AN: Here's another update. I'm glad there is still interest in this story. Thank you to matthewsbj for leaving a review for the last chapter.
Disclaimer: See earlier chapters.
Chapter 15: New Possibilities
Monday morning came and once again, Kirsten dragged Seth out of bed, while Ryan got up as soon as his alarm blared. The family met downstairs and sat at the counter for breakfast. Sandy bustled in last as he had a pile of papers in his arms as he was shoving them into his briefcase.
"Busy day?" Kirsten asked him.
"I have a meeting first thing," he told her. "If you want, I can drop the boys off at school since it's on my way."
"That's up to them, if they want."
"Fine with me," Ryan shrugged.
"I'd rather not go at all," Seth stated. "But since you're offering-"
"Take care of your dishes," Kirsten told them.
Both Ryan and Seth took their bowls to the sink and went back upstairs to grab their things.
"So what are your plans for today?" Sandy asked his wife.
"Calling the therapist to cancel, then housework and some renovation time,"
"If I'm able to, I'll meet you for lunch."
"Sounds good," she smiled as Seth and Ryan came down with their school bags, and Ryan had his duffle bag for soccer slung over one shoulder. "Have fun today, boys."
"Yeah right," Seth mumbled as he was making sure he had his student ID. "I'm just trying to get through the day."
"Good luck Ryan," Kirsten called as she waved them off from the porch.
Kirsten went back inside to start on her list of things to do that day. Now that the boys were starting to get into the full swing of school and Sandy was getting into his rhythm at the PD's office, Kirsten was starting to feel lonely. She loved that she got to stay home now, and she didn't miss having to go into the office, but she felt like something was missing. Kirsten sighed deeply as she put her coffee cup in the sink to be washed later and went to gather everyone's laundry.
Ryan and Seth walked out of the lunch line with their trays and sat at a table by themselves yet again. They had barely started eating their taco salads when someone set their tray down next to them and Ryan looked up to see Maddie.
"Hey," he greeted slowly.
"So what's the deal with you guys always eating by yourselves?" she looked at each of them.
"It's not by choice," Seth grumbled. "Being new-"
"That's such a lame excuse," she interrupted.
"Do you see anyone rushing to sit with us?"
"I will in a second," Maddie turned and gestured behind her, and suddenly the table was filled with five other people.
"Ryan, Seth, this is John, Jennifer, Randy, Vanessa, and Logan. Guys, this is Seth and Ryan. They just moved here."
They all greeted each other awkwardly as Ryan and Seth just looked uncomfortable.
"So…." Seth broke the tension. "Are any of you guys together?"
"We are," Jennifer referred to her and Randy. "And so are Vanessa and Logan."
"You can just call me V," Vanessa told them. "Logan and I have been together for a couple years now."
"So where did you guys move from?" Logan asked.
"Newport," Seth told them.
"I'm from all over," Ryan mumbled.
"Aren't you brothers?" Randy asked.
"Yes," Seth stated firmly, looking right at Ryan. "Even though it makes Ryan uncomfortable when I say it."
"What do you mean?" John asked.
"I'm in the system." Ryan said softly.
"You mean the foster system?" Maddie asked and he nodded. "So am I. Well, I guess not technically anymore since I was adopted last year, but I was put into the system when I was six."
"I am still in the system." John told them. "That's how I met Maddie. You don't have to be embarrassed about it. This school is all about inclusion."
"The bell," Seth grumbled. "Yay, another class."
"He's not one for school," Ryan told them.
"And you?" Logan asked as they went to dispose of their trays.
"I haven't been to a school in over a year," Ryan shrugged. "I'm getting used to a long of things again."
"Let's get together after school," Randy told them.
"I have soccer tryouts," Ryan told him.
"And then my mom is picking us up," Seth added.
"I'm in soccer," John smiled. "Don't sweat the tryouts. It's more of a technicality."
"What do you mean?"
"We lost a lot of players last year because they graduated. I'd say if you showed up, you're in."
The group parted ways to their next classes and promised to find each other later.
After school, Seth and Ryan stopped off at their lockers to get the books they would need for their homework tonight, and Ryan grabbed the duffel bag for soccer that he had shoved in there that morning. They walked across the school grounds and located the soccer field. Seth took Ryan's messenger bag to keep while he was trying out. He started to climb the bleachers to watch the tryouts when he spotted the group from earlier.
"Hey," Maddie greeted him.
"What are you guys doing here?" Seth sat down beside the group.
"We came to support Ryan," Logan told him. "It was John's idea. He figured that Ryan hasn't had a lot of support in his life."
"You got that right," Seth nodded.
"So why'd you guys move out here anyway?" Vanessa asked. "Your parents get a new job?"
"Actually it was for Ryan's protection….from my grandpa."
"What?"
"My grandpa did not like Ryan. He was very unfriendly when he found out about Ryan's background. He was convinced that he was going to rob us blind. Then he physically hurt him. That's when my mom decided enough was enough, and that we had to get out of town."
"Your grandfather sounds like a piece of work," Jennifer stated.
"He owns most of Newport, so he thinks he's entitled to think the way he does," Seth said. "My mom had to fly under the radar to get us moved out here without him finding out. Luckily he was out of the country."
"What do you mean he owns most of Newport? What does he do?"
"He's a real estate developer. His name is Caleb Nichol."
"He's your grandfather?" Maddie looked at him in shock.
"So you've heard of him?"
"Everyone has."
"So what do your parents do?" Randy asked.
"My dad is a lawyer. He works as a public defender. My mom used to work alongside my grandfather, but she quit and is staying at home right now. She wants to be there for us when we need her. She's mostly coming up with renovation projects for the house. I think she'll want to start doing something else though. She was never one to just relax."
"Hey," Seth looked up abruptly as Ryan and John appeared before them.
"Is it over already?" Seth looked at the time. "Wow, mom is probably waiting for us already. Did you make it?"
"Yep," Ryan smiled his first genuine smile in a long time.
Kirsten pulled up to the school and parked near where she thought the soccer fields were located. She climbed out of the car and squinted towards the soccer field. She spotted several kids running drills on the field, but couldn't pinpoint where Ryan was. She looked up towards the stands and thought she saw Seth sitting with a group of kids. Her heart swelled as she realized that he was starting to make friends.
Kirsten watched the interactions between her son and the group of kids as they continued to talk. She heard a whistle blow and saw that the players were scattering to collect their things. She spotted Ryan jogging up the bleachers towards Seth with another boy in tow. The group continued to talk for a bit longer until they all started to go their own separate ways.
Seth and Ryan walked out towards the parking lot and spotted her standing there waiting for them. They walked to her and climbed into the car as she climbed back in as well.
"Thanks for not coming onto the field and embarrassing us," Seth told her as she pulled out of the parking lot.
"Maybe next time I will since you feel so passionately about it,"
"Please don't,"
"So who were those kids you both were talking to?" she glanced back at Ryan as well. "New friends?"
"So you're spying on us?" Seth asked.
"Not spying. I was seeing if the tryouts were over," Kirsten glanced at Ryan again. "So did you make the team?"
"Everyone did," he shrugged. "Apparently it was just a technicality since they lost a lot of players when the seniors graduated last year."
"But John said that the coach was impressed with how well you played," Seth cut in.
"Who's John?"
"Fine, we made some new friends. Happy?"
"Very," she smiled at her exasperated son as they pulled up to the house.
The group went inside and Sandy was waiting for them in the kitchen.
"So?" he looked at Ryan.
"He made the team," Kirsten told him before any of the boys could say anything.
"Technicality," Ryan said again.
"It's still a reason to celebrate,"
"Celebrate how?"
"It's not much, but how about we order some pizza tonight and make some rootbeer floats for dessert?"
"Cool," Seth went to the menu drawer. "Can I order?"
"It's Ryan's choice for the toppings," Sandy told them. "And don't forget the bread sticks."
"They also made some friends today," Kirsten smiled at Sandy.
"Really?"
"Stop making such a big deal about it," Seth rolled his eyes.
"Tell us about them," Sandy said.
"There's Maddie, John, Jennifer, Randy, Vanessa, and Logan."
"And?"
"And that's it. We don't know much about them. We just met."
"Well why don't you invite them all over this weekend? So we can get to know them and you guys can hang out."
"Whatever," Seth shrugged.
"I'll ask them tomorrow," Ryan said.
"Good. Now you guys decide on the pizza order while I talk to your mother in the living room."
Kirsten followed Sandy into the living room and they both sat down on the couch as he sighed deeply.
"What's the matter?" Kirsten looked concerned. "Is everything ok with work?"
"For right now," Sandy sighed. "The meeting this morning-it was to tell me that someone is giving me bad reviews online even though I've only taken on a handful of cases so far."
"Do you think it's my father? My mom hasn't said anything about if he's found out where we were."
"Is he back in Newport yet?"
"My mom would've said something,"
"Well my boss brought up a way for me to make some extra income. There's an opening for a guest lecturer at our alma mater for the criminal justice and legal studies department."
"A professor at Berkely College?"
"Technically I wouldn't be a professor, but it could lead to a more permanent position if they like me."
"What about your cases? What if you start getting more cases?"
"I can still do some cases on the side. Plus it would be good for the students that I'm an actual lawyer so they'll trust me more."
"Would it be extra hours?"
"I would have a morning and an afternoon class, but I would be home around the same time that I am now."
"How much money are we talking?"
"Enough to keep us comfortable. Maybe be able to splurge on a thing or two occasionally."
"You're excited," Kirsten smiled at him. "I think you should do it."
"Are you sure? I don't want to leave you hanging with the household responsibilities or with the boys."
"You're just glad to get out of helping with the renovations,"
"How many pizzas can we get?" Seth called from the kitchen.
"Two mediums with 2 toppings each," Kirsten called back.
"Let's go celebrate Ryan's spot on the soccer team," Sandy helped her up off the couch as they walked back into the kitchen.
The family spent the next couple of hours together as they ate the celebratory pizza and breadsticks for supper. Later Kirsten broke out the vanilla ice cream and cans of rootbeer so they could make rootbeer floats. The other three noticed the smile on Ryan's face throughout the festivities. It was obvious that he had never had any sort of celebration in his honor that he could remember. Kirsten vowed that they would make an effort to celebrate his accomplishments and achievements, alongside Seth's.
Ryan and Seth finally retreated upstairs for the night to work on their homework and eventually head off to bed.
AN: So what do you all think? How did you like the introduction of the new characters? They will be heavily involved in the story from here on out.
