Second Chance

Chapter 8

Everything was fine until three weeks after.

"Hi mom" Alexis said going into the kitchen. Since Alice resumed work as a nurse in the hospital, she was hardly home especially on Saturday morning and afternoon.

Alexis was surprised to see that Ryder was in the kitchen helping her mom cook.

"Since when did you cook?" She asked Ryder. Ry chuckled.

"Since I was old enough to read" Ryder replied with a smile.

"Hi baby. Need something?" Alice asked.

"It's Saturday. You haven't been around for a while. It's alright, I'll just take a walk" she said and walked out not waiting for her mom to reply.

Alexis was angry. Saturdays were bonding time for her and her mom. Alexis walked towards the outskirts of the town where she found a bridge over a stream.

She sat down staring into the water with different thoughts whirling in her head. Realizing that it was almost dark, she began her journey back home and she got home just in time for dinner.

"Where have you been?" Alex asked as she walked through the door. "I took a walk" Alexis replied and continued walking. Alex frowned and grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Who pissed you off?" Alex asked. Alexis freed her arm from his grip and walked up the stairs to her room.

Ryder was going downstairs for dinner and met Alexis on her way up. He raised his hand to wave but she ignored him and continued walking.

"Alexis" Ryder called but she didn't reply and continued walking. Ryder frowned. He didn't like that she ignored him and he didn't even know why.

Alice had looked guilty after Alexis left but wouldn't say anything. Alexis didn't go down for dinner and Alex was very moody.

"Where's Alexis?" Ryan asked as soon as he sat down.

"I'll go and check" Alex said and stood up.

"Dad's late today. It's unusual" Ryan commented.

"He has a meeting to attend" Alice replied setting the table with Ryder's help.

Alex knocked on the door but there was no response. He opened the door and saw Alexis on the bed.

"Lexi" he called closing the door behind him. Alexis sighed silently because she knew Alex wouldn't let her be until he knew what was wrong.

"Lexi, what's wrong?" Alex asked.

"I wonder why you try. We both know you're not sleeping" Alexi's sat up and glared at her brother.

"Why won't you tell me?" Alex asked. "Because I love you" Alexis replied smiling. Alex laughed.

"Lexiii" he groaned. "Alright. It's nothing to worry about. I'm just overreacting" she replied.

"Alright, if you say so. I'm hungry, let's go and eat" Alex said standing up.

"Let's eat together. Just the two of us" Alexis said and Alex's eyes brightened.

"I'd be right back. Wait here" he said and went out of the room. "Where is she?" Ryder asked as soon as Ryan appeared. Alex shrugged.

"We're having twins time and we're eating dinner together" Alex said and served food enough for both of them and took it to Alexis' room. Alice felt guilty and it was written all over her face and Ryder didn't fail to notice it.

"Alice" Ryder called. She looked up at him either a fake smile. "You could just apologize. The tension is too much" Ryder said.

"Did something happen?" Ryan asked and Ryder shrugged.

Alice apologized and everything calmed down. Ryder later got to know that Saturdays were bonding time for Alice and Alexis in the kitchen while cooking. He stayed away from the kitchen on Saturdays and told Ryan to do the same without much of an explanation.

"Look, it's the girl that claims to be Ryder's sister" a girl said to her friend in the presence of Alexis while they were in the restroom and Alexis made a face.

It wasn't the first time someone would say that. They believed that she was making it up because they didn't share the same surname and she wondered if they didn't understand the concept of step siblings.

She was proud of her brothers and she didn't fail to show it. The three of them were too overprotective of her.

"You really should stop spreading lies about Ryder and keep your fantasies to yourself. You're probably doing it for popularity and it's not going to work" the girl said. Alexis glared at her and left.

Don't forget to vote 😜