Ari's Point of View

I actually think I'm going to die. My feet started killing me after the sixth store, and I'm pretty sure the bags were about to burst with the number of clothes stuffed in each one. Usually, I don't mind shopping, despite what most people would think, but this is just going overboard. The money we've spent so far could have bought a standard house.

A deep sigh of relief comes when Brooke sits down on a chair, "I'm going to sit here and enjoy some refreshments while you finish up." And relief is gone in an instant. Brooke gets a saleslady to get her a mimosa. "Go forth and buy. Callum will be disappointed if you come home with less than a trunk full of bags. He specifically told me that you needed everything." I already had seven large bags of clothes though! Granted they were all Brooke's choices, seeing as she shoved the clothes at me, and I bought whatever it was so I wouldn't have to do any real shopping.

I'd rather be back in the car enduring the long uncomfortable conversation.

Earlier

"Um. We don't have to go shopping. I'm good just hanging out here at the school until the bus comes." Ella looked hesitant when trying to decline Brooke.

"Oh dear," apparently that was the wrong thing to say, "There are no buses. Besides, Callum told me to take you shopping so that's what we're going to do." She grabs both Ella and me by the arm and starts pulling us towards the car, inside was Durand.

"Hey, Durand." Ella and I say at the same time, it's a twin thing I think. Brooke practically shoves us into the backseat before climbing in next to Ella who acts as a barrier between Brooke and me.

"Tell me everything." Brooke reminded me of a girl at a sleepover at that moment.

"There's not much to tell. I'm Ella Harper, Ari is my twin sister. Callum says that Steve O'Halloran is our father." Ella made it sound like a profile description you'd put on a facebook bio.

"Yes, he told me this morning. Isn't that amazing? He told me how he found you two just a few hours away and he was so upset to discover your mom had passed away. My mother died when I was thirteen. A brain aneurysm. I was heartbroken, so I know just how you feel." My hands were itching to grab my book and continue reading, I've always hated people talking about their issues because they assume you'll tell them about yours and if you don't then they're upset with you for it. I knew it'd be rude of me to do, so I don't, but it doesn't mean I'll talk to her about my life or any other aspect of me.

My sister apparently doesn't share my sentiment, "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Well, we're all in a better place now, aren't we? Callum saved me as well, you know."

"You were stripping, too?"

...My eyes were wide for a second before I processed what my sister had just revealed to a complete and utter stranger. Then I was glaring at the back of my twin's head. How could she? She knows how much I hate admitting to people that the only way for us to survive was to strip.

My glare turns to the woman who had the audacity to laugh, "Is that what you two were doing?"

"So what?" I said hotly. "It wasn't full nudity." Ella defended at the same time I spoke.

"I'm sorry, I'm laughing. It's not at either of you, but at Callum. He was probably mortified. He's trying so hard to be a good father for his boys right now and I'm sure finding his young charges in a strip club had to be shocking." I wanted to tell her that Callum didn't actually see us stripping but whatever, no use saying anything now. Noting that Ella was in her head and Brooke wasn't going to say anything else, I open my book to it'smark thee ed page and start reading once more.

It was only a minute before I heard Brooke speak, "Hey, don't get lost in there sweetie."

"I'm not."

"Bullshit. I didn't strip, but that's because I chose to do worse things to get by. You get no judgment from me. None. the important thing is that you're not there anymore and you won't ever have to be again. If you play your cards right, you'll be set for life. Now, put on a smile because we're going shopping." She then leaned forward to view at me, "And you, don't think that that book will keep you from the reality. You're in no need of running from this reality anymore because you're getting a much better life now." I wanted to roll my eyes and scoff at her, she's known me for five minutes and thinks she knows who I am. I don't read to hide from reality, I will admit that reading helps me from going insane because I'm so absorbed in a book and not dwelling on my horrid life, but it's not why I do it. Reading seemed to be the one thing neither of my parents did for fun, and it made me feel separate from them at that point.

Back to the present

I look at the credit card given to Ella and I. Seeing as I have more bags than her, I shove it into her hands. "You're going to need it more than me. I'm going to head to the bookstore we saw earlier when you're done just come to find me there." In the bookstore, I browse around the science fiction and mystery sections, tons of books catch my interest and attempt to memorize the titles. Usually, I'd be at a library where I could just check out the book and read it, and if I really liked it, then I bought it if there was extra cash around for us to spend. Seeing as this isn't a library and I have no way of writing the book titles down, the next best thing is to attempt memorizing the titles name to write down when I get back to the Royal's mansion.

After exploring the science fiction and mystery sections of the bookstore, Ella came to collect me and we left the mall. Once we arrived at the mansion, Callum informed us of Gideon's arrival. Gideon, if I recall it's the oldest son, the college one. I searched for a piece of paper and a pencil to write down the titles of the books I was interested in while they discussed something about lunch.

"Ari, come on, I want you to meet Gideon." He paused to see what was written on my sheet of paper, "What's that?"

"They're books I found interest in at the bookstore in the mall. I plan on going to a library and checking these out-"

Callum interrupted me mid-sentence, "Why didn't you just buy them there?"

Irritation started rising in my chest, "And what if I didn't like the book? I only read the summaries, it's not as if I know if it'll be a good book. I understand your gesture in wanting to buy me the books but I'm not one to spend money all willy-nilly." With that, I started walking towards the pool. I stood next to Ella as she and Brooke watched the body moving in the water.

"Dad." His voice was deep and he looks just like the rest of the Royals.

"Gideon, this is Ella and Ari, Steve's daughters."

He rakes his eyes from his father to Ella, to me. "So, you found them."

"I did." Callum then slightly pushed Ella with his right hand and me with his left. I guess this is our cue to introduce ourselves.

"Nice to meet you, Gideon." Ella and I spoke at the same time, we didn't react since it happens from time to time.

Gideon chuckles, "Likewise." He shakes Ella's hand and moves towards me, expecting one from me.

"I don't touch people, germs," I state simply, but I add a small smile as to show I don't mean any offense.

He nods and turns to Callum, "I've got some calls to make. But first I need to shower. I'll see you later." He said before stepping into the mansion.

"How about we get some lunch now? There's a great little cafe just about five minutes from here. Serves amazing farm to table stuff. Very fresh. Light." Callum seemed to be selling this lunch idea to Ella and me, but I didn't mind as long as Ella agreed to it.

"Sure." Ella's response caused me to nod my head.

"I'll come, too." Brooke states, but Callum shakes his head.

"Actually, Brooke. If it's all right with you, I want to have the twins to myself for now." Well, I'm sure Brooke isn't too happy with this revelation since her boyfriend basically just said he doesn't want her intruding on our 'bonding' time. I'm sure it's nothing, but a small part of me is thinking it's going to come back and bite him in the ass later on.