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Chapter two
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He never walked with anyone anywhere. Aside from his brothers, he would usually roam the streets alone. But, he stole a quick side glance at the blonde, today was different. Today, he had made a new friend who wasn't a boy, or a person younger than him, and had manners.
"Where do you live?" She asked.
"U-Um, I live around Bracken Wood... What about you?"
"I live on Hoytte Rhode. It's pretty convinient since I just get off at Hoytte station and walk a block."
'Hoytte Rhode... she must come from a wealthy family...'
"I-I get off at the next stop: Brown stone station, and it's only ten minutes from there before I get to Bracken Wood."
Lilli gave him a smile. "That's pretty neat. You should come over some time, I'd like to get to know you better."
Raivis didn't know what to say, but returned a smile. "Th-That sounds... nice. But I-I don't think I'll be able to for some time... maybe during a holiday of sorts."
The blonde nodded. "I must agree, my brother can be... strict with who I bring home, it'd be better for the both of us if we waited."
Wow, the first day and he already has a friend and plans. This was going to be a great year.
The rest of the way they conversed about dreaded teachers, favourite foods and dislikes of colour.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow."
"T-Till then." Raivis said, waving back at the girl who got off and down the platform stairs. He was finally able to relax, not that it meant being around Lilli made him nervous. It was just.... unexpected for a first day. Lazily he looked out of the window, watching as the train moved out of the Hoytte neighbourhood and into a more thickly wooded area. The Hoytte district was mostly cleared of trees (save for a few here and there for decoratvie purposes), and was composed of handsome red brick houses and glass structures. Bracken wood was completely different. There were more trees, so around October it got horrifyingly creepy with the bare trees dancing, and there were more brown stone apartments and houses that were in poor or mid condition. It wasnt a bad area, just... not as extravegant.
Brown Stone Station, we have now arrived at Brown Stone station. Please watch your step as you exit the car.
A heavy sigh came from him as he pulled himself together and walked out of the train. Down the platform and out of the station he went. Gloomy houses stood solemmly as he walked through the streets, shoes scraping against dirty cobblestone. A wind whistled through, making the boy shiver. It was September and he was finally in Ridgeway Academy, the school where his brothers went, who would soon graduate, leaving him alone for the next three years. In all honesty, he preferred to go to a more artsy school. Ridgeway was good, but it focused on academics, not talent.
He fished out a worn copper skeleton key and pushed it into the lock, finally, he had reached the small house he called 'home'. Turning it, a light 'click' sounded and he let himself inside.
"Ra~ivi~s!"
A pair of arms wrapped around him and lifted him into the air, leaving his feet dangling above the ground for at least some twelve inches.
"B-Brother?"
A giggle came from the bigger man as he set Raivis down. "That's right! How have you been? You've been a good boy, right?"
Raivis hastily gave a nod. "Y-Yes sir! I've b,been trying my best like you t-told me to! I-I even made a friend today."
Oh crap, he wasn't supposed to say that.
Ivan's expression changed into that of an unreadable one, making Raivis uneasy.
"B, Brother?"
"... A friend.... Well, I guess my little Malchik is growing up... you're already going to Academy to polish your academics.... I suppose a few friends will suffice.... A friend.... Oh, and speaking of which, what happened to little Peter?" He asked sweetly.
"P-Peter?"
"Yes, the Kirkland boy. I told you to stay away, correct?"
"Yes, I hav-ven't seen him... B-But, Brother, may I have y-your permission to-"
"Ivan!"
Their attention was turned to a Brunette and a bespeckled boy coming in from the front door. Ivan straightened his posture.
"My my, Toris and Eduard, how the two of you have grown."
"Well, it isn't like we'll stay small forever." The glasses boy said with a slight tone in his voice. Ivan's fingers twitched, but he didn't say anything, just kept smiling.
"Ivan, what brings you here? Did you bring Miss Yekaterina and Natalia too?" Toris asked, his eyes hinting slight hope.
"No, Yekaterina had some errands to finish, and Natalia is busy at the moment, so I had to leave them behind."
"Oh, but... what brings you here? I thought your break started next week."
The Russian smiled.
"It does, but I had a job assigned to me in Hoytte Square, so I decided to come back here instead of being in a hotel for a week. So now you don't have to wait a week for me to come!"
The colour disappeared from the youngest's face. Ivan had a job? In Hoytte Square?
He bit down on his bottom lip.
The Square wasn't too far from Hoytte station, but within a one block radius Lilli should be safe from Ivan if she lived in the opposite direction of the Square.... that would be at least a two and a half block distance. So if Ivan ever found out about Lilli-
"What about your friend again? Why don't you tell us his name?" Ivan asked, turning his attention back to the first year and putting the spotlight on him. Eduard gave a surprised expression, as did Toris.
"A friend? When did you meet him?"
"More importantly, how did you meet him? I'd like to know how you would be aquainted after the first day."
"Now now Eduard, don't be so mean."
"I doubt that you're in any position to say that Ivan."
"Please no fighting you two. Now, Raivis, can you tell us who you're friend is?"
The boy began to shake. What should he do? He didn't want to risk it. He.... He would have to play it dumb.
"I-I forgot the person's name...b-but we have a few classes together." He said, Toris smiled at him.
"That's wonderful!"
"You forgot his name?"
"You can't help it, it's only the first day after all." The brunette reasoned, but the sandy blonde gave snort.
"I would give you some of my IQ points to you if I could Raivis, but unfortunatly, I can't." He said before turning away and making way upstairs. Neither of them said anything, but Ivan gave three tuts.
"Eduard has gotten so cold~. Maybe it's just a phase." He suggested hopefully.
"Yes... I'd hope for it to be.... Say, what kind of job were you assigned?" Toris asked.
Ivan's smile grew, but not in length. There was an added terror to it.
"I'm a part of the Forensic branch for murder cases now."
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"How was your first day?"
"It faired quite nicely, and you?"
The other blonde turned red at the ears. "I-I managed to get a new design through. It should be more efficient since I added a few new touches to its last model. It makes me glad to know that it's being looked over for consideration; all of that hard work and endless revising, finally paying off. But enough of my day; have you made any new friends?"
There was a short silence, but it was feigned by the sipping of tea.
"Yes... I forgot the person's name, but we share three classes."
"That sounds fair for one day... make sure you don't get tangled with the wrong bunch Lilli."
"Of course not Brother; you've raised me better than that."
The older blonde's cheeks were rouged red, but he got up, motioning for her to follow.
"We should prepare dinner if we want a full night's rest."
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"Why did you say those things back there?" Toris asked as he put his books down. Dinner was done with and Ivan had gone off somewhere, whcih kept them safe at the moment.
"I don't want to be with him." The Estonian said curtly, which only made the Lithuanian sigh.
"Eduard... does this have anything to do with.... the adoption?"
Eduard sat up and looked at his 'brother' straigth in the eye.
"Toris, I don't mind being your brother, afterall, you're sensible and useful. You're a great cook and you're likeable. But Raivis... he can't stand up for himself, he's weak, he needs to be babied by you, and can't spit out his senntences right. It's aggravating to be around him!"
"....Eduard, Ivan was kind enough to take us in when we needed it most. We knew why and what happened, but Raivis doesn't. He doesn't know anything, and it's not his fault. You can't blame him for being how he is right now; he's been put through too much when he was younger, and even if he doesn't remember it clearly, the fear's still there, whcih should be proof enough of what happened. Now, be a bit gentler with him, he's not good at being social."
The other didn't say anything, but took his glasses off and lied back down.
"I have an exam tomorrow, so keep it down."
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Ugh.... my grammar... makes me uneasy....
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