Chapter 24

After we got home from the mall, everyone disappeared into their rooms.

I flopped onto my bed, already exhausted from being around so many people all day. The idea of going out again for dinner made my stomach twist. Meeting Elijah's girlfriend, being in a fancy restaurant, having to make conversation I already hated it.

I sighed and stared at the ceiling. Maybe if I stayed in here long enough, they'd forget about me.

Two hours passed in what felt like minutes.

A knock on my door made me groan.

"Adrian," Elijah called. "Start getting ready, okay?"

I didn't answer, but I dragged myself up and started changing anyway.

Twenty minutes later, I was standing in front of my mirror, fighting with my hair.

It wasn't cooperating.

Every time I tried to smooth it down, it bounced back up.

I groaned in frustration, running my hands through it again, only making it worse.

"Why do you hate me?" I muttered at my reflection.

A knock on my door made me turn.

"Adrian, hurry up!" Henry's voice came from the other side. "Elijah's freaking out. He thinks we're gonna be late."

"I'm trying!" I snapped.

The door opened, and Henry stepped in. He took one look at me and smirked. "Seriously? We're waiting on you because of your hair?"

I glared. "It won't do what I want."

Henry snorted. "You never do your hair. Why do you care now?"

I crossed my arms. "Because if I look a mess, Elijah will lecture me. And Easton will say something. And Miles and Alex will definitely make fun of me."

Henry rolled his eyes. "Okay, move."

I blinked. "What?"

"I'll do it. Just sit down."

I hesitated but sat on my bed as Henry stood behind me.

He grabbed my comb and started working through my hair, surprisingly gentle for someone who usually had zero patience.

"You know," he said as he brushed, "if I had to guess which one of us would take the longest getting ready, it definitely wouldn't have been you."

"Shut up," I muttered.

Henry just chuckled and continued fixing my hair.

By the time I finally made it downstairs, the others were already waiting by the door.

"Finally," Elijah groaned. "We thought you got lost up there."

Alex smirked. "Or chickened out."

"I wish I had," I muttered.

By the time I finally made it downstairs, the others were already waiting by the door.

"Finally," Elijah groaned. "We thought you got lost up there."

Alex smirked. "Or were too scared to come down."

"I wish I had," I muttered.

Miles raised an eyebrow. "Wow, you actually put effort into your hair."

Alex grinned. "What's the occasion? You trying to impress someone?"

I shot him a glare. "No."

Miles smirked. "Maybe he just doesn't want to embarrass Elijah."

Alex gasped dramatically. "Oh no. Not little Adrian embarrassing the perfect Elijah."

"Shut up!" I shoved past them and grabbed my coat.

Elijah sighed. "Alright, let's go before we really are late."

We all piled into the car, the usual fight for seats beginning.

Henry managed to get the front seat this time, while I squeezed into the back between Alex and Miles. Easton sat on the other side, scrolling through his phone, ignoring all of us.

Elijah started the car, then glanced at us in the rearview mirror. "Okay. Rules."

The twins groaned in unison.

"Yes, rules," Elijah repeated. "We're going to a nice restaurant, and I want all of you to behave."

"We always behave," Alex said innocently.

Elijah shot him a look. "You two are the worst offenders."

Miles grinned. "What about Adrian? What if he misbehaves?"

I frowned. "I never misbehave."

"Exactly!" Elijah pointed at me. "Take notes from Adrian."

Alex nudged me. "You're the favorite, huh?"

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up."

"All of you, enough," Elijah sighed. "Just be polite, don't embarrass me, and please don't make this any harder than it has to be."

"Define embarrass," Miles said.

Elijah shot him a glare. "If you have to ask, don't do it."

Miles grinned. "No promises."

Elijah groaned and pulled out of the driveway.

As we drove, I stared out the window, my stomach twisting again.

I really didn't want to do this.

But there was no getting out of it now.

When we pulled up to the restaurant, my stomach twisted.

It was even fancier than I had imagined. The building had sleek black windows, golden lettering on the front, and a valet service outside. People were walking in wearing expensive dresses and tailored suits, and suddenly, I felt even more uncomfortable in my new outfit.

Henry let out a low whistle. "Wow. Didn't know we were dining with royalty."

Miles grinned. "Elijah did say it was fancy. But I didn't think he meant this fancy."

Elijah rolled his eyes as he handed his keys to the valet. "Relax, you'll survive one nice meal."

We all followed him inside, where the lighting was soft, the air smelled like expensive perfume and grilled steak, and a piano was playing in the background. A hostess greeted us with a bright smile and led us through the restaurant. My brothers walked confidently, like they belonged here. I, on the other hand, stayed close to Easton, feeling ridiculously out of place.

As we reached our table, I spotted her.

A girl sat there, scrolling through her phone. She had long blonde hair, curled to perfection, and bright blue eyes. She wore a flawless white dress, paired with delicate jewelry, and her makeup was perfect too perfect.

Fake.

That was my first thought.

She looked fake.

Maybe it was the way her nails were perfectly manicured or how her smile seemed a little too polished. Maybe it was just the fact that she was stealing my brother.

Either way, I already decided I didn't like her.

Elijah smiled. "Megan."

She looked up and, when she saw him, her face lit up in a way that made me want to gag. "Hey, babe!" She stood and kissed his cheek before turning to the rest of us. "And these must be your brothers!"

Elijah beamed. "Yeah. Everyone, this is Megan."

She scanned the group, smiling. "It's so nice to finally meet you all! Elijah talks about you so much."

Henry smirked. "Hopefully only the good things."

Megan laughed like he had made the funniest joke in the world. "Of course!" Then her eyes landed on me. "And you must be Adrian!"

I tensed as she smiled brightly. "I have a little sister around your age!"

Elijah, stepped in saying. "Actually Adrian's fifteen, even though he looks young."

I immediately narrowed my eyes. "How old is your sister?"

Megan beamed. "She just turned twelve!"

Silence.

Then the twins lost it.

Alex and Miles both clapped their hands over their mouths, shaking with silent laughter. Henry made a choking sound, covering his face as his shoulders shook.

My face burned.

She thought I looked twelve?!

I knew I looked younger than my age, but she didn't have to point it out.

I clenched my jaw. "That's great. Maybe I should hang out with her, since apparently, we're the same age."

Megan tilted her head slightly, clearly not understanding my sarcasm or just ignoring it. "Oh! I think you guys would get along—"

Easton cut in quickly, shooting me a look. "Adrian." His voice was firm. "Be nice."

I scowled but didn't say anything else, fuming as I sat down.

This dinner was going to be awful.

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Word count: 1202

Hey Guys Thanks for reading this story so please be nice and kind. I am sorry if there are any spelling mistakes or bad grammar.

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More chapters will be coming out soon.

*EMMA HETHRON*