I Wanna Be Free, I Wanna Be Loved

Ch. 6: I Believe This May Call For A Proper Introduction

RYAN'S POV

Hannah hadn't come out of her room since moving in with us, mom didn't push her to socialize either. She brought her food and let her just sulk around while we still had chores or school. She would have to start school with us eventually; I understood that being a transfer from out of state after the death of your parents could cuase fear in a person, but she really just needed to suck it up and get out into the world. One afternoon I managed to get home before Rachel because she was off with her delinquent friends and her boyfriend. When I got in the house it was quiet and Hannah was probably still holed up in her room. Something inside me moved and I knew this was my opportunity to introduce myself and be mature about the situation, at least for mom's sake. I paced in front of her door before actually knocking on it. When I twisted the knob I was met by an empty bedroom. I wondered where she could possibly be before I heard the flush of a toilet. I tried to make my way out of her room as fast as I could but I ended up colliding with her in the hallway.

She said nothing, just stood there in hoodie that had some burn marks on it; probably something salvaged from the fire. The hood covered her face and her shorts. She had pale legs that ended with dainty feet. She was looking down so I couldn't see her face but strands of blonde hair hung down too. She raced back to her room to hide again and instead of letting her be, I followed her. She hadn't closed the door this time so I could see her sitting cross-legged on the bed with a book of crossword puzzles in hand. She filled in a few of the squares and made a squeal of happiness.

"Is this what you do all day?" I asked.

My voice must have startled her because she dropped the book and oen yet still refused to look at me. She reallyw as an injured soul and I just wanted to make her feel somewhat accepted in this house.

"I'm Ryan by the way" I said, she still didn't look up. I was going to do everything in my power to get through to her. When I started to actually walk into the room, she jumped a little bit.

"Look, I just want you to know that we're all here for you...well my sister not so much but mom really seems to like you and I'd like to get to know you as well"

She was quiet for a few moments before speaking "You don't mean that"

I was a little confused by her response, did it sound like I was lying? "Hannah I'm serious"

She was quiet again but when she moved to take off the hood of her jacket, I was quiet too. Her long blonde hair flowed down her back and she had green eyes that looked like emeralds. Her cheeks were pale too, almost like porcelain yet they had some pink to them. When she looked at me, I felt my mouth go dry, all I could do was look at her.

"Is something wrong with me?" she asked.

"No, you're...never mind. You should have dinner with us tonight. We can go out if you like...I mean out to dinner not like on a date, not that I wouldn't date you but dinner with the family would just be kind of yeah, you know?"

Fuck, I was rambling worse than when I asked Monica DelMonte to prom last year.

"I'd like that...dinner I mean" she replied.

"Great! I'll tell mom when she gets home!" I exclaimed. I gave Hannah a hug which kind of surprised both of us then I rushed up to my room. I collapsed on my bed and smiled before realizing that I was falling for my somewhat adopted sibling...oh shit.