The Atham Manor (Slow Updates)

Frat Parties

"Okay, absolutely not."

I paused, glancing up at the second oldest of the Atham siblings. Miriam was watching me with disapproving brown eyes as I stepped out of my room in my outfit.

She shook her head, eyeing me in disgust. "If I let you walk out of the house like that, I'd never forgive myself."

Deadpanning, I turned to her. "Thanks, Miriam. I can always count on you to be so absolutely brutally honest and not spare my feelings."

Katherine smiled hesitantly, tugging on my plain grey tee shirt. "You're outfits are a little... bland. Why don't you wear something Mrs. Adaline reserved for you?"

I rolled my eyes, gesturing toward the walk-in closet full of designer clothes. "Those outfits are worth more than my life."

Miriam crossed her arms. "Then we're going shopping."

I blinked owlishly. "Nope. I have clothes. They're nice, they fit, they're comfortable-"

Twenty minutes later had Miriam, Cassandra, and I barreling toward the nearest mall. It took us thirty minutes to get off of Atham property.

Miriam drove in a flashy pink Jeep and Cassandra sat on the passenger side, giving me dirty glares every so often.

Upon arriving at the mall, Miriam handed me a Visa card. "Here, we're going to get you a whole new wardrobe. Don't worry about the price, kay?"

I nodded, dumbfounded, as they started into the large mall. We shopped for hours, getting a slushie and sandwiches halfway through and bought some cute outfits.

"So... Cassandra doesn't like me," I said casually to Miriam as we shopped near the same rack.

Miriam lifted a striped shirt that left little to the imagination and waved a hand dismissively. "She doesn't like anyone. Don't take it personally."

I frowned and then checked my phone. "Hey, it's almost seven-thirty. I have to go home - Adaline's rules."

Miriam gave me a dull look. "My mom's just protective that way. Besides, I wanted you to go to a college party with us."

"I can't." I said, crossing my arms. "I'd rather not get on Adaline's bad side. She said eight is my curfew."

Miriam rolled her eyes. "It's not even a school night, love! Let loose a bit."

I shook my head. "Shopping with you guys was fun, but we should get going now."

Miriam whipped out her phone. "I'll shoot her a text. Don't freak, okay?" She sent the message and then regarded me with a Cheshire Cat-like grin. "You in or what?"

"Nope." I shrugged. "Warren said it was dangerous. I'm not taking any chances."

"Warren's dangerous - you're point?" Miriam sighed dramatically. "Alright. Alright. Call one of the brothers to pick you up. We'll wait until they do."

I called Calvin first, partly because he was the first contact to pop up on my list. It rang several times, but went to voicemail.

Weird.

Shrugging, I called Warren. Same deal.

With finality, I turned toward Miriam. "They're not answering."

"Did you call Henry?"

I burst out laughing. "Yeah, no."

"Sounds like you're coming with us, then."

I sighed and called both brothers again, before Henry. "Hello?"

"Uh, hi, it's Xania. I know you don't like me very much, but-"