Runaways and dreamers

Chapter 4- Not quite royalty

Jace jogged up the street of an especially rich neighborhood, all the way to the end, where a mansion like house stood.

It was easily discernible as the richer of the rich, it was eccentric even from the outside.
Gleaming gates, walkways, and a yard that looked like a national park of expensive flowers and plants.

"Well here it is." Jace muttered, gesturing toward the house that gave the White House competition for being fancy and the exactment of perfection to the T.

Katie stared at him, "You act like this is just some average house!"

"It's nothing special." Jace argued, looking a little confused and wrinkling his nose and eyebrows. Just home to him was just a small palace to her.

Wow, do all rich people think like that? Katie thought with slight resentment at all the things people took for granted.

Jace jogged lightly up the walkway and knocked loudly on the door. A man in a suit with overly gelled hair opened the door.

"You have a butler?" Katie asked in barely a whisper. Jace nodded, and didn't bother to engage the butler as he walked right past him expecting Katie to follow. She raised her eyebrow, becoming aware of how arrogant rich people were.

This is definitely what I expected, Katie thought as Jace's house and haughty attitude confirmed her previous conjectures about rich people.

"Jace! You're home!" An older woman cried, quickly coming down the huge and exquisitely elaborate staircase. Katie assumed that it had to be his mother; she had the same eyes and facial structure.

"Hi." Jace said in an irritated tone. Not sharing the same over joyed attitude as the woman that was apparently his mom.

The woman wrapped him in a tight hug, Jace recoiling from her overuse of perfume. She looked taken-aback as he pushed her away, not interested in a happy family reunion. Smoothing her expensive skirt and designer blouse, she huffed with a hurt look.

And then her gaze fell on Katie who was tentatively hanging back. Her face turned sour with distaste, judging Katie with one contemptuous glance.

"And who is this?" His mother asked with a superior tone, gesturing toward Katie with a disgusted look and tiny flourish of the condescending hand.

"Katie." Jace said shortly, beckoning slightly for Katie to join him. Katie's jaw tightened, she stalked forward, tension growing as she approached. Jace's mother stared at Katie scornfully as she approached, but Jace glared back firmly, seemingly ready to fight if his mother dared to insult her.

"Jace, honey, you know I support charity," his mother began in a uneasy tone, attempting to sound kind, "but this is a little too far. We don't, um, usually associate with the homeless, Jace dear."

Katie raised her eyebrows, grimacing darkly.

"Mom!" Jace snapped in a oddly defensive tone.

"Jace, I'm just trying to protect you, she's probably dangerous or a murderer!" His mother argued, her eyes full of contempt and a slightly hurt look.

Murderer huh? Not yet at least, Katie thought with an angry glare directed at his mother.

"I don't need protection. And just so you know Katie is a better and more real person than you ever will be!" Jace defended in nearly a yell.

Katie glanced at him with a slight sense of pride, a smirk growing on her face. Noticing Katie looking at him, Jace's face turned red as he jogged upstairs. After a moment's hesitation, Katie decided to follow him.