The boys next door || completed

Oh, and your step-dad says hi

Once we've all settled down, (like eleven at night) I check my phone.
3 new messages

Mother: sorry I couldn't call yesterday I've been caught up in work, but happy late birthday lovie! I love you and I will call you soon darling xo
Mother: your present should arrive tomorrow or the day after, sorry I can't be there my love, I hope you like it! xo
Mother: oh, and your step-dad says hi!! xox

Step-whatnow?!! Is she serious?!!

I fire back a couple of kisses, not really replying, and yell, "dad! Dad I gotta ask you something!!"

He comes running in, "what's wrong Em?"

"Since when the diddle-doodle-do did I have a step-dad?!" I almost yell, and his expression darkens.

"About four months before your mother and I got a divorce." Oh shit.

"Oh." I say, nodding slightly. "Sorry, you I have any other people I need to know about?"

"Two step sisters, don't know their names." Dad shrugs. "Glad she isn't here to ruin my fun though. Look!" He shows me his phone screen. I don't have time to focus before it's turned away again. "I bought more onesies! I also bought you a black one with 'shut up I'm fabulous" on the back." He jumps up and down and I laugh.

"What in diddly doo did you do that for?!"

"Because the writing is glitter silver and it was really cute and-" he gasps, catching sight of the bracelet on my wrist. "That is gorgeous! Did Leondre get it for you? That boy has taste!"

What is wrong with my father?!

I laughter his weird excitement, and show him the bracelet. "I know. It looks really expensive I'm scared to break it or lose it."

"We'll get insurance on it don't worry, that is the most precious thing I have ever seen!"

I giggle.

"Aww Emily likes Leondre!" Dad laughs at me, I just roll my eyes.
----

"Mum?" I answer the phone.

"Hello Emily, doing well?"

"Yeah, um who's my step-dad?" I ask.

"Oh. Adam? He's someone inner through a mutual friend. He has two daughters, on older than you, on a year younger, Maia and Mikayla." Mum says happily.

I nod, "okay."

"Did your present come?"

I look at the dress and heels hanging on my wardrobe. "Yeah I love them, thanks mum."

"Good, good. Sorry I couldn't be there lovie, I really am."

"It's okay. I have to go, got homework, but it was nice talking."

"Okay sweetie, bye!"

I hang up, throw my phone on my bed and swear to never call my mum unless it's an emergency.

I go downstairs as I hear people talking with dad, and walk in on the most ridiculous scene I have ever laid eyes on. "What in diddly-doodle-do is going on?!" I scream.

Charlie turns to me and waves. "Hi Emily!"

I stare at him.

And then I see my father. "Oh my god."

He's wearing the most ridiculous thing - a neon pink rabbit onesie, complete with ears and tail. "Hi Em, you okay?"

I turn to Leondre, who's in a lion onesie, "what the hell is going on?"

Leondre laughs, "your dad bought us all animal onesies for tour, but we decided to wear them now."

Everything goes black, and I almost fall over, pulling the onesie off my face, glaring at Charlie in his sloth onesie.

"Is this- is this a- oh you are so dead!" I yell at dad, who's crying laughing, and I chase him. We end up running around the garden, me telling abuse at him while he's just laughing. I grab the hose and start spraying him with water.

"This is for- I dunno what this is for, but it's for something!" I tell, and he falls to the floor laughing.

The hose is shut off and I spin around to see Charlie and Leondre falling about laughing.

"I hate all of you."

"Hey!" Leondre says, still laughing.

"Okay I hate two of you." I declare, taking my lioness onesie off Charlie and going to try it on.

There are times I really wonder who the real parent is in this house.

"I heard you in the garden." Alex comes in, grinning.

I chuckle. "Yeah, can't imagine what that sounded like."

"Aw is that what dad- oh now I understand." Alex laughs as I glare at him.

"So what did you get?"

"Zebra onesie." He shrugs. "You look quite cute. Put the hood up." He smiles as I do, and it covers my eyes. "Aw it even has ears!"

"It has a tail as well." I turn around so he can see.

"That's adorable!" He laughs and I grin, still not able to see properly with the hood over my eyes. "Let me change and we can join the others downstairs."

I look in the mirror, pushing the hood out of my face. I smile. Maybe I can do this.