A/N: Ta-da! Chapter one! I am so sorry it took so long to get up, but these little things called "life" and "school" got in the way. =)
Disclaimer: I don't own Alex Rider
Chapter One: The Ritual
"Jessica Rhiannon Fox, get your butt out here this instant! Your food is getting cold!"
Jess sighed and reached for her bookmark. "Coming!" she yelled, keeping her eyes firmly riveted on her book.
She felt around her for her bookmark, then found it. Closing her book, she took a moment to rest her eyes. Then she stood and stretched, turning off her stereo in the same motion. Mentally bracing herself for what she knew was coming, she left her room to go to dinner.
oOo
Sitting at the table with her aunt, Jess kept her eyes soldily locked onto her food. She just wanted to get done so she wouldn't have to endure any questions. Some nights she could get away with that. This night, however was not to be one of those nights.
"So what did you do today, Jessica?" came the query from the other side of the small table.
Jess slowly put down her fork and deliberately chewed her bite before answering. "The usual," she answered. Her aunt's eyes narrowed, so she elaborated. "Read, listened to music..." she shrugged. "The usual."
"What were you reading about today?"
Jess arched an eyebrow. "Do you really want me to tell you, Aunt Lynn?" She knew her aunt would say no, but it was all part of the ritual.
Her aunt sighed and said, "No. Not really."
"Didn't think so," Jessica replied, completing the routine.
The two ate in silence for several more minutes before Lynn spoke.
"Why do we do this?"
"Do what?" Jess asked innocently. She knew what the answer would be, but didn't want to give it credibility by saying it herself.
Lynn gestured vaguely with her fork. "All this - the asking, the answers we have memorized..." she shrugged helplessly. "This."
Jess frowned thoughtfully. "Maybe-" she hesitated, still ordering her thoughts. "Maybe because this is the only time of day when we really see each other."
It was true. Lynn was away at work all day, leaving Jess at home. At fourteen, she was more than capable, but she still wished not to be alone. She never said anything, though, her pride refusing to admit it.
Lynn was nodding slowly. "Yeah. Maybe." But she didn't seem convinced.
The rest of the meal passed in silence.
oOo
As the pair were cleaning up, Lynn turned to Jessica and announced, "We're going shopping tomorrow."
Jess stared at her, thinking her aunt had finally lost it. "What?"
"We. Are going. Shopping."
"Um, maybe you've forgotten, but I don't do shopping."
Lynn shook her head doggedly. "You will tomorrow."
"But why?" Jess didn't mean to sound like a whiny five-year-old, but she couldn't help it.
Lynn scowled. "Because summer's coming, and you need new clothes. You're growing like a weed, girl! Tomorrow is Saturday, so it won't be a problem. And you're right; we don't really see much of each other. So we are going to go shopping, and you are going to get new summer clothes."
Jessica sighed, letting it be her response. I hate being right, she thought.
A/N: So, this chapter was pretty much just meeting Jess, getting to know her, yada yada. Sorry it's so short. You like? Review! I really appreciate alerts and faves, but reviews=love!