Teddy Bear Love

Chapter XII- Truth or Dare

Lucy

Vivianne made a grand entrance into the kitchen, accompanied by Miranda's lively banter and Tom's relaxed stroll. With a deliberate toss of her lustrous hair, Vivianne fixed us with a piercing gaze and uttered, "Well, well, well," as if she had just stumbled upon a long-hidden secret.

"Hello, Vivianne!" I greeted her brightly while sucking in a deep breath.

"Looks like we missed the start of the party," Tom quipped as he rubbed his weary or bored eyes.

"Only the best part," Teddy said with a grin, turning his gaze from me to them. "The Sister here is going to be selling muffins and banana bread on the camping trip."

My eyes snapped to him briefly. He hadn't called me 'Sister' at all. Until they came... I was disappointed. I slipped the phone into my dress pocket, wanting to keep it hidden from Vivianne. 

"Omg, why is Lucy here," Miranda gasped dramatically while raising her brows.

"Well," I began while looking at Vivianne, "I'm working here as a—"

"She's my family's bitch until she graduates," Vivianne interrupted her tone light but edged with an undertone that suggested condescension. Her hazel eyes flickered between Teddy and me. She then honored us with her strikingly beautiful smile, "I am only teasing, sweetie. She's a live-in work-study here." Vivianne said, her voice smooth like honey, though there was a tightness around her eyes.

"Yeah, our parents just wanted a new charity to add to their belt," Teddy said gently, his expression open yet guarded as he faced her. "I personally think it's for a tax break."

The way his words landed made me uncomfortable. It was a stark reminder that I don't fit in and that I am just a charity case to them. But I mustn't let it get to me. This program is vital for countless others. It's not just a handout; it's an opportunity for a brighter future.

"Uh duh," Vivianne remarked with a hint of sarcasm. "Nothing polishes their pedestal better than parading their generosity for orphans."

"I am still grateful," I interjected. "I wasn't adopted, so after I turn 18, life could easily be me sleeping in a cardboard box on the side of the street."

I wish I had just swallowed those words. Their shocked expressions suggested that I had uttered something truly abhorrent.

"I am sorry..." Teddy said with compassion.

I wrapped my arms around myself, "It's not your fault."

"Lucy, that smells divine, by the way. I am sure you'll sell all of it," Vivianne suddenly said, her voice cutting through the awkward silence with precision. She drifted across the kitchen, her movements languid and deliberate. Teddy's back was to her, but not for long; Vivianne's arms slid around his waist, encircling him in a gesture that was both intimate and possessive.

"Thank you, Vivianne," I responded, my eyes flickering briefly toward the pair before focusing on the counter full of goods. "I hope it tastes as good as it—"

"Anything you make is bound to be delicious," Teddy assured, his tone light, though the subtle shift in his body language caught my attention. He placed his hand on top of Vivianne's, a silent acknowledgment of her proximity.

I felt a strange sensation stir within me. Why did the sight of Vivianne's arms wrapped around his waist bother me? I didn't know him well enough to justify the feeling, yet there it was—undeniable and unsettling. I watched them, my pulse quickening slightly as questions I dared not voice swirled in my mind. What was the nature of their relationship? And why did it matter to me?