Muffin's Lilac: Thank you very much. :)
PhobbyWriter: I'll just use Scentern 2 but I'll use Scenechart also. Won't hurt.
XxYesturdayTodayTomorrowxX: Aw thanks!
Well I decided to upload this today since I have no idea how busy I'll be tomorrow since it'll be my birthday and I really do have no idea what my family's gonna do. So better safe than sorry and enjoy the chapter!
The memories of sleepovers at Darcy's house with her other friend and staying up past midnight with dad, either watching TV or going out, were the only things that didn't make her want to join them. The only two people in the world she loved just left her here with no advice or anything to help her survive. Yep...they sure do love her. (THANKS ALOT.)
Maybe she was the one who didn't love them enough since she didn't save them in time.
And now she's staying with this not-so-complete stranger. He was in...Smosh? Wait, MyMusic. That was the one! What was the last episode she ever watched? When Metal kissed him...if he wasn't a complete stranger she would've been the little troll she was and jokingly asked if he liked the kiss. Outside YouTube, she's only seen him a few times before in her life but they never spoke until they buried dad.
Why didn't dad leave her with her aunts or grandparents? Staying with her mother for one week sounds like a trip to the candy store now. Sure, they'd most likely send her to a mental hospital or to therapy or hire a nanny the minute they get her but it's better than being in some stranger's car. Maybe dad was just crazy. This guy is probably going to leave her with her grandparents by the end of the week, she bets.
No one has the patience to understand her. And this guy won't be any different than how her grandparents or aunts treat her.
"So how old are you?" The same questions anybody would ask her. Melvin, that's his name, was driving and within minutes, wanted to start a conversation.
"14." She wanted to pretend she didn't hear it since she had earphones on but she decided to be polite. For once.
He was probably thinking of another unoriginal question to ask. She hoped he wouldn't ask for anything to personal since she would never talk anything personal to him.
"So what's your favorite band?" That was a rare question.
She thought for a moment. She had so many bands she liked. She went with the band she was listening to, "My Chemical Romance."
"Funny since my fiancée loves that band."
Fiancée? He's actually engaged? She didn't really think of his relationship status much. She just thought he was single in a still-looking-for-the-one type of way, not like forever-alone, "when's the wedding?"
"In a few months." He replied. His mind kept wondering on how he was going to tell Norma this. Maybe she'll happily take Rachel in as her own...or strangle him. Then again, what can he expect? Just a few hours ago, he didn't need to take care of a teenage girl and now he suddenly has to. Norma might think the same but he knew for certain that she'll never tell him to give Rachel to her grandparents.
He knew Rachel from how Alan would sometimes talk about her. He's seen her a few times before in a distance, which explains why she looked familiar, and he does see the resemblance when he looks at her. Her eyes tried to remain neutral but when you look closely, you see fear and anxiety. When he looked past that, he saw a girl full of wonder and curiously, much like Alan. Maybe there's a reason why Alan chose him to raise her.
But he still wished Alan would've asked him about this when he was still alive. Maybe he did but he just forgot about it. But it still doesn't change the fact that the girl is sitting next to him.
How can he take care of her? He has work and Norma just graduated from college and MyMusic...and then the wedding's not so far from now...and he still has a few loose ends to tie before he can officially relax...and he still has those boxes to unpack since he moved to a bigger house...and he has that meeting tomorro-gah! He didn't make the flowcharts for the presentation! He knew having an anxiety attack while driving a vehicle was not the best idea so he tried to carry on the conversation, "so...favorite color?"
That was a question when people ran out of ideas but she answered anyway, "black."
"So do you want to go back home to pick up some of the stuff you'll need? Just grab a few days worth of clothing since I need to figure some things out first." Oh look. He was already giving up on her already.
"Okay." She managed to say though she had half a mind to punch him. He didn't even give her a chance! Though she can't blame him.
"You still live in San Diego, right?"
"Yes."
"Alright, we'll just drive over there now and eat something on the way back."
Melvin looked like he was thinking about other things besides her...or at least related to her while driving. Was he seriously thinking about sending her away? Maybe it was just the old flame she'd get from previous similar incidents becoming automatic at every word he says. Underneath that bitter flame that wants to ignite towards him, she felt that he maybe wants to actually take care of her.
It was the same hope she held for her grandparents, aunts and mother at one point. And they all left her with the same heartbreak and disappointment. She should just accept now that he will send her away. She'd be less depressed when the time comes around. She tried to accept that fact but she still had that strange feeling that he wasn't going to be like them.
She wanted to hate him but at the same time she didn't want to. She wanted to trust him but at the same time she didn't want to. Confusion seemed like a suitable word now. The only thing she can do now is just wait and see.
It was around lunchtime when they made it to San Diego. Melvin found that the house barely changed at all. It was still the mundane house just as any other. He parked his car in the driveway and they walked to the front door, "Do you have the keys to the house by any chance?"
She nodded as she pulled a keychain with a key off her pocket and within a few seconds, the door was unlocked. They walked inside the house, closing the door and leaving the lights off. The sunlight seemed like its own personal light so better to leave it as it is.
"Why don't you just go get your things ready? I'll be here."
Rachel left to her room. She knew this wasn't going to be the last time she'll ever see this place so she didn't feel homesick. She grabbed her suitcase and packed it with whatever she has in her closet and drawers, her laptop and a few books to read and was ready in about 10 minutes. She never really had anything special in her room. A bookcase was overflowing with books and walls were covered with posters. There was a little clutter here and there but she still loved her room. She knew that wherever she was going, she wasn't going to come back to live here.
Melvin looked around Alan's house. He's seen it a few times before but he just wanted to take some mental pictures. He looked at some of the stuff but none of it really interested him. (No offense, Alan!)
He decided to just take what he needs the most instead of letting it sit on a shelf, collecting most. He needed new dishes and glasses since one of the movers accidentally dropped the box full of his dishes and glasses. They, of course, paid for the damages but he never got around to shopping and would usually eat with Norma at her place or have it in a container for those nights on overtime days. He tried to think of anything else but decided that maybe Rachel had some things she'd want as well. She is family so she does get to decide what she wants to.
"I'm done." Rachel came out a few minutes later with a medium sized black suitcase.
He didn't mention anything about the will. Now really wasn't the good time, "all right. We'll just eat something on the way back. Do you know any good places to eat aro-"
The door suddenly swung open and Alan's sister, pretty sure it was Daniela, walked in, "Rachel? Why are you here?"
Rachel didn't say anything. She only moved her suitcase a bit so the suitcase could speak for her instead.
"Oh." Daniela's voice tried to remain calm but instead remained disappointed. Her phone rang before she could speak. She answered it and walked away where she could speak.
Melvin wondered if it was even a good idea to keep Rachel. She has family of her own so why should he pry her from it? But then again, maybe Alan had his reasons. He decided to see how this will play along.
"Let's go." Rachel said as she began to walk away with her suitcase. She never liked Daniela. She always spent more time on her phone talking to her clients rather than talking to actual people. She had a feeling more people would come so she needed to leave to avoid them.
Just as she had predicted, another person did block the entrance. As if fate wanted to make her suffer, it was her mother standing in the entrance. First time she ever came here voluntarily.
"Rachel?" Her mother asked in a surprising tone. She made it sound like she had just stepped into a stranger's home. She looked at Melvin. Her expression still didn't change, "And the monster who came to take my daughter away?"
Melvin felt positive that maybe, just maybe, Alan did, in fact, have his reasons. He saw the unnamed woman at the lawyer's office in the doorway. So if she's Rachel's mother, then she must be Alan's wife, girlfriend, or ex? It didn't matter now. He spoke up for himself. This was going to be practice for the long run, "Alan appointed me to take care of Rachel in his will so I apologize if this is an inconvenience to you."
"Well he's not right in the head sometimes." It was the line Rachel had from her mother's lips many times before. It was her answer to anything related to Alan.
"Look, as much I'd like to argue with you, I have to go now." Melvin wanted to just punch her for saying that. She was definitely an ex.
"Well I'm only going to claim what's rightfully mine." He waited for Rachel's name to be spoken. The woman brushed past aside them and looked at the glass case that was covered with books and figurines, "This glass case was a gift from my best friend. Such a shame we don't talk to each other now. I wonder why. Anyway, this is technically mine so I can keep it."
She was such an egotistical woman he could tell by the short conversation they shared, "But whose house is this in?"
"I always meant to take this. Honestly."
"Sorry but like the will said, I get first dibs on everything. And maybe I will use this glass case for something. Or I maybe won't but will give it to someone else. If you can excuse me, we're going out to eat so good day." He never really had much interest in the glass case but he just wanted to leave a bit satisfied. And having her mad at him seemed to work. Rachel began to follow him out.
"Aren't you gonna ask my name?" She called out as they were leaving.
"If I do ask, that's going to mean I actually care."
"It's Katherine just so you remember me!"
He wished he didn't hear her name but he ignored her on the way out as he slammed the door. Thank god no one blocked his car. He opened the truck of his car and put Rachel's suitcase in. But what if Rachel and Katherine's relationship is good? Is Rachel going to hate him now that he told her off? He felt obligated to apologize, "Rachel, I'm so sorry for snapping back at your mother. It was very rude of me and if you want, I'll go back and apologize right now."
"No, it's fine." Rachel gave a small smile at him for the first time.
"You mean it?" He still felt a little uncertain. Maybe it was that or that he felt that Rachel was starting to like him, just a little. He wasn't which part he was uncertain of.
"Yep," She gave a little laugh, "I hate her too."
Well that's all I have for this chapter! So quick question: how does OC femslash sound? Well I guess I just gotta announce a few things on my fanfics: Satan's Rose; working on the chapter! Secrets Can't Be Kept: I'm deleting the story…to do a rewrite on it! Yes, Reflections Of Twilight's OC will still be there. If you have any OC suggestions, then just feel free to PM me or include it on the review! Okay so thanks again for reading this chapter!