Six

Auriella Everleigh Soleil

"Hurry up." I whined to Lex who was taking his time on our run.

"How can you be exhausted then sleep for literally five hours then be the energiser bunny?" He grumbles, but chases after me. When I slow my pace to a jog he matches me pace, jogging next to me. "You know what, don't answer that. If I haven't figured it out by now then maybe I don't want to know."

"I could have gone by myself, you didn't have to come." I point out, he had gotten an alert when I woke up. It was something he had made me program on mornings when I just disappeared and gone on some sort of adventure. It freaked him out but at the time I didn't know why. I had gone on all sorts of morning adventures with my dad before school, whether it was hiking through the property or going swimming in the lake behind the house. We always found something to do. Adriano and Alexander slept in as long as they could before school. That drastically changed for Lex though when we moved in together, I was physically incapable of sleeping in unless I was sick, and even then I struggled to sleep.

"Yeah, no." He says I'm an idiot. "Like I'm going to leave you alone in an unknown town, halfway across the world from where we live. I might grumble but if it means keeping you safe then I don't mind at all."

"I can look after myself."

"I know you can, but you don't have to." He promised. "It's pretty much my life's job to look after you."

"And mine to look after you." I promise, then my eyes set sight on a spot on the top of a grassy hill. I look to Xander with a challenge in my eyes. "Whoever makes it to the pole over there first gets a favour from the loser."

"Oh you're on." When he said that we both started running the fastest we could.

Favours a system we had implemented when we were literal toddlers, when we were in captivity we didn't have anything to trade for getting the other to do things for us, thus the favour system was put in place. Favours could be used for anything, but we mainly used to for measly things like picking the activity or the movie. You could use three favours to veto the other person but those were very rarely used, that was in big decisions like missions and were only used in major circumstances.

All that was heard were feet pounding on the path and heavy breathing. Xander might have me beat in the muscle and strength department but agility and speed were my forte, meaning I made it to the spot seconds before he did.

"I win." I boast before crashing to the grass, laying on my back and staring at the clouds. Xander follows my suit, breathing heavily next to me. "What are we doing today? Lilliana and Nicholas are taking Gabriel and Emmeline somewhere and Ezra says they'll be gone until tomorrow night so we don't have any restrictions."

"Where'd they go?" Xander asks, and I shrug. I had no idea, to some city a couple hours away. It was clear those two were the favoured ones, the others often went overlooked unless it was to be in trouble. "We'll ask the other, Ezra seems sweet."

"You're saying that because of how alike we are." In terms of looks I look identical to Grayson and Elijah but personality wise, Ezra was the more extroverted version of myself. I sit up, leaning back on my hands. My breathing had slowed down and I was ready to make it back to the house.

Still lying down Xander turns his head so he can see me. "Oh, before I forget Eleanor mentioned something about ballet classes in town, I said you'd be interested."

"Sounds good, I need to get new pointe shoes though and maybe a couple more leotards."

"And tights, and flat ballet shoes and hair accessories." Xander lists knowing of my shopping addiction.

"Tais-toi." I stand up then hold my arm out so I can pull him up. "Come on, let's get back."

(Shut up)

Xander groans but follows me down the other side of the hill and around it to go on the path we came through. We stop in between to buy the spit pathways that lead to each of the houses.

"Give me your mouth." Xander demands, pulling me by my waist so I could kiss him but I stop before our lips could meet with a taunting look.

"Say please."

Xander gives me a deadpan look but I don't back down, with a roll of his eyes he starts. "Auriella Everleigh Soleil, may I have the honour of a kiss?"

"Of course, you never have to ask." I tease and press our lips together, that earns me a pinch in my very ticklish side.

"Brat." He grumbles. "Why do I put up with you?"

I move to the gate at the back of the Taylor property and open it. "Because you love me?"

"Unfortunately." He places a kiss on my forehead. "Love you Rory."

"Love you too." I call behind him, then jog the rest of the way to the house, entering through the kitchen door. I had seen Nicholas in the kitchen before I left and had mentioned where I was going and he hadn't seemed to mind. When I re-enter the kitchen only Grayson is sitting by the island, looking up from his phone when I walk in. "Good morning."

He was hesitant about it, and I didn't blame him. I was pretty much a stranger claiming to be my sister who came to live with me. I made a beeline towards the fridge where I had left my bottle to get cold earlier, pretty much guzzling the whole thing, then I refill it ready to take up to my temporary room.

"Morning." Grayson mumbles looking back to his phone. "Mom and Dad have gone out, they said your breakfast is in the oven, then we're sorting ourselves out for lunch. They left money for take-out and Crew and Liv are coming over with dinner and will be here for breakfast and lunch tomorrow then they'll be home for dinner. Also Nolan was meant to take the drive down here tomorrow but his car broke down so he'll be here sometime in the week."

He didn't like playing messenger so I decided to leave him be, after thanking him. "Wait." He called after me, making me pause and look back at him. "Don't you want your breakfast?"

"I can't eat just yet, I was just working out and haven't gotten my appetite back but I'll have a shower then come back down, but thank you."

He doesn't answer me again but I can't help but smile as I limb up the stairs.

So the stonewall brother does care.

<><><>

My bedroom was a mess, on one side were all my things. I had fluffs of material from where I had cut a pattern on the floor. Brown paper patterns also littered the area which I had yet to pick up. And millions of small pieces of excess thread I had trimmed off my garment also were everywhere.

Xander had taken over the other side of my bed and his space didn't look any better either. He had cardboard pieces, and thin wood. Bottles of glue surrounding him, rolls of wire and packets full of sticks of different sizes.

I was working on my term piece for Fashion and Fabrics and he was working on his architecture model for his term piece. Each subject had one massive project each term to complete along with all of our other assignments. It was only October, we had until the beginning of December to submit it but because we had a free day to day we decided to be productive and just at least start it.

We had our earphones in, I was listening to the textbooks for the new school we were attending and Xander was listening to some book for his new literature class. Even though we were joining in the middle of the term we weren't too scared, we already knew what they were going to teach and it was nothing new to us, more of a refresher.

I feel frustrated with myself when the bodice of the dress I'm sewing doesn't look right. "Lex?"

"Yeah?"

"Can we take a break? I'm getting overwhelmed."

"Of course, baby. Want to go and get some lunch? Liam and Madi had invited us to the town diner if you want and it'll get us out of the house for a little."

I think about it for a second but agree when he mentions Gray, Ezra and Eli were going. I looked down at the sweats I was wearing, deciding to change into something more appropriate. There was nothing wrong with sweats but I owned the world's top fashion company and I had a brand to uphold no matter where I was. It was in the job description.

Digging through the clothes I had unpacked the day before I pulled out two of Xander's shirts I had packed by mistake deciding on wearing the oversize white t-shirt and the orange plaid button-up over it, leaving it open. My denim shorts just peaked out underneath the t-shirt. I had paired the outfit with a pair of white trainers and left my hair down since my curls had dried quite nicely from my shower earlier.

"Are those my shirts?" Xander asks when he actually takes notice of what I was wearing.

"Haven't you always said to me 'what's mine is yours' or was that my imagination?" He sighs, I don't know why he still tries. When he knows I win at any debate the two of us are having he looks at me with that playful annoyed look but his resolve cracks when I grin at him. I grab my phone and his hand and pull him with me, leaving my tornado of a room as a problem for later.

Downstairs The others were waiting for us, all in similar attire to us. "Is the place far from here?" I ask and when they deny it I offer to drive and Elijah's eyes widen drastically looking less like the calm and collected person I had met two days before and more like his hyperactive twin.

"You should never even let us touch those beautiful possessions you have, they are like a hundred thousand dollars at the least and have you seen all those modifications?" He rants but I interrupt him.

"Hey Elijah, do you have your licence?" I ask and he nods extremely confused, and both him and Lex choke when I toss Elijah the keys. "You can drive then, I don't know the way."

"You're really going to let me drive?"

"You're really going to let him drive?"

"Why not?" I shrug and Xander gives me an incredulous look.

"Uhh, maybe because you don't even let me drive the majority of your cars."

"That's different." I argue.

"And how is it different, Amore?"

"It's different because I don't have any emotional connection to this car, it's new. The ones back home are either some I really wanted or were my dad's."

Xander signs and wraps one of his arms around my head so he can pull me to me, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

"I know."

Xander had Madison and Liam following to his car while I had Ezra and Elijah in mine. Ezra automatically sat in the back sliding to the middle and leaning forward onto the centre console.

"Don't be nervous, you won't crash." I reassure and he shoots me a slide look.

"You don't know that." Elijah grumbles. "If I crash your car I don't have the money to repair it."

"I have the money to fix it if anything happens, but I know for sure that you won't crash because my car will automatically stop if you're about to crash into something or it will move out that way if it is at risk of being hit."

"Damn fancy cars, every car should have that."

"I guess but right now it is still new technology, and I paid a hell of a lot extra for it. The price of manufacturing and materials is still too high and unattainable for most of the general population."

"And how did you afford it?" Ezra asked, not judgement in his tone, just curiosity.

Ezra truly was a lot like me, mentally. I was just as curious about things I didn't know like he was, and after I was rescued Papa used to put up with my endless questions, explaining to me everything he knew. And when I asked something he didn't know then we learnt it together. Once I had knowledge of the basic things then my thinking became more advanced. I wanted to know things that most hadn't thought of yet.

That was how we started our company. We got to share the things we thought were interesting.

"Two ways, one my trust fund. I was adopted by a very wealthy man, who came from an old money family. Two, I have a job."

"Ooh, what type of job?"

"Tech."

"Is that what you are into?" Ezra asks, as Elijah drives us out of the driveway.

"Yeah, that and fashion." I will explain. "It's nice because I can work from wherever I am as long as I have a device and Wi-Fi."

"Is that why you are always on your phone?"

I had to give it to him, he was almost as observant and blunt as I was.

"A lot of the time, yeah. Especially in earlier hours since I still have to work on European times."

"What about when you start school, won't it be too much on your plate?"

"No, I'm used to balancing school and work, in fact since I've been here my workload has been cut down a lot. I did a lot of extra-curricular activities back home."

"Do you plan on doing anything here, what are you interested in?" This time Elijah spoke, looking more comfortable in the driver's seat than he did minutes earlier.

"Eleanor mentioned that she can get me into a ballet class."

"Yeah she can, if you need or want anything Eleanor is the best person to go to."

"As opposed to Lilliana?" I was digging here. I needed more information on the situation of home life but at the same time I didn't want to re-open any wounds. I had to push but not too much.

"Mom and dad work a lot." Ezra explains, happily jumping out when Elijah parks in what looks like an old-fashioned diner.

"So they aren't around to help?" I follow suit by taking off my seatbelt.

Elijah lets out a shaky breath. "They are around, just not to help us."

<><><>

I was sitting in between Alexander and Erza sipping the best milkshake I had ever had. We had met four of our biological family friends.

Mara, she was a short girl, with dark hair and eyes. She looked like she had more eastern Asian roots but hints of American features as well. She definitely had a fiery personality and very surprisingly Ezra matched her fire. I'm pretty sure they were in a relationship but my suspicions hadn't been confirmed.

Then there were the golden haired siblings, Caroline, the older one who gave off sunshine energy with a very contagious personality, Franklin, her slightly younger brother matched her energy perfectly and together the two shed a glow on the group.

And last was Lucas, he had dark brown hair, lighter than Xander's but darker than mine. His skin was a darker tan shade that made his very light green eyes stand out. He hadn't said much other than a mumbled introduction but his silence displayed he was wary of us, or maybe just one of us.

"How is everything here?" An older lady smiled, walking up to our booth and all the other's perked up at the sight of her. She had a welcoming vibe around her, one that makes it impossible not to like her.

"This is the best milkshake I have ever had in my entire life." I gush, a little bit dramatically but not enough to make what I'm saying look fake, only excited.

"Well, I'm glad for that, Sugar." She grins, the southern charm rolling easily off her. "Might I say, that accent of yours is absolutely darling."

"Thank you, I can definitely say the same." We had gotten more compliments on our accents than we had ever. I guess threw back home everyone had the same accents or a similar one of they were from a different part of the county.

"Can I get y'all anything else?"

We get a couple other things and I tune back into the conversation.

"Have you ever dyed your hair, Everleigh?" Coraline asks, we had been discussing her possibly dying her hair and she was getting opinions.

"Not permanently, every couple holidays my dad would let me dye it but I couldn't have it longer than the school break because we went to a pretty strict school. He lets me do whatever I want to do, but I haven't had the time to do it in a while." I look up at Xander. "Maybe I should dye my tips pink again."

Xander looked amused, probably remembering the many summer months I spent with the colour in my hair. It was always pink, no one could change my mind to something new.

"If you want to, maybe warm Marisol first though." He had a good point, my grandmother might freak if my hair wasn't perfect for the Christmas card photos, and that meant nothing she considered eccentric.

"Good idea."

I could feel a pair of eyes burning into Xander and I, I was pressed against his side and Xander's eyes were wrapped tightly around my waist. When Xander felt the eyes as well he arms around me tightened to a borderline suffocating grip that had me rolling my eyes.

Over-protective caveman.

You've dyed your hair pink." Ezra exclaims before looking thoughtful. "You know what, nevermind I can see that."

"When are you starting school?" Mara asks, her dark eyes studying Xander and I.

"On Monday." Xander tells them.

"Are you planning on playing any sports?" Franklin asks, but the question is mainly directed at Xander. "We have a couple spots open for football but there's also soccer and basketball."

"Is your basketball team good?" Alexander asks, he prefers basketball over football and he has never played American football in his life.

"Yeah." Elijah answers. "Gray's the captain and he is a damn good player. The team isn't bad at all either. Lucas is on the team as well." Most eyes shift on the table to the brooding boy who says nothing even though he was thrown into the conversation. "Are you any good at basketball?"

"I'm not the best player but I can hold my own on the court."

I roll my eyes at that. "He's just being humble, he can hold his own against NBA prospects."

"Hold my own against one NBA prospect, and that's because we have been playing against each other for years and know all his weaknesses."

"Which prospect?" Oh, and the silent bad boy speaks.

"Ambrosi Valiente." His eye brows raise in shock, everyone knows Ambrosi. If you're into basketball, he is currently ranked the best player under eighteen and has won award after award. "He's a childhood friend and has often forced us into playing a million games with him."

"That dude is like a legend." Franklin's eyes widened. "I don't even play basketball and I look up to him. He's like the sports prodigy of our generation. Are you still friends with him?"

"Yeah, he's my best friend, of course I'm still friends with him."

"Yeah I'm going to call you bluff on that one." Mara states, rolling her eyes. "Sure you are from the same country but how would you actually know him ."

Xander sat up a bit straighter, not at all liking the tone she was using with me but I put a hand on his eye letting him know what she said didn't bother me in the slightest. I knew I had an extremely interesting life, and I knew a lot of amazing people but that is not the case for like ninety-nine percent of the population. My life is unfathomable to them.

"Okay." I smiled at her, and she looked perplexed. Everyone else looked a bit shocked at my response looking between Xander and I who was now on his phone.

"Okay?" Mara asked a bit cautiously.

"Yeah, how does it affect my life or being if you don't believe me?" Just as I finished speaking my phone lit up with a Facetime, Ambrosi's name as well as a picture of the two of us from years ago flashing on the screen. I give Xander the side-eye who looks at me trying to ask innocently. I cut the call but two seconds later the phone rings again and this time I stand up. "I'm going to go answer that outside."

I answer the call though as I'm walking out giving the people at the table a clear view of Ambrosi who was sitting in his car, in his school uniform.

"Hey dude."

"What's up brat?" I roll my eyes but a small smile lifts up onto my face. I open the driver's door of my car and connect the call to the screen in the centre of my car. "Why did I get a call from lover boy telling me, no demanding me to call you?"

"Because we were at a diner with some of our biological siblings and their friends and I mentioned that Xander can hold his own against you in basketball and obviously most of them were amazed that we know you but one of them got really snarky. I replied politely but you know how Xander gets when someone talks rudely to me and yeah, I answered you were all at the table and you should have seen their faces."

I lean my head back on the seat and close my eyes, taking in a long and needed deep breath.

"What's on your mind, Rory?" Ambosi asks, in a calm voice, one I know I have to answer to.

"Do you think I grew up too fast?"

"What made you think about that?"

"I don't know, I was just sitting with a bunch of people my age and they were talking about football games, homecoming and finding the money for a certain jacket they liked. I don't know, I've never had those worries, instead I'm worried about my company coming and crashing down and thousands of people losing their jobs. I'm worried that someone that we have helped take down at the agency will come after us and hurt someone I love. I don't know, I think I just had the realisation that I'm still only sixteen."

"Can I tell you what I think? I think you were someone who was forced to grow up too soon, someone with an amazing brain who needed an outlet, and that outlet grew and grew until it's now one of the top companies in the world. Can you see yourself working on Ambivalent and Étinceler twenty years from now?"

"Yeah."

"Then it doesn't matter, if you want a break from it, that's fine. You aren't a start-up company, you can get trusted people to run it for you for a little bit while you are a teenager for a little bit."

"Yeah no." I immediately disagreed, both companies were my babies, and I only worked a couple hours a day on them, and maybe a bit more on new designs but the actual paperwork went through levels of employees so when it finally got to my desk it's not so much.

"I thought so, like you would ever stop working, you and Xander are both workaholics."

"Love you Ross, I better get back inside."

"Love you too, Rory. Now put on your trademark Sunshine Smile and go kill them with your sweetness." He encourages. "And get your boy toy on a call with Adelina and I later, we're about due for a catch up."

"Definitely."

I actually really like this chapter. I show Ella and Xander's other interest such as fashion and architecture and I show a glimpse of their friends. You will see a lot more of Ambrosi and Adelina.

You will also see a lot more Coraline, Franklin, Mara and Lucas.

Who's your favourite characters so far?

Please don't forget to vote and leave a comment, and I will see you next chapter

Ara <3