10-16-2017, 02:35 PM
Senior year arrived for Riane, it was hard to believe this would be her last year of college and then it would be time for the real world. Riane had switched her major to music and she already had a job of music teacher for a large instrument company though she was looking towards joining the symphony. She only had the confidence to teacher people because she had enjoyed teaching Zachary an instrument over the years.
Julian shocked everyone with a business major and planned on getting his MBA after his girlfriend finished her senior year. He had taken a year off but had helped his father from time to time with his work, but once Riane was settled in the city he would leave to finish up his schooling. Riane was disappointed they would have to have a long distance relationship if she couldn’t find a job near his chosen college.
Riane’s alarm on her phone went off and she turned it off before turning to the man laying in bed with her. Julian and she had moved into her bedroom last year after Nanette was tired of them pretending to not sneak off into each other’s rooms at night. She told them it made too much noise and to just pick a room. Julian’s old room had become the movie room.
Julian was already awake as she expected, he would normally wake before her and lay there as he slowly adjusted to consciousness.
“First day and the last year of college.” Riane told him.
He smiled, “For you.”
Sitting up, Riane got out of bed and headed for the bathroom to take a shower. “Are you going to escort me to school?” She watched him nod. “Get dressed.”
Julian preferred to bathe before going to bed which suited Riane’s schedule so she didn’t complain.
Getting out of bed, he tossed on some clothes from the hamper as he didn’t want to dig through the dresser to find some. He headed down stairs, where he found his mom setting the table in the dinning room.
Zachary was sitting at the table as well with some fruit in front of him. He had recently turned fifteen and this would be his first day of college. He completed high school because he wanted to go to prom and have senior pictures. At least, that is what he said, Riane believed he just loved being there.
“You’re going to wear that?” Julian teased his brother.
His younger brother was wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt, nothing unreasonable. Zachary looked himself over and then back up to his brother. “What’s wrong with this?”
He shrugged, “Ok, I mean if you want to get beat up, go ahead.”
“Fuck you.”
Julian smacked the back of his brother’s head. “Language, there is a lady in the room.” He said referencing his mother.
Zachary smacked his brother back on the arm. “You cuss in front of Riane all the time. Guess she is not a lady.”
His older brother quickly put him into a headlock.
Nanette shook her head, “I miss Bryce being here to referee you two.”
Bryce had finished college and moved into the city. He was living in a nice apartment with his girlfriend he had met at work. He had gone into financing and was working as a financial analyst for Mitchell Corporation as the CEO liked to hire people from his alma mater.
With out him to stand up for Zachary, Julian had free range to mess with him. Though it appeared Zachary might actually become the tallest of the three brothers, as he was already slightly taller than Julian now.
Riane headed down the stairs with her hair in a towel and frowned at the rough housing. Nanette gave her a defeated look as she went back into the kitchen to get their breakfast.
“Really, you two.” Riane scolded.
They both laughed as they let each other go when Nanette returned with their oatmeal and fruit.
“Are you going to see Deidra and Russell this weekend?” She asked Riane, who was putting brown sugar in her oatmeal.
“Yes. I’ll probably stay the whole weekend, so Julian will be unsupervised.” Riane joked and everyone including Julian chuckled.
Deidra had been true to her word and divorced her father. She had moved into a small house and was enjoying being a mom for the time being. Simon didn’t fight custody for Russell, probably because he was afraid of the dirt Deidra had on him.
Riane never verified if the recording of Simon were true, but Simon believed it and that was enough for her.
“Also, Joe, Emma, Lacy, and I are going out to celebrate our first day of senior year, so you’ll have to find something to keep you busy tonight.” Riane told her boyfriend.
Julian nodded, “I know, we are planning a movie night at Dalen’s.”
“Lacy?” Zachary asked.
Riane furrowed her brows, “Dalen’s sister. I’ve told you about her several times.”
The younger brother shrugged uncaring he had just proved he didn’t listen.
Nanette sat down at the table and smiled between Julian and Zachary.
“What’s your deal, woman?” Zachary asked when he felt she was staring for far too long.
“I was just thinking I have one baby who is in her last year of college, and the other who is in his first year. Soon, you’ll graduate too and I’ll have no reason to live in this house anymore. I’ll have to move down state to be closer to your father’s job.” She sighed. “I wonder if we’ll keep this place, or just sell it.”
“Don’t sell it until I can buy it myself.” Julian demanded.
“Why would you need this house? There are no jobs around here for our chosen fields, dumb ass.” Riane rolled her eyes.
“Don’t call me a dumb ass, dumb ass.” He snapped back. “I don’t know. I just grew up here and I don’t want to lose it.”
“No need to argue over it right now, we still have time to figure everything out.” Nanette told them both. “Now, eat your breakfast so I can get a picture of your first days of a new year.”
“Ugh, again? Do we have to do it every damn year?” Zachary barked.
“This is Riane’s last year, you still have three more at the beginning and three at the end.” Julian teased and messed up his brother’s hair.
“You fucker!”
Nanette looked towards Riane and sighed deeply. “I’d hope Julian would have a child as difficult as he is, but I wouldn’t wish that on you.”
Riane chuckled, “I can handle him.”
When she finally convinced herself this was enough, she put her hair up in a towel before patting herself dry and heading back into her bedroom. There she found some jeans and a blouse for her first day of senior year.
Heading down the hallway, she went to find out what she would be having for breakfast. The smell of coffee lingered in the air and it was followed by eggs and bacon. She smiled as she reached the end of the hallway, and could see Seth’s form in the kitchen.
They switched days on who would get up a half hour earlier to start breakfast. Today was his turn and as always his fried eggs looked perfect.
There was a small plate filled with six strips of bacon, and she took one while Seth’s back remained towards her.
“Nice and crispy.” She told him after eating one and he startled a bit not realizing she was behind him.
“Good morning.” He smiled, “It’s almost ready. Can you pour our coffee and put out the utensils.”
“Of course.” She walked into the kitchen and tried to stay out of his way, as she pulled mugs down and filled them with the dark liquid. Both of them drank it black, so she put it on the table before heading back into the kitchen for the forks and a butter knife.
The toaster popped and she scurried over to it and added two more slices after she removed the toasted ones.
“I like mine darker than that.” Seth told her.
“I know.” She rolled her eyes and she put her toast on a small plate and walked them over to the table. She hurried to butter them before the toast could cool and the butter wouldn’t melt.
“I can’t believe this will be the last year we will all be together. Time went by so quickly.” Seth sighed as he plated the eggs and then turned to the bacon plate. “Did you eat one?”
“I did.” She giggled, “I said nice and crispy.”
He frowned at her, “I didn’t realize you ate it. I thought you were just commented on the looks of it.”
She shrugged as she sat down and he placed her plate in front of her. “Don’t forget your toast.”
He nodded as he headed back to the toaster to put them down for another moment. He waited as it wouldn't take long and when they popped he went to his seat. Emma grabbed her two pieces off the paper towel lined plate in the center, and Seth his three.
They both poked the egg yolk and squeezed it out with a fork before smoothing the whole egg with it. Each bit of toast was accompanied by the egg.
It was a quiet meal but as usual Emma was finished first as she sipped on her coffee. “I wonder where everyone will end up. Four years together, we became a family so I don’t know how things will be in another four.”
Seth chewed his food before answering, “As long as we are together, we will figure the rest out.”
His words somewhat comforted him, but Ivy and Riane had become her close friends. Even Joe had softened towards her after Riane and she made up over what had happened.
“I just don’t want to lose my girlfriends too.”
He nodded, “Ivy will be staying here, and Riane is moving into the city. We could easily find some jobs there. Maybe live nearby.”
“The same apartment building, maybe? Like across the hall pals?” She said in a hopeful but questioning tone.
“I don’t know if I want to live that close to Julian, but if they want to, I don’t see why not.”
She clasped her hands together in happiness to his agreement.
A thought dawned on him and he cleared his throat, “Oh, but Julian’s getting his MBA somewhere so maybe living across from her while he is a way is a good idea. We wouldn’t want her all alone in the city.”
Emma smiled, “I swear you are always the worried little brother when it comes to her.”
“I’m a year older.”
She chuckled, “I know, and thanks. She is my best friend and I wouldn’t want to face the next two years alone.”
“She is my close friend too.”
Emma looked around the apartment, “I am going to miss this place.”
Seth nodded. His father had offered to buy them a larger apartment, but Seth decided just to move into Emma’s one bedroom. It was an adjustment living this tightly with another person for the last two years, but they eventually found their groove.
“Yeah, a lot of memories here.” He finally responded, “We still have a year to make a few more. It’s the first day of the school year not the last.”
“I know. I guess I am just feeling nostalgic. Maybe we should have a dinner party with Julian and Riane. I know it’s cramped, but it would be a fun thing to do. Don’t you think?” She looked at him hopefully.
“Well, I don’t see why not. If you want to make more memories before we go, then we should do it.”
Emma smirked at him, “Thanks for always humoring me.” She finished her coffee and kissed his forehead. “I’m going to pack my backpack, and head out. I’ll see you at lunch, alright?”
“Alright.” He told her as she headed into the bedroom to gather her items. He slowly finished his meal and then took all the dishes into the kitchen where he rinsed them, but left them for later in the day.
“I’m off! I love you!” Emma said from the front door.
“Love you!” Seth replied back, before heading into the living room to grab his laptop which was on the coffee table. He had taken a year off with Julian and Dalen, but he had been working on writing a novel.
As he threw the laptop case over his shoulder, he looked around the room. This year would disappear before he knew it, and then everything would change. Emma was right about that, but he wanted to hold onto whatever he could. He knew Dalen would go to Hurstmart headquarters which was too far to have Emma move away from her friends, but he supposed Julian was the next best option.
“Ah, now I am feeling nostalgic. Damn it, Emma.”
“You want me to walk you to your first class?” Julian asked out of genuine concern for his brother; doing the exact opposite of Riane.
Zachary looked up from the schedule in his hand, “But then who would follow Riane around like a lost puppy?” He worriedly sighed, when all Julian and Riane did was frown.“What were classes like for you?”
Julian chuckled at his response as did Riane, though Zachary didn’t seem to get the joke.
“He never went to class.” Riane explained.
“I went to my business classes.” He snapped in faux offense, then looked at his brother. “But she’s right, I usually just read the book during the summer and then I did the homework and only go to class to turn it in and take tests.”
His younger brother looked baffled as if he didn’t realize his brother’s intelligence until that moment. “You don’t act that smart.” He finally added.
Julian crossed his arms, “Yeah, well… fuck you too, buddy.”
Riane with a smile on her lips looked up to meet Blake’s eyes. He was walking with his friends and gave her a wave as he entered into the campus. She waved back at him.
After she left their “engagement” things between them were different. They both realized together how dysfunctional they were, and decided it was best to put some space in between them. They ended their conversation saying if they were meant to be friends in the future one day they would be, until then it was time to move on.
“Hey, guys.” Dalen approached with a woman at his side, who everyone but Zachary knew as Lacy, Dalen’s sister.
Dalen had decided with the rest of his friends to take a year off, because he didn’t want to leave Lacy all alone in the mansion. He was probably going to wait until her senior year before he took his place at Hurstmart.
Zachary immediately flushed red at the sight of the tall, smiling, blonde who was impeccably clothed in a summer dress.
“Lacy, this is Julian’s little brother, Zachary.” Riane introduced her.
She smiled at him, “I’ve heard about you. Your a genius like your brother is. I hope you don’t have as bad of a personality.”
“Everyone is piling it on today, aren’t they?” Julian asked in exhaustion, but no one responded to him.
Zachary tried to recover but all he managed to say was, “Hi.”
Lacy looked confused by his reply, while Riane, Dalen, and Julian kept quiet about what they could obviously see from him.
“Ready for the last year?” Dalen asked Riane when she realized this would go no where fast for Zachary.
“I am.” She replied as she noticed that though he was smiling, there was some sadness in his eyes. A hurt he hadn’t been able to get over.
Dalen and Ivy dated for a couple years, but Ivy and Lacy never got along. Their fights were often epic and even a couple times police had shown up. Dalen didn’t want to give up his girlfriend, and so he sat by begging them both to try. They would often promise him they would, but no good would ever come of the agreement.
Even trying to keep them apart did nothing, because Lacy would always have a snide comment to make about Ivy whenever he went to see her. So the pressure remained on Dalen.
Eventually, Ivy knew this wouldn’t end well and she also knew Dalen would never pick her over his sister. It wasn’t as if she wanted him to have to pick, but it would be inevitable. She ended things with him and Dalen apologized for not doing it sooner. She still worked at the same store but as a manager now.
Dalen was still a little sore about the subject and practically forbade Lacy from mentioning Ivy. He couldn’t stand the way she talked about her, especially since Ivy had so maturely walked away from it. There would always be love there, but they knew this situation would not change until someone changed it.
“Come on, Lacy. Time to be a junior.” He told his sister as he put his hand over her shoulders and started to walk her away from the enraptured teenage boy.
Julian chuckled and shouldered his brother as he watched her walk away. “Sorry, Zack, you’ll have to wait three years to go after that.”
These words seemed to pull him out of his revere and turn another shade of red. “What? I’m not… Shut up!”
Riane and Julian both laughed. The more they laughed the redder his face would become.
“I’m going to class!” Zachary barked and rushed off into the crowd while readjusting his backpack.
“Don’t you want my help?” His older brother asked while still laughing, but trying his best to stop.
Zachary could barely be seen among the mess of people when he yelled back. “No, stay the fuck away.”
Julian continued to chuckle and then looked over to Riane, “Well, then, I guess I shall walk milady to her class today.” He offered out his arm.
“Oh, why thank you. Such a gentleman.” She wrapped her arm around his as they began their walk towards her first class.
“We should make sure Zachary knows to join us behind the gym for lunch. I’ll text him when I get into class.” Riane said with worry.
“You worry about your class and I’ll deal with the brat.” He told her as they effortlessly moved about the crowd.
When they arrived at the door, Riane dropped her arm to her side and smiled at him as she came to stand in front of him.
“Thanks for bringing me.” She gave him a quick peck on the lips. “Are you going to walk me to all of my classes?”
He shrugged, “If that’s what you want.”
She nodded with a smile.
“Then I’ll be here when you are done. Hurry, you don’t want to be late for your first class.” He watched her turn and walk into her classroom.
Turning around he found a stairwell and headed over to it so he could sit down. He would wait for her over the next hour just so he could walk her to her next classroom, as he had done every year.
Neil and Joe had ended their sexual relationship with one another after Neil wanted to get serious. Joe decided she needed to focus on herself and school before she would let that happen.
She saw how happy Riane and Julian were and they were capable of passing their classes, but she knew herself. It wasn’t the right time to get completely lost in another person which she would do with Neil.
He took it well enough and remained her friend and study buddy. However, he is still a little hesitant to tell her when he goes on dates, and honestly, Joe didn’t really want to hear about it. She worried he wouldn’t be available when she was ready, but she knew she had no right to hold him back.
Looking up at the quiet keyboard, she smirked when she watched Neil reading the sheet of paper next to his laptop. His mouth moved along with the words. She discovered he did this whenever he had an issue with comprehending what he was actually reading.
Joe stretched out her arms as she looked at the finished homework sheet in front of her. That hadn’t been so hard.
Deciding she didn’t want to disturb Neil, she pulled out her phone and sent Riane a text message.
“So, did Julian abandon you to take care of his brother like you thought he would?” She asked with a gentle grin on her lips.
Riane replied back quickly. “No, he embarrassed Zack so he ran off. I hope he is finding his way around alright.”
She shook her head at her friend’s worry. “He’s a smart kid. I am sure your small campus won’t confuse him too much.”
“Small campus my ass, I got lost four times on my first day here. Blake had to come get me each time.” Her friend scoffed.
Joe rolled her eyes, she remembered Riane’s first day but the details were very different from how Riane seemed to recall it. She kept getting lost because of panic attacks, and it eventually turned into Blake just babysitting her all the time.
She sighed, “Yeah, well you aren’t a smart kid.”
“Gee, thanks.” Riane replied back.
She snickered to herself.
After a couple of months, Joe had finally decided it was time to make up with Riane. She had gone over to visit her and had explained it was her that caused their break up. She knew Riane would lose her mind over it and it might end their relationship forever, but she didn’t want it coming from someone else in the future.
Riane didn’t get upset, however, instead she simply told her she figured it had been her. It took a few more months for her to really start talking to Joe again, and they both agreed to leave it in the past when the subject was broached.
Joe sighs for a moment before sending another text, “I know it’s a school night, but let’s take Emma out for a little bit.” She had been making an effort to get to know Emma and found she rather liked the girl.
“Sure, let’s bring Lacy too. Dalen has said she doesn’t have many friends.” Riane replied.
“Of course, the more, the merrier.” Joe quickly sent the text and then look up at Neil who was staring at her.
She often caught him doing it, and deep in her heart she knew why and it both hurt her heart and made her excited. “Making plans for girls’ night tonight.” She informed him even though he didn’t ask. It was mostly to play off she had noticed the longing in his eyes.
Neil to his credit immediately returned to himself and cleared his throat. “How are things going with Riane?”
“Things have changed and aren’t what I thought they would be, but I guess change isn’t always bad.” She looked back down at her phone briefly before setting it on the table.
“Are you talking about Emma?” He asked as he shut down his laptop, which made Joe look at the clock on the wall. It was almost time for her next class.
“Yeah, and now Riane wants to include Lacy, Dalen’s sister.” She sighed. “I know we didn’t date very long, but it’s kind of awkward hanging out with her. I mean she has never mentioned it to me, but she is still my ex-boyfriend’s sister.”
Neil nodded his head, “Afraid she is reporting back?” He teased a little bit with a wicked smile, but internally he was a little jealous she was still worried about her ex-boyfriend.
She cocked her head to the side playfully, “With Riane and Julian being an item, it’s impossible not to see him from time to time. I have to be cordial, so with Lacy around I have to be careful of what I say if he is ever brought up. Since Lacy seems to have a brother-complex that means he gets brought up all the time.”
“Is she really that bad?” He didn’t really believe she had this complex Joe was always going on about and thought maybe she was just extra sensitive whenever Dalen was mentioned.
“Yes, whenever I see her she gives me a blow by blow of what she did that day with her brother.” She rolls her eyes, “I’ve talked to Ivy, she did this with her too.”
“Is it like she is jealous of the women in his life then?” Neil chuckled, “That’ll be a problem for him in the future.”
“It’s a problem for him now. That’s why he and Ivy aren’t together anymore.” Joe retorted.
Neil had no idea why he said this, and he wanted to stop himself once the words were already spilling out of his lips. “Maybe by befriending her, you’ll get another chance with Dalen.”
Those words hurt her heart a little as if he was pushing her towards another man, but she refused to let him see the pain. She chuckled, “Maybe.”
Now it was Neil’s turn to have his heart beaten upon.
Emma and Seth sat side by side with their shoulders brushing against each other, while Julian sat across from them with Riane next to him. They weren’t sitting as close but they were near enough so it was intimate.
Dalen, on the other hand, sat facing the group with Lacy sitting beside him with a big grin on her lips. She hadn’t really liked the idea of sharing her brother at lunch when this first started but when she realized the group was made of two couples and her brother she came around to the idea.
The three men in the group no longer attended the school, but Seth always came to have lunch with Emma. Since the three of them were taking the year off they had plenty of free time.
Riane had wanted Julian to hang out with Seth and Dalen at home, but he insisted he follow her around her last year like he did before. Dalen would head home after dropping off his sister and return for lunch with Seth. They sat around and played video games most days.
“So, Julian,” Lacy began, “I hear you are going to abandon your girlfriend to go get your masters.”
“Lacy!” Dalen barked and looked at her in shock.
“Speaking of which,” Seth decided to use this as an opportunity to discuss something with Riane, and quite frankly he didn’t want to listen to another etiquette lecture from Dalen. “We were thinking when we move into the city, maybe we can get apartments next door to one another. That way Emma and I are close by if you need us.”
Riane smiled softly, “I would love that. Thank you for thinking of me.”
Emma smiled right back at her before patting Seth on the hand for making the offer. It showed her he really meant it when they discussed it. “It’ll be nice for Julian too because when he comes home to visit one of his friends is already nearby.”
“And I won’t have to worry too much about you, since they will be watching you.” Julian added.
Dalen sighed at their conversation and once again felt like he was being left out of their friendship now that he was no longer part of a couple.
Riane turned to him with a smile, “Why don’t you get an apartment nearby too? That way we are all together.”
“Why don’t I just live with you? We can be roomies.” Dalen winked. He only said it because he knew it would provoke his friend.
Immediately, Julian tossed his arms over her shoulders and pulled her towards him. “My girlfriend is not living with another man.”
Riane chuckled as did Seth and Emma, but Lacy’s eyes narrowed slightly before she realized it was only a joke.
Dalen decided to continue, “You know I am a good cook, so I’ll make you wonderful meals every night. We can eat by candlelight if you want.”
Julian grit his teeth together, and spoke through them. “You are not having romantic meals with my girlfriend.” There was a look in his eyes which told everyone he knew this was meant to tease him and he was just sort of playing along. Though he was speaking the truth of how he felt.
His friend ignored him while still looking at Riane. “We can save money and get a one bedroom. I don’t mind sharing the bed.”
Those words made Riane burst out laughing, “You’re going to give him a heart attack, Dalen.”
Just then, Dalen looked up from Riane to his friend and found Julian’s playful look to have dissipated and replaced by true anger. “Oops, looks like I went one step too far.”
Emma and Seth who had been laughing along turned their attention to Julian, and they immediately felt the tension which killed their laughter. Lacy didn’t seem to think the joke was funny either and she crossed her arms in a pout.
Riane looked around at the group and then at Julian who was trying to glare a whole through Dalen. Suddenly, she began to laugh rather hard at the awkward tension. “You guys should see your faces.”
Her laughter jarred Julian back into reality and looked down at his laughing girlfriend whose cheeks were turning red the longer she smiled. This in turn made him smile which emptied out the tension as everyone else starting to relax and chuckle once again.
“Maybe you should move with me since this ass will be lurking about.” Julian spoke to Riane but kept his eyes on Dalen.
“You know full well I wouldn’t try to steal your girlfriend, and besides I highly doubt Riane would even consider cheating on you.” He snorted, “You should have more faith in her.”
“That’s what I keep telling him.” Riane spoke a little loud.
Julian dropped his hand from around Riane, and began eating his sandwich again, content in Dalen’s intentions.
Lacy was frowning, and then began to speak to her brother. “Are you really moving into the city next year?”
“Yes, mom and dad only let me have one year off. I know it is scary to live in the mansion alone, but that is why I keep telling you to make new friends.” Dalen looked down at his potato salad as he didn’t want to see his sister’s puppy dog eyes, which would tear right through him.
Julian seemed not to be interested in Lacy and Dalen’s conversation and began to speak. “Maybe we should get married before I head off to university.”
Riane was drinking a soda and choked on it briefly, everyone watched as some of the liquid came out her nose. She grabbed a napkin off her tray as she coughed while Julian patted her back.
When she was finally able to speak, her words were stern. “I told you no to that about a hundred times. Don’t nonchalantly propose in front of our friends when this subject has already been put to bed. Jerk!”
Julian didn’t seem phased by her anger and shrugged his shoulders. “It was worth a shot.”
The other four chuckled at the bickering couples display and shook their heads at Julian’s words.
Julian shocked everyone with a business major and planned on getting his MBA after his girlfriend finished her senior year. He had taken a year off but had helped his father from time to time with his work, but once Riane was settled in the city he would leave to finish up his schooling. Riane was disappointed they would have to have a long distance relationship if she couldn’t find a job near his chosen college.
Riane’s alarm on her phone went off and she turned it off before turning to the man laying in bed with her. Julian and she had moved into her bedroom last year after Nanette was tired of them pretending to not sneak off into each other’s rooms at night. She told them it made too much noise and to just pick a room. Julian’s old room had become the movie room.
Julian was already awake as she expected, he would normally wake before her and lay there as he slowly adjusted to consciousness.
“First day and the last year of college.” Riane told him.
He smiled, “For you.”
Sitting up, Riane got out of bed and headed for the bathroom to take a shower. “Are you going to escort me to school?” She watched him nod. “Get dressed.”
Julian preferred to bathe before going to bed which suited Riane’s schedule so she didn’t complain.
Getting out of bed, he tossed on some clothes from the hamper as he didn’t want to dig through the dresser to find some. He headed down stairs, where he found his mom setting the table in the dinning room.
Zachary was sitting at the table as well with some fruit in front of him. He had recently turned fifteen and this would be his first day of college. He completed high school because he wanted to go to prom and have senior pictures. At least, that is what he said, Riane believed he just loved being there.
“You’re going to wear that?” Julian teased his brother.
His younger brother was wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt, nothing unreasonable. Zachary looked himself over and then back up to his brother. “What’s wrong with this?”
He shrugged, “Ok, I mean if you want to get beat up, go ahead.”
“Fuck you.”
Julian smacked the back of his brother’s head. “Language, there is a lady in the room.” He said referencing his mother.
Zachary smacked his brother back on the arm. “You cuss in front of Riane all the time. Guess she is not a lady.”
His older brother quickly put him into a headlock.
Nanette shook her head, “I miss Bryce being here to referee you two.”
Bryce had finished college and moved into the city. He was living in a nice apartment with his girlfriend he had met at work. He had gone into financing and was working as a financial analyst for Mitchell Corporation as the CEO liked to hire people from his alma mater.
With out him to stand up for Zachary, Julian had free range to mess with him. Though it appeared Zachary might actually become the tallest of the three brothers, as he was already slightly taller than Julian now.
Riane headed down the stairs with her hair in a towel and frowned at the rough housing. Nanette gave her a defeated look as she went back into the kitchen to get their breakfast.
“Really, you two.” Riane scolded.
They both laughed as they let each other go when Nanette returned with their oatmeal and fruit.
“Are you going to see Deidra and Russell this weekend?” She asked Riane, who was putting brown sugar in her oatmeal.
“Yes. I’ll probably stay the whole weekend, so Julian will be unsupervised.” Riane joked and everyone including Julian chuckled.
Deidra had been true to her word and divorced her father. She had moved into a small house and was enjoying being a mom for the time being. Simon didn’t fight custody for Russell, probably because he was afraid of the dirt Deidra had on him.
Riane never verified if the recording of Simon were true, but Simon believed it and that was enough for her.
“Also, Joe, Emma, Lacy, and I are going out to celebrate our first day of senior year, so you’ll have to find something to keep you busy tonight.” Riane told her boyfriend.
Julian nodded, “I know, we are planning a movie night at Dalen’s.”
“Lacy?” Zachary asked.
Riane furrowed her brows, “Dalen’s sister. I’ve told you about her several times.”
The younger brother shrugged uncaring he had just proved he didn’t listen.
Nanette sat down at the table and smiled between Julian and Zachary.
“What’s your deal, woman?” Zachary asked when he felt she was staring for far too long.
“I was just thinking I have one baby who is in her last year of college, and the other who is in his first year. Soon, you’ll graduate too and I’ll have no reason to live in this house anymore. I’ll have to move down state to be closer to your father’s job.” She sighed. “I wonder if we’ll keep this place, or just sell it.”
“Don’t sell it until I can buy it myself.” Julian demanded.
“Why would you need this house? There are no jobs around here for our chosen fields, dumb ass.” Riane rolled her eyes.
“Don’t call me a dumb ass, dumb ass.” He snapped back. “I don’t know. I just grew up here and I don’t want to lose it.”
“No need to argue over it right now, we still have time to figure everything out.” Nanette told them both. “Now, eat your breakfast so I can get a picture of your first days of a new year.”
“Ugh, again? Do we have to do it every damn year?” Zachary barked.
“This is Riane’s last year, you still have three more at the beginning and three at the end.” Julian teased and messed up his brother’s hair.
“You fucker!”
Nanette looked towards Riane and sighed deeply. “I’d hope Julian would have a child as difficult as he is, but I wouldn’t wish that on you.”
Riane chuckled, “I can handle him.”
---***---
Emma awoke in her bed and tossed the blankets off before heading to the bathroom to shower. She washed her hair and conditioned it and once it was done, she stood under the hot water for a long moment. It felt so good and she didn’t want to get out.When she finally convinced herself this was enough, she put her hair up in a towel before patting herself dry and heading back into her bedroom. There she found some jeans and a blouse for her first day of senior year.
Heading down the hallway, she went to find out what she would be having for breakfast. The smell of coffee lingered in the air and it was followed by eggs and bacon. She smiled as she reached the end of the hallway, and could see Seth’s form in the kitchen.
They switched days on who would get up a half hour earlier to start breakfast. Today was his turn and as always his fried eggs looked perfect.
There was a small plate filled with six strips of bacon, and she took one while Seth’s back remained towards her.
“Nice and crispy.” She told him after eating one and he startled a bit not realizing she was behind him.
“Good morning.” He smiled, “It’s almost ready. Can you pour our coffee and put out the utensils.”
“Of course.” She walked into the kitchen and tried to stay out of his way, as she pulled mugs down and filled them with the dark liquid. Both of them drank it black, so she put it on the table before heading back into the kitchen for the forks and a butter knife.
The toaster popped and she scurried over to it and added two more slices after she removed the toasted ones.
“I like mine darker than that.” Seth told her.
“I know.” She rolled her eyes and she put her toast on a small plate and walked them over to the table. She hurried to butter them before the toast could cool and the butter wouldn’t melt.
“I can’t believe this will be the last year we will all be together. Time went by so quickly.” Seth sighed as he plated the eggs and then turned to the bacon plate. “Did you eat one?”
“I did.” She giggled, “I said nice and crispy.”
He frowned at her, “I didn’t realize you ate it. I thought you were just commented on the looks of it.”
She shrugged as she sat down and he placed her plate in front of her. “Don’t forget your toast.”
He nodded as he headed back to the toaster to put them down for another moment. He waited as it wouldn't take long and when they popped he went to his seat. Emma grabbed her two pieces off the paper towel lined plate in the center, and Seth his three.
They both poked the egg yolk and squeezed it out with a fork before smoothing the whole egg with it. Each bit of toast was accompanied by the egg.
It was a quiet meal but as usual Emma was finished first as she sipped on her coffee. “I wonder where everyone will end up. Four years together, we became a family so I don’t know how things will be in another four.”
Seth chewed his food before answering, “As long as we are together, we will figure the rest out.”
His words somewhat comforted him, but Ivy and Riane had become her close friends. Even Joe had softened towards her after Riane and she made up over what had happened.
“I just don’t want to lose my girlfriends too.”
He nodded, “Ivy will be staying here, and Riane is moving into the city. We could easily find some jobs there. Maybe live nearby.”
“The same apartment building, maybe? Like across the hall pals?” She said in a hopeful but questioning tone.
“I don’t know if I want to live that close to Julian, but if they want to, I don’t see why not.”
She clasped her hands together in happiness to his agreement.
A thought dawned on him and he cleared his throat, “Oh, but Julian’s getting his MBA somewhere so maybe living across from her while he is a way is a good idea. We wouldn’t want her all alone in the city.”
Emma smiled, “I swear you are always the worried little brother when it comes to her.”
“I’m a year older.”
She chuckled, “I know, and thanks. She is my best friend and I wouldn’t want to face the next two years alone.”
“She is my close friend too.”
Emma looked around the apartment, “I am going to miss this place.”
Seth nodded. His father had offered to buy them a larger apartment, but Seth decided just to move into Emma’s one bedroom. It was an adjustment living this tightly with another person for the last two years, but they eventually found their groove.
“Yeah, a lot of memories here.” He finally responded, “We still have a year to make a few more. It’s the first day of the school year not the last.”
“I know. I guess I am just feeling nostalgic. Maybe we should have a dinner party with Julian and Riane. I know it’s cramped, but it would be a fun thing to do. Don’t you think?” She looked at him hopefully.
“Well, I don’t see why not. If you want to make more memories before we go, then we should do it.”
Emma smirked at him, “Thanks for always humoring me.” She finished her coffee and kissed his forehead. “I’m going to pack my backpack, and head out. I’ll see you at lunch, alright?”
“Alright.” He told her as she headed into the bedroom to gather her items. He slowly finished his meal and then took all the dishes into the kitchen where he rinsed them, but left them for later in the day.
“I’m off! I love you!” Emma said from the front door.
“Love you!” Seth replied back, before heading into the living room to grab his laptop which was on the coffee table. He had taken a year off with Julian and Dalen, but he had been working on writing a novel.
As he threw the laptop case over his shoulder, he looked around the room. This year would disappear before he knew it, and then everything would change. Emma was right about that, but he wanted to hold onto whatever he could. He knew Dalen would go to Hurstmart headquarters which was too far to have Emma move away from her friends, but he supposed Julian was the next best option.
“Ah, now I am feeling nostalgic. Damn it, Emma.”
---***---
Riane, Julian, and Zachary all stood at the gate while they talked to him about his schedule and where he could locate his classes. Riane could see in Zachary’s eyes how insecure he was about this new experience, but he tried to be brave which made Riane ignore the worry in his eyes. She didn’t want to call out his fear and embarrass him.“You want me to walk you to your first class?” Julian asked out of genuine concern for his brother; doing the exact opposite of Riane.
Zachary looked up from the schedule in his hand, “But then who would follow Riane around like a lost puppy?” He worriedly sighed, when all Julian and Riane did was frown.“What were classes like for you?”
Julian chuckled at his response as did Riane, though Zachary didn’t seem to get the joke.
“He never went to class.” Riane explained.
“I went to my business classes.” He snapped in faux offense, then looked at his brother. “But she’s right, I usually just read the book during the summer and then I did the homework and only go to class to turn it in and take tests.”
His younger brother looked baffled as if he didn’t realize his brother’s intelligence until that moment. “You don’t act that smart.” He finally added.
Julian crossed his arms, “Yeah, well… fuck you too, buddy.”
Riane with a smile on her lips looked up to meet Blake’s eyes. He was walking with his friends and gave her a wave as he entered into the campus. She waved back at him.
After she left their “engagement” things between them were different. They both realized together how dysfunctional they were, and decided it was best to put some space in between them. They ended their conversation saying if they were meant to be friends in the future one day they would be, until then it was time to move on.
“Hey, guys.” Dalen approached with a woman at his side, who everyone but Zachary knew as Lacy, Dalen’s sister.
Dalen had decided with the rest of his friends to take a year off, because he didn’t want to leave Lacy all alone in the mansion. He was probably going to wait until her senior year before he took his place at Hurstmart.
Zachary immediately flushed red at the sight of the tall, smiling, blonde who was impeccably clothed in a summer dress.
“Lacy, this is Julian’s little brother, Zachary.” Riane introduced her.
She smiled at him, “I’ve heard about you. Your a genius like your brother is. I hope you don’t have as bad of a personality.”
“Everyone is piling it on today, aren’t they?” Julian asked in exhaustion, but no one responded to him.
Zachary tried to recover but all he managed to say was, “Hi.”
Lacy looked confused by his reply, while Riane, Dalen, and Julian kept quiet about what they could obviously see from him.
“Ready for the last year?” Dalen asked Riane when she realized this would go no where fast for Zachary.
“I am.” She replied as she noticed that though he was smiling, there was some sadness in his eyes. A hurt he hadn’t been able to get over.
Dalen and Ivy dated for a couple years, but Ivy and Lacy never got along. Their fights were often epic and even a couple times police had shown up. Dalen didn’t want to give up his girlfriend, and so he sat by begging them both to try. They would often promise him they would, but no good would ever come of the agreement.
Even trying to keep them apart did nothing, because Lacy would always have a snide comment to make about Ivy whenever he went to see her. So the pressure remained on Dalen.
Eventually, Ivy knew this wouldn’t end well and she also knew Dalen would never pick her over his sister. It wasn’t as if she wanted him to have to pick, but it would be inevitable. She ended things with him and Dalen apologized for not doing it sooner. She still worked at the same store but as a manager now.
Dalen was still a little sore about the subject and practically forbade Lacy from mentioning Ivy. He couldn’t stand the way she talked about her, especially since Ivy had so maturely walked away from it. There would always be love there, but they knew this situation would not change until someone changed it.
“Come on, Lacy. Time to be a junior.” He told his sister as he put his hand over her shoulders and started to walk her away from the enraptured teenage boy.
Julian chuckled and shouldered his brother as he watched her walk away. “Sorry, Zack, you’ll have to wait three years to go after that.”
These words seemed to pull him out of his revere and turn another shade of red. “What? I’m not… Shut up!”
Riane and Julian both laughed. The more they laughed the redder his face would become.
“I’m going to class!” Zachary barked and rushed off into the crowd while readjusting his backpack.
“Don’t you want my help?” His older brother asked while still laughing, but trying his best to stop.
Zachary could barely be seen among the mess of people when he yelled back. “No, stay the fuck away.”
Julian continued to chuckle and then looked over to Riane, “Well, then, I guess I shall walk milady to her class today.” He offered out his arm.
“Oh, why thank you. Such a gentleman.” She wrapped her arm around his as they began their walk towards her first class.
“We should make sure Zachary knows to join us behind the gym for lunch. I’ll text him when I get into class.” Riane said with worry.
“You worry about your class and I’ll deal with the brat.” He told her as they effortlessly moved about the crowd.
When they arrived at the door, Riane dropped her arm to her side and smiled at him as she came to stand in front of him.
“Thanks for bringing me.” She gave him a quick peck on the lips. “Are you going to walk me to all of my classes?”
He shrugged, “If that’s what you want.”
She nodded with a smile.
“Then I’ll be here when you are done. Hurry, you don’t want to be late for your first class.” He watched her turn and walk into her classroom.
Turning around he found a stairwell and headed over to it so he could sit down. He would wait for her over the next hour just so he could walk her to her next classroom, as he had done every year.
---***---
Joe sat in the library in between classes as she did some homework which was assigned during her last class. Neil sat next to her and worked on a project of his own on his laptop. The little clinks of his keyboards made as he pressed each key carefully were almost like a meditative sound to her. In fact, she would look up whenever he stopped to think about what he was going to write.Neil and Joe had ended their sexual relationship with one another after Neil wanted to get serious. Joe decided she needed to focus on herself and school before she would let that happen.
She saw how happy Riane and Julian were and they were capable of passing their classes, but she knew herself. It wasn’t the right time to get completely lost in another person which she would do with Neil.
He took it well enough and remained her friend and study buddy. However, he is still a little hesitant to tell her when he goes on dates, and honestly, Joe didn’t really want to hear about it. She worried he wouldn’t be available when she was ready, but she knew she had no right to hold him back.
Looking up at the quiet keyboard, she smirked when she watched Neil reading the sheet of paper next to his laptop. His mouth moved along with the words. She discovered he did this whenever he had an issue with comprehending what he was actually reading.
Joe stretched out her arms as she looked at the finished homework sheet in front of her. That hadn’t been so hard.
Deciding she didn’t want to disturb Neil, she pulled out her phone and sent Riane a text message.
“So, did Julian abandon you to take care of his brother like you thought he would?” She asked with a gentle grin on her lips.
Riane replied back quickly. “No, he embarrassed Zack so he ran off. I hope he is finding his way around alright.”
She shook her head at her friend’s worry. “He’s a smart kid. I am sure your small campus won’t confuse him too much.”
“Small campus my ass, I got lost four times on my first day here. Blake had to come get me each time.” Her friend scoffed.
Joe rolled her eyes, she remembered Riane’s first day but the details were very different from how Riane seemed to recall it. She kept getting lost because of panic attacks, and it eventually turned into Blake just babysitting her all the time.
She sighed, “Yeah, well you aren’t a smart kid.”
“Gee, thanks.” Riane replied back.
She snickered to herself.
After a couple of months, Joe had finally decided it was time to make up with Riane. She had gone over to visit her and had explained it was her that caused their break up. She knew Riane would lose her mind over it and it might end their relationship forever, but she didn’t want it coming from someone else in the future.
Riane didn’t get upset, however, instead she simply told her she figured it had been her. It took a few more months for her to really start talking to Joe again, and they both agreed to leave it in the past when the subject was broached.
Joe sighs for a moment before sending another text, “I know it’s a school night, but let’s take Emma out for a little bit.” She had been making an effort to get to know Emma and found she rather liked the girl.
“Sure, let’s bring Lacy too. Dalen has said she doesn’t have many friends.” Riane replied.
“Of course, the more, the merrier.” Joe quickly sent the text and then look up at Neil who was staring at her.
She often caught him doing it, and deep in her heart she knew why and it both hurt her heart and made her excited. “Making plans for girls’ night tonight.” She informed him even though he didn’t ask. It was mostly to play off she had noticed the longing in his eyes.
Neil to his credit immediately returned to himself and cleared his throat. “How are things going with Riane?”
“Things have changed and aren’t what I thought they would be, but I guess change isn’t always bad.” She looked back down at her phone briefly before setting it on the table.
“Are you talking about Emma?” He asked as he shut down his laptop, which made Joe look at the clock on the wall. It was almost time for her next class.
“Yeah, and now Riane wants to include Lacy, Dalen’s sister.” She sighed. “I know we didn’t date very long, but it’s kind of awkward hanging out with her. I mean she has never mentioned it to me, but she is still my ex-boyfriend’s sister.”
Neil nodded his head, “Afraid she is reporting back?” He teased a little bit with a wicked smile, but internally he was a little jealous she was still worried about her ex-boyfriend.
She cocked her head to the side playfully, “With Riane and Julian being an item, it’s impossible not to see him from time to time. I have to be cordial, so with Lacy around I have to be careful of what I say if he is ever brought up. Since Lacy seems to have a brother-complex that means he gets brought up all the time.”
“Is she really that bad?” He didn’t really believe she had this complex Joe was always going on about and thought maybe she was just extra sensitive whenever Dalen was mentioned.
“Yes, whenever I see her she gives me a blow by blow of what she did that day with her brother.” She rolls her eyes, “I’ve talked to Ivy, she did this with her too.”
“Is it like she is jealous of the women in his life then?” Neil chuckled, “That’ll be a problem for him in the future.”
“It’s a problem for him now. That’s why he and Ivy aren’t together anymore.” Joe retorted.
Neil had no idea why he said this, and he wanted to stop himself once the words were already spilling out of his lips. “Maybe by befriending her, you’ll get another chance with Dalen.”
Those words hurt her heart a little as if he was pushing her towards another man, but she refused to let him see the pain. She chuckled, “Maybe.”
Now it was Neil’s turn to have his heart beaten upon.
---***---
Behind the gym, everyone had a tray of food except for Emma who brought hers in a brown paper bag. They all sat in the cool dry grass while they prepared to eat their meals which meant opening cans and bottles mostly.Emma and Seth sat side by side with their shoulders brushing against each other, while Julian sat across from them with Riane next to him. They weren’t sitting as close but they were near enough so it was intimate.
Dalen, on the other hand, sat facing the group with Lacy sitting beside him with a big grin on her lips. She hadn’t really liked the idea of sharing her brother at lunch when this first started but when she realized the group was made of two couples and her brother she came around to the idea.
The three men in the group no longer attended the school, but Seth always came to have lunch with Emma. Since the three of them were taking the year off they had plenty of free time.
Riane had wanted Julian to hang out with Seth and Dalen at home, but he insisted he follow her around her last year like he did before. Dalen would head home after dropping off his sister and return for lunch with Seth. They sat around and played video games most days.
“So, Julian,” Lacy began, “I hear you are going to abandon your girlfriend to go get your masters.”
“Lacy!” Dalen barked and looked at her in shock.
“Speaking of which,” Seth decided to use this as an opportunity to discuss something with Riane, and quite frankly he didn’t want to listen to another etiquette lecture from Dalen. “We were thinking when we move into the city, maybe we can get apartments next door to one another. That way Emma and I are close by if you need us.”
Riane smiled softly, “I would love that. Thank you for thinking of me.”
Emma smiled right back at her before patting Seth on the hand for making the offer. It showed her he really meant it when they discussed it. “It’ll be nice for Julian too because when he comes home to visit one of his friends is already nearby.”
“And I won’t have to worry too much about you, since they will be watching you.” Julian added.
Dalen sighed at their conversation and once again felt like he was being left out of their friendship now that he was no longer part of a couple.
Riane turned to him with a smile, “Why don’t you get an apartment nearby too? That way we are all together.”
“Why don’t I just live with you? We can be roomies.” Dalen winked. He only said it because he knew it would provoke his friend.
Immediately, Julian tossed his arms over her shoulders and pulled her towards him. “My girlfriend is not living with another man.”
Riane chuckled as did Seth and Emma, but Lacy’s eyes narrowed slightly before she realized it was only a joke.
Dalen decided to continue, “You know I am a good cook, so I’ll make you wonderful meals every night. We can eat by candlelight if you want.”
Julian grit his teeth together, and spoke through them. “You are not having romantic meals with my girlfriend.” There was a look in his eyes which told everyone he knew this was meant to tease him and he was just sort of playing along. Though he was speaking the truth of how he felt.
His friend ignored him while still looking at Riane. “We can save money and get a one bedroom. I don’t mind sharing the bed.”
Those words made Riane burst out laughing, “You’re going to give him a heart attack, Dalen.”
Just then, Dalen looked up from Riane to his friend and found Julian’s playful look to have dissipated and replaced by true anger. “Oops, looks like I went one step too far.”
Emma and Seth who had been laughing along turned their attention to Julian, and they immediately felt the tension which killed their laughter. Lacy didn’t seem to think the joke was funny either and she crossed her arms in a pout.
Riane looked around at the group and then at Julian who was trying to glare a whole through Dalen. Suddenly, she began to laugh rather hard at the awkward tension. “You guys should see your faces.”
Her laughter jarred Julian back into reality and looked down at his laughing girlfriend whose cheeks were turning red the longer she smiled. This in turn made him smile which emptied out the tension as everyone else starting to relax and chuckle once again.
“Maybe you should move with me since this ass will be lurking about.” Julian spoke to Riane but kept his eyes on Dalen.
“You know full well I wouldn’t try to steal your girlfriend, and besides I highly doubt Riane would even consider cheating on you.” He snorted, “You should have more faith in her.”
“That’s what I keep telling him.” Riane spoke a little loud.
Julian dropped his hand from around Riane, and began eating his sandwich again, content in Dalen’s intentions.
Lacy was frowning, and then began to speak to her brother. “Are you really moving into the city next year?”
“Yes, mom and dad only let me have one year off. I know it is scary to live in the mansion alone, but that is why I keep telling you to make new friends.” Dalen looked down at his potato salad as he didn’t want to see his sister’s puppy dog eyes, which would tear right through him.
Julian seemed not to be interested in Lacy and Dalen’s conversation and began to speak. “Maybe we should get married before I head off to university.”
Riane was drinking a soda and choked on it briefly, everyone watched as some of the liquid came out her nose. She grabbed a napkin off her tray as she coughed while Julian patted her back.
When she was finally able to speak, her words were stern. “I told you no to that about a hundred times. Don’t nonchalantly propose in front of our friends when this subject has already been put to bed. Jerk!”
Julian didn’t seem phased by her anger and shrugged his shoulders. “It was worth a shot.”
The other four chuckled at the bickering couples display and shook their heads at Julian’s words.