Thanks for the responses so far on this (and the bonus chapter of Nerd!) - I almost forgot how wonderful you all are. Almost! I really hope I can put this to standard which is why the feedback is so important. This will be a vaguely complex and intertwined plot but I would love to know along the way if you feel it is getting a bit too crazy or if it's going a bit slow. Obviously I also love to hear what I'm doing right so I can give you more of that if possible. Anyway - on with the show and thank you as always for your amazing support!
Oh - and no, I don't own the Fosters. I'd have more friends if I did.
Hope you enjoy...it's going to be a long ride!
A few weeks later...
"But Mom..."
"Kasey, we're not arguing about this. This is important to Brandon and we're doing it – more importantly, you're going to behave while you're doing it too."
"That man made my life a misery – and now he does it to Jesus. Ever since that ditching last year he tortured me every class! I thought at the end of last year I at least wouldn't have to see him again! Now just because Brandon's shacking up with that bi..."
"Okaay I dare you to finish that sentence - it won't be pretty. And regarding Porter picking on you - you can't say you didn't bring some of that on yourself!" Stef silenced her daughter with a glare. "Whether you like her or her father or not she is Brandon's girlfriend and you are going to accept it. End of. You know I remember a time when we weren't crazy about Evan but we went out of our way to try and accept him. You could at least do the same."
"Wow – selective memory. Brandon tried to fight him, Dad threw him across the kitchen and the first time you caught him in my bedroom you dragged him out by his ear. In fact you did that again last week."
"...that's just a reminder that if he refuses to listen I'll find another use for his ears." She grinned.
"Kasey, we're going off topic. My point is, we have grown to love Evan, but that only came from loosening our prejudices a little. I know that you hardly have the best opinion of Michelle, babe, but Brandon is your brother so you better learn to make her welcome."
"She's using him, I'm telling you." Kasey stated blankly.
"Shh...did you hear that?" Stef froze her pose as if listening for something. Kasey looked at her bewildered.
"I could have sworn Lena got rid of that record player..." she commented apparently to herself.
"Mom...what record player? Who the hell even has a record player? What are you even talking about?"
"The record player that has been playing that broken record I keep hearing." She jibed.
Kasey rolled her eyes. "Funny, Mom. But now the only thing I can hear is the laughter coming from the 1970s. Or wait, it could be the old folks home." she replied deadpan.
Stef squinted. "Throw one more old joke my way, I'll make sure you don't hear anything ever again!"
"Well at least I won't have to listen to that two-faced..." Kasey began before Stef cupped her face.
"Kasey - I will say it again. I don't want to hear it." She clapped her hands either side of her daughter's cheeks.
"Tomorrow. 7pm. Best behaviour or I'll be spending Sunday going out of my way to make you more miserable than Mr Porter managed to achieve throughout the whole of last year. Got it? Good."
As Kasey opened her mouth to protest Brandon entered along with his girlfriend and Stef slipped her arm behind her daughter's back to keep her in the room.
"Brandon. Michelle. How are you both?" She gave a forced smile. Stef wasn't keen on her son's new girlfriend either but she appreciated how smitten Brandon had become with her. "Kasey, say hello." She pinched her daughter slightly reminding her of the control she had over her.
"Hey." She said with a forced tone. Michelle threw her a fake smile before returning her attentions to Stef. Brandon was apparently oblivious to everyone's distaste.
"We're good. We just came by to get a snack before heading out to the movies." Brandon made his way over to the fridge and grabbed a couple of drinks.
"You're going to the late showing? That means you'll be back after 12..." Kasey commented.
"Wow – and there I was thinking you were failing maths." Michelle quipped smugly. Stef pulled Kasey back slightly sensing a comeback.
"Yes, Brandon asked permission to come back a little later...and we agreed. Leave it." Stef commented ending with a whisper as another warning.
"So – Chelle. Looking forward to having your Dad over tomorrow night. Been a while since I've seen him." She continued.
"Yeah, and this time at least it won't be to report that Jesus has been learning how to make stink bombs in class." Brandon smirked.
"That's funny, Mom and I were just talking about things that smell kinda fishy." Kasey smiled.
"Ha...right. OK." Stef interjected as Kasey winced from another pinch.
"My Dad can't wait to see you Kasey. You were one of his favourite pupils." Michelle smiled sarcastically.
"Well what can I say, your Dad always does like the girls in his classes." Stef's eyes sparked open in horror as she whipped her head round briefly at Kasey.
"Hey, anyone hear that? Kasey, I'm sure I just heard Lena call us. Let's go see if Lena called us..."
"I didn't hear..." Stef began to herd her out the room.
"OK – have fun you two! Back by one."
"One?! Mom..." Stef smacked Kasey slightly, pushing her out of the room as Brandon and Michelle shouted their goodbyes.
"That was a bit weird..." Brandon commented registering that they had already disappeared.
"Oh don't worry about it baby. I told you, your sister has always been funny around me. It all goes back to Jamie Cranston. She's just being protective of you." She said kissing Brandon firmly on the lips rendering him speechless. Even if he did have a response it would have been hard to get it out with her tongue firmly inside his mouth. His body turned numb. Michelle was staggeringly beautiful and Brandon could still never believe how he had managed to win her over ahead of all of the other boys in their year. She had a siren feel about her, many men had crashed into her shores and Brandon had willingly set his course. Ever since everything had ended with Talya and his fling with Callie was deemed never to be, he had never fallen so deeply for someone. She had him in her powerful clutches and he didn't want her to let go.
"Movie!" He finally made out breaking free from her briefly for air. She bit her lip seductively at his goofy grin.
"You know...we could go to the movie...but I'm pretty sure my Dad is away tonight...and we do have till 1..." She smiled with a flicker of danger in her eyes.
"I better just...pop upstairs first." He added with a naughty schoolboy smirk.
She watched him leave and smiled to herself. She had him right where she wanted him.
Meanwhile, once Stef had got Kasey out of the room she tugged her harshly to one side.
"OK – what is wrong with you? You're going to have to do a lot better than that tomorrow!" Stef scolded as Kasey opened her mouth to protest.
"Oh - come on! She was taunting me from every direction. How do you not see what a bitch she is! I thought Talya was bad at first but at least she had some redeeming features! And one o'clock? What's that about?"
"He's 18 now."
"Mom – we're twins!" Kasey protested.
"Yes, but he's never pushed me as far as you. If I give you till one you'll get back at half past and I won't get Evan out of here till the next morning – and 3 hours of that will be him apologising for bringing you home late!" she ranted. "Besides it's Friday night. I've done it for you before – and I am very flexible these days with both of you since you turned 18. You're supposed to be an adult now. I try to treat you both like one – and Callie. But come on love, what can I do to make you work with me with this? I'll put your bedtime back to 6 if you're going to keep on acting like such a baby!" She admonished further.
"I just don't trust her Mom. She is up to something and I know it!"
Stef sighed. "Kasey. Have you ever heard the expression 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer?'" She raised her eyebrows as Kasey sighed. "Learn it." She kissed her head harshly and moved off as Kasey rubbed the bridge of her nose. Brandon passed her looking slightly embarrassed but with a big grin on his face. "Later sis!" He said with a spring in his step as she watched him head up the stairs. Maybe her Mom was on to something...but it wouldn't stop her dreading the meal with the teacher who had got it in for her than any other and the girl she had sworn she would never forgive.
Chapter 2 Preview: Stef and Lena discuss Kasey's future and Lena has her turn at handling Kasey
"That's weird." Stef pricked her head up and looked at her watch. I didn't think Brandon would be back till much later.
"Unless it's someone sneaking out..." Lena said, eyebrows raised and they listened more carefully for signs of life. Nope, they're definitely downstairs."
"So maybe it's someone sneaking in..." They exchanged knowing glances.