myah’s voice, Ryann yanked himself out of the bitter tomb he was beginning to bury himself in. He snapped back to consciousness, his flesh warming with life from just the sight of her angelic smile. "Rebecca is going to make dinner, and you’re welcome to stay."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31W4MzF2g9
“But first take her down to the beach! She’s been dying to go with you.” The Latin woman gave a loaded wink meant for only him to see as she picked up her groceries from the ground. They crinkled in irritation as they were lifted into the air and hauled into the majestic mouth of the mansion. 788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5u2td7mf9
Ryann flashed a deeper red at her slight action, a jolt running down his spine that froze him like an ice beam. Myah waved goodbye to her foster mother, unknowing of the overtone Rebecca had struck him with. 788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdIAqRp6bP
Rebecca suddenly poked her head out from behind the heavily decorated mansion doors, as if she had forgotten something. "Have her back by sun down, okay? It's only her first day." She shot Ryan with a glare so heated, it not only melted him from his paralysis, but it scaled him as well. 788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV13Xrb3PX8
Ryann's burned face nodded animatedly in understanding, lost for words in the woman’s steely glare.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9TJHg60YR
Her stare melted at his complete compliance. “Good. Dinner’ll be ready before then!” Then she gave the heavy door the slam, disappearing from the teen’s view. 788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW9OuY979p
Letting out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding, he shifted his mortified gaze toward Myah.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYzdM6rnZq
"Common, let's go to the beach just like we used to do. For old time's sake." Myah hastily suggested, her cheeks still slightly aglow from the previous scene. She paused for a moment, a thought stuck on her mind, before flashing a bright smile at Ryann, taking his palm hostage to a tight hold. 788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FASQacOJO
The boy felt his chest lurch forward as his heart forgot a step in its beat at her brash act. But he gulped down his emotions and took it willingly. 788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpGsLbuEoa
With her carefree beaming, the sun caught in her bouncy hair, for a moment—a mere fleeting seconds—she finally returned to being the five-year-old in the photo of his pocket again. 788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCh3ZWgUs3
Ryann sheepishly smiled at the sudden resemblance, his mind calmed by the thought, forgetting everything of the past day, and of the past ten agonizing years. He gripped her hand, though not with the same amount of brash confidence as she possessed, and led her to the beach.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzkkEY7yB9
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*Spanish for 'My little, beautiful, precious girl.'
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