He gave me a funny face.
"Who's Aiden? My name is Michael."
I shook my head to see if I was just seeing Aiden. When I opened my eyes, he still looked the same.
"Why are you in my house?"
"I'm looking for my dad. He moved in here with some lady and her daughter when I was gone."
"Their in Costa Rica. And that lady is my mom."
"Ah, so your Ashley."
"Yes."
"Well I'm your step brother."
Yay, a step brother that looks like my dead ex. Kyla's going to enjoy this. Not.
"Do you know when their going to be back?"
"Yeah, in a week."
"Alright. Do you mind if I stay here?"
"Do whatever you want. I'm going over to my girlfriend's."
"Your.."
"Gay? Yeah. Oh, and you have another step sister. She's in the car."
Michael look passed us and focused on the car.
"She looks just like you. Are you two twins?"
"Yep. Well make yourself at home. I have to get clothes."
He let Spencer and I past him.
"Is it just me or does he look a lot like Aiden?"
"I noticed it, too. Hopefully Kyla won't be seeing him for a while."
Spencer's phone started ringing.
"Hello? Oh hey mom. Yeah she ODed. Her and Ash are going to stay at our house because their mom is in Costa Rica with her husband. We're getting clothes for Kyla and Ashley. We'll be home in a bit. Bye."
"What did your mom have to say?"
"She asked about Kyla and where I was."
Michael poked his head in my room.
"What?"
"Where should I sleep?"
"The guest bedroom is next to my bathroom. Which is across the hall, a door down to the left."
"Got it. Thanks for letting me hang here."
"No problem."
I pushed past him and went into Kyla's room. I gathered random clothes and stuffed them into her duffle bag. Spencer and I made our way down the stairs. Michael was only a couple feet behind.
"I'll see you in a week Michael."
"Actually you'll see me at school."
"Your actually staying?"
"Yeah. Our parents are married, I have to."
Great.
"But you said you were away. Where were you?"
"Visiting my mom in Nevada. My dad called me a couple days ago and said that I have to go to school in LA instead of New York. Then he gave me the address and here I am. He already enrolled me into King High. So there's not much I can do."
I shook my head so he would know I listened (which I didn't).
"Well we have to go. It was nice meeting you."
"Bye."
We walked to the car and got in before Michael could get in the doorway. Just when he poked his head out, I pulled out of the driveway. Perfect timing. A second later, Kyla would've saw him and freaked out.
I pulled into the Carlin driveway and we all got out. Glen and Kyla were inseparble which meant they got really close while we were gone. A red Ford Focus that I'd never seen before was in the driveway also. Spencer's eyes lighted up.
"Is that.."
"It is!!"
Glen and Spencer jumped around and high fived everyone else (Kyla and I). I couldn't help but laugh.
"What's going on," Kyla asked.
"Our Aunt DeAnne is here! She's our favorite aunt."
A woman who looked a lot like Paula apeared in the doorway.
"Who is these beautiful children?"
"Aunt DeAnne!"
Spencer and Glen ran to their aunt like little kids running to the tree on Christmas. The woman nearly fell down when the attacked her with a hug. The actual Paula showed up next to them.
"Mom, why didn't you tell us?"
"I wanted it to be a surprise."
"How long are you in Aunt D?"
"Just a couple days."
She looked past her neice and nephew and looked at me.
"Who are these girls?"
"Oh, those are our friends Ashley and Kyla."
Kyla and I waved at the same time. I saw Paula's shoulders tense up.
"Well hello girls. I bet you two are twins."
"Yes."
Spencer gave me a "it's-okay-to-come-closer" look. We walked up to the group and we went inside.
"Spencer, I'm getting a little tired. Can I go take a nap in your room?"
"Of course. Glen, can you show her the way?"
"Sure."
Glen and Kyla walked up the steps and I was stuck with the family. I stopped at the doorway to the living room and leaned against the wall. Spencer searched for me until she looked at the wall. She waved her hand meaning I could come over. I shook my head no. She removed herself from the couch and pulled me into the kitchen.
"You can hang out with us."
"But it's more of a family thing. And obviously your mother doesn't want me to be a part of this family. So I'll just do her a favor and stay out."
"Why do you care what my mom has to say? She's not dating you, I am. And I want you to be a part of this family. I love you. You shouldn't have to be in the back while everyone is having fun."
We kissed, but her aunt came in. We separted quickly.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."
"Are you shocked?"
"About what?"
"That I'm gay."
"Well I was a little, but I think it's awesome."
"Wow, you take this better than mom."
"She acts like that because our mother acted that way. Your mom has always tried to be like your grandma. I said no way, I was being myself."
"So you have no problem with this?"
"Nope. Do you want me to talk to your mother about it and see if she can come around?"
"That would be great."
"You got it kiddo."
"Are you sure your Paula's sister? You act just like Mr. C."
DeAnne laughed and said, "I'm pretty sure I am. Arthur and I were best friends all the way up to his last year of college. And now he's married to my little sister. So we act a lot a like."
Paula came into the room. Spencer and I moved back. We knew DeAnne was going to talk to her now.
"Paula, we must talk."
"What is it?"
"It's about Spencer."
Paula gave us the evil glare then look back at her older sister.
"What about her?"
"Well I recently found out she's gay and I heard that you aren't taking it well."
"I'm taking it fine."
"You've never liked gay people."
DeAnne slid a chair out and sat down. Paula did the same.
"Spencer is my-"
"Just listen to what I have to say, then you can talk."
"Okay."
Spencer's aunt took a deep breath, looked back at us, smiled, then focused on her sister. Glen walked into the kitchen and stood next to me. He knew not to say anything.
DeAnne started, "Paula, you need to pull out of your head and stop judging your daughter. Also stop judging her girlfriend. She has done nothing but love Spencer, and you should be happy that someone loves her. Even better, that Spence loves her back. You need to see that there is already more than enough hate in this world without you adding on to it. All that your doing is driving her away and making more hate. You need to see past the gay part and look at the love part. It's okay. No one is going to be hurt by this. Your daughter is in love, and you should be proud. Even if it is with a girl. There's nothing wrong with it. So stop being so stupid and accept her for what she is. You don't have to be mom anymore. I know your smarter than this. Look, she hasn't changed at all. It's still Spencer. So come on, stop driving her away. Be someone better. Accept her, accept Ashley, accept everyone."
There was a silence for a couple minutes. Right when Paula opened her mouth, a yell came from upstairs.
"ASHLEY! HELP ME!"