Autumns II ( Home ? )

CHAPTER 2

A quick tour was given and it wasn't what I expected. It was completely open and welcoming. You couldn't hide the warmth it gave off, you wouldn't want to. His house looked like it should been in a magazine. Like one of those home design ones. To our left was a what looked like a den it was white walled and furnished white excepted the for the dark wood floor and coffee table in front of the antique couch which really seem to bring the room together. The large chest against the wall I was sure contained a large television. To our right, across from the white den sat what seem like the dinning room. The table was already set and beautiful, blooming orchids I'd only seen on television sat in the middle of the table. The floor was a dark mahogany the same flooring flowed from den throughout the house or so it seemed.

"The master bedroom is down here, there's one upstairs too. The house has seven and a half rooms and four baths" he smiled at our baffled expressions. "I don't know why I'm surprised, Alison said you would do this"

"you spoke to her?" like really talked to her?
I looked at him confused, he was simply amused.

"Of course, how else would you be here." That wasn't what I meant, he had talked to Mom, as in they had held a conversation without yelling at each other. I couldn't believe that. Besides, Mom didn’t pay for us to get here. Diane did.
But I clamped my mouth shut as we stood in the entrance way near the stairs.

"Come on, your rooms are upstairs." he made for the stairs off to the side by the dinning room.

We followed him up the wood stairs to the second floor we came into the loft. There were scattered toys. On the back wall sat a large television playing Sagwa the Siamese cat on PBS. Dad looked apologetic. "Sorry for the mess, Alanna is only just six"
That wasn't an excuse. From the look of it our sister was the exorcist of toys. At her age neither Nic nor I would dare make half this mess back home. Alison would have our hides for a new rug and our fingers around her neck for a necklace.

"The restroom is here." he opened a door revealing a blue restroom toilet and tub. It was clean.

"Alanna's room is here," he opened another door that reveal a purple princess room. The walls were purple so was the bed comforter and most objects in the room.

“I’m guessing her favorite color is . . . purple” This came from my smart aleck brother. I shot him “shut your mouth” look which he pointedly ignored.

The wood was oak, like the loft it was a mess; toy, movies, games, books were thrown about everywhere on the bookshelf and floor. . . I don’t think Alanna has a floor in her room.

Dad closed the door quickly his face one of horror. “I imagine Alison would never allow you to keep anything so messy.”

We shook our heads in unison “She would knock us behind over” quoting Mom was easy for us. She liked that quote and you could find it in almost every story she ever wrote.

“I believe you; she always was a neat woman, never could stand anything so much as a hair out of place.”

"Duh!" The word nearly flew from my mouth and only years of conditioning kept them in my mouth. I chewed on them then swallowed it. Didn't he remember anything from Strange? He knew Alison has OCD. I knew Dad had to remember something about his old life. If he did it had to be that. Mom was a straight up neat freak. You think you did it right the first time, well with her you were sure to have it right by the tenth, if you were lucky.

“That’s mild.” Nic said and Dad laughed, a loud booming laugh leading us and our luggage down the hall. We came to the rail, looking down you could see the outside of a kitchen, you could also see the green bar counter tops and the painted white wood cabinets. Across the hallway sat what looked like a living room only this one looked lived in. The chocolate brown couches looked comfy and inviting forming a U around the back wall that held a giant flat screen plastered on the wall. With one glance down we were hurried along.

“Why so many televisions?”

“We don’t use the white room.” Dad said “only on occasion.”
We simply nodded. Dad just didn’t get it. Back in Strange our house only had one television. Mom thought it would spoil our brains so we weren’t allowed to watch it that often and Steve hoarded it, dragging it into the Master room, when it was moved to their bedroom and we weren’t allowed to watch it at all.

“Nic, Alison told me once you had a thing for all things paranormal, supernatural.” Dad grinned “I hope she was telling the truth, you’ll be sick of your room if that isn’t the case”

“My room?” Nic squeaked “you mean I don’t have to share?”

“I suppose if you want to but everyone else will have their own room.”

“Autumn even?” he asked looking up at Dad, if it hadn't been posed as a question I would swear it was a challenge. I cringed dropping my head to look at the floor but prepared for a move.
“Even Autumn.” Dad’s tone was so firm and serious that no one would dare doubt him. At the same time we turn to the right; he led us to a room.

“It’s your room Nic.” Dad said before he opened the door.
I watched my brother’s expression as he wandered cautiously into the room. He actually jumped when Dad turned the light switch behind him. His eyes bulged after that and continued to get bigger as he looked around the room, his room.

It was painted a midnight blue, Nic’s favorite color; the floor like everywhere else was wood. Against the wall to the right of us a comfy looking bed, big enough for Nic and me both. Beside it was a nightstand filled with books. The wall to the straight ahead was nothing but a bookshelves, rows upon rows of shelves filled to the brim with books. To the left wall there was a large window where you could see what lay in the back of the house. It had a pool and garden from what could be seen, further out you could see a red barn like in the movies. Most likely where the horses were kept then there was the pasture. I liked thinking that was what Nic would wake up to every morning.
Nic sat his suitcase down with a heavy thump on his bed. “this is all for me.”

My heart gave a painful tug at the wonder in his voice. Nic had never own so many things. Dad gave a kind smile in my brother's direction, his son. “Yes Nicius, it is all for you.” I watched the light grow on Nic’s face and I would forever be grateful to Dad for it.

We all stood silence for a long while. Each of us gathering ourselves, Nic had to bring himself back from the verge of tears and I wasn't far behind.

“Come on, you room is next Autumn, it is on the third floor." he walked out the room.

“third floor?” Nic looked up at me. I simply shrugged as we scampered after Dad. We followed him out along the rail heading to the left.

“There’s nothing here.” Nic said for we had come to dead end. Dad just smiled a secret smile, reaching up he tugged on a cord. The rod came down along with a ladder. I was so startled I jump back shrieking. Nic snickered.

A secret door appeared. Dad tested the ladder pushing it down against the door. “Autumn’s sleeping in the attic?” Nic’s brows crinkled together.

“You’ll see” he ushered me up first. It took longer because of my luggage. Nic came up next, we stood in the dark waiting for Dad. The only light was coming from a window across the room.
We heard him come up before there was the click of a light. The room was flooded with light. What I saw had my bag crashing onto the floor with my jaw.

My room was amazing. Tranquil with its green color playing off the white trim borders and the light wood floors.
“Look at your fan!” Nic pointed excitedly.

I looked up, of all the things to become excited about I loved my fan the most. A light wood fan with the waved straw pillars. like the ones you hear about in mega expensive tropical hotels. yea- I had one in my room.

My bed, I loved it instantly too. Silly to be so worked up but - I’ve never had my own before. . . I’ve always either shared with Nic or- I shook my head. I wouldn't think that way. Not now, not ever if I could ever learn to control it. He was part of my past and that was where he belonged.

“I love it.” Indeed I did. How could I not? Looking to my left side there was a book case going straight down along the wall.
“Alison said you like to write.”

“I do.” I managed a nod.

“you’re really good.” Dad went on. “Alison sent me some of your work sometimes, your writing is delightful. you should have it published”

“no!” I shook my head embarrassed and pleased all the same.
“I write for myself, its what I do- I couldn’t bare for other to read my writing."
Dad raised a brow “besides family” I added.
“That’s too bad, Alison would be proud of you.”
No she wouldn't, she had never been proud of me as far as I was concerned. I could sell hundreds of best sellers and I still wouldn't matter to her anymore.

"My writing could never compete with mom's” I said slightly defensive despite myself.

My mother, our mother was Alison Fernfield, turned Alison Jackson. One of the biggest paranormal romance writers of the time. Mom’s stories were full of vampires, witches werewolves and humans entwined with a forbidden romances and suspense. Her new release was already a best seller. That’s where Nic got his love for the supernatural from; Alison had been feeding it to him since he was an infant. In his mind vampires and wyrewolves were a normal part of everyday life.

“you’d do well enough.”

I jumped feeling a arm slink across my shoulders, then I tried not to cringe. Dad was standing next to me, looking at me. I stared down at the floor.

“you have your own bathroom too.” he nodded in the direction of door adjacent from the window. “Right through there.”
I smiled thanking him again. In return he gave me a small shake. Then I did cringe, his hand dropped instantly and he stepped away putting a healthy distance between us. I wanted to curse and sigh at the same time.

“I’ll leave you two to get settled” He kept backing toward the door. “Don‘t take to long, there are a few people who I do want you to meet.." He had a foot on the ladder.
At the same time we all heard a loud rumble; we both turn to Nic who looked only slightly abashed.

“Hungry?”

Nic nodded with a weak smile. He hadn't eaten since yesterday. Well, Dad and I looked amused, Nic was grinning like a silly fool.

"Food would be nice." Nic hopped forward.
Dad left down the ladder Nic following him. Their voices could be heard in the otherwise silent house. Nic was asking about the horses and Dad answering him back. When I couldn’t hear them anymore I set about unpacking, not at all eager to join the people outside. It wasn't much because I didn't have much. I didn't even have enough clothing in my possession to fill up three drawers of one of my dressers. My closet sat empty except for my little suitcase and backpack, and a box that a friend had given me. What was I going to do with all the extra space?

After arranging the few accessories and some perfume in the bathroom which was decorated like my room with autumn leaves, it consisted of a sink toilet and shower/tub. I was at a loss of what to do next.

This process had taken me the less than an hour. Before I turned to the bigger job of organizing my vast collection of books. I had a box and a half the other was filled with my work. My tablets for I loved to write; anything and everything. Truly being Alison’s daughter I wanted to be an author. But would never meet her standards. I was miles off from where I should be.

I collapsed on my bed, my bed, it felt nice. Dad had obviously put work into our rooms. My comforter was spread and pillows neatly arranged so that when I fell down there was the crunch of new sheets and pillows scratching together. There was really no hurry to go out there and meet everyone, it was rude but I had to put it off. The mere thought had me hyperventilating. The ceiling fan went round and around in lazy circles fanning a light breeze down my way-I didn’t even remember falling asleep.
An explosion slammed into my middle. A scream caught in my throat, I would have jumped up if the force wasn’t still holding me firmly in place. Oh no. I forced myself to remain calm. I reminded myself that I was safe.

When I was able, one eye opened, then the other. I sighed at the sight of my step sister, then it turned to a groan. She was sitting on my stomach her green eyes staring at me. “Alanna?”
“Daddy said I was to come tell you to come downstairs.” she sat up still sitting on me. “You’re being very rude.”
My stomach let out a low growl letting me know I had skipped out on the my snack earlier.

“I‘m sorry.” I hadn’t meant to fall asleep. She was still staring so I stared back. "You can get up now." She didn't move.

“Nic is looking for you too.” she said jumping off my chest at last.

Guilt washed over me. I hadn‘t mean to leave Nic alone to face all those people. “He’s fine, everyone is eating.”

“Well I’ll be down in a second.”
I ran a hand through my curly mess of hair.

“you might want to freshen up we have company.” those emeralds raked me over one last time. “you should bathe.” she wrinkled her nose “you don’t smell very nice.” The urge to fling a pillow at her was overwhelming.

Apparently, she knew what I was thinking because little Alanna scampered down the ladder disappearing into the house.

Sitting up and stretching was a luxury. When I stood I sniffed myself, I didn’t think I smelled bad. I smelt like my favorite perfume. I smelt like pomegranate and my hair smelt the same. Though I did agree I needed to change. I was still in traveling clothes; sweat pants and my favorite TMNT shirt. Very comfortable.

After seeing myself changed into a comfortable pair of jeans and nice sleeved shirt I slid into a pair of flip flops, the only pair I owned, before heading down the ladder. Following the way Dad took us I found my way to the stairs. When I arrived the kitchen was empty but the smell of food lingered. Meat, my stomach rolled and heaved.

“Hello?” I called to the empty kitchen. I could hear the sound of people an talking but didn’t see them.

“Dad” no answer.

“Nic? Alanna?” quiet.

“Dad!?” I yelled but no one answered, the empty room gave an unnerving echo.

A loud tap made me jump twirling around Nic grinned at the window, drenching wet.
“Come on.” he all but pulled me through the sliding glass door. The sun was blinding.

“come on, Dad said we could get in the pool.” I frowned. Nic couldn’t swim but I followed him any way.

It was even worse than I could have thought possible. The instant I stepped out the back door with Nic all eyes turned our way, toward the new kids. "Come on." Nic murmured in my ear his hand rubbing up and down on my arm, he pulled me forward and I walked with him feeling eyes on my back the whole way.

Dad intersected us on our journey to the pool. Nic having already filled his social obligations earlier was free to go and have fun. Dad took firm hold of my shoulder and didn't let go.

“Autumn.” Dad seized me pulling me near. “There you are Ladybug.”

“Yeah, Dad I’m sorry I just. . . fell asleep.” I winced but he was already shaking it away.

“It’s fine, come on there are some people who are waiting to meet you.” he was already pulling me forward into the yard where the people were standing an mingling in.

Over toward the back of the group I could see people that looked around my age but I ignored them as I smiled and let Dad introduce me to his friends who were no doubt their parents. I met the Garrets, Walleces and the Blakits, both reminded me of the snobby people I use to read about in books, the ones who thought themselves very up in society and had the money to back up their beliefs. I could only imagine what their children were like. Dad tugged me forward and onward, he introduced me to some other people who I would never remember the names of, he always pulled me on after I opened my mouth and said "nice to meet you." He must have been afraid I would say something else in the next breath.

I never did as I followed meekly at his side, he introduced me to Alanna's godparents, the Moongood’s. The man's name was Aiden and his wife's name was Luna. From what they and Dad told me they had three children two girls and a boy who were also here.
Dad explained that all three were usually at his house and Sage, that was their youngest, had frequent play dates with Alli.

I tried to smile, it didn't come easy but my interest heighten with every word they spoke. It was something in the way they spoke that had me wanting to hang on to their every word. But it was something about the way they looked me over, as if they were assessing me from head to toe that had me stepping closer to Dad. "Trista!" it was an exclamation that made me jump straight toward the other couple my head swerving around in every direction.

Dad's voice confirmed my worst fear. A petite willowy blonde figure stepped out the house. Dad was beside her in an instant kissing her cheek, thank god. I might have been sick if it had been on the lips.

I wasn't trying to be mean by thinking that. I'm only speaking the truth. Never had I been able to see what my Dad saw in her; it must have been enough to leave Mom and his two children for. She was a nurse, a fresh out of college one, when she met Dad and a friend of Alison's. She had to be a couple of years older than I am now when she had Alanna to make the dates match up.

I was so nervous my knees could have knocked together I hadn't known exactly when I would have to meet Trista but I had planned to keep the meeting as quiet and short as possible. With all the people around I didn't see how that was going to happen. But there was a good thing about them being around, I had witnesses. As she came forward there was another thing I hadn't expected. "You're pregnant?" I just blurted it out though it was painfully obvious when turned around. She was nothing but belly and it swelled at her middle pointing in a direction and leading the way.

"Yes." she said smiling at me warmly, a hand going to rub her melon belly. "Due soon, we hope."

Dad was at her side with a hand around his wife's shoulders leaving me to stand with the strangers. "Another girl I'm afraid." he smiled told everyone he was joking. No one could mistake the joy on Dad's face but I wished I could.

"That's wonderful." I gushed, trying to fix the smile I had perfected since childhood in place. "really great." it felt like a piece of plastic had lodged in my throat. By the approving smiles and nods we were receiving it must not have shown how much I wanted to gag. I really wanted to heave, all over her shoes.

"Isn't it." she smiled, her blue eyes holding all the welcome of an agitated rattle snake. "I'm glad you've come to stay with us." no she wasn't. "Kevin and I did everything in our power to make sure you would have a smooth transition-" I flinched when she paused. "I know things are a bit different for you down here but, we'll do everything we can to make you feel welcome." she went on her smile growing wider and wider.

If she could pretend, so could I. "Thank you, I, we, feel welcome already." it wasn't in me to play right now. I didn't have the nerve to embarrass her in front of all her friends and if she wanted to, I knew she had more dirt on me than I was willing to acknowledge.

"Well that is lovely." Luna said behind me, I jumped forward into Dad. He grabbed me holding me still. How had I forgotten who stood behind me? Both of them looked between Trista and I. It was Mrs. Moongood who spoke in her lovely honey coated voice. "Trista you must-" I didn't hear the rest of it as the red headed woman grabbed my step mother leading her away from us. Around our little group everyone turned back to their original conversations.

"Well come on," Dad hauled me forward. "lets get you introduced to the rest of the group." My stomach clenched as he began to drag me over to the group of teenagers, six in all from the look of it. three girls and three boys.

"Dad, I don't-"

"Come on Lady bug, it'll be good for you to meet people your own age." he pulled me forward with merciless intent.

“Possibly.” I said vaguely. I didn’t have the heart to tell him I didn’t make friends easy.

That I was an outcast and my best friend and only friend was another outcast named Ashton Caste. He was my only friend because he was the only one who hadn't been scared of me. The only one who had really ever cared to get to know me and didn't care who I was or what I looked like. We were both different so the town treated us that way. They didn't accept me because they knew nothing about me. It was funny how the mind could draw conclusions about someone you didn't even know. It didn't matter, I had more important things to think about that worrying about being accepted by Strange town. Ashton and I accepted each other and that's all that mattered. Looking at this bunch of rich brats I was sure the rules wouldn't change. They would look at me and I would be cast aside as unimportant.

Dad tugged me forward and slowly the heads turned in our direction and the color rose in my cheeks, he was really about to do this to me. "Hey kids," Dad stopped a few feet from their table and made sure he had everyone's attention.

"Hiya Kevin." a beautiful red headed girl stood, stepping away from her friends and towards us. "What's up?" her sapphire blue eyes glinted in the sun sweeping over my mundane appearance, like I thought I would be, she dismissed me turning back to my Dad.

"Mae," Dad smile at her which she returned. "this is Autumn, Autumn this is my goddaughter Maeve Moongood." I nodded. There was no way I could mistake her for anyone but a Moongood child and through glances I had caught a glimpse of her younger sister Sage, the both looked exactly like their mother.

"Nice to meet you." she didn't hold out a hand but her smile was warm with a bite that had me wanting to cringe. What was with these people? My eyes met the ground as I murmured a "hello."

There was nothing I could begin to think of saying to the stunning Maeve. She looked like a girl you’d see modeling swimsuits and Kelvin Jeans more so than an eighteen year old daughter. Her hair was a fiery red flowing in a flaming sheet down her back past her shoulders. Her skin was surprisingly tan, it wasn’t surprising in this heat. I cringed, I don’t know why I did it just seem like the most sensible thing to do. She reminded me of someone that scared me. It was a fight to keep from shaking, she wasn't right. She didn't feel right and she was near enough for me to tell the difference. She put me in the mind of a lazy sated predator who had finally chosen it’s prey and if it weren’t full, the hunt would be on. Like she was reading my gruesome thoughts she winked, smiling a lazy arrogant smile, that had me wanting to take an extra step back when she flashed it my way. I turned my head south, toward the ground focusing on that trying to steady myself. She took a step toward us and I stepped back a shudder rolling over my body. "Mae-" it was Dad's voice. The girl stopped, looking at Dad then she wasn’t coming over to us anymore.

"Are you okay?" my shaking hadn't stopped and I needed to sit down bad. Bravely, I nodded there was no point in backing out now.

"I'm fine." I murmured back, Dad gave my shoulders a light squeeze.

"And this is her brother Ciaran." Dad tugged me forward toward the figure in the back of the group I hadn't noticed. When I saw him I didn't see how I could have possibly looked this boy over. He like his sister was beautiful, handsome I corrected. Both his parents had give just the right amounts on both ends to create the perfect specimen. He looked close to perfect. Ciaran was tall and lean. His skin was like the rest of his family, tan. He could easily join is sister in the modeling category but being a artist was what I would peg him as. Even if his work was hideous he would be the main thing on display. He couldn’t be anyone but Mrs. Moongood’s son, his features were hers set in masculine form; his lips were tantalizingly full, a pink that most girls would kill to find in a lip gloss. His eyes were the deepest had of blue I’d ever seen, they weren't sapphire at all they were indigo. In the sun I could see the flashes of violet streak through them from where I stood. Yes, he was painfully gorgeous. The kind of guy that all the girls would do anything to be with him and all the guys would do anything to get away from. The same could be said for his sister Maeve. Both looked more close to perfection then anyone had a right to.

My fingers itched as I fell in love with his hair instantly, masses of coal black hair darker than my own ebony black, hung in boyish curls to his ears in neat disarray if there was such a thing. The kind a girl would want to shush on a date. A guy like this didn’t have a girlfriend; he probably had one everyday of the week, maybe not.

Like with his sister he looked my way and I saw the same glint that ran my blood cold and willed my feet to run in the opposite direction. My eyes willed, searched and floundered for the ground again by the time I found it my face was hot again.

“Nice to meet you.” I murmured, there was no response.

“It’s okay Kevin, I’ll take care of her.” Mae’s silky voice cut into the silence in our little group.

“Well-” his eyes bore into the top of my head. I shrugged turning to the small group of teens.

“I’m fine,” he had already delivered me to the wolves den, might as well stay and see if they would eat me. Besides, he couldn’t hover forever.

“Have fun.” he gave me a quick squeeze before heading back to his guest leaving me with Mae and the others.