Truth Be Told

Chapter 3

Its been 3 weeks and I still haven't found a way to get Ross to like me. In fact he has been avoiding me. Every time I was near he didn't even acknowledged that i was there. Most of the time, he wasn't the one there. On family nights he wasn't even there, he would be at a friends house or out at a party. Tonight was the day before Rylands birthday and the family (and Ratliff) were suppose to meet up and plan the surprise party while Ryland was at his buddy's house and Ross wasn't even here then! Does he seriously hate me this much? So much that he didn't want to help with his baby brother's birthday party? Something was with this boy and I had to find a way to change that. But, what could I do?

"Hello? Earth to Angela." Rydel giggled snapping her fingers in front of me eyes snapping my out of your thoughts.

I smiled at her to reassure I was fine. "What's on your mind girlie?" I sighed at the fact she asked me that. There was a lot on my mind, a lot that I really didn't want her to know.

"I don't know its just....why is Ross acting like this? He ain't at all what Stormie said about him. I think he doesn't like me at all. And I don't know why. I didn't do anything to him." I stopped talking realizing I just blurted everything out to them and I said something bad about THEIR family member by blood. "I am so sorry about  that. I don't know why I said that to you guys. I know I shouldn't have bothered you with my problems. I...."

Stormie stopped me by saying, "Hun, you're family. You can tell us anything plus, we asked you and you answered. We want you to let us know if something is wrong." She was right.

I was family and i liked being a part of this family. "Ang is right though. Why hasnt Ross been here? He loves family events and he wouldn't miss planning a party. Well until now." Riker said fumbling with his fingers.

"Yea, i know. Yesterday i was taking Ang to Get Shaved, and everyone knows Ross loves that place. He wouldn't ditch it for nothing. He blew it off! Saying he had better things to do but he stayed home." Rocky said looking serious.

After hearing her children speak Stormie looked over at me. "Look darling, it takes a while to get used to a new family member. Why, Rydel hated the idea of Rocky being here."

"Oh gee, thanks Rydel. I love you too" Rocky interrupted playfully and acted upset.

"Anyways, after a few days Rydel would always be at his side and protected him."

"Yea Rocky i protected you. I love you and your welcome." Rydel interrupted smirking.

"Okay, guys can i please talk without you two interrupting. Please?" They both nodded their heads and Stormie continued. "Angela, Ross will get used to you soon. I promise, he is a really kind person and he is very social. I just don't know what's taking so long." All of us stopped talking about it while we worked on Rylands party.

**next day***

I woke up on the floor of the living room. Me, Riker, Rydel, and Rocky decided to have a little camp out in there. Everyone was sprawled out everywhere. I was sleeping on the floor with Rydel, Riker was on the big couch, and Rocky was on the loveseat with his legs hanging over. His head was right on the edge and he was soon gonna fall. I laughed to myself. How could he possibly sleep like that and still be comfortable?

I looked over and the kitchen light was on. I went in there expecting to see Mark or Stormie but instead I saw Ross. I thought he wasn't going to be back until tomorrow. Actually I was surprised he was here at all. I thought he was going to ditch Rylands party today because I was here. He noticed I was in here and then just turned back to do what he was doing.

"Ugh, what time is it?" I asked knowing i wouldn't get an answer.

"10" He said flatly.

Well at least he's speaking to me. Rudely, but it was good enough. Oh crap! We had to start getting the party ready. It started at 1:00.  I ran to the cabinet and grabbed some pans. I scurried into the living room and banged them together.Ross gave me a look like I was retarded and went back to his room.

"WAKE UP!!!! WE NEED TO GET READY!!!!" Everyone jumped up and groaned.

"Why are you waking me up this early?" Rocky moaned flopping back on the couch.

"Uhh guys its 10 in the morning. We need to get everything ready for Rylands party. Its not even that early. Rydel I'm surprised YOU didn't get up in time." I told them.

"Well Rocky kept me up all night bothering me about how I didn't like him. So I went to bed around four in the morning." Rydel said throwing a pillow at Rocky.

"Ten o'clock is still too early." Riker said going to the kitchen.

"Yea tell me about it." Rocky pulled the covers over his head trying to go back to sleep.

"Well, me and Rydel have to go get the decorations and stuff while you guys get all the guests to arrive. Rydel go upstairs and get dressed. You got ten minutes. Riker, make sure your parents get up and everyone gets here. And DO NOT let Rocky cook! You have to unless Stormie does." I could here him laugh from the other room.

I looked at Rocky who was sound asleep so he didnt hear me. I groaned. "And Rocky, GET UP!!!!" I yelled banging the pans together as loudly as I could to get him up. He jumped then fell on the ground.

I ran upstairs to get ready. As I got ready a thought came into my mind. "Wow I was acting responsible to them like they're my real family. That's weird." Thinking of all this took my mind off of the phone call I got a few weeks ago.

We were almost done with all the decoration shopping. The last things we needed was a cake and a present. I adjusted the scarf to my outfit. I was wearing a pink flannel overcoat with some black skinny jeans and a pair of gray slip on shoes. I had a matching purse and scarf to go with it. This was one of the many outfits that Rydel bought me when I first came here.

"What type of cake should we get?" Rydel asked looking at the many cakes in front of us.

"Hmm, you said he's a DJ right? Well let's get that cake with the headphones on it. And ooh look. Its an ice cream cake." We bought the cake and walked around looking for a gift. I grabbed some speakers that Ryland has been begging his mom to get so I got them. We were at the check out center when my phone rang. I answered it and Ryland was on the other line.

"Hey Ryland....yea I think Ross is suppose to pick you up....he'll be there by 12:30...okay bye." I put my phone in my purse.

"I didn't know Ross was picking him up." Rydel said pushing the cart to the car.

"Well he is now. Its the least he could do since he didn't help plan anything." I said looking at her.

"Oh yea right. I'm sorry about that by the way. Like what mom said, he'll get used to you. Don't worry." She grabbed her phone to call and tell Ross to get ready to pick Ryland up but to keep him out before its 1 o'clock.

**2 hours later***

It was noon and we had almost everything ready. Ross already left to pick Ryland up since it took awhile to get there. I was helping Stormie with the rest of the food as Riker and Rocky put the banners up and got the rest of the decorations up.

"Believe it or not, Ross actually started to acknowledge that i was here." I told Stormie breaking the silence.

"Oh really? I knew he'd get over it. But is he still not talking to you?" she asked looking at me.

"He said one word to me. He told me what time it was earlier. But, that was it."

We continued to get the food ready. So far everything was going to planned. The family was really starting to like me and I was starting to become part of that family. I stopped thinking about all that when I got a voicemail. It was from someone I really didn't want to hear from right now.