The Fighter that He Swore to Save

Chapter 15

            

Everett

~*~*~*~*~*~

I sat at the table in the tiny coffee shop doing my homework as I waited for aunt Marcie to finish her shift.  She told me to wait here after school because she said she had found a place to rent for a while, so here I was.  After school I packed up all our stuff from the shelter and threw it in her silver car before driving here to the coffee shop.

I finished my homework right as my aunt came over and sat in the chair across from me.  she sipped at her drink she had made for herself and slid one over to me.  We sipped our drinks in silence for a while before she set it down and looked at me.

"Are you ready?"  She asked and I nodded.

"So, what exactly is this place?"  I asked skeptically as we walked to the car.

"Well, A few weeks ago, I met a man named Smith."  She started.

"Yeah, I think you've mentioned him before."  The name sounded familiar.

"So, when he found out about our situation, he offered for us to stay at his house."  She smiled.  "It's a very nice place and he didn't want us to pay rent, but I insisted, but it's still extremely cheap."

"Sounds good."  I said hopping in the car.  "Better than the shelter anyways."

We drove through town for a long while.  My thoughts drifted to this coming weekend and the tournament at Paulo's.  He told Cutter and I that it would be a rather large crowd which I knew was both a good and bad thing.  Probably more money, but also a greater chance of police.  Eventually, I fell asleep in the car and was abruptly woken up when the car slammed to a stop.

"Gee, Aunt Marcie.  Easy on the breaks."  I said rubbing my eyes and she apologized quietly.  I reached for my backpack and hopped out of the car.  "So, where is-"

I almost tripped over my feet as I looked at the enormous house in front of me.  there was a marble walkway and perfectly trimmed bushes lining the walkway.  The house was white and had a ton of glass wall windows.  It was a mansion!

"Well, what do you think?"  My aunt asked coming to stand next to me.

"Um, I think you got the wrong address."  I said.  "Come on, let's get back in the car before we get sued for trespassing or something."

"Everett, I'm being serious.  Smith is very generous."  She said.

She started walking towards the door of the house and I followed hesitantly.  Why would anyone with a house like this offer it up to a couple of girls in a shelter?  I have a sneaking suspicion that my aunt is more than just an acquaintance with this Smith guy.  I inhaled a little as my aunt went to ring the doorbell.

We waited for about a minute before an older woman opened the door.  She paused for a minute, seeming unsure, then she nodded.  She must have known we were coming.

"I assume that you are Marissa?"  She asked in a heavy German accent.

"Yes, is Smith here?"  Aunt Marcie asked.

"Yes, he has been waiting for you to arrive."  Been waiting?  Okay, defiantly more than acquaintances.  I'll be keeping an eye on them, don't some kind of repeat of my uncle.  I shivered at the memory of him.

We followed the woman inside and I gawked at the interior of the mansion.  It was amazing.  The German lady explained that the Smith guy was I his office and that my aunt should go see him.  Aunt Marcie told me to stay and wait in the entrance for her.

She followed the German lady off and I was left standing by the front door.  I looked around and saw that out the window there was a pool area outside.  It was really nice and looked very expensive.  I had a feeling that I wouldn't be touching anything out of fear of breaking it.

"Everett?"

I froze when I heard my name.  It wasn't my name that made me freeze, it was the voice.  I slowly turned around and my face went a bright red under my hood.  Please tell me this isn't his house I'm going to be staying at.  Gunner took a few steps closer to me and paused.

"Is this, um, your house?"  I asked hesitantly.

"Yeah."  He said and I bit my lip.

"Gunner, guess what, the lady's here..."  Vi-Vi came running in and paused next to Gunner when she saw me standing by the door.  "Oh, Everett."  She said confused.

We all stood looking at each other awkwardly. No one spoke or made any movement as we stared at each other. I heard a waterfall from somewhere inside the house, but that was the only noise. I bit my lip.

This is probably the most awkward thing I've ever experienced. With what happened with Gunner just this morning and now I'll be living with him. My life is getting really complicated really fast. Finally, my aunt and who I assumed was Smith walked back out.

"Aw, this must be your niece."  He said and hugged me.  I stiffened at the contact but he didn't seem to notice "I see you've met Vi-Vi and Gunner."

"Um, dad, she goes to our school."  Gunner said.

"Oh, well that's wonderful."  He said and slung an arm over my shoulder.  I shifted and cringed under the contact.  I hated physical contact from strangers, but I guess I know where Gunner gets it now.

"Dad, how about I show Everett to her room."  Vi-Vi said, probably seeing my distress.

"I think that's a great idea."  He said stepping away, much to my relief, dropping his arm from my shoulder.  "I'm Smith, by the way."

"Everett."  I said shaking his hand.

"Come on, Everett."  Vi-Vi said excitedly.  "Your room's upstairs."

"Oh, Smith."  My aunt said.  "She can just stay in my room."

"Yes, we don't want to be in the way."  I agreed.

"Nonsense."  Smith said.  He was all smiles.  "We already have the room set up."

Before I could protest anymore Vi-Vi grabbed my sleeve and dragged me upstairs.  We walked down the hall and she gave me the layout of the upstairs.

"So, my room is right here."  She pointed to the door on the left.  "Yours will be right there, across from mine.  Right there is the game room, and Hildegard is all the way at the end of the hall.  Oh, and Gunner's room is right over there."

She looked pointedly at the door she said was Gunner's room, and I looked at her.  She was interesting, with her bright red hair and freckled face that was always smiling.  She looked a lot like Gunner.

"Thanks."  I said and she smiled hugely.

"Alright," she opened the door to my room, "I'll help you unpack."  I opened my mouth to protest but she was already walking into my room.  I sighed to myself before following in.