Well, I'm back. After a fashion. Sorry for the long draught, but school sucked my brainpower and I couldn't write. I also tried my hand at making videos, because it's fun but doesn't require quite the inspiration writing does. But I've decided to try again, so let's hope this goes okay. I'm not sure about this (am I ever?) because I haven't written in so long and I'm trying a new perspective, one I usually avoid at all costs. Hope you guys like it anyway. Enjoy.
WARNING: Wow, doesn't this look important? This really is an inconvenient time to start writing again, because the rough draft for the bane of my existence is due Monday and Tuesday I leave for my Senior Europe trip for two weeks. Luckily I have Spring Break when I get back so I should be able to write another few chapters, but anyone who doesn't want to wait that long would be advised to wait until I get back to read this. hums Jeopardy theme music You know the curiosity is eating at you . . . kay, maybe I'm being conceited, lol.
Disclaimer: Short-term memory loss? That's okay, I totally understand. Wait, what happened?
Since I'm dating your stepbrother, we're practically family.
The noise of the room demanded attention, but for some reason those words stayed sharp, morphing the amiable chatter to a dull murmur. I could hear her voice, too—steadier, older—but it barely registered as those words stayed fresh in my mind. I hadn't thought of them in years; actually, I'm surprised I remembered them at all. I'm not exactly known for remembering details unless it benefits me in some way. But I could still see it, sitting at the dinner table; her voice, flippant and confident, sealing my fate. But it doesn't bother me like I thought it would; I'm not even phased to remember her presumption and dismissal. That's just part of her and there's no reason to change it. What bothers me is that word. Family. That word, and all the thoughts it brings when I look back on the scene.
How did it come to this? I wonder with a mental groan. How did I let this happen? Part of me, the smarter part, thinks of hockey and parties; of pranks and bullying my little brother; of late nights and girls and freedom. The rest of me thinks of something else.
"Derek?" Her voice, soft and questioning with a slight undertone of admonishment, breaks through her other words, the ones on a loop in my brain. I glance up and bite back my annoyance. I hate when she chastises me; it just doesn't sound right without all the yelling and frustration.
"What?" I ask, as softly as I could. As softly as I could manage to.
She gave me an ironic look, quirking her mouth and raising an eyebrow. "Don't be rude," she demanded through a smile, gesturing to the crowd before shaking her head. I looked around the room with dread, trying not to sigh at the sight of all those people waiting to talk to us. Usually I liked being the center of attention. Usually. She turned back to clasp the hand of a redhead a little older than ourselves. I didn't recognize her, though I probably should. I think she's in our party. The nameless woman shifted, clutching my arm and smiling brightly; I gave her a smooth smile and she moved on. Turning from the man she was talking to, the attractive woman to my right smiled giddily and slipped her arm around my waist; I put an arm over her shoulder and she leaned in, staying put rather than shifting back to the guests as I would have liked. I've never appreciated that sort of thing where people could see. My discomfit grew as the man gave me a wink and moved on, so I shifted my arm lazily and glanced back down the line. It seemed to be thinning, I noted with some relief. End in sight, I set myself to muddle through a little while longer. Just as I thought I was free, I caught sight of a trio heading toward us and barely contained a groan.
"Mom, Dad," the blonde beside me greeted, forcing a pleased note in her voice. From their faces, only I had noticed. It wasn't that she disliked her parents, they just didn't see eye to eye on a lot of things. Including me. The thought made me grin and I stood straighter as her father clasped her hand and her mother moved closer.
"Hello, honey," her mother greeted, and her hand dropped from my side as the women moved into a hug. I felt myself stand easier.
"Jenny!" she exclaimed, finally noticing the other woman. "How are you?"
"I haven't seen you in forever!" the woman said in place of a response, hugging her excitedly. I hadn't ever met her cousin, but I recognized her. Tall, slender and brunette with those fashion-whatever glasses, her face was nearly identical to her cousin's. She was hot, in a crazy sort of way. Probably would have dated her if given the opportunity.
"And you must be Derek," Jenny said, turning to me with an appraising gaze. She didn't bother to introduce herself, and I was glad. Finally, someone normal. Looking me up and down a few times, she broke out into an amused smirk, laughing slightly.
"I approve," she declared, turning to her cousin. Glancing back, her eyes traced me. "I definitely approve," she added, voice lilting into a facetious sort of suggestiveness. I smirked and she laughed. "You'll definitely bring some good genes to this family." She continued, making some joke about the difficulty of adding to their genetic pool, but I wasn't paying attention anymore. It was that word again; that damn word. Pictures were flooding my mind . . . Since I'm dating your stepbrother . . . I wanted them to stop, but I knew they wouldn't . . . we're practically family . . .. They never did.
"I've got to go," I said quickly, moving past the bewildered faces.
"Derek?" my fiancé asked, clutching my arm and watching me worriedly. I shrugged her off and darted past her relatives.
"I'm sorry, Kendra," I said over my shoulder. Then I pushed through the back door, crossed the empty back lot to my car, and drove away.
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Kay. There it is. I've never tried a fic where they're adults, but for some reason the line and a sentence or two to go with it popped into my head. Honestly, I have no idea where this is going. A thought or two, maybe, but no real idea. What a surprise. I'll get it going somewhere, though. And hopefully in less chapters than my last beast of a story. Much shorter, if I can control myself. We'll see. I know the marriage thing is overdone, but that's what my brain came up with. And hey, there's probably a reason it's overdone. Or maybe not. Let me know what you think, so I'll know if I should scrap it. Thanks.