*For some very annoying reason, the pictures I uploaded of the boys refuse to show anymore and it pisses me off! So I am going to upload them after chapter 25, okie?*
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"So you really aren't coming huh?"
As we sit on the roof, since it's recess anyway, both of us sharing his peanut butter banana sandwich, I say "I'm sorry"
He sighs, shrugging "I don't know... I mean its cool that you can't, it's just.... Mum would be bummed you know, cause she likes you and all"
I smile "I like her too"
After the whole me coming back to school scenario, everyone seemingly avoided Ari and I, even teachers.
I apparently, did not exist anymore.
And though that was uncomfortable, I was okay with the fact that I still had Ari with me.
He had once asked how come I lived with all of them, and if I was possibly as rich as them.
My reply had simply been that I had no idea for the first question, which was true and shocking that I never asked and I wasn't.
"I like you too"
I turn to him "We're friends so yeah"
"I mean.... Like like, you know" He says, adjusting his glasses.
My eyes contract there as I stare at him, speechless.
Then as if he notices my reaction, he says "You don't have to like me too though, I can wait and all, but when... When you're ready, or free, we could like hang out on weekends, I don't know"
I liked Ari....
But not like that.
I knew the people I liked, but it was too much....
Maybe.... Just maybe hanging out with Ari could make me leave the idea of liking five people and having feelings for at least only one "Okay"
He brightens up "Cool" Then he frowns "I hope they don't make up another excuse about that"
I chuckle "There already wanted talking to me before I said that"
"But it sounds so weird!" He says "Like they don't want you hanging out with me"
I frown "They can't do that. I wouldn't let them"
He sighs, shaking his head "You're just so soft"
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Sometimes. People take advantage of that. You have a problem with saying no sometimes, I am very much aware of that. I coulda just said we dating now and you'd not even refute me, just nod and play along, but they.... They know what to say and how to say it then make you do what they want"
I sigh "You just don't like them"
"They were mean to you!" He says "They literally were the ones that have Court permission to hurt you, and just because you live with them doesn't make them good people. They might just be...."
"Stop"
He freezes mid sentence as I stand up "I... I'd like to go to class now"
He bites his lower lip "I talked a lot didn't I? I'm sorry"
I just shrug "It's okay"
But it wasn't.
It really wasn't.
I didn't like anyone saying mean things about them.
They were.... Good to me, nice, and they all CARED.
Okay, we all started wrong, but... But I didn't like it, and I didn't care what anyone said, I just didn't like it.
Ari sighs and stands up "Yeah, sure. Let's go"
I walk off first, leaving him behind.
After school, I decided to use the bathroom, because weirdly enough, I still haven't seen what Cream did for me because even Ari had complimented it though I hadn't told him how and who made it.
As I stare at ny reflection, I stare at ny white hair that's braided into a crown like pattern, circular, all neat and straight, some wisps of my hair fall on my face and I smile.
It was.... Pretty, in a way.
"Hey. Dead girl"
My eyes move to the other side of the mirrors reflection and see the girl from before...
From way before.
Her girls behind her.
What was her name?
I never knew....
Or did I?
"So you talk now huh?" She asks, coming closer to me "After that stunt you pulled. Acting all weak and all til Court beaten up because of you"
Court.....
I hadn't seen him....
Ari says no one has, and though, I keep praying he's safe whenever he is, I still want to apologize, which seems very slim now that I think of it.
"Talk to me"
She shoves me again, and I feel my back hit the wall "You can talk now, can't you? So talk bitch. Who the fuck are you to even get all four of the TF's at your neck and call? What's your last name?"
"Montgomery" I hear myself whisper.
She raises an eyebrow "That's not your last name"
"It is...."
"Liar!" She suddenly shouts as I look away "What's your real name before I....."
"Now, now, ladies, what's going on?"
From the cherry voice and grin, I know who it is.
Chocolate stands at the bathroom door, smiling, his blue eyes glowing "That's my package you know Isabella. I don't enjoy it being roughened"
The girl moves away "Channing...."
I see Chocolate twitch, just a bit and I'm running to him, wrapping my arms around him "Please, let's go home"
I notice his body is tense but I feel him relax as he chuckles and says "You're always too nice, just like Mel. You both are too good for your own good"
I look up at him as he winks at me "Woulda called you, but realized you didn't have a phone, which now that I think of it, is the most stupid mistake we've all ever made to be honest. We'd fix that later okie?"
I nod.
He smiles, wrapping his arms around my waist and looking up at the other girls "Don't make me kill you, please"
Oh God....
"Come on Princess" He says "Let's go"
All the way home, I say nothing, but as we get there, I ask him not to tell anyone about what happened in the bathroom and all he says is "Kiss me"
I stare, lost "What?"
"Kiss. Me" He says "So I wouldn't have to say anything. A bribe for a bribe love"
I frown "I've... That would be my first kiss"
He tilts his head "First?"
I slowly nod.
He sighs, getting off his bike "Then I guess we must manage this"
What....
He pulls me into his arm, tight.
At first, I just stand confused, but I lean into him, letting his sweet scent take me wherever I want as he purrs on me.
Wait what?
When he pulls away, he's laughing "Come on. The boys are probably worried"
He begins pulling me, but this time, he's not rough, as he usually always was until we reach the lounge room.
Everyone is already there, Cream, bare but still on his trousers, Ber is a shirt and shorts, Mel resting his head on his shoulder and Mistress sitting on her armchair.
They all look at us as we enter as Ber says "Why did it take you so long?"
Coco smiles, going over to Cream and sitting next to him "We were making out"
Mel makes a face, Ber raises his eyebrow and Cream actually smiles.
I want them to know that he's joking but I don't get the chance as Mistress says "Vanilla. Could you come sit with me?"
Sit with....
It's... It's an armchair.
There's no....
"On my laps dear"
My eyes widen as my heart begins to pound loud that I ever fear everyone here is hearing it "I...."
"Please"
She... She's even begging.
I look down, holding my crucifix again as I walk to her and sit.
She adjusts and I find myself biting on my lower lip as she says "Comfortable?"
I nod as she says "Good"
"She looks pretty there" Cream says as Coco smiles, petting his head "She'd be prettier naked"
What?
"Stop it Coco" Mistress says behind me as she says to me "Do you feel comfortable? Be honest"
I nod.
"Words, please?"
"Yes"
"Go sit on the other chair facing us all"
What?
I should....
Why did she tell me to sit on her then?
But I do so anyway as she says "I was testing something out. Trying to find out your weight and if you'd be comfortable on me, it's fine. Vanilla, have you ever heard of polyamory relationships?"
I shake my head.
"It's a relationship with more than two people in it" She says "It can be all girls, all boys.... Or mixed genders. That's what it means in its simplest terms"
"And that's what we have" Ber says "We all date each other"
What?
"But..." I say "You're... You're...."
"Boys" Coco completes "Finding out I was gay was the most stressful thing ever. I mean I liked it, loved it in fact, but Mel was so stubborn about it. Until Ber kissed him by the way and male was biting and leaving hickeys all over the male"
"And you and Mel are...."
"We don't fuck" Coco cuts in "It'd be like fucking my own reflection. Cute, biyt weird as hell"
"You've cursed too much today" Ber says "Maybe I should punish you"
Coco giggles "You should"
But...
"I know it's hard to understand" Mistress says "But we all love each other, very much, and we would like it if you would join us?"
"Wait, you want me.... To join you guys?" I stammer.
"Yes, I believe that's what we're saying Nilla" Mistress replies.
"But.... But there's already five of you! Isn't that enough?"
"Five is enough, but six just seems.... Perfect" Cream says.
But...
"Being gay is a sin" I whisper.
Ber snorts "So what? You're going to cast out demons from us with that shitty crucifix on your neck?"
"Stop Ber" Cream says.
"Are you homophobic?" Ber continues "If you are, you really shouldn't be here"
"You don't get to tell her if she belongs here or not Strawberry" She says, facing him as he looks away, Mel staring at me.
"I hope....I hope you aren't though" Mel says "I... We really like you, really really like you... Ber included"
"Love" Coco says "Preach brother"
"But you don't... You don't know me"
"We really aren't concerned about your past Vanilla" Cream says "And we don't know why we do, honest, but we do. Do you not feel the same?"
I do.
It just...
"Doesn't make sense"
I turn to Mistress as she smiles and says "I understand, and we wouldn't force you into saying yes. Love is reciprocal dear, so we'd go at your own pace. Think about it, will you?"
'You will burn in hell Vanessa'
'Gay and lesbians would die a very horrid death'
I feel a kiss on my forehead "We would always be here for you Vanilla"
I look up at Mistress as she says "And if we all burn in death. We'd still be with you"
"And so help me Satan" Coco says as Cream smiles and kisses his forehead.
Mel is still on a silent Ber, but is smiling at me anyway.
What can I even do now?