Chapter 28: XXIV

— RORI —

It has been four days since Zephaniah and i argued and neither one of us has brought it up since.

This is not totally unusual. After all, we are used to brushing everything under the carpet. Only, he is fully aware that i got drunk and ended up with a hickey on my neck. And even though i know it was nothing more than that, i don't want to imagine the picture i have painted for him.

After all, it is possible that Zephaniah was doing much worse at my age.

He can't have mentioned anything to Xavi, or any of the other boys, for that matter, because no one has approached me. And i know they could not have spotted the hickey because i had been applying my most expensive full coverage concealer on it every day — sometimes multiple times a day — until it fully disappeared.

But this is truly the worst case scenario. Because not only might my eldest brother have the wrong idea about what happened last weekend: he knows i am not in a relationship. And now, he will either think i have been hiding one from my family — which would be virtually impossible — or that i am messing around with some random boy.

Either way, it does not bode well for me.

"Are the rumours true?" i hear a girl ask, as i am about to exit the bathroom stall. "About Annalise and Seamus?"

My eyebrows furrow in confusion, and, rather than opening the door, i stay firmly rooted, slowly retracting my hand from the golden lock.

What on earth is she referring to?

"Of course they're true," i hear what i know is the voice of Lindsay say. "Annalise is so pathetically in love with him. She has been ever since she first lay her eyes on him..."

My mouth drops in horror at what i am hearing.

First of all, i do not choose to believe a word that comes out of Lindsay Foster's mouth and so i'm sure what she is talking about means absolutely nothing. And, as i say, there are so many far-fetched rumours flying around this school, most of them probably created by the wicked witch herself. But even still, i do not want such a rumour to exist.

I mean, Annalise and my brother?

No way.

First of all, my brother is an asshole to everybody and that doesn't change for Annalise. In fact, he is often very anti-Annalise, considering she is supposedly a bad influence on me. And second of all, Seamus would never date a friend of mine.

We made a pact, after all, that we would not get involved with each other's friends, as not to disrupt our relationship with each other and with them.

"I wonder if Rori knows," the girl says. "Do you think she knows?"

Know what? i think to myself. What do i not know?

Lindsay snorts.

"Don't know. Don't care," she says. "Her and Anna's friendship was bound to end soon though. If not now then definitely by senior year. With that family, it's nothing but scandals."

"That's not true," the girl argues. "Besides, Rori is one of the most drama free people at this school. Well, that i know of."

"Well then why is she talked about so much?" Lindsay seethes.

"You tell me," the girl says, her tone somewhat accusatory.

"I mean, did you know that one of her brothers has been admitted to some rehabilitation centre?" Lindsay asks. "They try to keep things like this under wraps but it will come out eventually. Everything will. And the hierarchy will tumble faster than a house of cards."

First Annalise and now this? Now i definitely know she is talking shit.

"Which brother?" the girl asks. "And who did you hear this from?"

"I heard it from my sister. Her friend's boyfriend has a friend who volunteers at this place and apparently he had to sign a NDA and everything. It's obviously Teddy. He hasn't been to school in weeks. Everyone says he transferred to some all boys school in Switzerland but, i swear to God, it's bull. Besides, everyone knows he has issues. They all do. Something to do with their life back in Russia."

"Well it's a likely story if it stems from such a reliable source," the girl mocks. "And that's rude, Lindsay. Nobody knows what's going on behind closed doors, so let's just keep our noses out of it, okay? Their business is their business."

Lindsay scoffs.

"Don't act like you don't love to gossip, Charlotte. You write the school editorial."

"Yeah, whatever," Charlotte dismisses her, just as the bell rings for fourth period. "Speaking of which, i need to get to class. I'll talk to you later," she says.

And as i hear the door of the ladies' room closing behind her, Lindsay mutters the word 'bitch' under her breath.

Real classy.

I flush the toilet, despite the fact i had already done so before they entered the room, and then make my way towards the gold faucet sinks. Lindsay notices me as soon as i leave the cubicle, having clearly not realised she had company, and her eyes remain on me even now as i wash my hands.

I touch up my eyeliner, smudging it a little to create a more natural look, and then i do the same with my hair by ruffling its curls. I then reapply my favourite lipstick, only i dab my lips with a handkerchief afterwards seeing as it is such a dark shade.

"I like your lipstick," she finally speaks, false confidence evident in her tone. "What shade is it?"

"Immortal Red," i say, pinning her with a blank stare.

"It suits you perfectly," she says, scrutinising my appearance from head to toe. "Only," she continues, "it's a little much for school. Don't you think?"

I place the lid back onto my lipstick and lean against the marble countertop on which the sinks sit in.

"Oh, i'm not staying in school," i say, not that it's any of her business, before sarcastically remarking, "I've got a date with your cousin. Why don't you tell Charlotte to write about that in her editorial? Since you clearly care so much about updating the world on the happenings of me and my family."

I throw in a knowing wink for good measure and her cheeks flush with embarrassment, which ignites in me a feeling of satisfaction, even more so when i see her mouth opening and closing, yet failing to form any words.

I snort in amusement before turning on my heels. She really is pathetic.

— SUCKER PUNCH —

Walking into Aunt Tosca's cafe, i head towards what has become my usual table.

I haven't been to this place since i received the call from the man who has since turned my life upside down, and i even feel a little unsettled when i remember that i saw him sitting in here not that long ago.

Before i knew he was my half-brother.

I surely hope he doesn't come here regularly. I mean, i can't imagine he would. After all, i have seen Yakov in here since his return. What would happen if the two of them were to cross paths?

Would they even recognise one another?

As it happens, i didn't ask Damiano about how he first came across Zephaniah. I didn't find out where and when they met and under what circumstances, and i certainly know nothing about what contact he has with my other siblings.

I mean, for all i know, he could have met any one of them before.

I doubt it though. He surely would have mentioned it the other night.

"I got you a chamomile and honey infused tea," Christian says, as i sit down in front of him. "Perfect for a long, gruelling hour of studying."

"Thank you very much." i smile at his thoughtful nature.

"You're so welcome," he tells me, before holding his hand out in expectance. "Now, let me take a look at this homework before we get started. Did you complete any of it yet?"

"I took one look at it and tossed it in the bin," i say, before unveiling the crumpled piece of paper.

"Ah," he notes. "Not to worry. I'll help you get through it in no time."

"You know, i'm only accepting your help because Yakov practically forced me to do so," i tell him. "It was either you or a tutor and, well, you know how i feel about those."

He smiles.

"And why is Yakov so fond of you anyway? You're not that great," i continue. "Besides, Yakov's not fond of anyone. But you...you're like the little brother he never had."

He quirks an eyebrow at me and i snort in realisation.

"Okay, yeah, he has many of those. But you know what i mean," i say, before taking a sip of my tea. "Mmm. This is really good!" i exclaim. "Good job, Christian."

"Rori," he says.

"Hm?"

"I can't help you if you don't hand me your homework," he points out, and i laugh like a mad woman.

"Oh yeah," i say, slapping my hand against my forehead. "What am i like?"

I keep a hold of the homework.

His eyebrows furrow.

"Ri," he says my name with a sigh.

"Yeah?"

"What's on your mind?"

I take a deep breath. And then i proceed to tell him exactly what i overheard prior to coming here. Everything. The fact that people are talking about my brother and Annalise being involved with each other in some way and the fact that people are talking about my other brother being sent away to some boarding school in Switzerland, and, worse, to rehab.

Christian listens without interrupting, just as he did in the hallway of the school, a concerned expression on his face throughout.

"Do you know anything about this rumour? The one about Anna and Seamus?" i ask him. "I don't even know what the context was. Only that, apparently, my best friend is madly in love with him and always has been."

Christian snorts at this.

"If anything, Lindsay is the one who is obsessed with him. Not just him; your whole family," he says.

"Tell me about it." i roll my eyes. "The girl is batshit crazy. And Zephaniah thought she was my friend. How dare he!"

"Indeed," he sympathises. "And no, i haven't heard anything regarding this rumour thus far," he answers, and, sensing i'm going to ask, adds, "I'll let you know if i do."

"Thank you, Chrissy," i tell him, earnestly.

"Not if you call me that though," he warns, causing me to smile.

"Oh, merda!" i exclaim. "We didn't even go over anything."

"I can stay an extra hour," he eagerly offers, with a nonchalant shrug.

"Are you sure?" i ask him. "I feel bad."

"Anything for you, Rori," he says, waking up the butterflies in my stomach.

"You're perfect," i mouth, only Christian must have heard me because the smirk he sends me is unhealthily smug.

"Careful, Ria," he warns. "You might just inflate my ego to the point of no return."

I scoff.

"I—i wasn't saying you are perfect. Don't get it twisted," i claim, rolling my eyes. "I was talking to the chamomile tea, which, by the way, i would like another one if you are so willing."

The smirk remains on his face, so irritating, and he stands up from his seat at the sound of my request.

"As you wish."

— SUCKER PUNCH —

The five of us are gathered on Vinnie's balcony — the five of us being myself, Vinnie, Uvaldo, Seamus, and Quentin — staring at the large oak tree which angrily sways in the wind.

"I know you've been taking my cigarettes," Vinnie suddenly says, causing me and my twin's heads to snap in his direction. "I'm not dumb," he adds, sharing a knowing look with Uvaldo. "You're not the first in the family to think you can get away with stealing from me."

"It was—" the three of us speak at once.

"I don't care who it was," Vinnie tells us. "Just don't let it happen again. You want to smoke, you come to me."

"What and you'll let us?" Seamus questions.

"No, you ritardo. You're babies, the three of you. I'll give you a popsicle and a sticker and send you on your way."

"He's a bigger baby than any of us." Seamus points at Uvaldo. "Fucking scared of the dark. You know how many times i wake up and find him asleep on my floor?"

"Don't bully Val." Vinnie points at him, scoldingly. "Nobody bullies Val."

"Val bullies us," Quentin points out.

"Nobody bullies Val," Vinnie repeats, taking a drag from his cigarette.

Said boy doesn't seem to be paying attention to anything going on around him, his eyes glaring at the Oak tree like it has offended him.

"He's having a little...depressive episode right now," Vinnie explains, and i watch in amusement as he produces a bag of weed from his pocket, rolling another blunt. "He gets it, you know? The depression, or whatever. We all do. It's genetically unavoidable. Well, maybe Rori will be the exception. But the men in our family..." he trails off. "We're all a little depressed, you know?"

Part of me feels amused by his non-sober rambling, but part of me also feels worried for him.

"The fuck are you talking about, Vincent?" Seamus snorts. "This isn't one of your therapy sessions. Keep a lid on it."

"Hm," is all Vinnie says, his eyes returning to the tree.

"You wanna know something?" Uvaldo asks us.

"What?"

"No."

"I miss our old life sometimes," he says. "Not the poverty, or any of the other crap with the parents, but just...the normality of it all. You know?"

"Ah, yes," Seamus interjects. "Russia under Vladimir Putin...Nothing beats it. Best country in the world."

He is met with a scathing glare from each of us.

"You know what i mean." Uvaldo rolls his eyes at our brother. "Life was easier back then, in some ways. Before we were faced with all of this family drama."

"I get you," i say. "In some ways, i was happier."

"In some ways," Quentin emphasises for me. "I won't ever rush to revisit that part of my life."

"No," all of us agree.

"I love America," i continue. "I mean, the whole Trump thing kinda sucks but living in Cali is so awesome...It's sunny all of the time. Even in winter. I don't have to wear waterproofs and a gazillion layers just to get to school."

The boys smile at my reasoning.

"People smile at you in the street and offer you free samples..." i continue.

"...And they shit rainbows," Seamus mocks me.

"I don't think i'll ever leave," i muse. "I'm gonna find myself a rich husband...and i'll have a Malibu beach house with a nice, big garden..."

"Ooh, and maybe you can get one of those tiny dogs that go in the handbags," Quentin joins in with our brother's teasing.

"Ha Ha." i greet them with a cold look.  "You guys are so uninvited from my family dinners."

"I don't think we'll suffer that much if you'll be the one cooking," Seamus remarks, causing the others to snort and me to pin him with an offended glare.

"I'm gonna be a stoner for the rest of my life," Vinnie says, with a sigh of acceptance. "Might open up an auto shop..."

"I'll be your business partner," Uvaldo says, and they shake hands in agreement.

"I'm gonna shadow our older brothers until i am more successful than them," Seamus states, with full conviction.

"I think i'm gonna be a school teacher," Quentin tells us, causing us to stare at him in bemusement.

"Yeah, that makes sense."

"Go figure."

Silence joins us for a moment and, i can't speak for my brothers, but i do detect a missing presence in our group.

To be fair, even if Teddy was living here, i doubt he would give us company. He has been so extremely distant since the return of our eldest brothers, spending the majority of his time on his own and in his room.

But even still, i can't help but notice he is not here. At school, his seat in the dining hall remains empty, awaiting his return. At the dinner table, there is always one spare chair. And at The Clubhouse...

Well, actually, i realise i haven't been to The Clubhouse since the incident between the two of us.

"I miss Teddy," i say, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Really?" Quentin asks me, perplexed. "I thought you'd be happy that he's staying with Zeph and Yakov."

"I thought so too," i say, nodding my head.

"You don't miss Teddy," Seamus tells me. "You miss his presence."

"Same thing," i argue. "I miss him."

My brothers share a look that i cannot decipher. Perhaps they feel sorry for me.

Poor, naive, little Ria, obsessing over the absence of yet another male figure in her life.

Whoop-de-Doo, what's new?

Teddy is the biggest enigma in my life. I've never been able to understand him.

I only know what is on the surface, and, even then, i believe he masks his true self. I cannot work out if he truly hates me, or what his deal is.

I know so much about him yet so little at the same time...

The one thing that is certain, however, is that, for as long as i remember, our relationship has remained the same.

Nonexistent.

"Just know that the way Teddy treats you has nothing to do with you as a person," Seamus tells me. "And that he does not hate you."

I snort a humourless laugh.

"Yeah, right," i say. "He wants me dead."

"He wants no such thing, Ria," Uvaldo tells me, a severity to his tone.

"Teddy has a lot of deep-rooted trauma. As do we all," Vinnie adds. "But i've observed the kid since birth and i can tell you that he has always carried himself in such a way where he is completely afraid of himself. And of everyone else around him."

"I think he is most like father. I think he could grow up to be father," Uvaldo admits. "...but he will not. He will be Teddy. He will get the help he needs and he will reform."

"And, for the record," Seamus continues, "i'm not exactly the nicest guy either. But i'm self aware, and i come to my senses, and you and i have a bond that is unbreakable," he furthers. "Teddy doesn't realise the impact of his behaviour...he might not even realise that he cares about you. But, inadvertently, he does. And i know that's not great but at least it's something."

"How would you know?" i point out.

He offers me an indulgent smile.

"Because he's my brother, and you're my sister...and i know everything."

I roll my eyes at the end of his sentence, causing him to grin.

"Clearly not, with the amount of tests you've failed," Uvaldo retorts.

"You're fifteen, Seamus, you know nothing," Vinnie adds.

"Hey!" Quentin interjects, causing all heads to turn in his direction. "Nobody bullies Seamus."

The boys laugh and i roll my eyes at their antics. We joke around for a while, until it gets dark, and then i get sick of them and decide i'll head back inside.

"I'm exhausted," i announce, forcing myself to stand up. "I'm gonna go get ready for bed."

"Yeah, good call," Uvaldo tells me. "It's wayyy past your bedtime," he adds, mockingly, causing the other boys to send me smug looks.

"Shut up," i retort.

Vinnie tsks at me.

"That's no way to speak to your elders," he says.

"I. Don't. Care," i seethe, feeling more irritable than usual. "I'm going to bed."

"We're just messing with you, Ria," he reminds me. "Relax."

"Goodnight," Uvaldo chirps.

"Night," i say.

"Don't let the bed bugs bite!" he calls back.

I roll my eyes as i exit the balcony and head in the direction of my room, only i find myself backing up and doing a double take at the sight of the open door leading to Yakov's room.

I could've sworn i saw someone in there. Only, Yakov does not live here and i don't recall him being in the house earlier on...

But when i look closer, i see that it is indeed my second eldest brother inside of his former room — on his balcony in fact — and he appears to be sitting down.

Slowly, and with caution, i approach my brother. I am facing the back of his head and so i assume he will not be aware of my presence, but, even when i reach his side, he doesn't seem to acknowledge me, simply staring ahead at the hills in the horizon.

"Yakov?" i say his name in a soft whisper, and it is only now that i notice smoke rising from a cigarette which he delicately holds between his fore and middle fingers.

He turns to glance at me for a moment, barely, and then returns his gaze to the horizon.

"Is everything okay?" i add, when he does not give me a response.

I observe my brother as he takes a drag of the cigarette. It is not polite of me to admit that he has appeared rather tired recently, but he has. Extremely tired, in fact.

I notice this change more prominently in him because he rarely ever appears this way. Yakov has always been one of those people who diligently follows a specific routine, which allows for everything to have a schedule.

And his sleep schedule, i am sure, must be one of the top priorities within his routine.

When i think of Yakov, much like when i think of Zephaniah, or Xavi, i think of a leader: reliable and unrelenting. But when i look at the man before me, it is as if i am seeing him for the first time in my life.

"You're exhausted," i tell him. "Won't you sleep? You can stay the night here. I will take care of you."

This manages to get a smile out of him; a barely-there-smile, but a smile nonetheless.

"You will never need to care of me, Rori," he assures me. "Not even when i am old and grey. You are my baby sister. That is not your job."

"And what if i want to?" i complain. "I'm great at taking care of people...i might have been a mother in my past life...or perhaps i was an older sister," i muse. "Wouldn't it be funny?"

"Hm," he hums in agreement, but says nothing else.

I frown as he takes another drag from the cigarette. I would be a hypocrite to start scolding him for smoking, but it really doesn't suit him.

Well, i suppose his appearance can be sort of deceiving...what i mean is that it does not suit his personality.

"Yakov?" i say his name once more, even more cautious than before.

"Hm?" he hums, and my frown deepens at his lack of commentary.

"What is troubling you?" i ask him.

"It's nothing you need to worry about, mia cara," he dismisses me.

"A problem of yours is a problem of mine," i insist, and his mouth forms a line once more.

"I wouldn't wish for any of my problems to fall to you," he says. "Not in a million years."

This time, it is me who greets him with a barely-there-smile.

"That's sweet, Yakov, but it's kind of unavoidable in this family."

He nods his head in agreement, a solemn expression fixed onto his face.

"Exactly..." he trails off.

I take a seat on the chair beside him, directing my gaze to the horizon also. Our neighbourhood is far away from town, so the only sound i can hear is the occasional car horn beeping in the distance as well as the sound of tree branches and leaves gently swaying in the wind.

"It does concern me, though...doesn't it?" i ask him, my voice soft but firm all the same.

This time, he turns to face me. I am almost fearful at the sight of his eyes.

Zephaniah may be able to threaten someone with a single look but his eyes, themselves, are warm.

Yakov, on the other hand...his eyes have always made me feel a little uneasy. Yes, i know it's probably because they are the eyes of my father but his gaze is so incredibly cold and severe.

When i look into Zephaniah's eyes, there is depth to them. His eyes are one of the only features which soften his otherwise intimidating appearance.

Yakov doesn't seem to have a single feature which makes him appear anything less than terrifying: with the scar that quite literally resides around his left eye, the colour of his eyes which can only be described as an icy stone, and his often stoic, robotic demeanour.

He might be politer than Zephaniah, but the man means business on a whole other level.

I am sure Zephaniah is a killer; i know this fact. But if i think for one minute that Yakov could be the same as him...

Well, the more i look into his eyes, the more i think about how he resembles such fictional serial killers from books and films.

"Have you ever murdered a man?" i ask him. "That's not what this is about, is it?"

He gives me a look that tells me i am strange.

"No."

"Was that in response to the first question or—"

My brother sighs.

My mouth forms a pout.

My brothers are always sighing in my presence.

"I wasn't planning on telling anyone tonight...Well, of course, both Zephaniah and Xavi already know..."

I am faced with confusion upon hearing his words. In the past, when Yakov has delivered disappointing, or even worrying, news, he has not shown an ounce of these emotions himself. But right now, he appears overwhelmed; an emotion i am sure my prodigy of a brother is able to conceal, even in his worst moments.

I look at him in a more sympathetic manner. He may have been applying lots of pressure on me recently, in terms of my education, and we may have not been seeing eye to eye when it comes to issues like Zephaniah's alcoholism, but Yakov truly is one of the strongest and wisest people i know, and i hate to see him in such a dispirited state.

"It's okay," i reassure him. "Whatever it is, i can handle it. We'll get through it together."

He takes yet another drag from the cigarette and i notice a tattoo i have never before seen; a phrase written across the wrist of his right hand.

AD ASTRA PER ASPERA, it reads.

Through adversity to the stars...

He faces me now, his thick eyebrows frowning.

"Teddy has been admitted to a rehabilitation centre...He's not okay. He's been struggling for quite some time, actually, as it turns out."

I remain silent.

I don't even think as much as a single muscle in my body twitches at his revelation.

"I failed him..." he trails off. "My poor fratellino."

I make an attempt to comfort my brother, but the words get lost on me and my brain has momentarily forgotten how to function.

All i can focus on is the fact that a stupid, improbable rumour i overheard from one of the most infamous girls in school is, in fact, true.

And what's more, i now wonder how many of the other rumours circulating the hallways of school apply to reality...

Behind me, i hear the familiar sound of my youngest brothers' laughter.

Vinnie, Uvaldo, Seamus, Quentin...but no Teddy.

Teddy is in rehab at the age of seventeen. And what's more, i have yet to find out why.

"Ro-Ro," Uvaldo begins, his voice sounding all too similar to that of Zephaniah's on the night in which he came home drunk. "I thought we clarified that you should be in bed by now."

For once in my life, i ignore my brother's teasing remark as well as the sight of the other boys' smug faces.

For once in my life, i do not care to compose myself, nor do i care for anyone's judgement.

And instead, i find myself walking over to Uvaldo with legs that struggle to carry me, unshed tears glossing over my vision, and wrapping my arms around him.

He stiffens at the action, taken aback, and it is only when i begin to sob that he returns the gesture, awkwardly patting me on the head as if i were five years old.

And at the sound of Quentin's voice addressing Yakov — so uncharacteristically threatening — my crying worsens.

"What the hell did you do to her?"

(Edited)

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter! Not the most interesting one but who doesn't love some good ol' gossip? Let me know your thoughts below: what outcome were you expecting and what do you think will happen now?