Let's get serious for a moment...

I know, I know, getting serious isn't always fun, but this is kinda important.


Okay, so, for a while now, I've noticed that someone is copying certain things of my blog. There are little things, and then there are pretty big things, something I saw just yesterday.


I won't be mentioning the name of the person, but I ask, please, stop what you're doing. 


I'm not mad, honestly, just a teeny bit insulted. When you put a lot of effort into something, and it's just ripped away... It feels useless to have gone through all of that. Trust me, if you do things your way, in a way that you've figured out yourself, you feel tons better about it.


I have been accused of copying in the past, but it was over a ridiculous thing as writing something on a piece of paper and taking a picture, so I know how you feel if you say it's not intentional... I don't know if it's intentional, but it does look intentional.


I asked two of my very trustworthy friends, and they do agree that there are similarities, so don't think I'm making things up as I go.


...


That concludes the "being serious" part.


On a more happy tone, I'm working on a new chapter, and all I can say is, there's gonna be a new addition to the legacy household.


No, it's not a baby, sadly, but it's a puppy. I don't know if I'll keep her name, which is Chloe, so feel free to leave a name suggestion. I'll most likely name her that!

Generation 2, Chapter 11: Talking with a cat probably means I'm insane

Monday mornings. Those were always the worst. Under every Monday that's in my diary, I wrote "blue Monday". I always assumed that my day would ne horrible in some way. Depressing, huh? That's 'cause I was depressed, after receiving an interesting e-mail from the state penitentiary unit. Apparently, prisoner 493 requested my presence. In other words, Charlie wanted to see me. Charlie. My ex-boyfriend. I couldn't think of him like any more, after all the headlines in the newspapers. Charlie Rapp, also known as "The Raven", a criminal who attacked local celebrities. Of course, he had denied it, but he hadn't been in his right mind for a long time now, so anything he said was hardly believable.


Unable to get a good night's sleep after receiving that e-mail, I got up early, around 6 AM,  to check up on Facebook and even check out some funny YouTube videos. Nothing helped.


"Mrow?" the soft, purring sound came from behind me, questioning why I was up at that hour.

Taking a peek over my shoulder, I smiled, seeing the colorful kitty on my bed. Aura was a sweetheart, and I wished my mom hadn't sent her just for me to give her to Bridget. I loved having a pet greet me each morning.

"Hey there, little one. Did you sleep well?" The purrs that came from Aura was answer enough.I placed Aura back on the bed, and subsequently sit down next to her, caressing her fur between my fingers. "What do you think? Should I face my fears? Should I go see Charlie?" Of course I hadn't expected a real answer. With those big eyes looking up at me, I didn't need one. I slowly realized that I've been going insane, talking with a cat about my problems. Therefore, I had to go see Charlie, to prevent any more insane slip ups.


"Don't tell Janelle about this," I warned Aura as I plucked the brush through my hair a couple of times, then threw it into a random cupboard drawer. "And most importantly, don't say anything to Aaron. He'll have a fit if he found out."


I was right - I really am insane, talking with a cat.

An hour and a half later, I was stuck sitting in the waiting lobby of the prison, until they would allow me visitor privileges. That time came, thankfully, but only after another hour's wait. Going through all of this trouble, just to talk to one man. But talking to him... It would allow me to move on. Finally, they led me through a series of jail bars to one incriminating door, and opened it for me. There, in an orange suit typical of prisons, sat Charlie.

"Charlie Rapp," I sighed, pressing my eyes shut with my thumb and middle finger. To be honest, he hardly looked like Charlie. The dark circles under his eyes were still there, something I remembered from the last time I saw him. His skin took on a more sickly tone, and he looked incredibly hostile. I had no clue why I was there, or why he had wanted to see me.

"So...," I allowed the word to hang in the air, hoping Charlie would start talking. He doesn't. "Would you mind telling me why you wanted to see me?"

Silence emanated through the room. I considered turning on my heels and strutting out of there, but Charlie finally opened his mouth. "I...n-need your help."

Need my help? What does he think I am, the police force?! I gritted my teeth together. Out of pure frustration, I hit my fists down on the table.

"You're angry," he commented, changing his posture to a more business-like pose. "I understand that."

"Understand that?" I blow up at him, unable to contain my anger any longer. It felt good, letting it go. "For God's sake, you attacked Aaron! You almost attacked and raped me, too! And what about all those other people, huh? Some are still in the bloody hospital? Yeah, Charlie, I'm definitely angry. Angry because, for one, you're so freaking calm about all of this."

"I'm calm, because everyday I get pills to change my behavior, as the guards think I'm a security risk and I might freak out and try to break out of here. But I didn't ask you to come here just to talk about my daily feeding, alright?"

"And what did you want to talk about?" I tried to keep the acid out of my voice, but fail.

"About these." Charlie sticked out his arms in front of him, revealing tons of small red dots on them. "Needle marks."

"So you've been doing drugs in here? You really think that will explain your past behavior?"

"No," he shook his head violently, "I had these before I came here. And I don't know where they come from. I think I was being drugged by someone in my sleep, causing me to act out. Kaylin, I would never intentionally hurt anyone. Never. I've been hurt enough in my life, and I'd never wish that on anyone else."

"So you're saying... Someone used you?" Hope. A flicker of hope burned inside me. Hope that all was not lost for Charlie. But hope...It's a fickle thing. It consumes you, and makes you irrational. I have to be rational. Closing my eyes tightly, I envisioned a small flame, hidden between colorless leaves and twigs. In my hands, I held a bottle of sparkling water, and I slowly un-screwed the bottle, titling the impending doom over the flame. Without regret, I poured it onto the small heaps, and heard the sizzling sound of it being extinguished. Yet, after the smoke cleared, it still burned. I couldn't let go of the hope.


I wasn't going to be able to get out of this easy.


"I think so, Kaylin...," Charlie's sad eyes focused on mine, causing me to avert my gaze. I couldn't look into them. I couldn't let him see... See what? I didn't have feelings for him. Or did I? Stop making yourself so insane, idiota! From the corner of my eye, I saw his hand stretch out to take mine. I couldn't. I couldn't.


"Promise me, Kaylin..." Hearing my name in his mouth, so soft and caring, was almost enough to make me run for the hills. Almost. But I stayed, even though every part of my body yelled for me to save myself from this. "Help me find the person that's doing all of this, so he or she could be put behind bars for their crimes, and that I can be free."


"I can't promise that, Charles." Thankfully, my rationality didn't abandon me. "But I will sure as hell try my best to help you."


Three loud thuds thundered on the door behind me, causing me to jump a good five centimeter into the air. A gruff voiced followed, probably that of a prison guard. "Visiting time is over. Get out or get locked in."


"It was good seeing you. I hope to see you again, Kay-Kay," Charlie murmured as I walked out the door, barely audible over the noise of the other inmates. But it reached my ears clearly. Shuddering, I pretty much stormed out of the prison, not even acknowledging the weird stares I received from the receptionist and other guards. I had other matters to attend to, and those matters included talking to my sister.

In my shaky hands, I held a card with my sister's new cell number on it, a card provided by one of Aaron's intelligent police force buddies. Slowly, still eyeing the card thoughtfully, I started typing her number in, and sent her a short text message. You'd think that after the last meeting I had with my sister, she would never want to see me again. I was wrong.

Where do u want 2 meet? the message flashed ominously on my phone screen. I couldn't believe she had replied. I added my name to the bottom of my text, and she REPLIED. Remember, this doesn't mean she will agree. Maybe she's just curious.

@ coffeeshop, I replied back. That happened to be where I was lounging at the time, trying to calm the nerves that threaten to take over my mind. My foot idly kept tapping on the floor, and after a short while, it turned into an entire melody. Music. It was the only thing that helped me. It was my only escape.

B ther in 5. Five minutes. That gave me enough time to collect my thoughts and stress my butt off for this meeting. 


Right on time, Bridget arrives, a trait so unlike her. Was I living in a dream world? An illusion, where everything is perfect? Could my sister really have changed? She had been so scarred by Keegan, the bastardo. Her innocence was ripped away from her, and the love my parents always showed wavered whenever she was around. She had been too easily influenced. Perhaps that quality is what saved her.


"Morning, Kaylin," Bridget greeted me dryly, a hint of detestation worming itself into her voice, no wonder how much she wanted to hide it. 

"Good morning, Bridget," I reply politely, putting on the best fake smile I could manage. "Please, take a seat."

Behind her glasses, I saw Bridget's brow furrow, and her eyes narrow. It was obvious: she didn't really want to be here, talking with me, but for some reason, she still came. All I knew was, I had to start talking, and fast, to be able to keep her here.

Taking a seat, I sit forward on the edge of my seat, preparing to launch into full speech mode about the gift mom had sent her. But even before I could start talking, Bridget was quick to brush away my attempt at reconciliation.

"Whatever you say today, don't say sorry. I can't handle your fake apologies and puppy dog eyes tearing up."

That was definitely the same old Bridget attitude. She never wanted anyone to feel sorry for her.

"I wasn't going to say sorry, Bridget. I have nothing to be sorry about," chin up, I almost wanted to smile as Bridget pulled back apprehensively. Crossing my legs over each other into a more comfortable position, I waved the waiter away that happened to be sneaking up to us to take our order. "I just wanted to give you a... a package that mom sent for you."

"And where would this package be?" the simple question comes acidly from between her teeth. "I don't see anything on you, or is it really small? Does mother hate me that much?"

"The package isn't with her, obviously. Good lord, did all that hair dye make you dumb? Your mother loves you a lot more than to just send you a key chain with a heart on it. It's at Kaylin's apartment," the answer flows from the street, and both of our heads snapped up to see Aaron strutting towards our small table.

"Of course you would know about everything that's in Kaylin's apartment, huh? How many nights have you slept over there already?"

"None," I choke out. "My personal life has nothing to do with you!"

"Touching. Being a real gentleman with my sis, huh, Aaron?"

His only reply came in the form of a smirk, not even giving her an appropriate answer. Aaron's arm sneaked under mine, gently tugging me to stand upright. "Can you come with me quickly? I have a theory I want to test out," he huskily whispered, tugging me yet again. It had to be urgent.

As soon as we were out of earshot from Bridget, Aaron grabbed me around my hips, bringing my lips closer to his. "Wait, what are you doing, Aaron? You sounded so worried back there?"

"I just had to get you away from there without making it sound so obvious as to what I wanted to do," he smiles, his lips caressing my neck. God, I was so ticklish in that area, and he always had to take advantage of it.

"Make what sound so obvious? Aaron, what's going on?" I pushed him away from me, crossing my arms in front of me.

"Listen to me, Kaylin. My friend, Julian, from the police force, had received misinformation about Bridget. She has no boyfriend. And that snazzy apartment of hers isn't even hers. She made up a fake cover just to get back at you."

"That's a lame way of getting back at someone," I frowned, eyes flitting towards Bridget momentarily. "What theory did you want to test out?"

"I have a feeling that her fake front will crumble if she's angry enough... Or if she sees something that would upset her," Aaron revealed mysteriously, yet again tugging my arms away from my body. This time, I allowed him. "And what else would upset her more than seeing her older sister being happily in love?"

"Ingenious! Have I ever told you, Aaron Glover, that you're a freaking genius?"

"Not at all. You can try making up for that by kissing me...," a familiar cheeky grin flashed across his face, and I couldn't help but smile. Everything about Aaron made me feel like a child again.

Taking one step closer to him, I planted a solid kiss on his lips, but with Aaron, one kiss is never enough. His arms pulled me close to his body, tightly, and his mouth forced mine open. The mumbling that continues behind us is all that managed to stop Aaron, and he pulled away with a smile, satisfied. Bridget was not impressed by this show of affection, and she was about to freak out.

"God, you two love birds can never get enough of each other. FINE. I'll leave." With that statement to be her parting words, Bridget turned on her heels and darted down the street, much like how we had parted the other day.

"Are you happy now? You chased away my sister. Yet again, we left on bad terms. Mom is so gonna kill me when she founds out I didn't give Aura to her."

"That wasn't the last we've seen from Bridget today," Aaron pulled me back to him, hugging me tightly around my middle. "Trust me, she'll be back."

And of course, I trust him. If Aaron has a theory he wanted to test out,  would see it through with him.

With a bit of protesting coming from me, I finally give up arguing with Aaron, and allowed him to lead me to wherever he was going. Strangely, he led me to the park.

"You know, I often think back to the night I was attacked here... I don't want to go to a psychologist to bring up the events of that evening, but... But if I had to focus real hard on who the attacker had been... Well, I'm sorry to even be admitting this, but it had to be Charlie. His description matched everything. My best friend attacked me, and I have no idea why," Aaron buried his face in his hands, and his shoulders softly shook. It took me a moment to realize that he was crying. I had never seen a man cry before, and the sight was disturbing, to say the least. It's as if he didn't know how to cry.

"Maybe he wasn't doing it of his own accord," I tried to lift his spirits, thinking back to what Charlie had told me that morning. If only I could tell Aaron of Charlie's confession. But Aaron had given up on Charlie and probably would never want to see him again. If I told him of the meeting, he would possibly yell at me for not taking someone along with me, or telling me that Charlie poisoned my mind. Something along those lines.

"You mean the whole multiple-personality theory? You know I just threw you that because I didn't want you guys to think I'm a nut case," Bridget came to stand in front of us, arms crossed. She looked exactly like she used to, well, technically, how she looked like before she tried to look like a goody-two-shoes. The usual black attire, the blue hair and even blue lipstick... I never thought I would say it, but I missed that style of hers. So what if Gothic was her style, or to be more precise, blue-Gothic-ish? She was my sister, and I accepted her the way she was, and the way she dressed.

Flashing one last smile at Aaron, I got up from the almost-broken wooden bench I had been sitting on, to face my baby sister. It felt as if we could stare at each other for hours, because my eyes reflected hers, and vice versa. We had the same eye color, that of our father, and somehow that brought us closer. In that way, we shared a bond.

"I have absolutely no idea why I came here again, but for some reason, I'm here, so if you have anything to say, please do," Bridget uttered, sounding all the more awkward as she talked.

"All I wanted was to deliver the damn present mom sent," I started, but realized that wasn't all I came for. "And... I miss you. The apartment isn't the same. It's not an apology, because seriously, I have nothing to be sorry for, but it might be an invitation for you to come back and stay in my apartment."

Only silence remained in the air after I delivered that sentence, and then... "OMG, pleasetellmeyourserious!" the words came so fast from her it sounded like one word. "Thank you, thank you, thank you. Seriously, I've been renting some place for my fake cover, and it's really pricey. I wouldn't have been able to afford another month's rent. You. Are. A. Lifesaver."

"You can repay me by stopping your freaking-out episode, alrighty?" I take her by the shoulders, trying to stop her from jumping into the air the whole time, too giddy and relieved to stand still at all.

"Okay, but... But how else? There has to be another way. Here! A hug for my sister! That could work."

Not knowing exactly how, Bridget's arm enveloped me into a hug that felt eerie, seeing as Bridget was very bony. But it was the thought that count, right?

"Uh, thanks, I think. Um, now it's probably time for your gift that mom left. It's at the apartment, so, if you want to get your suitcase and stuff, now would be a very good time."

Bridget obviously still had the problem of being disorganized, as it took her a full hour just to get one suitcase ready. There were still two left to be packed. After what felt like an eternity, Aaron eventually drove us back home, and Bridget could hardly stop jumping up and down on the back seat. She had always loved surprises, and it's something about her that will never change.

Entering the apartment, my baby sister immediately spotted her present. Aura was sitting much like a queen on a chair, waiting our return. As soon the kitty saw us, she jumped off onto the floor.

"D'awwww! Isn't that the CUTEST, most FLUFFIEST thing EVER?" Bridget moved closer to the couch, peering over it to see little Aura.

Curiosity peaking, Aura peered up to look at Bridget as well, but with a more mischievous glint in her eyes than ever before. It made me wonder what she wanted to do.

Wanted to do...

Oh, crap.

"Someone, grab that cat, right now!" I screeched at the top of my lungs.

It was too late. She couldn't be stopped, and the couch couldn't be saved from Aura's piercing nails.

"That...," my voice escaped through clenched teeth, sounding sharp.

"...little..." Aaron spat.

...ANGEL!" Bridget completed our statement, albeit not the way we had intended it to end.

"I have a feeling me and this cat will get along just dandy...," Bridget smiled, flashing all of her teeth. Aura seemed to like her already, moving closer the hand Bridget had extended.

"I concur with that statement," I chuckle, "And her name is Aura, by the way."

"Aura... That's such a cute name. C'mere Aura, you and me are gonna be best buds from now on."

While Bridget entertained Aura with a small laser, I moved towards the kitchen, aiming to make coffee for us all. Aaron's hand shoots out in front of me, almost knocking me to the floor.

"Woah, careful with that arm. Didn't you know you could hurt someone with that?" I pointed out tersely, moving his hand out of my face.

"Yeah, sorry. I just had to stop and give this to you," Aaron smiled, handing me a neatly wrapped box.

"Oh, Aaron! This is so nice of you! What's the occasion? What's inside?" I accept the white box with red lint, looking at it from all angles.

"Guess," he simply stated, trying hard to contain a huge grin.

Bringing the box closer to my ear, I shook it once or twice, and frowned. "All I can make out is jingling. What is it, jewellery? A chain?"

"Almost. It has a chain, so you guessed that part right. It's a set of keys."

"Keys?" I asked, still frowning. Honestly, I was dumbfounded, and if Aaron didn't supply a good answer any time fast, I might have to beat him up just to get one. "Aaron, you know I have a bad track record at guessing. What are the bloody keys for?"

"A house... It's my way of asking you to move in with me."

"M-m-move in with you?" I stuttered. The thoughts of moving in with Aaron caught me off guard. I hadn't been spending so much time thinking about our future. I just let things follow their own paths, and if I didn't like it, I would steer it back into a direction I felt comfortable with. But moving in? It was so sudden, so out of the blue. Bridget and I had just reconciled and moved backed in together, and here I was going again, moving away from her.

Mom taught me many things, and one thing was make the right decisions. I had to map out my thoughts, and decide whether or not Aaron was the rigt guy for me.

All that I could think was 'yes'. Aaron is special, and I love him. He is the man I want to be with. So maybe it was time to take the big step.

"You're really mysterious, Aaron. There hadn't been any signs that told me that you were planning this," I accused him playfully, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Maybe you weren't paying attention. Maybe I was distracting you...," he smiled in turn, and brushed away the locks of hair that happened to fall in front of my eyes. That one touch...was electrifying. "You haven't given an answer yet, you know. I understand if you say 'no'. It's too soon, I realize th-"

"Oh, no. Nope. You are not backing out of this, Mr Glover. You made the offer, and your stuck with me now!" Taking a step backwards, I lunged into his arms, hugging his neck, and bombarding him with kisses. "If you haven't noticed, my answer is 'yes'."

Generation 2, Chapter 10: Unexpected changes

"I haven't told you this before, or anyone for that matter, but... I love you." Those are the words that have been in my head for the past six months, each morning when I wake up, and each night before I go to bed. Aaron and I are now officially dating. I've probably never been happier in my life than I am now. But with happiness there also comes sadness. Bridget moved out of the apartment and I haven't heard from her or seen her since. To make matters worse, I've fallen victim to flu. All I want to do is curl up in a ball and fall asleep. And that's exactly what I end up doing mostly. Of course, having a chirpy best friend, that wish doesn't last long.

"Coo hee! Kay-Kay, you in here somewhere? Are you still alive?" Janelle knocks at my door, and enters the apartment moments later, using the spare key I had given to her out of good faith.

"Ugh... Leave me alone," I groan from my sleeping place on the rug.

"Good Lord. Is this what you've been up to? Sleeping on the floor and not answering my text messages?"

"Bloody hell Janelle, I've been sick for the past week and a half. Don't you think that's a good reason not to check my phone?" I mumble while yawning, stretching my arms out above my head to get rid of the stiff feeling.

"Not really," she comments. "If I were you, I'd be snuggling up in bed with my phone. Or at least with that charming boyfriend of yours."

Reluctantly, I get up to face Janelle, only to realize that she's dressed up pretty fancy. Too fancy to just come by and visit me.

"What's up with the cute dress? You going somewhere?"

"Yeah. That has actually been the topic of my text messages. I have a date today, with a guy named Reese."

I look out the window, trying to guess the time of day. "Is it noon already? That's really early for a date."

"It's twelve past one in the afternoon, to be precise. It's a lunch date, alright? The guy isn't a party animal. He's decent, and that's what I like about him."

"Oh. Okay, uh... Sorry. For not answering your messages. I promise to make it up to you sometime, when I'm better. Then we could party until the sun comes up. How does that sound?"

"Sounds great," Janelle smiles brightly. "But there is someone you should make up with before you party around with me."

"Who would that be?" I frown.

"Only your amazing, good-looking stallion of a boyfriend," the voices comes from the hallway, and seconds later Aaron walks around the corner.

"Hmm. I should have known you would come by as well," I roll my eyes at Janelle.

"And why wouldn't I! As your boyfriend, I have the responsibility to make sure my girl is safe and still alive," his hand appears, and catches a strand of hair that's fluttering before my eyes. Neatly, he tucks it back behind my ear.

"Um... I'll give you two a minute," Janelle excuses herself from the room, sneaking to the apartment door.

"I've missed you," I whisper to Aaron as soon as I hear the door close.

"And I've missed you," he smiles, pulling me into a tight hug.

"What's up with the new hairstyle?" my fingers run through his hair, feeling the edgy cut. "I kinda liked it when it was long. You didn't look so cocky as before."

"I like looking cocky," Aaron teases, throwing me his cheeky smile. "But I also want to look refined, in case I ever run into your father again."

That had been one day that I don't want to remember. Aaron and my father, in one room together, discussing me. Of course my dad had almost tackled Aaron, had my mom not intervened and say Aaron and I were very much in love.

"Listen," he pulls away, taking my hands in his instead. "I had ulterior motives when coming over here. Two weeks ago, I asked some of my buddies at the police station to trace your sister."

"WHAT? Why would you do that, Aaron?" I pull my hands away abruptly, folding them in front of my chest.

"Y'know, just to check up on her," he shrugs, "She changed, Kaylin, truly. Apparently she's in a serious relationship, and I heard the guy might propose soon. She turned her life around, because of you."

"I'll only believe it when I see it...," I grumble.

"That can be arranged. Just put on some clothes and-"

"Nu uh, I'm not changing clothes. I'll stay in the car while you're driving."

"Alright, that's cool," he shrugs again. "Let's go."

Like spies, Aaron and I sneak into the elevator and out the apartment building door to avoid the paparazzi snapping a pic of me in pyjamas. Where I had thought Aaron would drive some bad-ass convertible or something for a car, all he had was an old Volkswagen. It goes to show that I had been quick to always label him as "cocky". He really is down to earth at times.

"So how old is this car?" I ask, my gaze flitting around the car's interior to observe what condition the seats are in.

"Well, the car's model is about 9 years old. I had a lot redone on the car, though. New parts, better engine, all that stuff you wouldn't understand about cars."

"True, true," I smirk, "I don't know a thing about cars."

Aaron's car comes to an abrupt stop, and at first, I think he has stopped at the beach, as the route to it is right next to us. He points his index finger at the building in front of is, and I follow the direction of it.

"Wow. That's one nice house. Wonder how much it cost," I muse, and lean forward, my fingers idly  ticking on the dashboard.

"That's where your sister lives, Kay-Kay," Aaron answers softly.

"You're kidding," I almost yell, and turn my eyes back to the house. On the balcony, it looks as if someone is leaning on the fence.

"Who's that on the balcony? Her roommate?"

Aaron just clears his throat, looking down at his shoes.

"You mean... THAT's my sister? On the balcony? She doesn't look anything like my sister!"

"That's what I meant, Kay... She changed. A lot."

Refusing to believe what my eyes are seeing and what Aaron is saying, I grab his iPhone out of his pocket, and use the camera to zoom in on the person. I can't help but gasp.

The person who is supposedly my younger, rebel sister... She's the opposite of everything Bridget ever was. She picked up weight, more muscle, and she doesn't have layers and layers of dark make up on. Even her hair looks normal, a shade of brown that's darker than her natural hair color.

"Do you believe me now? Do you realize that that person is Bridget?"

"I do...," I whisper, putting his phone down on the dashboard. Minutes later, Aaron starts the engine and slowly drives away.

"You know what stands out most of the 'new' Bridget? She looks... Happy. She's happy. And because of that, I'm not gonna interfere in her life anymore."

"You're gonna let her go? And never see her again?" Aaron's eyes flit to me for a moment, then he turns them back on the road ahead of him.

"I'll probably see her - I can't avoid that - but yeah, I can't talk to her. I'm afraid she'll have a set back... I don't want that to happen, Aaron."

Aaron is silent on the drive back to my apartment. I can sense that he doesn't agree with my decision. 

"Kaylin, I haven't seen my family for a long time," Aaron starts mumbling as soon I put the key in my apartment door. "And to be honest... I wish I could see them. I wish I kept in contact with them. But once I broke the connection, it was final."

"My sister is not like your family, Aaron," I throw the door open, angrily marching my way inside. Only the shriek of a female voice stops us from walking any more.

"DEAR LORD, KEEP THIS MONSTROSITY AWAY FROM ME!" it seems to be Janelle that's doing the shrieking, and it's the second time this day that she's using the Lord's name in vain.

I look to Aaron for answers, but he just pulls his shoulders up, also not having a clue what Janelle is talking about.

"Uh, Janelle... What are you doing?" I ask, trying to not make it sound like I believe she's crazy.

"I'M PROTECTING MYSELF FROM THE CREATURE!" she yells again, this time more fiercely.

"The creature? You mean the cat?" Aaron interjects.

"YES!"

"You've got to be kiddin' me..." Aaron sighs, and moves forward to pick the kitty up.

"Janelle... You've always told me you loved cats. What's wrong with them now, all of a sudden? Why were you crying? Did something happen?" I try to soothe her, taking her by her wrists and pulling her up from her crouched position.

"Yeah, something DID happen! Well, technically, didn't happen. Reese was a no-show," she whimpers. "He text-dumped me, which makes it all so much more awful. I thought he was a nice guy, Kay... I'm so quick to judge someone, without getting to know them that well."

Fresh tears start to brim over her lids, and she acts quickly to dab them away.

"You should let those tears fall," I comment, "You need to get them all out. Trust me, it'll make you feel a whole lot better if you do."

"Is that all that will make me feel better, Kay?"

"No," I answer softly, then smile. "You also need a tub of ice-cream and some chick flicks. Now those always work.

She chuckles softly in response. "Only if you come to my house and watch it with me. I don't think I can eat all the ice-cream on my own."

"It's a deal," I grin, shaking her hand, which is covered with A LOT of wet mascara. "Ew. You should really go wash your hands..."

As Janelle rushes to the sink with a smile, I walk to Aaron and hug him from behind, snuggling my face into his neck, observing the rainbow-colored cat.

"You think we can keep her? She's a great cat, I have to say," Aaron begs me.

"I don't think you can keep her. The delivery man placed a note by her. Apparently, she's a gift from your mom to Bridget," Janelle calls from the sink.

"Huh," is all I manage. My mom is literally forcing me to interact with my sister. I so hate her right now.

~♥~

Thanks to all who have read this!

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Calista Smith for allowing me to adopt the cute kitty, Aura. Many thanks, Molly! I'm so in love with her fur coat's pattern...*.*

:)