A Twisted Situation

Chapter 18: Welcomed

The house that stood in front of them shone brightly. It seemed as if every light, inside and out, were on. The front porch was wide, inhabited by a porch swing, a couple of chairs, and a few plants.

"Are you sure about this?" Gabriel asked.

"Yes, Gabriel," Sophie laughed. She jogged up the driveway, pausing to pick up a basketball that lay on the grass. She lifted her arms, and jumped slightly, throwing the basketball mid-air into the hoop that was placed above the garage. She didn't make it.

"You suck," Gabriel laughed.

Sophie stuck her tongue out at Gabriel and rolled the basketball back onto the grass. As Gabriel reached her, she looped her arm with his, guiding him to the porch.

"I already texted Charlotte and informed her that you're eating with us. She said it was okay. Now, a few pointers. Don't talk about Lady Gaga, Barney, the Revolutionary War, Potato Snowmen, matte lipstick, and most importantly, ducks. Do NOT talk about ducks. Charlotte will most likely pound you with questions, so be calm and answer them honestly. She will know if you're lying. Henry won't be paying attention much but occasionally he might try to coax you into being a volunteer for an experiment. Say no. Jessie and Cecily are pretty laidback, as well as Jem, but their dinner behaviors are on and off. And the most important one, do not, I repeat, do notfight with Will. Don't give sarcastic comment, don't run your mouth off, don't piss him off in anyway, whether intentionally or not. Understand?"

"I can't talk about matte lipstick?" Gabriel questioned. "Damn it and I was just going to introduce my new line of matte lipstick to your family."

Sophie rolled her eyes, bumping into Gabriel in that playful way of theirs. They reached the front door, and Sophie pulled Gabriel before he had a chance to enter.

"I'm serious, don't fight with Gabriel."

"I'll try not to, baby,"

"Okay," Sophie breathed. "Let's go!"

Gabriel was met with a burst of different smells and loud noises. There was music coming from the kitchen, and Charlotte was singing while stirring something in a pot. Cheering was coming from the living room where a soccer game was on, and Will and Henry were yelling at the T.V. Jessamine and Cecily sat on a nearby breakfast table, weirdly farthest from the kitchen. Jem was at the dining table, setting the plates and utensils into place. His house wasn't like this. His house was organized and sleek and quiet and cold. His house was a house. This was a home.

"Sophie's here!" Cecily announced, pulling a card from the hold in her hands and placing it into the center of the table.

"Hey!" Charlotte exclaimed, turning her music down. "Come on in, Gabriel!"

"Hi Mrs. Branwell," Gabriel said, rubbing his arm nervously.

Sophie led him towards the kitchen, and then sat in one of the barstools lining the counter. She reached around Gabriel's waist as he stepped forward.

"How are you?"

"I'm good, Mrs. Branwell," Gabriel laughed, still shocked at how different they lived. "How are you?"

"Can't complain," she said, sipping beer. "Would you like some?"

Gabriel opted to say yes when he realized she was talking about the beer but before he could, Sophie chimed in.

"Charlotte! He can't drink, he's underage!"

"Oh, please," she laughed, handing Gabriel a bottle. "It's not like his father is here, and I am a responsible adult. Speaking of your father how is he?"