The Siren (18+)

Chapter 14

Ramee arrived at his tier three apartment with a lot on his mind. He walked into the spare room to check if Bleach was sleeping over and found it empty. Maybe he went to his place. He was greeted by a sleeping Carmella when he entered his room. The golden woman was glowing even in her sleep. When he saw her peaceful expression he felt even worse. He had been heavily considering cancelling the wedding and even breaking up with the blonde.
He had been mulling over Randy's words and agreed that he hadn't known April as well as he thought he did and realized it might have been the same for Carmella. He hadn't really taken the time to talk to her about deeper things or even sit down and hang out. The woman had done nothing but love him and he never allowed her in.

He looked at her once more and decided to get to know the woman. He would give her a chance. He promised himself to start paying attention to those around him and see if his relationship would work out.

April woke up to the acrid smell of something burning. She heard a yelp of pain and got up in a panic to investigate the source of the smell. The redhead found a frenzied Bleach trying to turn off the burning oven and fan the smoke out of the window with his small hands. She quickly turned off the oven, wore mitts and removed the crisped dish before the fire alarm would go off and disrupt the entire building. After discarding the burnt food and ignoring the mess in the kitchen she gently guided the boy to sit on the couch. He had burnt his hand while trying to manage the hot oven himself.

April grabbed an empty ice bucket and filled it with cool water to quickly deal with the burn.

"I was trying to make you breakfast." He said sheepishly. She figured that he was attempting to repay her for helping him out earlier at the police station. She let him know that she was not upset with him and she appreciated his efforts. It looked like she wasn't the only one who didn't know how to cook. She quietly apologized when he hissed at his aching hand being submerged in the water.

"Are you ready to tell me what happened yesterday?"
The boy nodded his head with a look of embarrassment. He had been dared by 4Head to sneak into Tequilala and take pictures for proof and he had done just that and gotten distracted by the alcohol. He told her that he drank it for no particular reason beyond looking cool.

Not believing his attempt to lie and brush it off she crossed her arms and looked at him.
"Chase."

After a long pause the boy broke and confessed that he had been feeling sad now that the holiday season was fast approaching. He told her that he felt alone without family. It wasn't that he did not appreciate Street Team but most of the members would visit their families out of the city and those who wouldn't had family here. Jaylen was the most recent to get adopted and before him was Daph. April was aware of both adoptions but she didn't realize that it left Bleach without anyone to relate to. The boy felt left out and wanted not to think about it.

He told her that he had hoped to be adopted by someone in particular but they hadn't said anything about it to him yet. He didn't want to beg to be taken in so he just stood at the sidelines watching his friends find families of their own. He tried joking about how he would receive a lot of pity gifts but April was not fooled by the attempt of diminishing his own feelings. Being the youngest and holding so much responsibility within the gang and not having anyone to vent to must have been exhausting for the boy.

She gave him a hug and a fluff of his hair and considered getting into contact with one of the CG lawyers to ask about the process. She promised herself that if the person he was hoping would adopt him didn't come through for him then she would do it, if he was willing. After 15 minutes she applied aloe Vera gel on his hand and gently wrapped it with a bandage. The two worked together to clean up the mess Bleach created in the kitchen and April made sure to call Lucas to bring her enough food for two and clothes that would fit Chase so he could change after his shower. After eating, showering and giving April a hug with a thank you he left and went to his own house.