THE GIRL NEXT DOOR

In the days, which followed Rachel's arrival in New Port she had began to settle down into her new life. Seth and her were beginning to form a strong bond of friendship, though at times it seemed as though it was more. Ryan was loosening up as he and Rachel again fell into the routine of playing brother and sister. And the Sandy and Kirsten were happy to have a new face around the house.

"Bacon and eggs?" Sandy asked Rachel as she walked into the kitchen that morning.

"I'll pass, but thanks," she replied.

"Rachel you don't have to say thankyou to everything. I know you are grateful."

Seth flew into the kitchen. "Ooh, bacon and eggs, I'll take some, and don't skimp on the oily goodness."

He sat down and flipped open the newspaper.

"See what I mean," Sandy said.

Rachel smiled.

"So what's the plan for today?" Seth asked no one in particular.

"Your mother and I were going to see the new estates down the road, I'm not sure how long it will take," Sandy answered.

"Rachel..."

"What? Oh, I dunno, haven't really thought about it yet," she replied sitting down across from him.

"You Chino folk really don't like to plan out your days do you?"

"We like to keep it interesting."

"Well, seeing as this is the last day you will have company because – dare I say it – we have school tomorrow, why don't Ryan – or Ry' as you call him – and I take you out for some fun filled fun," Seth said getting up and leaning on the back of Rachel's chair.

"In what language does that make any sense?" Sandy asked taking the bacon from the pan and serving it out onto two plates.

"In the world of the teen dad, I knew you wouldn't understand," Seth said. "So, what do you say Rach?" He asked rapping his arms around her and resting his head on her shoulder.

Rachel looked at him, their faces so close. "It sounds like...fun."

.........

Later that afternoon, upon their arrival back home after a fun filled day of fun, Ryan, Seth and Rachel were intercepted by Julie Cooper who had been fare-welling a friend.

"Ryan, Seth," she said as a way of greeting.

"Julie," Seth replied.

"Hi Mrs. Cooper," Ryan said.

"Soon to be former, Mrs. Cooper, thankyou very much," she hissed. "I see the new cleaning lady has arrived," she said looking at Rachel.

"I see that all that colour in your hair must be effecting your vision," Rachel replied sarcastically.

Julie fell silent. "Well I have never met a more rude maid in my life."

"Clearly you've never met a maid because generally they wear a uniform and I don't see one on me right now."

Ryan stepped in now, with Seth trying his hardest not to laugh out loud.

"This is my sister Rachel, she's living with me and the Cohen's now."

"Oh really," Julie replied looking the new girl up and down. "Well I suggest you be careful missy, or you'll find yourself in more trouble than you can poke a stick at."

"I didn't know you should poke a stick at trouble," Rachel replied. "And the names Rachel, not Missy."

Julie glared at her and Seth could practically see the steam shooting out from her ears. He wasn't sure if anyone had ever spoken to Julie in this way before, especially someone whom had just arrived in town.

"You don't want to mess with me Rachel, I hope these boys have taught you that. And you especially don't want to see me get angry."

"Well I read somewhere that after having botox injections you can't show emotions for three hours, so I might have to wait a little longer to see those fireworks."

Julie gasped and stormed away from them.

"That was cool," Seth said.

.........

The next morning, Rachel awoke from a deep sleep only to find that she was alone in the pool house. She shot upright and looked around expecting to see Ryan when her eyes fell on a folded piece of paper resting on the pillow beside her. She leaned over and opened it.

Gone to school. Didn't want to wake you. There's some fruit and juice in the kitchen for breakfast. Have a good day. I'll see you later.

Love Ryan. 

Rachel lay back down a grin stretching across her features. He always drew a smiley face

Guess he hasn't changed much after all, she thought.

............

Later that day Ryan and Seth walked into the house after and long and boring day of school. Time seemed to crawl by as they sat through class after class and it was only now that they could truly loosen up.

"Rach, we're back!" Ryan called from the front door as they stepped inside.

There was no response.

"She might be out back," Seth suggested.

As they moved through the house and arrived at the kitchen Ryan spotted a noted stuck to the fridge. He took it down and read it.

Knew this would be the first place you two would go. Out to get milk with money Kirsten gave me. Back soon. Love you both.

Rachel.

Seth was staring over Ryan's shoulder as he read. "I like the girl. Very sweet."

Ryan scrunched up the paper and threw it in the bin before turning around and glaring at him.

"What?" Seth asked innocently

"I'm not stupid Seth," Ryan said.

"Looks must be deceiving."

"I know you like her."

"I like a lot of people," Seth was now sitting down looking up at Ryan who was leaning against the bench.

"You like her more."

"Moore? Michael Moore? Great guy, very anti-Bush. I meant to see Fahrenheit 9/11 but never got around to..."

"Seth!"

"Yes?"

"You break her heart..."

"You'll cut mine out and use it as a replacement?"

"Something like that."

Finally at an agreement, they both walked outside, kicking off their shoes and sitting on the edge of the pool, feet in the water. The weather was warm and the sun shone down upon them causing the water to sparkle and shine.

"So what's it like?" Seth asked after a long silence.

"What?" Ryan replied.

"Knowing that you're it. You're the only thing she has."

"By the sounds of it you might be up there with me soon."

"I'm not kidding."

"Can I get that in writing, cos you joke about everything."

"Not this."

Ryan paused for a moment thinking about all of the times in his past where Rachel had needed him. There were countless. He was her parent and at times it was hard for him to balance being the mentor she needed and the brother she wanted.

"No different to how it used to be," he finally said.

"So you've always been like this – the old married couple."

"She's my other half, man."

Seth screwed up his nose. "I've never got that expression. If she was your other half than technically you would have two bodies and be classified a She-Male."

Ryan gave him a sidelong glance and raised and eyebrow.

"You have way too much time on your hands."

As they continued to discuss Seth's lack of hobbies soft footsteps sounded behind them.

"Hey guys," Rachel said from the doorway.

"Ah, Rachel," Seth said turning to face her. "The She part of the Male."

Rachel looked at her brother. "Should I have an answer to that?"

"No," Ryan said.

"Got it."

Seth continued. "She bares a beautiful smile, eyes of gold and..."

"Milk," Rachel ended, holding up the bag.

Seth stopped short and Ryan let out a laugh. "Oh. Not the most exciting of things."

"And Twinkies for all," she announced, throwing the chocolate to the young men in front of her.

"And you wonder why I love this girl," Seth said to Ryan, the comment causing Rachel to tilt her head a little, intrigued.

"Seth why don't you put that stuff away?" Ryan said pointing to the bag in Rachel's hand.

"Will do."

Seth stood and took the groceries from Rachel whispering in her ear as he did.

"Next time I'll talk my mum into giving you more money."

"For what?" Rachel asked.

"More food stuff's of the junk food variety."

"Ah. Check."

Seth took the bag and disappeared inside, Rachel watching him until he was out of sight. Ryan beckoned her to sit with him.

"Strange guy," she said as she took off her shoes and added her feet to the pool.

"You have no idea," Ryan replied.

They both sat in silence for a time, not needing to say anything, just enjoying each other's company.

"It's nice here isn't it?" Ryan asked nudging her feet to get her attention.

"Huh?"

"Here. New Port."

"Oh. Yeah, it is. It's like those places on the postcards that I always dreamed of living in."

There was a silence and Ryan knew that Rachel was thinking of all of the promises their mother had made when they were little that some day they would leave Chino and start a better life. He remembered her hopeful face, each day slowly fading as she began to realise that the dream was just that. A dream.

"Don't you miss it though?" Rachel asked.

"Miss what?" Ryan wondered.

"Chino."

Ryan shrugged at the comment. "Yeah, I guess there are some things. I don't so much any more though. I have a new life now. I'm trying to leave the past in the past."

Rachel rested her head on her brothers shoulder and he rapped his loose arm around her shoulder.

"So what's planned for tomorrow?"

"Got a game."

"You still play?"

"Yeah, just took it up again. You wanna come watch?"

Rachel smiled and moved closer. "I do."

TO BE CONTINUED.........

(So how is it so far? Next chapter things start to get a little more intimate between Seth and Rachel. Don't worry, it's all clean. Please review.)