CHAPTER SEVEN

I felt someone lift me up and barely opening an eye, I saw Spot carrying me. "Spot, put me down and rest."

"You've been sleeping on the floor all night, it ain't good for ya," he reminded softly as he set me on the bed. I didn't realize until I awoke again that I had gone back to sleep. Sitting up, I stretched but looked over to see an open window. Sticking my head out, I saw a metal stairway up to the roof and decided to explore. As I swung my leg over the stone wall, I saw Spot with his back to me and I got an idea. With a quiet running start, I jumped on his back, making him jerk forward. "Jesus Christ, what the hell're you doing?"

"You'd think you were waiting for someone," I teased, resting my chin on his shoulder as I added in a whisper: "Special someone?" I could have sworn I felt him shiver. He shook his head and I laughed slightly, letting my head fall forward. He smelt really good.

"You alright?" he questioned and I felt him turn slightly.

"Are you?" I returned quietly.

"I asked you first, Royal," he smiled and I nodded into his neck as I felt my back hit a hard surface. He lifted me so I could sit and grabbed my hand from his shoulder, turning around. Gasping subconsciously, I brushed his hair from the right side of his forehead. There was a bruised bump. It matched the one I had had from my run in with Stanley. It seemed like his trademark. Suddenly my eyes connected with his again and I dropped my hand as I looked to the side. "Ya hungry?" I shrugged but let him lead me back to the edge with the ladder. I suddenly lost my footing slightly as I climbed back into the window, he pulled me in so that I bumped into his chest, feeling my cheeks flush lightly but shook the feeling away. This was the most emotion I'd seen out of Spot; it was slightly unnerving but I couldn't help feeling somewhat giddy. We made our way downstairs and before leaving I grabbed my coat. When we got to Kenny's, I started to go sit with Jack and everyone else, but Spot pulled me to sit next to him. I looked down at our hands, wondering how long he had been holding mine. Shaking my head, I sat next to him, opposite from Jack. He smirked at us but I rolled my eyes, Spot hadn't really been paying attention. I heard the door open and something pulled me to look over; standing there was the boy from yesterday. Damn face. "What is it?"

"I don't know," I muttered, as the unknown male's eyes connected with mine. He smirked, winking, and I swear I felt Spot jolt.

"Is it Henner's brother?" Jack asked quietly, so only Spot and I heard him. Well, I barely heard him; I was too busy watching the guy. His smirk widened as his eyes flashed mischievously.

"Didn't your mother ever teach ya: it ain't polite to stare?" the guy teased. I glared at him, but he had an amused look in his eyes. He was about to come closer but Spot somehow got between us. Wait, when had I even stood?

"You'd leave if ya knew what's best for ya," Jack informed him, inspecting his nails in a bored manner. "Spot doesn't like it when guys talk like that to girls. Especially his." The guy chuckled slightly but left and I jumped up, pulling Spot back from following.

"You'd stay here if you knew what was best for you," I muttered quietly to him as his eyes glared at the door. I tugged his arm firmly, my own eyes narrowing as he looked at me, his stormy orbs softening, nodding. We sat back down and I couldn't help feeling extremely uncomfortable under everyone's stares before I glared at the boy across from me. "I blame you."

"What?" Jack laughed, but his grin proved him anything but innocent. "Why me?"

"I just do, don't say things like that!" I grumbled annoyed, looking him in the eyes. His smile disappeared; he was serious.

"What aren't you telling us?" I looked away, as if he had said something offensive and got up to leave. But the door opened and I jerked to a stop, completely surprised.

"Tyler?" my eyebrows rose in confusion, the figure turned around with an idiotic grin. "Tyler!"

"Hey there, Rina," he chuckled after I jumped at him with an enormous hug. "Miss me?"

"Miss you? Ha no, I miss the family," I teased, poking his stomach. "And beating you at practically everything." He laughed, hugging me tighter.

"It's good to see you," he smiled, letting go, as he ruffled my hair. "And in one piece, it's amazing."

"That's not funny," I muttered, ducking away from his hand as I fixed the hair over my forehead.

"Well of course it-hey wait," his eyes darkened along with his face as he pushed the hair back once more. "What the hell happened to your head?" I rolled my eyes, not even bothering to answer, but watched his eyes drift behind me, so I turned around.

"Oh, yeah," I smiled sheepishly at the looks I was getting, yet again. "This is my brother, Tyler. Tyler these are all of the-."

"Yeah Medda told me," he stated, folding his arms as he observed the group but I smacked him, sending him a 'be nice' look. He simply rolled his eyes.

"Is that why you're here?" I inquired, noticing the glint that passed his eyes. What the hell?

"It's why we're both here."

"No! Why's he here?" I whined, throwing my arms at he floor as I turned away from him.

"Look, I know you two didn't leave on the best of terms-."

"He threw a book at me," I deadpanned, barely glancing back at him.

"You were the one who-."

"Don't even go there," I growled, my eyes narrowing. I swear, my eyebrows would be permanently frozen that way if I didn't stop hanging around with these guys.

"You didn't tell them," he scoffed, not sounding all too surprised.

"Shut up, Tyler," I said in a level tone.

"Royal-."

"Shut up, Tyler," getting louder.

"You hafta-."

"Shut up, Tyler," getting louder-er. If that's a word . . . which I'm pretty sure it isn't.

"Stop-."

"Shut up, Tyler," I yelled, glowering at him; practically daring him to continue but his eyes read momentary defeat. He's wait for back up, I knew that much.

"God you're stubborn," he muttered, shaking his head as he scratched his ear..

"Damn straight," I agreed, nodding slightly as the door opened. Wrinkling my nose, my eyes traveled over the new company. "Ew it's here."

"Right back atchya, whore," he smirked. Before I could do anything, which would have been kick his sorry ass, I saw a fist hit him.

"Whoa shit," I muttered completely surprised, seeing Spot glaring down at my oldest brother, James, who had a murderous look in his eye. Well, actually they both did. It was quite scary. Suddenly, Jack came into the picture, holding Spot back as Tyler held James back. Rolling my eyes, I saw Bernie and Wex glaring at me but my eyebrow simply rose at that before I turned my attention to the scene before me. Les was now standing between the two, looking at me, confused.

"Who's that?" he pointed at James.

"Jamie, my brother," I glared at James.

"Why'd he call you that?" he inquired, tilting his head innocently.

"Cause he's stupid," I shrugged, seeing Jamie jerk slightly, followed by Spot but laughed slightly. Boys were also quite macho, which made them act like idiots. Oh the wonders of testosterone, it made me laugh.

"Why?" he questioned.

"I don't know, ask him," I gestured lamely at the oversized ape.

"Okay," Les shrugged and I couldn't help but smile. "Why'd you call her that?" James stopped trying to get Spot and looked down at the smaller boy.

"They're fighting, kid, it's what they do," Tyler answered for the confused Jamie.

"But she's your sister," Les stated. "She said you put the Nemmer guy in the hospital for her." Les looked at me confused. "Why're you guys so angry with each other?"

"He threw a book at my head."

"She threw a chair at me," James smiled, "and missed."

"A chair?" Les asked wide-eyed.

"It was a doll chair," I growled at James. He was worse than me sometimes.

"You still missed."

"Shut up, James."

"You got a new boyfriend I see." I blushed slightly, shaking my head along with Spot. He simply laughed, along with Tyler.

"Hey Les," I managed to get out. My brothers were frustrating and really good at making me feel like a complete girl. Damn them.

"Yeah?"

"It's Henner."

"Oh," he smiled, blushing slightly. I smiled, ruffling his hair but flipped my hair out of the way to look back at James.

"What happened to your head?" he growled.

"Good god! Brothers can't live with them."

"Or without them," Tyler smiled.

"You're weird," I stated, folding my arms childishly

"I hate to break up this little, well what ever this is, but can we get back to eating?" Jack asked and I rolled my eyes.

"As long as I don't have to sit next to that," I pointed at James, "I'm fine."

"Katerina, it's gone long enough, just make up. Honestly, James you're a girl for letting it go on this long."

"So're you!" I pointed at Tyler but he simply folded his arms, raising an eyebrow dangerously, causing me to step back.

"Katerina," James called seriously and I looked over. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah me too," I smiled slightly, hugging him. He chuckled, his arms wrapping around me firmly before he pulled back, brushing his thumb over the bruise on my forehead but I wrinkled my nose, ducking away. "Let's eat." Sighing, he nodded, letting me step back and I sat down, next to Spot again before taking his drink.

"That's mine."

"No shit, Sherlock." I took a sip but put it down, being met with odd looks as my eyes watched the boys around me. They looked somewhat surprised. "What?"

"Girl don't normally go round saying stuff like that," Jack smiled as my brothers joined the boys but with curious stares.

"I'm not normal," I stated, raising an eyebrow. After a few more seconds everyone started eating again and I looked at Tyler; we started laughing. They had no idea. I almost twisted off my chair but Spot caught my hand, pulling me back up; looking at me like I was crazy, which I kind of was. I smiled at him but quickly turned my attention back to my food.

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A/N: Hi!! I'm back!! And have almost posted all I've written so far so I need to get cracking! Yikes!! Hopefully, I'm updating everything all at once!! Hope you didn't miss me too much =P haha, uhm, well, reviews are love!!