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The next day, it's a bright and sunny day. We're now in a family car.
"WE'RE GOING TO SHINING PEARL BEACH!" Yep, Cherry's excited about today. She can't help but vibe to the music from the radio very happily.
Last night, Vance got a call from my stepmom and she said she had plans to go swimming and she wanted to invite the family for a day of bonding! Isn't that nice? We got ready, dressed in our swimsuits already.
"It's nice to see our children excited for the beach today! The day is perfect for it!" My step mom, Alexandria A. Vaxley, is very caring and very thoughtful of her children. She's currently applying sunscreen on her face. The sun does get blazing at times like this.
"It's been 4 years since our eldest son became independent, so hanging out like this has always been a rare but very enjoyable moment for us." And this is our stepfather, Aaron Vaxley, is the one driving the car and is the reason Vance has been independent with monthly allowance. He's a very supporting and hardworking stepfather. Everyone should be inspired to be like him.
"That's what makes our outings special now, we've been growing more as people." I nod in agreement with Vance here. Being in a house where I can think for myself expands my mind more.
"And to experience that growth is to have satisfaction..." I let out a big sigh of relaxation as I leaned my back on my seat.
"To think even my adopted son is growing to be a man… I feel proud as a mother…" My stepmom felt like crying.
Normally people would treat adopted sons and daughters either like a king or a slave. There is no in-between. But Alexandria Vaxley, my stepmother, over here had set a new standard for adopted children. I've been treated like one of her children, nothing more or less. I can now make decisions on my own and it never feels like I'm being spoiled or mistreated by my foster family.
"Don't flatter too much, mom. I'm already happy enough growing up with this family." I then looked at the book Syrra gave me several days back and started reading it.
"Shattered Hearts? I read that during my break in the office, on my desk. It's a great read. Should I tell you what happens there?" Here comes Vance and his "spoiling" now. I quickly turned my head in disappointment.
"Vance, I'd be happy if you don't spoil ANYTHING about the story…" I have a feeling if Vance spoiled the story, I'll enjoy this book less.
"Come on… It's the most interesting twist-"
"Stop." I interrupted him.
"It'll literally blow your mind-"
"Cease." I interrupted him again.
"You really don't want to know-"
"Say no more, I'll just read it." I then focused my attention on the book. If I let him say any more, it's gonna leave a bad taste in my mouth.
"Suit yourself… But that best friend of yours has great taste in books, she chose very wisely." Being deep into stories and all that is not my thing, but I'll put this as an exception since this is a gift from Syrra.
"Her name is Syrra Winters, and yes. She has good taste in books… I think." I began flipping the book open. Come to think of it, I never even bothered to check her bookshelf if she is obsessed with fictional stories like these.
It shall remain a mystery until next week, I suppose.
"Syrra Winters… Now I know who I'm up against." Up against? I am confused by Cherry as she looked out the window. I can see that her face seemed neutral but something didn't feel right about her.
"Cherry, are you becoming overprotective again?" My stepmom looked towards Cherry.
"N-Not at all! I'm concerned about Renn! After all, he's way too young for a girlfriend!" She hopped back to her cheerful mood in no time and shook her head and arms in denial.
Yep, in DENIAL.
"She's overprotective." Vance's very face judged her from her answer.
"Vance, I swear to god..." Cherry looked at him with murderous intent.
"Chill out, Cherry… Renn isn't the kind of guy for any relationship right now." My stepmom reassured her that I won't get a girlfriend. Not only that, my chances of getting a girlfriend are slim. I'd get a girlfriend in a million years and counting.
"The day I get a girlfriend is the day the world ends." I joked, laughing. Vance laughed as well. Cherry wasn't amused but at least she calmed down.
"Don't joke about that again." Cherry crossed her arms and turned away from me.
"Noted." I just began reading the book.
Everything was peaceful in the car as I got immersed in the first part in Shattered Hearts. It was about a girl who was betrayed by her lover and best friend. She's trying her best to cope up with it, but ends up feeling depressed.
"(Rings a bell…)" I know a depressed person, but I don't think her story is the same here. I just know something made her that way.
I just kept reading to pass the time.
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*1 hour later…*
We arrived at the beach. I was carrying a portable cooler and some beach blankets. Now we just need to find a good spot.
"That looks like a good spot." Vance pointed to a place where it wasn't crowded. I set the blankets down and he dug the umbrella down on the sand and opened it. My stepmom sat down on the blankets to take her time to relax under the umbrella.
"Mom, you're not swimming?" I asked her.
"I'm not the type… Your father's just going to apply sunscreen on me so that I can get my beach sunlight…" So she's relaxing all throughout. Vance and Cherry applied sunscreen on themselves.
"Let's have fun!" Cherry went ahead and went for a swim.
"Wait up!" I quickly applied sunscreen on myself as Vance followed her. Cherry's a good swimmer since she used to have swimming lessons, but Vance and I are not the type for that and we didn't take swimming lessons ourselves because of fear. We both are still going to accompany her today and have fun.
I quickly went to the seawater, it was cold! I went a little deeper as I watched Cherry swim as much as she could. Then I had an idea.
I grinned and put my hands in the water, and splashed Cherry. That caused her to stop swimming, floated up, and looked at me laughing at her. She angrily pouted.
"OH! We're playing THAT game, are we?!" She then had a menacing smile and began swimming towards me. I was scared and quickly tried to run away from her, but she was a fast swimmer that she caught me, causing me to lose my footing and get submerged in seawater.
I quickly rose up to see her laughing. I admit she got me good. I'm a little infuriated. As much as I want to splash her again and try to catch her, Cherry and I felt several splashes to my left. It was Vance.
"Don't you both think you'll forget about me?! THE FINAL BOSS?!" It's been a while since Vance tried being childish. Cherry and I laughed it off as we tried bringing him down as he ran away by splashing him and tackling him down.
We had a really fun time in the waters.
"Hey, you three! I brought my volleyball! Who's ready for a match with me over here?!" We all looked at stepdad, looking muscular holding a beach volleyball. Never mind. This is the REAL FINAL BOSS. Vance and I nodded and agreed for a match with him. Ready to beat him down.
We both tried our best. But since we both are beginners in volleyball, we stood no chance against him. We didn't give up until we beat him once.
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*3 hours later…*
I'm currently chilling on the beach blanket, relaxing after a shower and dressed in my casual clothes. Vance and Cherry are still having fun splashing and chasing each other in the seawater, glad to see both of them having fun.
While watching them, I felt something cold on my face.
"Ah!" I quickly moved away from it, and it turned out to be a soda can being held by my one and only stepmother.
"Need something to drink, sweetie?" She gave me a can of orange soda.
"Thank you..." I sincerely took it and took a sip. Ahh... Refreshing...
"I'm really glad I took you in and named you." I looked at her as she sat down beside me under the umbrella, looking at the clear blue sky.
"Oh, mom… That means a lot..." I slowly began drinking my soda until it was finished. I then dug it down on the sand next to the blanket.
"After all these years, you never wondered why your last name is Alrose and not Vaxley?" I was slightly surprised upon her bringing that up, then I was deep in thought. That wasn't something I needed to think about until now. I was so focused on living a normal life.
"Never gave it much thought, I was so focused on myself that it didn't bother me. But I'd like to know now, since you brought it up." I answered. She opened her bottle of sparkling water and took a big sip.
"Ahh... Hmm… Your father and I were arguing about what to name you. It was really tough deciding. So we made a bet since he was gonna indulge at the casino for a bit as a reward for his promotion. I said that if he won a million there, I would name him with my last name." My eyes widened. I'm totally surprised looking at stepmom the moment I realized I went back to my name.
"AND HE REALLY DID WON A MILLION DOLLARS?! THAT'S SOME UNEXPECTED LUCK RIGHT THERE!" I remained surprised. People would normally not win in any games in a casino, but the fact that stepdad won the million... It's just amazing and scary how luck managed to hit him right here!
"He was so devastated by the million, that he didn't care that he got that million at all! Hahahahahaha! So, I named you Renn Alrose and went to the city hall to make it official." I laughed a bit hearing about this story. Poor stepdad... He won the million with the cost of losing his planned name for me.
Renn Alrose is a name that suits me. Makes me feel noble, yet I'm a simple person. If ever I become spoiled, I wouldn't be deserving of the Alrose name.
"And I like it… Wonder what did dad plan on naming me as?" Yeah, what did he want to name me in the first place?
"Viego Vaxley." I noticed my stepdad walking our direction and drinking soy milk.
"That's a good name, but Renn Alrose has a better ring to it." My stepmom happily my head.
"Well, that million came to me when I didn't need it. Life's cruel." He chuckled, remembering the pain he felt.
"Hey, we're done!" Vance and Cherry ran over to us, probably done having fun here.
"Shower up now, we're gonna have a barbecue today." Stepdad announced and the two siblings rejoiced as he went to get the grill. The two went to the shower room to get cleaned from the saltwater.
I went to help my stepdad set up for the barbecue. I grabbed the plastic bag of coal and dumped it all in the grill. Stepdad started the fire, and stepmom prepared the meat for the barbecue. It's amazing how both of my parents seem capable of doing almost anything, unlike Syrra's dad…
I saw him just slouching on the recliner with beer bottles. That created an uneasy feeling in me, but it's not in my business to bother her about that.
I learned from my mistake meddling in other people's businesses, and I will never bother anyone about their personal problems anymore. Some people can't be helped, and I chose to accept that even if it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
The two siblings eventually finished their shower, dressed to a set of casual clothes like me. They were happily waiting for the food to finish cooking on the grill.
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*Several Minutes Later…*
Cherry and Vance fell asleep at the back of the car. Cherry's leaning onto me as she slept peacefully. I just continued reading my book as we all went our way back.
"Those two had too much fun today, they became tired." Stepdad giggled.
"They sure are energetic whenever we go somewhere. What about you, Renn?" I looked at my stepmom as she asked. I smiled at her.
"I had my fun, it feels wonderful bonding as a family in a while." Like I said, it's rare we hung out like this. So I can cherish this memory as well. I went back to reading my book.
"Maybe we can do this again? Maybe an art museum next time?" Stepmom wanted all of us to bond again. She suggested we should go to an art museum. I'm not against that, but I don't know the others.
"That's boring and way too short. A country club would be better, maybe introduce them to golf and potentially try out some skills?" Stepdad was against the museum, and was thinking of golfing while concentrating on driving.
"Admit it, you just wanted to play more golf, don't you?" As stepmom crossed her arms and doubted that it was for a family outing, stepdad fell silent. Looks like he has been thinking of playing more golf.
"Of course you wanted to play more golf, like the golf addict you are!" She scoffed.
"At least golf is a sport!" He argued back. He sure loves his golf very much.
"Pick a different sport then!"
They both rambled on for a while about where to go next for our holiday, while I watched and giggled at their rambling.
At least it doesn't end badly, it's about family. I continued reading my book and just enjoyed the time in the car.
Cherry clung on to me in her sleep. I curiously looked at her while she was mumbling happily. Maybe she likes relying on me in her dreams? I don't know, I'm no mind reader. But one thing is for sure:
Tomorrow's a big surprise for me, and just like stepdad's million:
It's an opportunity I never saw coming.
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