Taelin

I was not expecting to see a stunning girl sitting at the table with Mom and David.  Let’s not forget she was sitting between Jayson and Alexi.  I knew what that meant and who she was to them.  My already cracked heart shattered at that moment.  Mom had told me they were bringing a friend, but for some stupid reason I thought it would be one or two of the guys from the team.  I thought I had gotten over my crush on them, but apparently I was wrong.  I had cried myself to sleep that night after getting home. I had always hoped but really I knew there would never be anything between the three of us so I am not sure why I even cried.  I had just returned from the grocery store and the house was freakishly quiet when I walked in.  I liked living on my own, but all this silence was starting to get to me.  I grabbed the last bag out of my car when my neighbor walked up the driveway.  I thought it was werid that they weren’t college kids, but they mananged one of the apartment buildings down the street so they chose to live in their house.  Gloria had told me that her and Fenrick liked living around the younger crowd.  She said it kept them entertained. They were barely in their 40’s so they aren’t even that old. I am not sure if watching dumbass drunk college kids counts as entertainment but to each their own. 

“Hey Taelin I was wondering if I could stop by a little later.  I cooked last night and I made way to much food.  I though Fenrick’s nephews would eat more of the lasagna than they did.  I have almost a whole one left over that you can have if you want it.”  Gloria told me.

“Hell yeah I will take it.  I wasn’t really in the mood to cook.  Sure you can stop by, but is there something wrong?”  I asked.

“No, but I think I have something that you might like that will make your place less quiet and give you something to look forward to when you are coming home."  She replied.

I can’t decide if this is a good thing or not, but I tell her that I am going to the gym to work out for a couple of hours then I will be home. She says that she has to get a few things then she will be over later. I am both intrigued and scared thinking about what she has for me. Dinner was two days ago. I called the next day and apologised to Mom for walking out. She wasn’t mad, but she did say that I should have stayed and talked with Jayson and Alexi. Yeah, that won’t be happening anytime soon. They made themselves crystal clear as to where I belong in their lives and having that girl at our family dinner told me that I don’t belong in their lives. Fine if they want to pretend as if I don’t exist unless we are around family then I will to.

“Hey cotton candy.” Mitchell says.

“Oh for fuck sake, don’t call me that. You know I hate that nickname.” I hiss.

“Oh, I know you hate it and that is why I like it so much.  Plus it fits you and your hair. How are you doing?” He asks.

“Asshole, I am fine and school is going good so far.” I told him.

“But, I can tell something is bothering you. Now spill.” Mitchell demands.

I tell him about dinner the other night and what happened. I tell him about the girl and that she is nice and that I have no problems with her. He is the only person that knows about my ridiculous crush on Jayson and Alexi. He is truly my best friend. We met when I was 10 and Dad started bringing me here with him. Dad, Uncle Stanton, Unlce Harry, and Uncle Conrad insisted that I learn how to protect myself. Mom wasn’t as thrilled, but I loved coming here. Mitchell is three months older than me and I think that is why we became fast friends. The two of us work out and talk for a while until we hear some commotion coming for the area of the ring. This is why I love this gym. It has a little of everything. It has MMA, martial arts classes, kickboxing, crossfit, boxing and the regular things that you would expect to find in a gym. Mitchell and I walk towards the ring to find some guy standing there running his mouth. I have seen him in there a couple of time but haven’t bothered talking to him. He is a newbie and thinks he is the shit.

“Maybe you should hop in there and show the newbie that running his mouth is bad for his health.” Mitchell comments.

“He wouldn’t stand a chance against our little Tae.” Uncle Harry states.

“Looks like he needs to be taken down a notch or two.” Uncle Stanton points out.

He sure as fuck does need to be taken down a notch or two. I need something to take out my frustration, hurt and anger on. I call it a win-win for everyone. I hop into the ring causing chaos to errupt in the gym.

“Sweetheart pretty little girls like you don’t belong here. Go back to the kitchen and make us some food.” The guy says.

Oh yeah, this guy is going down. This misogynistic motherfucker is on my last nerve. How fucking dare he tell me that women don’t belong here. I’ll show hem where women belong and that is right here in this ring beating his ass into next fucking year.

“At least she left him alive.” Mitchell comments.

“That is a all we can ask. Hoepfully he learned not to run his mouth.” Uncle Conrad remarks.

I roll my eyes as I walk away from the four of them. They are being overly dramatic. I head into the locker room but as I do I swear I see one of the guys from the hockey team. The same one Jayson and Alexi are on. I don’t care. Let him run to them and tell them that I kicked that bastards ass. I don’t need them or anyone to watch over me. I can’t wait till I am done here and can get the hell out of here and move to Europe. The gym is mostly empty when I exit the lockeroom. I tell everyone bye.

I drop my bag on the floor by the door as I turn on a few lights. I clean up a little knowing that Gloria is on her way over. I smile at her when I open the door. She had a couple of things in her hands. I take the large pan which I am guessing is the lasanga. I am not sure what is in the other box, but I guess it must be my surprise that she has for me. I placed the lasanga on the counter. Damn it smelled good. I walked back out into the living room to see Gloria walking back in with a strange container in her hand. She set the container down and opened it. Two tiny Sphinx kittens came walking out. Okay not at all what I was expecting but they are damn cute.

“Gloria what?” I asked.

“My sister breeds them and these two were the last two left. The people that had wanted them decided at the last minute not to take them. I knew you were getting lonely over here and you have told me that the house was to damn quiet so I thought you could use some company.” Gloria explained.

I picked up the to Sphinx kittens and set then on my lap. They were both males. Both had sky blue eyes, but one was orange with darker orange stripes and the other was all black. They are so damn cute. The other box she had contained everything I would need for them.

“Thanks, I have never had a pet, but I think these two and I will get along just fine.” I told her.

“I am glad you like them and my sister will be happy to hear that you love them.  She wanted them to go to a good home and I knew you would be perfect for them and they would be perfect for you.” Gloria comments.

The rest of the night is spent making an area for their food and water in the kitchen and a spot in one of the extra bathrooms for their litter boxes. Gloria bought enough toys for a heard of kittens, but I had a large basket that they all fit in. I fell asleep that night with a smile on my face and two kittens curled up against my stomach.