A/N: yay! This one is longer, the main plot development will be in the next couple of chapters! This one is mainly character development.
Did you know that Reid hits on everyone? Even me. Example A, right now
"So, Ana, how 'bout you some over to help me study for my anatomy test?" Reid said suggestively, throwing his arm around my shoulder for extra effect as we walked towards history class.
"Whatever shall I say to that thinly veiled pick-up line" I said feigning innocence "sorry sucker, I have a boyfriend, and even if I didn't, NO" I finished but let his arm remain around me
"What? You're here for two weeks and you've already tied some guy down? Who?" Reid said feigning panic
"No one here, I have a boyfriend back home in Michigan" I said walking
"Do your bothers know about this?" Reid asked looking down at me sternly
"Yup they hate him with an undying passion" he probably thought I was being unbelievably cavalier about the whole thing, but after a year and a half of your closest family hating your boyfriend, you get used to it. "They don't think he's good enough for me, but they don't think anyone is"
"Well he's probably not" Reid said obviously pissed now, how can he go from trying to get me to sleep with him to being as protective as Jonathon is in under a minute!
"You're just saying that because I'm one of the few girls you can't have," I said as I sat down in the back of history class and the bell rang.
"What's his name?" Reid whispered from the seat next to me
"Jeremy, he's 19 and in college" I whispered back
"Sounds like a douche" Reid said disgruntled
"Yeah, because your opinion means so much to me. After a year and a half of my brothers saying that, you saying it once is going to make me dump him" I said sarcastically
"Good I'm glad you've come to your senses" Reid said nodding
"You're impossible!" I whisper shouted
"Back atcha Baby Girl" Reid said winking; I clenched my jaw but just settled for ignoring him the rest of the class period
I walked into my dorm room later that day in time to see Kira sitting on her bed fidgeting like a five year old. She scrambled up as soon as I walked in, I half expected her to salute like I was her superior in the army.
"Um, hi, Ana, can we talk?" she asked twiddling her fingers, I just kept walking which I suppose she took as a yes "I'm sorry I was so assuming about everything, you, and Detroit, and just, everything" she said so quickly I couldn't get a word in edgewise "can we be friends?"
"Sure, sunshine, I'll make an effort; I don't like living with someone who reviles me"
"So…friends?" Kira asked tentatively
"Friends" I agreed, euh, I was in a forgiving mood, no thanks to Reid. I sat down on my bed facing the window
"So who's the guy in the picture?" Kira asked, still walking on eggshells, pointing to the picture next to my family photo. It was a picture of Jeremy and me before the Prom last year before he went away to college
"Everybody's favorite topic today; my boyfriend Jeremy." I said chuckling "that's me and him at Prom last year; before I knew I was moving." I sighed, things wouldn't be the same "I'm gonna head over to Nicky's with Jon and Steven you want to come?" she hesitated " I'll tell them your not as much of a stuck up bitch as I thought you were." I said trying to convince her, she relented
"Okay, I'll get ready" she said getting up
I pulled off my uniform and started changing into my faded torn blue jeans and a black t-shirt. I pulled on my black converse all-stars. Kira looked at me quizzically
"You ever…been to Nicky's" she asked looking me up and down
"Nope" I said leaning up against the wall
"You mind some very honest advice about what you should wear?" she asked. Jeez, she talked to me like she might a suicide bomber; I guess I make quite the impression.
"Sure" I said sighing, "I know I'm not the most fashion coordinated person"
"Okay" she said relaxing. She began digging through my drawers and finally found a short black and gray pleated skirt with a prison chain belt, my lucky studded belt, and my high-heeled mid-calf high boots. I just sat on the bed like a little kid waiting for their parents to lie out their clothing for them on the first day of school.
"Can't…find…top," Kira mumbled somewhat frantically as she made her way over to her own clothes, she pulled out a kinda skimpy looking red t-shirt-tank-top-thing that I knew would rise up on my stomach. I'm not ashamed of my stomach, I happen to have a four pack that I worked very hard for; however if I wanted the world to have a look at my stomach I would have put pictures of myself in a bikini on myspace. I looked at the top and raised my eyebrows at Kira.
"Any of my brothers who's upset about my wearing that top, I'm sending them straight to you" I warned her before I started to get changed.
"And you're leaving your hair down" Kira said as a last minute adjustment, I decided to be docile for the most part and just do what the NOT fashion retarded person said. I have perfected my own style over the years that includes mostly, fingerless gloves, torn jeans, comfy t-shirts and tank tops, layering shirts, a variety of weird necklaces, tiny silver hoop earrings, and big chunky rings that usually go under my gloves. However, when it comes to what the rest of the world is wearing I'm a little, well, retarded! I looked at myself in the mirror and found that I didn't look half bad in the clothes the redhead had picked out for me.
"You know, you're not half bad Red," I said turning as I looked at myself in the mirror. I heard a muffled laughed and turned to see her pulling on an aqua low cut t-shirt and a light denim skirt.
"I try," she said pulling on black flats
"Hold on you can wear my necklace," I said grabbing one of my favorites out of a jewelry chest similar to my Aunt Alice's, it was a sliver chain with little green jewels cascading down it. Kira has green eyes and it would match them perfectly.
"You're not so bad yourself hotshot" Kira said as she looked at herself in the mirror
"Only 'cuz you're no longer terrified of me" I said giggling
"Yeah pretty much" she said casually
"Let's go," I said grabbing my keys and phone we shut the door behind us and started to walk to Jon and Steven's room.
"So why move form Detroit to Ipswich" Kira asked honestly curious this time
"My parents thought it was time we got a better education and they thought that Spenser would help us get into an Ivy League school, Jon's dad and Steven's parent's agreed. My father's a very persuasive man," I said laughing "what about you? Lived here your whole life? What's your story?"
"Yeah, that's pretty much it, I was born into money so I was pretty much insured a spot here from birth. I'm dating this guy here, Aaron Abbot, but he's kinda a jerk. I know he's cheating on me" Kira shrugged and continued "I just haven't gotten around to dumping him yet. What about your guy, Jeremy, what's he like"
"I've been dating him for a year and a half, my brothers hate him, I thought they'd get used to him, and the whole idea, but they never did." I laughed at a memory "he used to play him guitar in the school cafeteria, I'm kinda a sucker for musicians, especially guitar players and singers"
"Why do your brother hate him?"
"They don't think he's good enough for me or some other overprotective bullshit" I said shrugging, we were at Jon and Stevens door, I knocked once then walked in anyways
"Coming in!" I yelled as I walked in, luckily they were already dressed and playing Xbox "Ready to go?" they looked questioningly at Kira, I shrugged "we're cool now, Jon, Steven, this is Kira Snider, Kira this is Jonathon Valentine and Steven Godric. Now are you ready to go?" they finally got up and grabbed their jackets. I had managed to get a copy of the key to Steven's car back in the day and since I took off running towards his car, I got to drive. Sure, I was gasping from the run, as running is not my strong point, but it was worth it! Since it was actually Steven's car, he got to sit shotgun, leaving Kira and Jonathon in the back seat. We got to Nicky's relatively quickly, because the way I drive, this might as well be the Indy 500. My boots clicked on the floor as we walked in. I suddenly wished I was just in my t-shirt and jeans I felt so exposed, I mean come on! Look at me, me in a skirt, how often does that happen? Kira was right about one thing; I certainly did blend in better.
I walked to where the Sons and my brothers and Bella were standing. Two girls turned their heads as we walked over. I noticed Pogue and Reid take in my outfit and all my revealed skin. Kira had flounced (and I mean that in the nicest possible way) over to some of her friends.
"Sarah, Kate, this is my sister Ana, and my cousins Jonathon and Steven, Ana, Jon, Steve, this is Sarah and Kate" I nodded at them as Jacob introduced them; I went and plopped down next to James. I was still looking at Sarah for some reason she looked very familiar and I felt like a moron for not being able to put my finger on it.
"So this is what all the rage is about?" I said looking around and nodding, I grinned "better than Ortonville" my family laughed, the Sons were all confused to I explained, "Before we lived in Detroit we lived in this really small town in Michigan, Ortonville, and all the teenagers hung out at the local grocery store." The Sons started cracking up except Pogue he looked really suspicious like I was BSing him.
"I kid you not, trust you me, teenagers actually hung out in the Grocery Store in Ortonville. I can't make something THAT lame up" I said to him laughing, he finally relented and laughed.
"How many times have you guys moved?" Sarah asked James
"Only Ortonville, Detroit, and here; but traveling we've been to 33 of the 50 states"
"Travel much?" Reid asked and I laughed
"We have family everywhere" I said, while I was still laughing I stole another glance at Sarah, definitely familiar. I looked at her for a second longer.
"Sarah, what's your last name?" I said abruptly
"Uhh, Wenham" she said a little suspiciously
"I knew it! I knew you looked familiar! Do you remember Jonathon Valentine, about five years ago when we were vacationing in Boston?"
"Jesus shit are you for real!" Sarah said looking over at Jonathon "Oh my god…it is you! How've you been?" she said hugging him "Jesus Christ you're tall!"
"That happens in five years" Jonathon said laughing "wow it really it you"
"no shit Sherlock" I said, I rubbed my fingernails on my shirt "Ana Valentine matchmaker extrordinaire!" I looked over at Sarah and Jon who were just looking at each other happily
"Damn I'm good" I said as Jon and Sarah started walking away talking
"So what's the story between those two?" Caleb asked leaning back in his chair, so his muscles underneath his wife beater flexed, Bad thought, Bad thought! I said mentally beating myself on the forehead, trying to keep my composure I said
"My family went on vacation to Boston 'bout five years ago, we were hanging at the beach at the beach and this girl, Sarah, started drowning, she went under water and didn't come back up. We found out her foot had snagged some seaweed when she was down looking for shells. Jonathon saved her, dove down and yanked her foot free. They were inseparable for the rest of the trip. But like 3 ½ years after Boston they drifted apart for some reason." I laughed, "She used to call him Batman, for saving her life. She was like a sister to me, but times change and it's been a while; I'm glad it's not me telling her everything that's happened" I shuddered but shrugged it off. "So who wants to get me food!" I said smiling widely
"I will" Caleb said immediately, I brightened up even more, usually I have to beg " tomorrow night 8 o'clock?"
"Sorry committed!" I said trying to stay at least a little perky. What is with all these hot Massachusetts guys hitting on me? Am I hot in Massachusetts?
"What you move five states away and you don't dump your loser boyfriend?" Pogue asked incredulously
"Who said he was a loser?" I said narrowing my eyes
"Them" everyone said pointing at Jacob and James, who were faking innocence by whistling and staring skywards
"I didn't think it would be fair to dump him just because it'd be harder, that's just not right," Steven was muttering about how Jeremy was a stupid redneck with stupid friends and a stupid truck.
"Hey! I happen to like that stupid redneck" I defended "fine, I'll go get my own food," I said standing up and walking to the bar.
-THIRD PERSON-
Bella and Tyler had wandered away earlier over to the foosball table where they were playing and laughing. Kate had seen some cute guy and was dancing with him, which left all the guys sitting alone at the table. Kate seemed to have gotten over Pogue dumping over her rather quickly; there was rumor that she was going to dump him even before he did the honor. Sarah and Caleb had seen it wasn't working out and they had only gotten together because of the stress of the moment.
"So is this Jeremy guy for real?" Reid asked leaning in "because she tried to pull the same bull shit with me earlier"
"Unfortunately, it's all true" Steven said, "I think the only reason she's with him is because no better guy has shown up, which is uncharacteristic for Ana, she's usually an all or nothing person, no love, no boyfriend. And that it gives her an excuse to turn down any other guy who asks her out"
"But we know she doesn't love him." Jacob finished "did you her earlier? 'I happen to like that guy', not love, she never says love regarding Jeremy"
"So one of us has chance." Pogue asked eagerly motioning to Caleb, Reid, and himself, his hazel eyes lighting up
"Maybe. Ana is very…"Jacob started
"Stubborn, bitchy, and competitive" Steven finished "but she's worth it. With Ana most her bitchyness is only when you first meet her, kinda of like initiation if you were in a Fraternity, it's her way of getting through the riff-raff, if you care enough to put up with her, she sees you as worth her time. She has a good heart when it counts" he said with a sort of melancholy
"Hopefully not TOO good" Reid commented leaning back in his chair like Caleb had earlier
"A word of advice mate" James said leaning in "try anything on her and you'll have to get a testical retrieval operation"
"You wouldn't" Reid said looking stricken
"You're right. WE wouldn't; she would." Jacob said shrugging
"Does she have any idea how much that hurts?" Caleb asked wincing
"Absolutely, with as many guys around as she did when she was growing up, she has a rough idea. But if you try to do something she's not ready for, she has no morals." James finished
Just then carrying a huge tray of food Ana started the walk towards them. Reid taking in the amount of skin showing and how incredibly sexy she looked walking like that, Caleb's eyes tracing over her hips up to her slim waist, then up higher, Pogue's eyes traced over her arms, the bumpy skin and the almost white blond hair, the variety of scars in every shape and size.
-ANA POV-
"Whatcha guys talkin' about?" I said walking up to them with a coke, three hot dogs, two orders of fries, four pickles, and a basket of nachos. I passed a pickle to each of the boys keeping one for myself
"Are you pregnant?" Reid blurted out; I choked on the coke I had been sipping
"That's what you guys are talking about?" I said lifting my eyes to them as I coughed on my tray.
"What the asshole means, is that that's quite a bit of food for a little thing like you" Pogue butted in
"When I'm hungry I eat" I said taking a bite of my first hotdog "I'm not anorexic for Christ's sake" I said taking another bite, the conversation after that traveled back and forth from Michigan to Massachusetts, from roller coasters to reading. Bella and Tyler came back from their foosball game I didn't catch who won. The place had emptied out gradually and now Bella was asleep on Tyler's shoulder and James was getting close to sleeping on mine
" I think we had better get going" I said looking around the table
"Yeah, we have early swim conditioning at 4:30 in the morning" Caleb said getting up "besides Bella's already asleep" he said motioning to her. I got up and started nudging Bella
"Belladonna it's time to wake up" I said quietly
"No, it's cool I got it" Tyler said scooping up her tiny frame. At least she got the sweet one I thought, I waved Kira over who was still talking to a friend of hers. She came right over and started walking out with us. The Sons, yes people actually call them that, weird right, looked at her questioningly, but Jon filled them in that I had scared the bitchyness right out of Kira. Well, not all of it, but hell I'm a bitch too. By the time we got back to the dorms I was actually starting to like Kira.
"And now comes the biggest pain in the ass of my day, and surprisingly it's not Reid!" I said brushing through my long hair
"What then?" Kira said taking off her shoes
"Braiding all my frigging hair," I mutter loudly as I started to part it down the middle
"Then why do it?" she said confused, I get that a lot
"Because when your hair's as curly as mine is and as long as mine is, if you don't do something about it before you go to sleep, you won't even be able to get a pick through it in the morning." I proceeded in putting my hair into two French braids until they reached the base of my neck at which point I combined them into one long braid.