I stared at my parents with a blank expression. Their so-called 'fantastic' news still hadn't sunk in. A brother? My mind echoed in shock.
"Honey?" My mom, Lilliana, questioned, reaching forward and touching my arm gently. My dad, Peter, was standing by her side.
"We think it would be a good idea to adopt. Think of all the poor, sad, lonesome, little kids who have no home, no family. Wouldn't it be nice to bring one of them happiness?" Dad frowned a little at me, obviously unsettled by my steely look.
"Why a brother? Why not a sister?" I had known of their previous plans to adopt, and was perfectly fine with it, but a boy? Really. My mind drifted fleetingly to the images I had conjured up of me and my new little sister, playing and having fun and discussing girly topics. Painting our nails together. Going shopping. My dad cleared his throat and my mind snapped back to the present. I guess that won't be happening.
"Because we found an adorable little boy who really needs a family. His name," My mom glanced at Dad, as if asking permission. He nodded and she continued on, "His name is Ciel Phantomhive. He's twelve years old, and he has black-ish blue hair. He's also got these adorable deep blue eyes. So endearing…"
My mouth spoke before my mind could stop it. "Black-ish blue hair? What is he, emo?"
Dad looked at me sharply. "Don't be rude."
I shrank back a little, wincing. "Sorry."
"Honey, we'll be going to the orphanage later this afternoon to go pick him up. Now, he acts a little peculiar, and has a bit of an outdated way of speaking, but he's a great kid. So try your hardest to get along." Mom smiled and stood up from the couch, and I rose as well.
"Okay." For their sake, I tried to smile. "I'll go up to my room and tidy it up a bit." With that I turned on my heel and darted upstairs. Once I got to my room, I hesitated. Stepping to the left, I pushed open the spare bedroom door and went inside. I looked at the walls, at the empty dresser and closet, and at the window. Dust particles glittered faintly in the partial sunlight that streamed in from the shaded window. Shaking my head, I went back in to my room. The small wolf token that I always had kept on my own dresser caught my eye, and an unknown feeling twisted in my chest. Maybe I had been treating this new boy unfairly. After all, he was going to be my brother. I took it in my palm and stared at it, before going back to Ciel's new room. Pulling open the top dresser drawer, I set in there gently. Now, Ciel would have something of mine as a part of his room. I closed the drawer and stepped out of the room, sighing.
"What on earth did I ever do to deserve a brother?" I muttered.
The next few hours passed quite quickly, and before I knew it we were on our way to the orphanage to pick up Ciel. I had my earbuds in, filling my head with the oh so cheerful music of Simple Plan. We pulled up to the main office, and after Dad parked the car we all piled out. The lady rushed out and greeted us, leading us in to the main office swiftly. She was all smiles, extremely cheerful. Almost too cheerful, I noted. Suspicion rose in my mind. Was this kid that bad that she wanted to get rid of him so badly?
"Ciel is already packed and waiting! He was so happy when he found out that he was getting a home! I can't wait for him to finally go to his new family! Of course you guys have to sign some documents, just so it's legal, but you're such a nice family! And this must be Emily!" She chirped. My head was swimming. Did she always talk this fast? I swear, she must have been a hummingbird in her past life.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you-" I started to say, but she cut me off.
"I've heard so much about you! Oh, such a little sweetie you are! No need for formalities, dearie! Just call me Aunt Lizzie!" 'Aunt Lizzie' said, rushing around. Running to her desk, she gathered up several papers in her arms and thrust them at my parents. "Just sign the bottom of each page and you'll be good to go! Oh, and Emily, Ciel's in the other room if you want to go meet him! It's the blue door to your left!"
Silently I nodded, slipping one earbud back in. I opened the door, and it creaked loudly. I shook my head and murmured, "Put some WD-40 on that hinge." Pushing it open the rest of the way, my eyes roamed about the almost empty room until I came upon what could only be Ciel Phantomhive. His right eye was completely covered by long, black-ish blue bangs. His visible eye gleamed a vivid deep blue, shining with intelligence.
I made my way across the room and sat down on the chair across from him. "Hello, Mr. Phantomhive. My name is Emilia Mashintame, but just call me Emily." I could tell from his appearance that he was the sort that demanded-no, needed- politeness. I held out my hand for him to shake. He gracefully grasped my hand in his own and raised it up to his lips, lightly brushing my hand before releasing it.
"Hello, Madame Emily. I see that you are to be my new sister." He murmured, his blue eye piercing my hazel ones. The way he asked his question, it wasn't a question; it was more of a statement than anything.
I dipped my head respectfully in acknowledgement. "Indeed." Internally, I was struggling to process all that had occurred in the past minute or so. He acted way too mature to be twelve. Heck, I was one year older than him and I didn't act that way!
"Is it not rude to be listening to music whilst having a conversation?" He said, obviously spotting my earbud.
"My apologies." I took it out and set it and my phone next to me. "I did not think it would be distracting."
"Why are you so different from the others? So polite and formal, not unlike myself?" He asked, tilting his head slightly. His bangs flopped in his eyes even more so, if that was possible.
I shrugged, then immediately regretted my decision. Shrugging was unladylike. "I do not know the answer to your question."
"Well, then-" Ciel never got to finish his sentence because Mom and Dad barged in. I felt like something had been broken; Ciel seemed to clam up before their very eyes. His visible eye took on a dull appearance, and he stood up. I too grabbed my phone and earbuds, standing up.
"Alright, sweetie, let's go. All the papers have been signed, and now you're officially a Mashintame!" Mom cheered.
"I would have preferred to keep my family's name of Phantomhive. After all, I am a Phantomhive." I heard him, but he spoke so softly that they couldn't.
Dad stepped forward and put an arm around his new son's shoulders. "Come on, let's go home." He smiled grandly, leading him out to the car. Ciel cast his gaze at the ground, but not before he turned and looked at me, his appearance slightly distressed. Of course, I'm sure that Mom nor Dad could tell. He looked very uncomfortable, and I sensed that he wanted to be rescued, but he was too proud to ask for help. I found myself stepping forward and grabbing Ciel's hand, pulling him away from Dad.
"Ciel, you can sit in the back next to me!" I said, quickly coming up with an excuse. Dad feigned hurt. I ignored him and pulled open the door of the car, ushering Ciel inside before I hopped in behind him. It took Mom and Dad a few moments to reach the car; after all, they were slightly slower than us youngsters.
"Thank you." Ciel breathed out, and my head swiveled towards him.
I didn't have to think at all to know what he was referring to. "You're welcome."