"I'm in love."
Before Matt, Steven, Floria, and Bryn stood a beaten, ancient pick-up truck owned by one of Floria's relatives. The driver's door is open and the inexpensive red paint is streaked silver with exposed metal. Steven's eyes gleam gold as he approaches the vehicle. His palm smoothing over a yawning dent in the passenger door, he turns to Floria with an infectious grin and directs his hand to the truck parked in the Blackwell Mansion driveway.
"Like I said, I'm in love." Steven repeats, deepening his voice effectively on love. "This thing is just ... awesome."
Matt leans closer to Bryn, navy-and-ebony plaid sleeves shoved to his forearms. "He's only saying that because he never had a decent car." Steven is ready to counter Matt's comment but he interrupts in the same second. "The car you highjacked when we were thirteen doesn't count."
Steven rolls his eyes. "Don't be jealous."
Bryn smirks. "Keyed it, right?" She receives a matching smirk and a responsive nod. "Radical." Her smirk weakens when she turns to Floria, tightening the studded belt at her waist. "This car is shit, by the way."
Floria shrugs and yanks on her fingerless gloves. "Tell me about it," She agrees, a blue cardigan enclosed over her spray-painted tee and jeans. "What can ya do? This thing may be crap but it does have a working heater and radio."
Matt looks to the automobile. "Gas would be nice."
Unexpectedly, Steven turns to Matt, eyes narrow. "Noooo, really? Can we just hurry the hell up? Javier's bitch-friend has a hot tub in her house and I seriously wanna jump in! I always wanted to feel rich for a day." He quickly runs to the door and slides in the driver's seat, leans over to open the passenger window, holding a hand out for the car-keys in Floria's hand. "Lemme drive! I'll get there faster!"
The redhead stays silent. She only looks at Matt and Bryn before shaking her curls. "No way in hell." she responds and moves to the driver's side, pushing Steven into the middle awkwardly. "I'd much rather let Bryn drive before you."
Despite the cruel comment, Bryn smiles. "That's a pretty big insult because I failed that test how many times?"
"Four and counting." Matt replies and opens the passenger door, sliding in next to Steven.
Matt slams the door shut and Bryn looks to the backseat, seeing all their gig bags piled and the chain handles of their backpacks knotted together. She grimaces and looks back to the front. Sadly enough, the seats were occupied. As a last resort, she turns to Floria and Matt.
"Guys, do I have to sit there?" she asks, frowning. "It looks like hell."
Before either could reply, Steven turns to her with a smirk and pats his lap, eyebrows risen.
Matt kicks Steven's shin before turning to Bryn. "Sorry, kid. We much rather see you back there before Steven considers a lap dance."
"A man can dream."
Without another choice, Bryn reluctantly throws herself in the back and collapses against Floria's bass. The leather is torn brutally and stinks of hard-boiled eggs and McDonald's.
Floria shoves the key into the ignition and the motor grumbles to life. She steers out of the Blackwell driveway and onto the smooth concrete of Manhattan.
Bryn is silent for few seconds before smirking to herself. "I think it would've been nice to actually tell Harper I was leaving with you idiots before he catches a mini heart attack."
Matt props his ankles on the dashboard and slumps. "Eh. He'll live."
X
"I have to apologize for Bryn ..." Harper tells Javier, brows furrow as the Blackwell car speeds to the Hamptons on a trim stone path. "If I knew she was gonna head off early, I would've told you." A faint frown mars his forehead. "Having a twin like her can be so hard, sometimes."
Javier shrugs casually, bringing a hand into the pocket of his pricey trousers. "It's fine." he assures. "It's not like I'm against you. You're still a good person especially if you're able to deal with the shit that goes on around here." Across from him, Tinsley smiles and directs her curious gaze out the window, where the flawless stones and patched ice blurred gray.
"Sometimes, you get used to it," he says. "especially when you have a sibling like Bryn."
Before either could reply, Harper continues. "Don't get me wrong. It's not that she's bothersome. It's just ... different and I don't even know if I can handle it all. Saying all this doesn't exactly make me a good brother."
Javier takes a flask from his pocket and opens it. "You stress an awful lot." he remarks, sipping at the burning liquor casually. "And I'm sure I'm not the only one who agrees," He turns his gaze to Tinsley while still keeping a firm grip on his flask.
She nods in agreement, the emeralds in her eyes flaring brilliantly. "You worry about Bryn too much." she advises, shifting her position. As much as she hated to admit it, Harper always stressed over his dramatic family and strong-willed sister. She cared for him and would do whatever it took to prove it.
It doesn't mean getting burnt by another cigarette, right?
To only reassure Javier's wandering mind and Harper's questioning eyes, she smiles to respect her friends. "Even though I usually hate to agree with you," In response, Javier smirks winningly. "It's true and I wouldn't want to hurt your feeling by being brutal with my words."
"Technically, you're not being brutal." Harper reassures, eyes wide in thought. "Just honest."
Another sip and Javier shrugs, his eyelids flickering shut momentarily. "She's trying to be sensitive to your feelings."
"Well, she doesn't need to." he says, an odd, uncharacteristic wit to his tone. "I don't need to rant for five minutes to explain I'm not a kid, right?" But he smirks, as if for once agreeing to his anxiousness.
"No, thanks." Javier drawls, drinking the remaining liquor in his flask. "I would've brought a few sleeping pills with me if then."
Tinsley giggles, shoving her own worry aside. "Nice. So you'd rather drug yourself to sleep?"
"Didn't you hear, Tinsley?" Javier quips, tossing his flask out the window. "Everyone does it, nowadays. Just ask Harper."
He holds his palms up defensively. "More like Bryn." he corrects to receive smirks from Tinsley and Javier. "I don't drug myself to sleep. I just find that so lazy."
Tinsley crosses her legs and keeps her smirk. "Exhibit A: Courtney Love."
Harper chuckles and Javier's smirk widens but seconds later, Harper gains a straight face and stares at his cell phone, which he balances on his palm silently. "Do you think I should call Bryn?" he asks, eying the black screen. "Just in case."
"No, no." Tinsley chimes, snatching the phone and hastily tossing it to Javier. "Like we said, relax."
His lips press together thinly and he nods. That was just the thing. Despite being told to relax and stay calm he just couldn't. In the back of his mind, one negative thought jerked with bolts of scorching anxiety that forced him to worry. He always felt Bryn was in the hands of the unknown and they almost always had to suffer before they learnt their lessons.
It was as if their family was cursed. With two unlucky twins, a drug-addled father, and a careless mother.
He rolls his eyes but heeds Tinsley's wishes. Every time he wasn't around something terrible happened and that was what he regretted most.
What would he be able to do? He couldn't depend on others forever. He had to be independent and he most certainly couldn't let anything happen to his ruined family.
Even though he knew his silence must've irked Tinsley and Javier's suspicion he kept it.
After all, they didn't know him well-enough.
And if they wanted to, they needed to offer him some time.
Because there was so much more to the Blackwells than just some scandalous rumors.
And we all know, we will never know everything about our favorite Upper East Side families.
Because who really does?
X
"Claire, darling, don't bother my dear brother. I doubt he needs the anger."
"He may not need the anger but he does need the rehab."
"No, thanks. I shall never put him through that sort of torture."
"What are you? His mother? Grow up, Cullen."
"I think I shall when you do the same."
In bitter remembrance, Claire parts her lips in disgust before pursing them without remaining words. That previous argument brought distaste to her tongue and even though those haughty remarks had barely occurred two years ago she was still bothered by Elle and her obnoxious brother. They didn't necessarily scare her. She was rather annoyed with them and their flawless appearances and paparazzi-ready faces.
Kenny—Ken—Kenneth – was nonetheless irritating with his idiotically spiked hair and blank eyes. Maybe if he had some emotion she'd consider becoming somewhat of an acquaintance to him. Just to cause friction between him and Elle.
She couldn't help but be pleased when she'd been offered to play that mere prank on him with the rancid coffee and whatnot.
It was even better when she found out Javier disliked him as well.
And even though she hasn't known Javier as long as she wished, she certainly knew he always got what he wanted, especially when it came to a winning prize.
Getting rid of Kenny would equal getting Bryn for himself.
That was if he was willing to fight for the worthy cause of our favorite rocker.
And he always expects everything handed to him, which might even turn our sweet girl against him.
It's not that she cared about their relationship she wasn't threatened by them. Bryn and Javier or Elle and Kenny.
She was more for commoners, anyway. For every reason known.
But like everything, Claire would deny as it were the most heinous crime. It's simply just a law beyond every New Yorker's home.
Though anyone in their right mind would never admit to a crime. Who would really want to do the time, anyway?
Some would probably be relieved if Elle or Kenny admitted to their wrongdoing but that'd never happen knowing Elle. She'd fight for the rights she didn't deserve and the rights her brother didn't have. They were their own lawyers.
Even though she enjoyed getting involved in their business and ruining lives. She had much better things to worry about and that featured more on her family life.
Minutes before she left to her family car, she heard her parents snarling at one another again. Hands moving in their faces with the vicious words spoke. She was terrified at their thunder-struck expressions and when in the comfort of the car, she finally freed her tears.
Her parents used to be in love. They'd once cared for one another and would do anything for each other but their feelings dried and they began glaring more and not sleeping on the same mattress. Her father would instead move to an inflatable mattress into his study. Her mother would lock her bedroom door and they wouldn't reserve their favorite table in The Modern anymore.
That wasn't her family. That isn't love. Not when two former lovers would avoid each other and practically ignore the other's presence. It hurt to see the affection in her great home, withering like the petals of a dead flower. Flowers and family need love. Which is what, she is lacking.
Still, she kept her family life a secret. She hasn't told Tinsley mostly because she would hate the concern she'd show. As much as she adored Tinsley, she abhorred the fierce concern she'd always display. It was pretty much the equivalent of not being able to do anything and Claire tended to detest that.
Almost everyone she knew had average lives with their families. Tinsley, Javier, Harper ...
Even though the Blackwell parents may be divorced, they still hadn't caused friction between their children or in their lives. They went on and Luciana was well and barely within six months, she'd found a man but that's something she wouldn't want her parents to do despite themselves.
She couldn't bear if she found out her parents were secretly organizing those terrible papers.
And she found herself envying Tinsley and Javier suddenly. Their parents were heavily in love and have been together for centuries despite the conflict they undoubtedly faced. You've never heard them readying divorce documents.
What would happen if they divorced? Would she be cut-off? Would her parents allow her access to their brownstone how Harper and Bryn's parents did with them? Would they mourn or jump right back on the market? And would they even stop to think about her wants?
We bet for now that each of those questions will be answered with a no.
Despite Claire wanting the attention, she wouldn't care if this happened to any of her so-called 'friends.'
It's not like I care about her personal matters. I just enjoy seeing her suffer. After all, who wouldn't? Especially when it's someone like her.
She sighs and looks to the tinted window before interlocking her eyes with another.
Dean lowers the herbal cigarette in his hand before smiling in concern. "Hey, you okay?"
She heard herself replying. "Yes." she assures, odd sincerity warming her voice. "I'll manage."
She was glad to see his smile widen. "Good," He takes a drag of his cigarette and his smile pauses. "Don't want anything happening to you now."
Again, she heard herself responding unintentionally. This time, she didn't halt her words. "Me neither."
Let's just pray for your family's sake. Okay, Queen C?
X
Steven turns to Matt, where he takes calming drags of a cigarette, eyes shut in relaxation and lips parted. "Ya know, it'd be nice, if one of us actually had a driver's licenses. Imagine if we get caught by the cops? Damn, we'd be effed!"
Floria rolls her eyes and continues to speed down the dirt road. The wheels colliding with road dents every few minutes. Matt opens his eyes and laughs slightly. "Shut it, Steven. Don't jinx us."
He holds his palms defensively again. "Duuuude, I've got the perfect idea, though. Just in case, we do get stopped. Let's pretend I'm high." He turns to Matt and lowers his hand. "That's what I like to call winning."
Matt lowers the cigarette from his mouth and breathes smoke in his face. "Why, thank you, Charlie Sheen." He positions the cigarette in his hand and brings it back to his lips. "And I doubt you need to pretend. It's your natural way of life."
"Come on, Matt. Give him credit! He actually thought of the idea."
Steven glares as Matt and Floria laugh from either side of him. They were surprised to find Bryn silent, typing frantically on her Blackberry and smirking each time she receives a text. At her silence, Matt and Steven arch brows and Floria looks in the rearview mirror. "Uh-oh, Bryn. Who're you texting?"
She startles and hid her phone in her hands. "Just a friend." she stats, voice cautious. In the mirror, she sees Floria roll her eyes and return to the road. "I'm serious! Just a friend!"
Matt turns to face Bryn, smirking. "Yeah, that's how it all begins."
She looks away from him to her phone. "Trust me. Nothing is going on with me and him."
"Oh, now," Steven grins between the three. "So it's a guy? Can he possibly be Kenny?"
Bryn shakes her head and her lips tighten.
Not offering her another chance, Steven extends his arm for her phone. "Lemme see, then."
A frown comes to her face and she holds her phone out of reach. "Mind your business, Steven."
He shakes his head and attempts to reach her phone again, leaning over his seat and accidentally kicking Matt in the stomach. He groans and punches Steven's shoulder. "Hand it over!" he demands, his tone forceful. "Why won't you let me see it?"
"This won't end well." Floria scoots out of Steven's reach.
She leans over the bags. "No! Stop acting like a psycho! Matt, Flor, help me!"
Matt and Floria exchange glances before turning away. "Nah."
Steven slides out of his seat and jumps back to get Bryn's phone. He leans over and she hastily fights his unsuccessful grasps. Flailing limbs and grunts of annoyance are seen and heard. Floria and Matt both smirk as they continue on with what they were doing.
Finally, Steven cuts off all fighting with a scream of pain and falls onto the cluttered floor. Bryn smirks proudly and Matt turns to check his friend. "What the hell'd you do to him?" he questions, observing Steven's crumpled form.
Bryn narrows her eyes and her smirk stays. "My heel accidentally came in contact with his ... um, boys."
Matt looks away and winces. "Ouch. Sorry, man."
Floria laughs. "He needs a Band-Aid on his balls."
"Dude!" Steven hisses in anger as Bryn stares down pleasingly. "That will not make it any better! It'll probably hurt more!"
"Haha. No chicks." Matt holds up his lit cigarette and barely manages to hide his chuckles. "To Steven's ... twins."
"Rest in peace." Floria smiles and beats the horn ahead at the road. "Poor guys never had a chance."
They all laugh with the exclusion of Steven. Their laughter rang on until they saw Claire's Hampton home coming into view and the truck begun slowing down faster. The wheels screeching, the grumbling motor pausing, then –
It all cut short.
"Oh, hell," With the car stuck halfway to Claire's rented home, Floria started twisting the key rapidly and the truck rumbles but did not turn on. "Oh, crap. Hell, hell, hell."
It was silent between the four. The only sounds heard were the sighs of Floria and jingling of keys.
Bryn blinks and positions the guitars under her. Steven finally deciding to sit up in the midst. "Um, this sucks."
"Totally." Matt agrees, shoving his cigarette out the window. "What do we do?"
"Never say that, my friend." Steven wags his finger at Matt, a hand on his abdomen. "When in peril do as Stevens do." He opens the car door and slides out. He smirks once on the dirt and looks off to Claire's estate. Without any other words, he runs down the road in the direction, screaming like a lunatic.
"Well," Floria says and hops out of the car. "I'm more for walking, anyway."
X
After a heavy façade of stress, Harper falls asleep, leaned against the tinted window. Tinsley looks to him somberly before locking eyes with Javier, a full flask in hand.
"Your chances of seducing him are ruined, Tins." Javier drawls, shaking his flask. "Lap dances have no effect when the applicant is asleep."
She doesn't smile when she looks back to Harper's peaceful face. His eyelids unmoving and a palm on his stomach as he shifts unconsciously. "Shut it, Javier," she mumbles, careful to not wake him. "He's tired. Do you see how much he stresses a day? He needs to relax somehow."
"Don't we all?" he counters. "If he acted as calm as his sister, he'd be normal."
Tinsley's eyes narrow and she leans to place a hand on Harper's denim-clad knee. "Stop treating him like he's abnormal." she snaps to receive an eyebrow raise from Javier. "Bryn isn't exactly normal and you still love her."
His eyes mirror hers. "I don't love anyone. Stop getting involved in my business."
"You loved Vena."
"Yes. The main word in that sentence is loved."
She smirks, the smile coated in uncrackable ice. "You could never say you haven't loved anyone, if then. I'm not exactly interfering in your business. How many times have you brought yourself into mine?"
He rolls his eyes and scoffs. "Everyone's nearly involved in your business whether they have a choice or not. Harper nearly lost his life to Vena and Bryn had come close to never playing guitar again when she grabbed the blade. They barely knew Vena for how long?"
"I never asked them to do what they did. They chose to protect me impulsively."
"You were after all the one who called Harper in your time of need." He raises a dark brow. "You can't deny that."
Her lips come together quickly and she awkwardly straightens her spine. "I'm not. I called Harper because I needed him. I would never take advantage of him."
He shrugs and caps his flask without taking a sip. "You say that now but who knows what you'll do once you get to know him. Did you even tell him you loved him yet?"
"Yes." She hesitates. "And I meant it."
But she sees Javier's smirk reappear, the expression dull. "Sure, you did. You probably only said it to not make him feel bad," He watches Tinsley's collected mask crumble. "and I'm cruel, huh? Not as cruel as you. At least I haven't told a girl a promise I wouldn't be able to keep." His smirk stays when he continues on. "And you're supposed to be the nice one."
Tinsley didn't have anything to say to that. She loved Harper, didn't she? He had confessed his love to her and she had done the same because she loved him, right?
She wouldn't express her love if she didn't mean it. She cared for Harper more than anything. She'd never just betray him so cruelly.
After a while, she didn't reply to Javier and retreated her hand from Harper's leg, turning to the opposite window. Javier reopens his flask and threw his head back to drown his throat. Once their attention was elsewhere, one of Harper's eyelids flickered and a filmy blue glows expressionlessly.
He doesn't make his presence obvious but he steals quick glances at Javier and Tinsley before shifting away from Tinsley. Hiding the somber in his eyes.
Whoa, H. Your first act of stealth. Too bad we can't frame it.
X
And while Claire and Dean conversate in a car close to her Hamptons home. She relaxes, turning to trace her gaze out the window to see a blur of frayed blonde on the porch. A slice of granite sparkling. She squints and leans to check out the window. She notices Floria, Matt, and Bryn, too.
With a grimace, she can't help but roll her eyes. She brought those disgusting Brooklynites? That doesn't make it any better. They're nothing but outsiders.
She sees the blonde, Steven, throw the granite between his hands, a grin on his face. He looks to Matthew and nods to the flawless window. Matthew shakes his head and curls his lip.
Floria and Bryn carefully step away and Floria yanks Bryn back with a nervous smile at the guys.
Bryn holds a simple thumbs-up at Steven, who gladly responds and chatters on.
Matthew looks like he's yelling when he watches Steven's swiftness, arms thrashing mechanically.
Without another option, Matthew sidesteps from Steven and with a beaming grin, he threw the shard of rock and watches it smashes through the glass, spraying the porch in glistening glass. She can hear their laughter.
The boys' chuckle and Floria wipes her sweaty forehead. Steven climbs through the broken window and is careful with his hands before he's in her house. Claire gapes as he opens the front door and allows them in.
Claire stays staring, her eyes wide and mouth open theatrically. Then she turns to Dean, who chuckles at the act just committed. She closes her mouth and ducks her head in disappointment.
"What jerks."
Dean continues laughing and she has never felt inches away from shoving her six-inch Manolo up his –
X
There goes another chapter and I apologize for not having as much drama in this. This is basically the beginning of the Hamptons saga. There'll be at least two or three more to complete this. And a lot more drama will fill each chapter especially once inside the Hamptons house.
Enjoy!