Gabriel (Continued) (Book 2)

So Wrong But So Right

May 2nd (Crash's POV)

"I love that old time rock 'n' roll

That kind of music just soothes the soul

I reminisce about the days of old

I love that old time rock 'n' roll!"

Gabriel's head peered around the door frame and I saw his lips move but I was too busy listening to music. I ignored him and kept air guitaring but soon his overwhelming presence was in my room and ripping my headphones off.

"Hey!" I yelled.

"Do this on your own time, youngster. I want you to put on something nice and get out into the living room. We're expecting Johanna's sister soon so hurry up."

I huffed my bangs out of my eyes and stuck my tongue at his retreating back. I went over to my closet and threw a shoe at the door to close it then pulled out some clothes. I chose magenta stained skinny jeans, black converse, a black button up and a magenta tie. I lit a cigarette and stared at my reflection while I rolled my sleeves past my elbow and tied my tie loose around my neck.

"Are you smoking in there, punk?" Gabriel's booming voice called.

I faltered for a second, jeez, he should have been a cop, "N-no."

"Don't lie to me," I threw my cigarette out the window just before he burst in.

He looked at me, confusion all over his face.

I gazed down at my pink tie and pink stained jeans, "Real men wear pink," I say boldly and defiantly.

He shakes his head and pushes me into the living room, "No more smoking. Especially not in the house."

I stood next to Nikola, our arms gently bumping against each other and Drew stood obediently on the other side of Nikola. We were going to look like the perfect family when Johanna's sister walked in. While I sat there waiting to look perfect or whatever, I stole glances at Niki. She looked so happy and finally relaxed. She no longer had to worry about somebody stabbing her in the back or trying to tear her down. I rubbed my wrists self consciously. I can't believe that I actually showed her my scars! It was embarrassing and nerve racking. I even can't believe that she's still standing here as my-

My what? We didn't call ourselves boyfriend and girlfriend yet that's pretty much what we are. Well, we're pretty much siblings too. So this is pretty much incest. But 'pretty much' means nothing- its not definite. So no part of my relationship with her is definite. Actually- that's not true. I love her; and that's definite.

The door opened and in walked a woman with long mousy brown hair and brown eyes.

"Darla!" Johanna shrieks and bounces into her sister's arms.

"Hey, sis," the two embrace warmly.

"Hey, Aunt Darla," Drew steps forward and hugs his aunt.

"Drew, you got so tall! And, gosh, look at these muscles!"

"Yeah," he laughed, "I work out," and for my own personal pleasure, he added, "a lot," with a glance in my direction.

"Aunt Darla, so good to see you." Niki puts a tight hold on Darla and I can tell she feels anchored. Like something in her life will never change- and for that, I thanked her aunt.

"Who have we here?" Darla asks, her light brown eyes settling on mine.

"We adopted him, Darla," Johanna says with pride. Sure, lady, show off your charity case, "He lived in New York before he was brought here."