We Are Family
"Hi Mom, it's nice to catch dinner. We don't do that too often, what's the special occasion?" Sora asked.
"So, I wanted to take you out because I have some news I wanted to break to you," Sora's mom clasped her hands anxiously.
"Is everything okay?" Sora looked at her in concern.
"So, this news is kind of big. We're going to move," Sora's mom forced a smile.
"What?! We can't do that! This is my last year of high school!" Sora gasped.
"Don't worry! You'll still be able to go to your same school, we'll just be moving to a different apartment!" Sora's mom said.
"But why? Is everything okay at the flower shop?" Sora asked.
"Everything is fine. Me and my friend were talking and we thought it was a good idea that we should share a place together. And she has a son, so just think about it, it's like you have a new brother! Isn't that neat?" Sora's mom nervously laughed.
"NO! I DON'T WANT A BROTHER!" Sora yelled.
"Cut the shit, knock it off! You don't get a choice!" Sora's mom slammed her hand on the countertop.
"I wanna live with Dad!" Sora hollered.
"Oh yeah? You want to be homeless with your dad?" Sora's mom hissed.
"He's not homeless, he lives in his car!" Sora protested.
"So you'd rather live in a car with your dad than in an apartment with me?" Sora's mom yelled.
"Hey, what's going on over there?" Catherine squinted her eyes.
"I think that's Sora and her mom…I wonder what they're talking about. It looks serious," Tai frowned.
"I shouldn't have pointed that out. I don't want to talk about that," Catherine raised her eyebrows and softly brushed a napkin across her mouth.
"Sorry," Tai looked down at his plate. "So…it's nice we're finally meeting up."
"Yes, it's nice. Nicer if we met up sooner," Catherine swirled her spoon in her soup.
"Yeah, I'm really sorry about that. I just really wanted to make things perfect," Tai looked down at his food.
"You know what would make things perfect? If you would stop cancelling on plans that you initiated in the first place. I just want to spend time with you. I'm starting to wonder if you're even interested in me anymore," Catherine delicately raised her spoon to her mouth and blew on it.
"What? Don't be silly! Of course I am!" Tai exclaimed.
"Then show it," Catherine got up from her chair.
"Hold on, where are you going?" Tai stammered.
"Didn't I tell you? I could only stay for a half hour. Thanks for lunch, by the way," Catherine smiled.
"Oh yeah, sure…," Tai nodded.
"It's a great honor and responsibility to work at Ted Beyer's Jewelers. For over 100 years, this company has delivered top quality and sophisticated pieces, and we strive to continue to do so. Any questions?" a stern-looking woman said.
"Do we get employee discounts?" Mimi asked.
"Yes. Not only do you get discounts at our store, but you also get discounts at the affiliated Droger bulk store," the woman said.
"Cool," Mimi nodded slowly.
"Now, I'll give you a pass for today, but for your next shift, please wear business-attire. None of this pink trendy stuff," the woman shook her head.
"So black and white?" Mimi frowned.
"Precisely. We have an image that we need to upkeep. This isn't Limited Too, we prefer to cater to a more mature crowd," the woman said.
"Heh heh," a young man with hair done in a black fauxhauk let out a small laugh. He had various facial piercings and tattoos on his forearms.
"What about him? I'm pretty sure he's not following your image," Mimi jerked her thumb at him.
"These piercings and tattoos are not a fashion statement, they're cultural symbols," the boy crossed his arms.
"That's a middle finger on your arm," Mimi protested.
"Business attire, or don't bother showing up tomorrow," the woman said and walked away.
"Hey honey, what's your name?" the boy stretched out his hand.
"What's it to you?" Mimi crossed her arms.
"Well, I'm Pierre. I hope it'll be a pleasure working with you," the boy said.
"Pierre?" Mimi looked confused.
"Yeah. Pierre Bouvier? Have we met before?" the boy raised an eyebrow.
"I don't think so. I'm Mimi," Mimi gingerly took his hand and shook it.
"Oh my god…you guys won't believe this!" Sora walked up to the gang.
"What happened?" Kari asked.
"My mom just told me I'm moving!" Sora yelled.
"Oh my god! Are we never going to see you again?" Mimi gasped.
"No, I'm still going to school. Buuuuttt…we'll be living with a friend of hers and her friend has a stupid son. I don't want to live with strangers!" Sora huffed.
"Hey, was that you at the Soft Rock Cafe? Cause I think I was there when you and your mom were spazzing out at each other," Tai shook his pointer finger at Sora.
"Oh…were we that loud?" Sora turned red.
"Apparently so," Izzy twirled his coffee cup on the tabletop.
"Wait a minute….our mom just told us that her friend is moving in to our apartment and she has a daughter. You don't think…?" Matt paused.
"That would make for an interesting twist of events," Kari pursed her lips.
"There's only one way to find out," Matt pulled out his phone and put it on speaker. He put his index finger against his lips and nodded his head.
*ring ring ring*
"Hello?"
"Hi Mom, it's Matt!"
"Hi honey, what's up?" his mom asked.
"Uh…so what is your friend's name?" Matt asked.
"We want to get her a small cake to make her feel welcome!" TK blurted.
"Oooh, that's good," Matt whispered to TK.
"Thanks," TK mouthed back.
"Aww, that's so sweet of you boys. Her name's Tonya," Matt's mom replied.
"Oh my god!" Sora mouthed.
"Great! And what about our new sister? Do you know her name?" Matt grinned.
"I believe it's Nora, but I'm not sure," Matt's mom said.
"Okay. Thanks Mom! Gotta go!" Matt said.
"Bye Mom, love you!" TK said and hung up the phone.
"Sooo, look. What an almost coincidence. I thought we were going to move in together. When she said my mom's name, my heart exploded, but she didn't say my name so I'm in the clear. That was close," Sora took in a sigh of relief.
"Hmmm…," everyone looked at her in contempt.
"Okay, who's going to tell her?" Davis asked.
"Welcome to the fam, new sister," Matt smirked.
"Nonononono, that can't be happening! I thought my mom said I only had one brother, not two!" Sora gasped.
"I don't live with my mom full-time. Remember, our parents are divorced," Matt said.
"If you don't believe us, why don't you call your mom?" TK asked.
"No, that's not necessary. But why did our moms have to move in together?" Sora huffed.
"I could think of one clearly obvious reason why," Kari raised an eyebrow.
"I do hear that rent in the city is getting expensive nowadays, but it can't be that bad, can it?" Matt asked.
"Yes, it's the rent," Izzy shook his head.
"Ew, I never want to grow up. I think I'll live with my parents forever," Mimi whined.
"I think you will too," Tai smirked.
"Tai, you shouldn't speak. You just asked to borrow from me so you could go on a date with Catherine," Kari crossed her arms.
"Oooh, you got called out," Davis winced.
"I promise I'll pay you back as soon as I get paid!" Tai protested.
"Hmmm…," Kari narrowed her eyes at him.
"While you guys figure that out, I guess me and Teeks are gonna order a cake to welcome our new family. So Sora, what's your opinion on chocolate? Or do you prefer lemon creme?" Matt smirked.
"Get lost!" Sora clenched her jaw.
"That's no way to talk to your favourite brothers who are gonna buy you and your mom a cake. Come on Teeks, let's go," Matt tilted his chin.
"Bye big sister!" TK hugged Sora and followed Matt.
"It's okay Sora, I think we're all feeling the same way as you," Kari frowned.
"Why did my mom have to move in with her friend? Couldn't we just find a smaller apartment?" Sora huffed.
"Okay, seriously? Who's going to tell her?" Davis asked.
"So Mimi, how does it feel going back to the workforce?" Izzy asked.
"Oh my god, I thought I was going to like it, but it sucks," Mimi grunted.
"Really? But you work at a jewellery store," Izzy hummed.
"I guess...I thought it would be cool and fancy, but it's not. Most of my shift is boring and I can't have my phone on the sales floor, but then I have to actually sell stuff and I suck at it. It doesn't help that I have a sewage rat of a coworker who steals any potential clients I could have. He's such a jerk," Mimi grumbled.
"Do we know him?" Izzy asked.
"Probably not. I don't think he goes to our school. His name is Pierre," Mimi made a face.
"As in the name of your fake boyfriend?" Izzy raised an eyebrow.
"Actually, the same exact name! It kind of makes me wonder if I did know him but like never talked to him. It's not a common name," Mimi paused.
"Hi, welcome to Ted Beyer's Jewelers. My name is Pierre, is there anything I can help you with?" Pierre approached Izzy.
"Thank you, but she's helping me out right now," Izzy said.
"Oh really? What are looking for in particular? Maybe I can help come up with some suggestions as well?" Pierre cocked his head to the side.
"Thank you, but I'm fine," Izzy said.
"Okay. If you need any further help, feel free to reach out," Pierre said and walked away.
"I probably should leave," Izzy said.
"Okay. But now you see what I'm going though. I can't make any sales, he either steals them or chases them away. I don't know what to do," Mimi sighed.
"Mimi, as much I want to suggest you be the bigger person…I think this is a special case. Maybe you should take a page from his book and see how that works for you. Seems like he needs a taste of his own medicine," Izzy winced.
"Hmmm, I like that idea. Thanks Izzy!" Mimi beamed.
"Don't thank me. Please. I gotta go," Izzy shook his head.
"Okay, bye," Mimi waved goodbye.
"Hey Tai, how are things with you and your girl? We haven't heard you talk about her in a while," Megumi pouted.
"Shut up," Miki nudged her in the ribs.
"Everything's just fine. Why?" Tai absentmindedly arranged eyeshadow pallettes on a display.
"Again, no reason. You've just been more quiet," Miki followed behind him, re-positioning the makeup packages.
"We just assumed you guys broke up," Megumi blurted.
"Oh my god, shut up…," Miki gritted her teeth.
"No! We're still kicking. In fact, we just met up for lunch!" Tai stood up straight.
"Aww that's nice! How did it go?" Megumi asked.
"Eh, could have been better. She couldn't stay long. I want to do something to show her how special she is to me, but I don't know what to do," Tai frowned.
"We got these new makeup palettes. Makes a great gift?" Miki suggested.
"I don't know…wouldn't it come across kind of insulting if I bought her makeup?" Tai made a face.
"That's true! I wouldn't want makeup from my boyfriend unless I specifically asked for it. Oooh! How about a nice piece of jewellery? And there's a cute guy who works there now, he could help us out!" Megumi gushed.
"That's not a bad idea!" Tai nodded.
"Come on, cute guys, jewellery- this sounds like an emergency staff meeting, that we must have at outside. Let's lock up and head over to the jewellery store," Miki pulled her keys from her pocket.
"I'm glad you're such a cool manager," Megumi gushed.
"Thanks! It comes naturally, what can I say?" Miki winked.
"We are family, I got my new sister with me, we are family, get up everybody and sing! That's my new sister everyone!" Matt danced and pointed at a sulking Sora.
"I'm not your freaking sister!" Sora yelled.
"That's not any way to talk to your family like that, young lady," an old woman scolded Sora.
"He's not my brother!" Sora protested.
"Alas, she's right. We're not siblings by blood. We're what some may consider step-siblings, but I personally hate saying step-anything cause it implies that you're not part of the family," Matt pouted.
"Aww, aren't you a sweetheart. Here's a dollar," the woman dropped a dollar in Matt's guitar case.
"Thank you," Matt smiled.
"We're not siblings, and we're not step-siblings! Our parents just happen to move us in together!" Sora yelled.
"Are your parents married?" the woman asked.
"No, they're divorced," Matt and Sora replied in unison.
"Right…so how are you related?" the woman asked.
"We're not related in any way whatsoever!" Sora shook her head.
"Except in my heart. Because two homes became one…if only my stubborn sister could see that," Matt made a heart with his hands.
"You poor thing. I'm sorry, but maybe she'll come around. You have a good day," the woman shot Sora a dirty look and walked away.
"Having fun, jackass?" Sora crossed her arms.
"So when it's my weekend with Mom, am I invited to any slumber parties you're going to be having at the apartment?" Matt jumped up and down.
"Let me know which weekends you're coming and I'll make sure to plan accordingly," Sora curtly said.
"Sweet! You're the best," Matt reached his arms out to hug Sora.
"No, don't touch me. Bye," Sora shook her head.
"We are family, I got my new sister with me!" Matt strummed his guitar as Sora stomped off.
"Hi, welcome to Ted Beyer's, what brings you in today?" Mimi walked up to Tai.
"Hey Mimi, I'm just shopping around. I want to get something nice for Catherine," Tai scanned around the store.
"Oooh, how fancy. Lucky her. Do you have any ideas in mind?" Mimi raised an eyebrow.
"I dunno. Like what would girls like? Also, I have $300, so I can't get too crazy," Tai said.
"Hi! Welcome to Ted Beyer's. My name is Pierre, what brings you in today?" Pierre stepped in between Mimi and Tai.
"Hey, I was talking to him!" Mimi snapped.
"Shhh, all I hear is gibberish," Pierre put his hand over Mimi's face and pushed her.
"Ugh!" Mimi stumbled backwards.
"Uh, is everything okay?" Tai frowned.
"You're such a jerk!" Mimi ran up to Pierre and tackled him.
"You know what? I think there's another jewellery store on the other side of the mall. Thanks for your help though," Tai nervously laughed and ran out of the store.
"Ugh, look what you did!" Mimi and Pierre screamed at each other.
"No, you scared him away!" Mimi yelled.
"No you did!" Pierre swatted her hand.
"You didn't just do that, did you?" Mimi slapped his hand back.
"What if I did?" Pierre hit her hand again.
"It's on!" Mimi rapidly began to slap her hands against Pierre's hands.
"Watch it! You're gonna chip my Rolex with your cheap ugly rings!" Pierre slapped her hands back.
"Hey, do you know what's going on?" TK ran up to Matt and Sora.
"No. Our moms just told us to meet them here," Sora said.
"Oooh, I haven't eaten here since I was five. I love the Safari Cafe," TK nodded.
"Hi kids! I'm glad you were able to make it!" Sora's mom walked up to them.
"Yeah. What's up, Tonya?" Matt asked.
"Oh, we just had some news we wanted to share, and we thought it was best to have all of you together," Matt's mom smiled.
"Why don't we go ahead and grab a table?" Sora's mom smiled.
"Okay. Hi, can we get a table for five?" Sora asked the host.
"Come, follow me," a teenager in a frumpy safari costume sighed. He placed a stack of menus down on a table. "Have a safari-tastic meal, someone will be with you shortly."
"Thanks?" Sora raised an eyebrow.
"Oh boy, I don't know what I want to eat. Everything sounds awesome!" TK excitedly said.
"Really? Because I don't think these names sound appealing at all. African burger? Zebra ribs? Safari-tactic fries? What does that even mean?" Sora winced at the menu.
"Come on, you're not fun," Matt elbowed Sora.
"Kids…so we have some important news we'd like to share," Matt's mom nervously smiled.
"Is everything okay?" Sora asked.
"Actually, I think everything is more than okay. I haven't felt this happy in such a long time," Sora's mom smiled lovingly at Matt's mom.
"And likewise. I hope you guys will be supportive in this as well," Matt's mom smiled back at Sora's mom.
"We're getting married," Sora's mom outstretched her hand to show off a simple gold band.
"Oh congratulations! Who are the lucky men?" Matt asked.
"Um, I think they're marrying each other. Because they're lesbians…with each other?" a waiter stood by the booth.
"Is that true? Are you marrying each other?" Sora gasped.
"Well yes. Was it not obvious?" Sora's mom blushed.
"I mean kinda…I don't think any of us saw that coming," TK sheepishly flicked the corner of his menu.
"Congratulations by the way, ladies. I'll send a free appetizer of your choice. So, have we decided on drinks yet?" the waiter pulled out his notepad, unfazed by everyone's sudden awkward smiles.
"Tai! What are you doing here?" Catherine jumped in surprise.
"Hey, just wanted to stop by and get you a little something. Here, open it. I hope you like it," Tai handed Catherine a small gift bag.
"Tai, that's so nice of you. You don't have to…oh no. I can't accept this," Catherine opened the bag to reveal a tennis bracelet.
"What do you mean? I got it for you," Tai asked.
"No, I can't accept it. That's way too extravagant of a gift, especially when I know you're borrowing money from your sister. I'm sorry, I appreciate the gesture, but I can't accept this," Catherine handed Tai back the bracelet.
"Okay," Tai sighed.
"Listen, I don't think this is going to work out. You're sweet, but I think a bit misguided and honestly a little too immature. All I want is someone to spend some time with me. I don't need presents or tickets to fancy events or anything like that. I'm not that kind of girl. I don't know if that's what you think I am, or if that's what you want me to be, but I'm not changing for anyone. I appreciate our time together, but I think it's a lesson learned for me, to see what I really want. I'll see you around," Catherine softly petted Tai's cheek and walked away.
"Table talk, what's new with everyone?" Davis asked.
"I got fired," Mimi sighed.
"Davis asked what's new," Matt smirked.
"It wasn't my fault this time! My obnoxious coworker tried to frame me for stealing. He clipped some jewellery literally behind my back and I didn't even realize it until I was tackled by mall security. It took me hours to get my name cleared, but I still got fired because they thought I was too much liability to the store," Mimi sighed.
"That sucks," Sora frowned.
"On the bright side, they can suck it. They didn't get all of the jewellery out of my hair, so it's mine. i consider it my payment for the emotional damage Pierre inflicted on me for the time I was employed," Mimi clipped on a diamond necklace.
"I'm not sure that's how it works," Izzy frowned.
"I'm not sure she cares," Davis remarked.
"Point," Izzy nodded.
"You know what? It's probably better off that way anyways. Didn't you guys get in slap fights? I swear you guys had one not even after I stepped out of the store," Tai remarked.
"What?!" Sora gasped.
"That's not normal," Kari winced.
"That guy is a jerk. You're right, it's better off I'm not there anymore," Mimi sighed.
"Subject change, just found out our moms are lesbians for each other," TK blurted out.
"Hold on - really? How did you not know?" Kari looked concerned.
"It wasn't that obvious to us," Sora sheepishly said.
"I don't know if that's actually a good defense or not," Izzy sipped at his coffee.
"Hey, be easy on everyone. It's not everyday you have to move in with Matt and TK because your mom happens to fall in love with their mom," Tai heckled.
"Hey Sora, if you need a place to stay, I don't think my parents will mind at all," Mimi sweetly said.
"I'm fine. Honestly…I'm fine," Sora groaned and slid her arms across the table.
"Exactly! Welcome to the fam, big sis!" Matt smirked.
"What do you mean by that?" Sora gasped.
"I don't know. What do you think I mean by that?" Matt mockingly grinned.
"So yeah, tell your moms congratulations on their…whatever?" Tai shrugged.
"Yeah, whatever is definitely the best way to describe all of it," Sora huffed.