Author's Note: Uh oh, Vic and Star have introduced another Original Character! But don't worry, he's far from a Mary Sue…or Gary Stu, whichever. Anyway, he's…interesting. You'll be seeing more of him soon, since he doesn't make too much of an appearance in this chapter. By the way, the title sucks, but titles suck in general when you're doing a themed story. Vic and Star advise that you don't do it.
Chapter 3: Sunshine In A Bag
By Star
Adam's POV
"Noooooooo!"
I'm rudely awakened by a very loud and highly disgruntled yell from my brother.
Wonderful. I finally escape from the hell that is living with Charlie and putting up with the awkward atmosphere, only to come home for the summer to have to deal with Daniel.
I hear a thump and the pounding of someone stomping downstairs, and yet more indignant hollering. Then the back door slams.
My curiosity is piqued, I have to go and see what Daniel's yelling about.
I get out of bed and look out of the window overlooking our back garden (or as Taz once called it, 'National Park') and I'm amused to see my father walking along the path with Daniel slung over his shoulder.
Dad deposits him on the ground. "Just because you're nineteen, doesn't mean you're too old to be told off. Now for the last time, leave Adam alone."
I snort. Nice going Dad. This is so entertaining that I'm not even going to worry about Daniel's imminent revenge the minute Dad turns his back.
"You like him more than me!" Daniel complains, sounding like a petulant kid.
"Right now, yes I do." My Dad admits. "I love you both equally, but I really don't like your attitude, either learn to deal with Adam or don't, but stop the nastiness."
Oh yes, I'm going to pay for this big time.
I listen to my Dad lecture Daniel on family loyalty for awhile longer, then get dressed.
*~*~*~*
I'm just debating whether to call Maya or not and see if she wants to go to the movies or something later. It might just be my paranoia, but I don't think she likes me that much anymore, of course, if it is just paranoia and she does want to hang out, she'll still have to bring Taz, since she's spending the summer with her.
Unless I suggest that Taz go terrorise the Conway household, then I could teach Maya to play street hockey, it's about time she learnt to blade. Then again, I can't imagine Maya would appreciate a call along the lines of, "Hey, how are you doing? Can you ditch your girlfriend because I'm feeling like a friendless loser?"
Or I could call Dean and Fulton, I haven't spent much time with either of those two recently.
"Adam! Would you come out here a moment?"
I paste a happy smile on my face and wander outside where my Mom is talking to another lady, and a guy about my age with the most amazingly red hair I've ever seen.
"Adam, this is Mrs Calvert and her son, Damien. They've just moved in next door."
"Hi." I reply with disinterest. I see my Mom's reproving glance, so feel obligated to add something. "Um, welcome to the neighbourhood." Welcome to the neighbourhood? How twee.
"I was just telling Mrs Calvert that you'd be happy to show Damien around and introduce him to your friends." Mom says, giving me a huge smile. The smile, to onlookers would look like an isn't-my-son-wonderful smile, but in fact that's wrong. It actually translates as show Damien around or I'll set Daniel on you.
"Sure, I'd be happy to." I lie.
Oh well, now at least I've made my mind up.
I'm calling Maya.
*~*~*~*
I excuse myself, telling Damien that I have to just make a phone call and that I'll be right back.
"What?" An irate Irish demands on picking up the phone.
"Hi Taz." I pour on the sugar in my voice to make up for my lack of enthusiasm.
"Oh, it's you." Her tone takes a down turn. "MAYA!"
I'm left listening to silence for awhile, unsure if Taz has hung up on me or has accidentally pressed the wrong button or something.
"Um, hello?"
"Hey Maya."
"Oh, it's you." She says.
That's the second time that someone's said that to me in less that five minutes. Should I be upset?
"I hadn't got a clue who was on the phone." She continues. "Taz just hollered at me and pointed at the phone before stomping off. What did you say to her?"
"All I said was 'hi Taz'." I reply indignantly.
"Oh, don't worry, now that I think about it she was probably annoyed because she was drawing. She hates it when she gets distracted."
It's an exhaustive phone call for such a simple request. It takes twenty minutes to convince Taz that the landscape she's drawing will still be there tomorrow, but finally (after Maya employs all of her persuasive talents) she agrees to meet Damien and myself at the mall.
Why can't I have any sane friends?
*~*~*~*
Daniel offered to drive us to the mall, Dad nearly burst with pride, but I know Daniel was just having visions of throwing me from a speeding vehicle, and then he'd have to kill Damien to get rid of the witness, so I declined, pointing out that I might as well teach Damien the bus routes around here at the same time.
As we sit on the bus I actually take a look at Damien. His eyes are a deep shade of green and his hair almost glows, it can't be natural, but then again, his eyebrows are the same colour so maybe it is. But Taz dyes her eyebrows purple, so it's not completely out of the question that he dyes it.
His skin is smooth and pale, but not freckley, so that's another factor that leads me to believe that his red hair isn't natural.
Wait, am I having an internal discussion about a guy's hair?
I haven't paid this much attention to another person since…
… since Charlie.