Forces of Attraction: Book One

Rihannon

I find it funny when people say that you can never change who you really are from the inside.

I also find it funny when people say that sooner or later your secrets will be revealed to the world.

But what if my hiding skills are much better than theirs?

What if I had the ability to have all of those secrets that people say they will find, and send them to space so they can explode into a supernova? Then it will only create a beautiful panorama of glowing lights out of this mess.

I will only contribute to the wonders of the sky...

Well. The universe did its part and now I'm sitting down on a small couch in our really small and old house looking at my older brother.

I'm still in shock at the secret my parents revealed to my little brother and I.

His name is Roy. My older brother. And the little boy on my lap is Elliot. My little brother.

Deep down, I wish it was an older sister instead of an older brother, but I can't be picky now. Especially after the story my mother just told my older brother.

Even he seems in shock after learning that my parents had him at a very young age and in a very horrible time for them. I mean...when was it a horrible time for our family? We've never really had such a normal life.

That doesn't matter right now. What matters is the fact that my parents decided to give up my older brother for adoption because of some gang problems my father was in. And I'm half French?

Wow...

Roy furrows his eyebrows at my parents and he looks over at the girl sitting by his side. "Ummm," he says with confusion and the girl also shrugs at him. Roy looks back at my parents and says, "So you left me in a foster life because you two were into the wrong group of people and you were afraid I would...what...die?"

I take a hold of Elliot's hand and give it a reassuring squeeze. He turns to look at me and I give him a tender smile. Elliot looks over at my parents who are trying to find a way to explain the rest of the story and he slowly leans over to whisper in my ear. "Can we go back to building the molecule set?"

I smile at the memory of a few moments before Roy arrived and rocked our worlds. I was rebuilding a molecule set that Dad got him a few months ago for his fifth birthday. Then Dad came in with a letter from the University of Irvine telling me that I had been accepted for this upcoming year. Not only that, I had everything paid for. The full ride home to my dream school. A small step toward my dream to touch the stars...

Of course, we were celebrating outside with my parents. The moment I read the entire letter twice, I jumped up and ran outside to yell it out to the world. I knew no one in my neighborhood would listen. They were probably too high to understand or too busy getting into a gun fight.

The dangers of taking a step outside of my doorstep didn't matter to me at that moment as I jumped up and down. The excitement was too large that I didn't really consider the danger I put on myself with unpracticed back flips. But I did another flip just to see my little brother laugh again.

And then Roy arrived on our small lawn of semi-dead grass. He asked if he got the right address with the right people in it.

Yes. He did. And yes. My parents had their faces turned pale when Roy said his name and why he was there.

And now I'm still holding my acceptance letter in one hand and running my fingers through Elliot's dark blonde hair with the other.

What is it about sudden changes in my life?

Roy clears his throat after hearing my parents' excuse. I don't justify them for what they did to Roy. I'd feel horrible to know that my parents left me because they were in danger of getting separated due to deportation or death. Yet, I wonder if it would've made any difference to live the gang-like life that Roy explained he had or with us?

I watch as the girl next to him finds his hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze. He turns towards her and her small smile makes her big blue eyes shine. Roy seems to find strength with her touch and takes a breath. "Well. I guess...I guess I forgive you," he says quietly. "To the both of you..."

His blue eyes burn through my mother's eyes when he says this and I can see how her world falls apart. Regret fills her dark blue eyes as they start to get watery. My father, too, trembles under his sad smile and he slowly starts to stand up.

Roy stands up with him and with hesitation, they smile at each other and give each other a tight hug. I smile at this scene. I can see my father's resemblance in Roy's broad and strong body. They even do an awkward chuckle as they pull away and my mother is next to fall into his arms. Roy hugs her tighter and longer; a way to show his forgiveness towards her.

They pull away and stare at each other. Recognizing her son and him recognizing his mother. It's a beautiful scene. I'm tempted to spill a few happy tears just like the girl sitting across from me.

My mother does a relaxed laugh and wipes her tears. "Well! Um...." She looks over at me and my brother and smiles. "This is your younger sister and brother. Rihannon and Elliot."

I stand up and take out a hand for him to shake. He gives it a firm shake and I smile. "Hi. A pleasure to meet you, Roy."

"The pleasure is all mine. Seems like good looks run in the family." He turns his head towards the girl sitting behind him and winks. She gives him a cheeky smile, making her button nose prettier.

Roy then looks at my brother shyly standing behind my legs. He sticks out his head slightly to the side to look at Roy as he smiles at him.

"Hi, Elliot."

"Hello," Elliot says shyly.

I chuckle and put a hand behind his head. "C'mon, Elliot," I say. "Where are your manners?"

Elliot shyly steps out from behind my legs and shakes Roy's hand. Roy does a small chuckle and his blue eyes shine with joy at meeting his little brother.

Now I really want to cry...

Roy stands up straighter and gestures toward the quiet girl behind him. "Mom. Dad. I want you to meet the love of my life, Thea."

Immediately, Thea stands up and with a business-like posture, she shakes our hands. "Hello. It's a pleasure to meet you all." Her voice is sweet just like her smile.

I study Thea. Huh. Not bad, Roy. About the same age as Roy. She has short wavy hair that goes down just under her shoulders. It's the same brown color as Roy's short, up-combed hair.

My mother's eyes glisten as she sees Thea. "Wow. You are a pretty one! Did you help Roy find us?" Thea nods proudly and my mother says, "And smart, too."

Roy laughs at this as he wraps loving arms around Thea. "I know. She's perfect. From the first moment I laid eyes on her." When they look at each other, there's that shine of a past memory running through their minds.

"Tell us all about it!" my father says as he leads us towards are small dining table by the small kitchen. My mother locks eyes with me and I know she wants me to help her make something to offer them.

So I nod and give my new brother one last look. As I make a poor-looking spaghetti, I can't help but wonder if his arrival will change everything up for me just as it did when Elliot was born.

Whatever happens, I do the same as always. Hang on tight and survive...