Chapter 78 - Ill-Encounter

Once everyone had showered and gotten dressed, the home atomsphere was not as it use to be. Though both Samantha and Alex greeted each other, she spoke in a neutral tone to him. Gene was still wary about what happened yesterday between his parents. Going to where Jin and Ami were on the couch, he felt a sense of security. Looking at his brother, he gave the impression that he was grumpy.

"...hey Jin?"

"...hmm?" the sophomore asked and turned his head.

"...are you...mad?"

"... not really..." he stated. Lifting his glasses a little, he rubbed his right eye.

"I'm a bit hungry so that is probably why my face looks unfriendly."

"Your face is never friendly Jin," Selbith added in.

"..." both boys responded and looked at her. Gene saw her expression and felt nervous. He saw his sibling put his glasses back on and leaned closer to him.

"That face Gene...is called hangury," Jin whispered. "Any statement can be taken wrongly...kind of like stepping on eggshells."

"What are you whispering about?" she demanded and grabbed his shirt.

"...nothing...just a brother to brother conversation."

"...don't...make me...repeat...my-"

"Alright you three. We are ready to go," Alex stated near the door.

He saw Derek's daughter release his oldest son's shirt then stood up. Hearing Jin sigh out loud, he stood up. Heading toward the door, the other two followed him. Watching them go out the front door, each had a different expression. Jin looked hungry, Ami was grumpy, and Gene looked nervous.

Knowing that Samantha had already went ahead and was in her car, Mr. Ainsley closed the front door. Locking it, he turned around and followed the adolescent group. Seeing them get into the SUV, he went toward the front passenger seat. Once he got in and closed the door, his wife started the vehicle. Feeling that the atmosphere in the car was still tense, he pondered if the mood would change after a meal was consumed.

'...I'm hoping that is it...' Alex thought as the SUV got onto the street. Once it turned left on the main road, they headed into town.

After done showering and dressing up, Rene looked at herself. Knowing that she was just meeting Jin and Ami to discuss more about the game crisis, a seed of wonder came. It made her think about dressing up more. The aspect of keeping a good impression on his family seemed to be only part of it. Wondering if she was trying to get him to notice her more, it was 50/50. Though impressing him was on her mind, she doubted he would boldly say anything or look interested.

Deciding that she would stay with the outfit she sort of had on last time, she left her room. Going down the hallway, she pulled out her phone. Seeing no new text from Jin, she checked to see if Juan sent anything. Not finding anything new, she put her cell away. Cleaning up what was on the coffee table, she empty the glass in the kitchen sink.

After a quick rinse, she heard a notification sound. Pulling out her mobile, she opened it up. There was a message from Jin.

[Hey Renee. We pulled into the parking lot]

[Hi Jin. Okay, I'll head over there...oh...my mom might be coming along as well]

[...(-_-)...okay...]

[Is that a problem?]

[...I told my parents, separately, who your mom was. Both of them told me not to tell the other that your mom is in town. My mom wants to have no association with her and my dad...he really didn't say no or yes of not seeing her]

[...ah...that sounds complicated] she replied making a mild cringing face.

[...(-_-ii)...tell me about it]

[I can make other plans and say something came up to my mom]

[...you really think she buy that?]

[...(-.o)...what? You don't believe me?]

[...from how forward your mom was yesterday...]

[...you know...she is oddly looking forward to seeing your parents]

[...well...they are connected to a past that hasn't been buried yet]

[Seems that way...what do you think we should do?]

[...just come over with your mom. I really don't care about what ills the adults have with one another]

[...won't that spoil your family's Saturday morning thing?]

[If it does, oh well]

[...okay...I'll see you in a few]

['Kay]

'Now I am not that thrilled in going,' Renee thought putting her phone away. Thinking about what to do, she looked down that hallway.

'...mom is taking a while to get ready...she isn't trying to...no way!?'

Intrigued and curious, the female teen walked down the hallway. Getting to her mother's room, the door was opened ajar. Pushing it slowly, there was enough space to put her head through. Peering into the room, she scanned around. Not seeing anyone, the bathroom door was open. Based on the lights on and movement of a shadow, her mother was there.

"Mom? Are you ready yet?" she called out.

"Almost," Tiffany answered.

Walking out of the bathroom to see her daughter's head sticking out, a surprised look came on her face. Opening the door more, Renee looked at how different she dressed. Her usual causal and lazy dressing during the weekend changed. Dressed in mildly ripped jeans, a short t-shirt, and tennis shoes, it gave a throw back look of a high schooler. What was also startling was her light use of make up and styling her hair more than just putting it in a bun.

"...are you seriously going like that?" her mom asked looking at her. The junior blinked and looked down at herself. Looking back up, she frowned and put her hands on her hips.

"This is how I dressed the last time I joined Jin's family breakfast outing."

"You aren't going to capture him looking like that."

"...and what exactly are you trying to do? What's with getting all dressed up for?"

"Well...unlike you who've meet both Alex and Sammy, I want to give a nice...first impression," Tiffany stated with a mild smirk.

"Oh yeah? And whose attention are you trying to draw?"

"Whoever is going to bite," her mother replied then put her hands on her hips. "Anyways, you've got to dress to impress if you want boyfriend #2 to look at you."

"Jin isn't my boyfriend...he is just a friend," she corrected.

"I know you have made smarter decisions than I have when I was your age...but trust me on this one hon. If you don't, I bet you $20 that the family friend is trying to get that boy to notice."

"..." Renee reacted with a mild grunt. Despite looking like she was going to retort, she turned around.

"That's my girl. I'll be ready in five minutes. Are they there already?" her mother called out.

"Yes," she responded back in the same volume. "Are you going to let your boyfriend know where you are going?"

"Ha. He can be confused IF he shows up home."

"He will have an argument with you if you aren't where you are supposed to be."

"Normally I would care, but not right now. He can suck my dick if he's going to have tantrum."

"...!?" the junior reacted in shocked.

'...mom only talks like that when she is on a mission...that mean she really wants to go...but...is she trying to put a wedge into Jin's parents?' she thought while changing.

Shaking her head, she got out of her casual clothes. Deciding to be a little more stylish, she picked out one of her dating outfits. Putting on a sky blue off the shoulder blouse, she paired it with white jeans and black causal heels. Keeping her hair the same, she applied a little makeup. Checking herself over, she suddenly felt a foreboding.

'...wait...if I'm dressing up to the same caliber as my mom...will that mean Jin's parents think I'm trying to intrude as well?,' she thought. Feeling 50/50 about it, she bit her lip. Deciding to stick with what she had, she hoped to just get a separate table with just Jin and Selbith to talk. She flinched from hearing someone coming from behind and touching her shoulders.

"That's my girl. Much better," Tiffany complimented and gave her a squeeze.

"...thanks mom..." Renee responded a little surprised from the approval.

"Well? What do you think?" she asked and gave a turn around.

"...you look...good and youthful mom."

"Heh. Good to know I can still pull it off," her mother stated with a small smug. "Anyways, let's go. Despite wanting to see them, I'm starving."

"Are we walking there or driving there?" the junior asked as they were heading toward the front door.

"If it was lunchtime, walk. But since it is in the morning, it's cold."

'...it is just jacket weather...you just don't want to mess up your look,' the female teen thought with half a frown. Exiting the house, they headed toward Tiffany's car. Getting inside and starting it, they started to make their way to the diner.

Once Jin's family parked in the diner's lot, the SUV was turned off. The entire trip was quiet. It felt different from the other times of both Samantha and Alex holding a conversation in previous times. Sitting in the back seat, Selbith sat next to him with Gene sitting on his other side. Finished texting Renee regarding about arriving and what would happen, he pocketed the cell as people were exiting.

"Is the thief bringing her parent?" Selbith asked in a low tone.

He started scooting over to the door that Gene exited out of. She followed listening to him. Not hearing him answer her, she saw him turn around and gave a slight nod. About to ask why was he acting that way, she felt eyes looking at her. Seeing both brothers turn toward the diner entrance, they began walking. Closing the car door and hearing it lock, she noticed both parents watching.

Oddly, the adults were not standing next to each other. There seemed to be a barrier between them as if some invisible space was there. Not wanting to be stared at by both of them, Ami took bigger strides to catch up to Jin. Once she did, the sophomore opened the door and held it. Both parents entered followed by the rest of them.

"...Jin...will they fight again?" she whispered standing next to him.

"...I hope not..." he whispered back.

Getting to and standing near the server podium, the employee from yesterday saw them. Greeting them in a friendly matter, she showed them to a window booth. Setting the menus down on the table, she mentioned that a server will be with them in a minute or two. Nodding their heads, everyone sat down. Selbith and Samantha sat next to the window on opposite sides followed by Jin and Alex respectively. Gene sat next to his brother.

Waiting in silence again, the tension across the the table was still there. Glancing at both parents, they were not looking at each other. The space between them on the couch was enough for another person to sit. Gene didn't get out his phone and just sat quietly. Despite feeling trapped, Ami tried to not move too much. She did not want to draw attention from them.

"Morning. My name is Dale and I'll be your waiter today," a man stated coming to their table. His presence seemed to break the ice that was in the air. He recognized three out of the five that were there.

"Welcome back. I see you brought the rest of the family," he said with a smile. Samantha gave a small smile and answered.

"Yes. This is my husband Alex and this is my second son Gene," she spoke. Both greeted the waiter.

"How nice," Dale said then looked at the female teen. He blinked in surprise and saw her glance at him.

"...yes...?" Ami responded.

"Sorry Ms. Felmort. You look really nice. Quite a contrast from your outfit yesterday."

"...I see...thank you," she answered with a small smile and a nod. It seemed to diffuse anymore tension at the table.

"Do you all know what you want to order or just start off with drinks?"

"I think drinks for now," Mr. Ainsley stated. Nodding his head and getting out a notepad, Dale took down the list of drinks. Stating he'll be back in a couple minutes, he left them. Alone with each other again, someone spoke.

"That does look nice on you Ami," Alex mentioned politely. "Do you know if you picked it out or your parents got it for you?"

"..." Selbith blinked then looked down at herself. After a couple of moments, she looked up and shook her head.

"I do not remember."

"Did you recall anything from your past or is it still a blur?" Samantha asked.

"...anything beyond the hospital...it is blank..." Ami answered. Seeing Mrs. Ainsley look a little sadden, her husband seemed to relax a little bit.

'...he keeps doing that...' the female teen pondered. '...anything regarding this body's past...seems to trigger something...'

"Guess we will have to wait and see...if over time, Ami can recall her memories," Mr. Ainsley commented. There was a general nod around the table.

"..." Jin spoke seeing something to his right. Glancing over, two people walked into the diner. It seemed like a mother and daughter. The female teen typed on her cell something, his phone vibrated.

'...why are they...dressed up...?' he wondered then looked back at the table. He suppressed the want to scowl. '...I'll be trapped again...'

"...hey brother..." Gene began and pulled on his sleeve and pointed. "Isn't that your gamer friend?"

Without answering, the people at the table turned to where the boy pointed. For the adults on the other side of the table, their eyes seemed to go into micro-vision. Jin blinked and gave a neutral expression. Gene stared at both the mother and daughter pair and blinked a couple of times. Ami gave an impassive face and just stared. When the two reached their table, Tiffany spoke first.

"Well well...long time no see," she said smiling at the sophomore.

"...yes..." he responded with a blink. Watching her turned her sights on his parents, both reacted differently. Samantha radiated tension and aggravation though held a tight smile. Alex on the other hand was blinking in surprise. He seemed genuinely taken a back.

"...Tiffany...you..." he began then rubbed his eyes. "...changed?"

"Well...I had to give up the hardcore punk look and grow up a little bit," the woman stated then did a little turn around. "What do you think?"

"...you look...approachable," the man stated carefully. He could feel the vibes emitting from the person sitting on his other side.

"That all?" Tiffany stated with a disappointed look.

Turning her head to the other three, she looked at them curiously. The rail thin girl had the resemblance of a couple of features from Derek. Getting confirmation of who the person was, she glanced at the younger boy. Smiling at him, he stared back with a curious face. Looking at the male teen, he sat quietly and was staring at the table. Seeing someone shifting to her left, it was Renee. See seemed to be standing mildly uncomfortable.

'...let's see what he will do...' she thought turning to the older son.

"Morning Jin."

"..." the sophomore replied with moving his eyes toward her. He turned his head a little bit.

"Morning."

"What do you think?"

"...you look youthful..." he answered in a neutral tone. The comment made her smile.

"Awe. How nice of you to say. Who are your two buddies?"

"...this is my younger brother Gene."

"...hi..." the boy said politely.

"Hi there," Tiffany responded with a small wave. It seemed to make the child relax a little and cause more tension on the other side of the table.

"...this is Ami Felmort...due to circumstances and accepting a job from her father, I am her caretaker until she fully recovers."

"...I see...hello," she greeted.

"...hello..." Selbith spoke and gave a slight nod.

'...I was right in telling Renee to dress up...' the woman thought giving a small smile. '...not only is Derek's daughter dressed...she commando.'

"..." Renee stated trying to not stare at Ami.

'...at least Selbith looks more human than a freeloader...but still,' she thought clenching her teeth together. 'Why is she not wearing anything underneath?'

"Sammy," Tiffany called looking at Mrs. Ainsley. "It has been ages since we last chat."

"...yes...it was high school the last time," Samantha agreed. Though the tight smile stayed, her displeasure was emitting out of her.

"What brings you here? Going on a date later with someone?"

"Oh you know...just felt like dressing up for a change with my kid. Right?"

"...yes mom..." the junior replied trying to sound natural as possible.

"...how...nice..." Samantha commented in a low tone.

"Why not we join you? We could catch up on lost time," Tiffany stated. Getting next to Alex, she put a hand on his shoulder.

"Aren't you going to scoot over for me?" she asked sweetly.

"...uh...um..." he replied not sure what to do. Before anyone could say anything, Renee's mom shifted her purse and sat next to him. She leaned more into him than on the edge of the couch.

"You are so mean. If it were back then, I would have kicked your ribs to get your butt to move," she mentioned in a low tone and smirked.

"...!?" he reacted startled. A couple of seconds went by as five out of the seven were staring at them. Selbith and Renee heard someone sighing through their nose. Glancing quickly at the sound, it was Jin. His eyes were closed for two seconds before opening them.

"...honey..." Samantha stated and pinched his right thigh hard. He moved over quickly to the middle.

"S-Sorry."

"Awe, thanks Sammy," Tiffany commented with a fun looking smile. "You just have to push men's buttons to get them to move...ain't that right?"

"..." Mrs. Ainsley answered with a small frown. She let go of pinching Alex's thigh.

"...possibly...depends on who it is and how they react."

"...heh...rightly so," the woman agreed leaning back. Turning toward the children, Jin leaned to mutter something to his brother. Seeing Gene nod, he got off the couch. Going to a neighboring open table and getting a chair, he brought it back to the table.

"Thanks Gene," Renee stated with a pleasant smile and patted his head a little.

"...y-you're welcome..." the boy said with a little redness in his face. About to go back to his seat, someone stopped him.

"Hey there Gene," Tiffany spoke with a small smile. She patted the chair that he got.

"Why not sit at the head of the table and be our leader?"

"...um..." he began then looked around the table.

Both of his parents were not giving him good vibes as they seemed preoccupied. Especially his father. He looked to be concentrating hard at nothing. Looking to his brother, he turned his head toward him. Seeing him lean in to him, Gene got closer and listened. Conversing back and forth a little, the boy nodded and turned toward Renee's mother.

"...okay..." he said and sat down on the chair.

'...she is controlling the table and atmosphere...' Renee thought still standing. '...and Jin was not kidding about his folks...the tension here is high...and uncomfortable.'

"What are you shenanigans whispering about?" Tiffany asked. She smirked at them with one eye closed.

"Brother to brother stuff," Jin answered.

"Oh and what would that be?" she persisted. The sophomore didn't reply and just crossed his arms over his chest. Glancing at the younger brother, he mimicked him. The sight actually made her want to chuckle. Seeing Alex flinch, he turned his head a little toward her direction.

"Your sons are being cute," the woman mentioned smiling at him.

"...t-thanks..." Mr. Ainsley replied a tight smile.

"Hon, how long are you going to stand?" Tiffany stated turning toward her daughter. "Sit down next to your boyfriend."

"..." Renee responded with a small frown. "Jin isn't my boyfriend mom."

'...based on how she is dressed...that is misleading,' Samantha, Alex, Jin, Gene, and her mother thought at the same time.

Despite what the junior said, she sat down next to him. Wondering how the sophomore would react, he did not change his neutral expression or his body position. Tiffany glanced at Ami and saw that she hadn't changed her expression or position as well. It made her wonder what kind of relationship she had with Alex's son. Deciding to test the waters, she knew that she might get bit in the process.

"Sorry for the wait everyone," Dale stated coming to the table. He had a tray with seven drinks on it.

"I saw you had two more people that came to your table and got their drinks as well," the man began then looked at all of them. "Are you all going to sit together?"

"..." everyone else answered. Someone spoke first that made everyone blink and look at her.

"...yes...we are sitting as a party," Ami stated then pointed at Gene. "He is the head of the table."

"Heh heh, got it," Dale responded with an amused smile. Passing the drinks around, he put the tray underneath his arm.

"What can I get you all today?"

After taking down everyone's order and collecting the menus, the waiter walked away. Everyone attended their drinks and seemed to take an edge off most of them. After taking a couple of sips, Tiffany looked at the teens sitting next to each other. In comparison to other boys that Renee has been around, Jin was one that wasn't swayed so easily. It made her want to try to see how far she go.

"Say Ami."

"Yes?" she asked putting her drink down and looking at her.

"What kind of relationship do you have with Jin? Is it more than just a caretaker?" the woman asked. Seeing movement from the others, the two teens she mentioned did not react. Renee did not seem to react, but looked to her left at both of them.

"..." Selbith reacted with a blink and looked down in thought.

Pondering on the actions and the history between her and the male teen, she could what they were. Remembering that he mentioned that her identity was not the same here, she refrained from using that. Glancing at the sophomore, he tended his drink again seemingly ignoring the staring of the others. Looking at the adults in front of her, Alex looked nervous while Samantha looked stiff. Glancing at the thief's parent, she answered with an impassive expression.

"We are...just comrades."

'Comrades? That is different,' the woman thought then continued.

"Is that so? You live with the Ainsleys?"

"As part of being cared for, yes."

"Given that you are recovering, did you forget to wear underwear or chose to be commando?"

"I chose to wear none."

"Why is that?"

"They are cumbersome and restrictive."

"..." Tiffany reacted with a surprised blink. Smiling, she nodded her head.

"On that, I agree. Tell me Jin, has she flashed you yet?"

"...no..." he answered without reacting.

"I bet you tried to take a peek."

"I rather not have Mr. Felmort punch my face...so no, I haven't," Jin continued. He heard her snort and saw the others watching them.

"How about Renee? Have you played around with her?"

"In terms of playing games together, yes."

"No naughty stuff? She is wearing quite an head turning piece."

"Renee's my friend. Not a piece of meat," the sophomore retorted back looking not amused.

"Awe...not even a little bit?"

"...I would be gay if I said no."

"Are you?"

"No."

"So you are interested."

"I am a male that is straight so yes."

"...how tempered you are..." she mentioned then turned herself to the right. She mildly pressed her chest on Alex's left arm and grinned at him.

"Unlike someone I know."

"..." the man spoke with a startled blushing face. It made Samantha boil with anger.

"Heh heh...sorry Sammy," Tiffany commented backing off slowly. She put her hands together in front of her and closed one eye.

"Old habits die hard...you know?"

"..." Mrs. Ainsley reacted with a tight frown. "...sure..."