Chapter 5: Family Reunion

|6:30 am|

The sunlight shone once again through the glass window in Jackson's room, setting a picture perfect scene, as he slept soundlessly in his bed, intertwined seamlessly in his white bedsheets. His dark hair lay sprawled out on his pillow, and Allison admired his gentle face from the seat across him.

She sat in the chair at his desk, and started studying the various sketches he had compiled, that lay messily on every inch of the wooden desk. She couldn't help but notice a portrait of a girl that stood out from all the rest of them. She had long brown hair, same as hers, and a vibrant smile outstretched across her face, without a care in the world. She seemed so happy, and...not broken.

In the same exact moment, Jackson's eyes opened, being instantly greeted by the blinding sunlight that poked at his face. His left arm searched for Allison's body, but all he found was emptiness in the cold sheets. His heart stopped for a minute, and he lunged upward, trying to locate his sister, and was brought face to face with her standing upright in distraught.

"Is this supposed to be me?" She wondered, holding up the fragile piece of paper that showcased the drawing he made last night, ever so passionately.

Jackson twitched in his spot, completely caught off guard, and instinctively ran a hand through his groggy hair, unsure as to how to respond convincingly.

He stuttered momentarily, and then managed to say. "No, it's uh, just someone I was watching on TV the other day."

Allison paused for a moment, deciding whether or not she should believe him, and then spoke in acknowledgment. "She looks so happy, almost like she lives in a perfect world."

By now, Jackson was off the bed, and stood in front of Allison with a shrug, trying to make his way past her, and towards his closet.

"Yes well, she lives in a fictional world, otherwise known as television," Jackson only replied unaffectedly, pulling out his clothes from the closet, and studied them carefully.

He hoped she would drop the topic, so he wouldn't get caught in his white lie. No such luck though.

"I wish life were like television." Before she could even consider her choice of words, her thoughts escaped her lips so effortlessly, as she gasped at her own remark.

Jackson took notice of her reaction, and only smiled in response. "I do too. I really wish it were that easy, but then again, where's the fun in that?"

A wide grin fell upon his face, as he masked his true emotions once again, bottling them up inside, where his vulnerability would never show.

"Fun is overrated," Allison commented underneath her breath, setting the artistically drawn picture back down on his desk, and faced her brother. "You have a beautiful talent. Wish you'd showcase it more."

The eldest Pierce son chuckled in amusement. "I'm sure I'd be the laughing stock for every other real artist out there, and would probably leave Van Gogh shaking in disappoint in his grave."

Allison shrugged in contrary, and reached for the door, reciting a familiar saying that was told to her last night. "You'll never know unless you try."

With that, she departed Jackson's room, leaving him in astonishment from her wise words.

-

"Ready for your first day at work, today?" Jackson asked Allison, as they sat parked in the school lot, after making sure the twins caught their school bus on time.

"Ready as I'll ever be," she beamed back brightly, a visible lighthearted smile spread across her face.

"Glad to hear that you're having a positive attitude, because from the way you make coffee, you're going to need all the training you can get," he teased, relaxing into a playful smirk, as he leaned back into his seat comfortably.

Allison rolled her eyes frivolously, and replied sassily. "In your dreams, Jackson Pierce."

She unbuckled her seatbelt, and clutched her schoolbag in her right arm, turning to face her brother one last time, in a jocular manner.

"I'll meet you at your locker after second," Jackson advised, as she nodded in response, and then slipped out of the car, heading towards the main school building.

Jackson trailed slowly behind, making sure to lock his car, and then vanished into the crowd of teenagers.

Allison hummed a melodious tune, as she ascended towards the second floor, to reach her locker. Gleefully, she opened her locker to switch out her textbooks, and recalled the events of yesterday.

It had been fun playing a normal teenager who only had to worry about unrequited crushes, boys who were way out of her league, and first kisses. But today, she knew that it couldn't last. As much as she wanted to be that carefree girl who had a cute boyfriend, and went out to dates, she just couldn't be.

Her life was anything but ordinary, and she knew that. She couldn't push her limits, and she had to have some remaining distance between that lifestyle and her current dysfunctional one, for she couldn't risk the chance of craving it even more.

Allison jumped back suddenly, being snapped out of her long lasting thoughts, to find Rebecca in front of her, smiling at her creepily, right after slamming her locker in her face.

"Thanks, I really needed that," Allison murmured sarcastically, pressing her Chemistry textbook against her chest protectively.

"Well you were just staring in your locker all day-dreamlike. What else was I supposed to do?" Rebecca only countered back, proceeding in her morning interrogation as Allison shook her head slowly. "Okay, so tell me. How did your hot and steamy late night study session go with Ethan Santiago?" She whispered his name in Allison's ear seductively with a nudge, as the eldest Pierce daughter gave her a narrowed look.

"How do you find that many words to describe two people studying for chemistry?" Allison questioned rhetorically, amazed by her friend's ability to create such a detailed inquiry. "But if you must know, it was...amazing," she gushed, a smile appearing on her face sneakily.

"Details, girl, give me details!" The redhead demanded, her eyes widening in fascination, as Allison let out a slight chuckle.

"Nothing much happened though," she explained further. "He helped me with Chemistry homework, we talked, we laughed, we had fun, he stayed over for dinner, and then he kissed me on the cheek-"

"Wait a minute he what?!" Exclaimed Rebecca, gaining weird looks from the students that passed.

Allison hid behind her chemistry book, and nodded shyly. "He uh...kissed me on the cheek."

"Oh my goodness," Rebecca raved, unable to believe the news. "This is great. I'm so happy for you, Allison."

Allison smiled in response, and then nudged her teasingly. "What about you? Got an eye on someone special?"

Immediately, Rebecca slumped back in her spot, and laughed nervously, while Allison tilted her head at her suddenly strange behaviour.

Before she could question her weird comportment, her eyes drifted to the middle of the hallway, where she saw Jackson rushing to get to his first period class.

His black hair was spiked upwards in several different directions, the flannel shirt he was wearing was unbuttoned halfway through, his blue denim jeans hung baggily on his skinny frame, a half broken pencil sat comfortably behind his ear as he gripped onto his notebook tightly in one hand, and he had on a mixture of a frantic and concerted look on his face.

Allison smiled to herself, and shook her head at the sight of her older brother, then diverted her gaze to Rebecca, who was clearly smitten over his sole presence. The pieces had finally fallen into place.

"It's Jackson, isn't it?" Allison said accusingly, a look of realization planted on her face, while Rebecca was pulled out of her fantasy world revolving Jackson.

"Huh?" She squeaked out, pretending to be completely confused by what she had said earlier.

"You have a crush on Jackson," Allison repeated more clearly this time, as Rebecca's eyes widened in fear. "That would explain the way you always act around him."

"What?" She then bursted out into a hysterical laugh. "Why would you think that? As if I'd ever like your brother, because that would be totally weird. Wouldn't it be?"

She stopped her rambling, once she saw the look on Allison's face, and accepted her defeat gradually.

"Okay, you caught me," she surrendered, sighing passively. "I've liked him for as long as I could remember. But I didn't tell you, because I thought you'd be disgusted by the fact that he's your brother."

Allison couldn't believe her theory to be true, but shot her a sympathetic smile. "Actually, Rebecca, I'm glad," she spoke forcibly through her clenched teeth.

Rebecca scrunched her eyebrows in confusion, and wondered why her friend had felt that way.

"You and Jackson both deserve to be happy, and for what it's worth...I'm totally rooting for you guys," she continued on genuinely, pausing for a moment to actually convince herself that another girl entering into Jackson's life was real.

She hadn't ever shared the spotlight with anyone else, but she couldn't be selfish with him. She had Ethan, so it was Jackson's turn now, to experience somewhat of a normal teenage life, even if it meant having half of his heart with someone else.

"Wow, Allison, I am completely shocked by your unexpected blessing, and I am extremely grateful," Rebecca voiced her true opinion, as Allison conjured up an encouraging smile. "But even with your blessing, I fear he doesn't feel the same way about me."

"Nonsense!" Exclaimed Allison, shaking her head in disbelief. "He's just...very oblivious sometimes, and doesn't know how to show his true feelings. Maybe I could talk to him about the possibility of dating someone -specifically you?" She volunteered helpfully.

Instantly, Rebecca beamed in happiness, and jumped up and down. "Seriously? You'd do that for me?!" She asked in wonder, as Allison nodded positively in confirmation. "Thank you, you're the best!"

With that, she gave a bone crushing hug to her brunette best friend, and then waved goodbye, as she headed off to her first class, right before the warning bell rang.

Only then, Allison realized what she had agreed to, and pondered how she would subtly bring up potentially dating Rebecca, to Jackson. He was never the type to actively chase after girls like majority of the boys in her school, and she worried about him completely shutting down the mere idea of him and Rebecca together romantically.

With a deep breath, she marched towards her Chemistry class just seconds before the final bell rang, and scanned the classroom beforehand. Mr. Lieberman was in his desk, casually drinking his cup of coffee, and skimming through last night's homework, while Ethan, who sat in his regular seat, was writing something down on a piece of paper in intense concentration.

Allison smiled to herself, and trotted over to her seat, where she sat down quickly, waiting for Mr. Lieberman to call out her name during attendance.

After a couple of minutes, Mr. Lieberman arose from his seat, and started doing class attendance, while Allison stared dreamily at Ethan who was now rummaging through his Chemistry notebook to find last night's homework.

Separating her from her thoughts about Ethan, she felt a small tap on her shoulder from the left side. There, she saw a fellow classmate, who passed along a piece of paper that was folded into a tiny square.

After passing her the paper, the girl returned to her homework, while Allison gazed at the squared paper in her hands. Curiously, she unfolded it delicately, making sure not to rip it, and read what it said in her mind; Do you like me? Circle yes or no.

She furrowed her eyebrows, and instinctively looked up to meet Ethan's soft brown eyes and signature sweet smile that created a colony of butterflies in her stomach.

Allison had only ever seen these types of gestures in the movies, and had never experienced it in real life. It was almost like she was dreaming, but she decided to embrace it. She needed to feel like a normal teenager once in awhile, and the thrill of it all sent electrified shivers down her spine.

She reflexed into a grand smile heading in Ethan's direction, and quickly got out her pen to circle yes. Then, she nudged the girl on her left softly, who then passed it ahead to a boy, and then finally it reached Ethan, who opened it up anxiously.

When he read the note, he only gave Allison another sweet look, and the two shared a silent moment, just looking at one another from across the classroom, until Mr. Lieberman announced Allison's name on the attendance list.

-

Jackson tramped into his English class, and raced to his seat, where he saw Will twirling around his pencil in boredom. The look on his face was clearly unimpressed, and he let out a few occasional yawns, not even noticing the Pierce boy come in.

Jackson slouched back into his seat, relieved that he had made it to class on time, and opened up his English book to the designated page they left off on.

Mrs. Morgan, his English teacher had on an extra inflamed face today, and wore her long blonde hair in a tight bun. Her reading glasses intertwined with the loose strands of hair sticking out from her sophisticated look. He had noticed a small coffee stain sewn into her beige cashmere sweater just above her breasts, and the light bags underneath her eyes concealed by a heavy pound of makeup.

As the bell rang, he drifted his gaze away from her, and glimpsed shortly at all the students who were rushing towards their seats.

"Good morning, class," Mrs. Morgan addressed dully, forcing a polite smile to engulf her tired face. "We will continue reading The Taming of the Shrew today, and hope to be done scene two and three, by the end of class." She stood up from her seat, and continued her itinerary for today's class, while wiping the blackboard clean from yesterday's period two lesson. "But I will give you guys five to ten minutes before, to discuss yesterday's act two, scene one, with your fellow classmates in order to dissect the text throughly with help from your peers."

In the next minute, the class dispersed into a soft murmur about the play, while Will turned his gaze towards Jackson, who's eyes were glued to his desk.

"Yo, buddy," Will spoke in a hushed tone, nudging his elbow to grab his attention.

Jackson turned to look at his friend, who was finally off of his phone, and awaited for him to say something.

"Football tryouts are tomorrow before school."

The Pierce boy only nodded slowly, trying to comprehend why that was so relevant at that moment in time, and gave a respectful response. "Well, good luck then. I'm sure you'll do great this year."

He returned his attention back to his English book, and squinted his eyes, as if it would decrypt Shakespeare's ancient old English.

Will rolled his eyes in impatience, and nudged him once again, but a little harder this time. Jackson jolted upwards, giving him an annoyed glare.

"What?" He cried aloud, as Will leaned forward to introduce his obscure idea.

"I'm telling you to tryout for the team, Pierce." Instantly, Jackson's eyes widened in shock, while Will continued his proposal. "I think it's a great opportunity for you, and...it'll give you something to have in common with the guys."

Jackson only shook his head in disbelief, "I'm not good at football, or anything that involves physical contact -you know that, Will," he stated. "Plus, I'm busy. I have a job, I have two little siblings to take care of -occasionally," he listed, carefully utilizing his words. "I just don't have time for that."

Will shook his head in disappointment, and stared ahead for a moment, as Jackson went on in his ramble.

"Is this idea just so I could get along with your friends much better?"

Will quickly looked down at the ground, and projected a rather defensive, "no," until finally meeting Jackson's eyes that radiated a firm look. "Okay, okay, maybe it is just so you can hangout with the guys more...and me," he continued to elaborate sincerely. "You're my friend, Jackson, but you have absolutely nothing in common with my other friends, and they notice that. Doesn't that concern you?"

Jackson only sighed, trying to let out his frustration, and then calmly looked in Will's direction. "Friendship isn't built on sharing the same interests and having similarities. It's built on love and trust, which truth be told, I don't receive from your friends." He stood up from his seat in anger, and flashed him one last look. "And I guarantee you, we still wouldn't become friends even if I were to join the football team."

With that, Jackson marched up to Mrs. Morgan to request to go to the attendance office, and Will only sat in his chair in astonishment, reiterating those same words in his head.

Jackson walked through the empty halls in incredulity, surprised that Will even had the nerve to try and mold him into something he would like and benefit from. He couldn't believe his only friend -outside from Sean, would do that.

With a shake of his head, he entered the attendance office, where he noticed the secretary with short black hair talking on the phone with a parent. There was a man dressed in a black sweater and pants, going through a few files in the corner, and another student was in a small office across him, talking to her guidance counsellor.

Jackson scanned the room swiftly, with his hands tucked timidly in his pockets, and noticed the white shimmering tiles on the floor, the freshly painted white walls that still smelt of paint fumes, and the various pamphlets offering different courses displayed on a brown table.

"Yes, how can I help you?" Came the voice of the dark skinned secretary, as she finished her phone call, and stared directly at Jackson.

"I'm uh, here to confirm my absences for Tuesday and Wednesday," explained Jackson, shuffling his feet back and forth awkwardly.

The woman held on a stagnant look, and countered back with another question. "Did your parents not call in?"

"Uh, no, I'm actually eighteen, and I just forgot to call in myself," he persisted. "So if I could just sign and confirm my absence..."

The lady nodded abruptly, and held out a small sheet in front of her, with a black pen alongside.

"What's your name, hun?" She questioned again sweetly. "And the reason for your absence?"

"Jackson Pierce," he recited perfectly, as she wrote down his name in big bold letters. "And um-" he stuttered, scratching the back of his neck anxiously. "I was ill those days."

From across the room, the same man who was sorting through the files, took notice of the familiar name, and directed his gaze to the black haired boy who was standing skittishly around.

"Would you please sign below, and you'll be on your way."

Jackson nodded obediently, and took the pen from her to sign his name on the thin line. After he did so, he returned the pen to her, and smiled, already heading towards the exit of the office.

Before he could take a step out, he was greeted by a friendly pair of eyes that stood inches above him. The man he had skimmed over, was now standing directly in front of him, his black shoes polished to perfection. His hair was sprucely slicked backwards, and he held on a civilized expression.

Jackson was caught off guard, and became easily intimidated by his superior features, and his rough exterior, as he slid backwards on the lustrous tiles beneath him.

"Mr. Pierce," the man spoke in a profound voice, leaning inwards cordially. "I don't believe we have properly met; I am Alaric Fairchild, Allison's social and youth worker...and I guess you can say, an authoritative companion." He extended his hand forward to shake, as Jackson skeptically accepted his formal introduction, remaining distant. "I assume you're her brother?"

"Yes," Jackson affirmed, struggling to keep his sight fixated on his dominant eyes. "But I really should get going-"

He tried pushing past him, but he stepped in the same direction, preventing him from leaving.

"Maybe you should visit my office sometime," he suggested, completely ignoring Jackson's effort to get away. "We can talk about school, post-secondary options, and...maybe a little more about your life at home."

Jackson's attention quickly directed towards him at the sound of his last option, and studied his mysterious complexion, and unreadable intentions.

Now, Jackson surpassed the effect his intimidating looks had on him, and transformed into his protective, short-tempered self.

"No offence, but I don't need a therapist," he said arrogantly, a sudden rush of confidence exalting internally, as he waited for Mr. Fairchild to step back.

Alaric raised both eyebrows at his reaction, and held on a smug look, then went on to voice. "You know, you and your sister are quite alike." He continued in his substantial theory.

"The same docile brown eyes, with a hint of suppressed anger and frustration, and...the tendency to push people away."

The eldest Pierce boy avoided his eye contact, and cleared his throat emotionlessly, trying not to let the words get to him, as he tried to hold on a cold expression.

Mr. Fairchild paused for a moment, then stepped sideways, clearing his exit. But before Jackson could depart this interrogative ambush, he spoke one last time. "The offer still remains; my door is always open." His eyes never left Jackson, as he made his way towards his office. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Pierce."

With that, he scurried along, dissipating into his hidden office behind the front desk, as Jackson tried processing what had just happened. He ran an anxious hand through his ruffled hair, and headed out into the hallway, releasing a breath he didn't even know he was holding in.

A worried expression sat on his face, as he replayed his encounter with Alaric endlessly in his brain, fearing the outcome. He knew it was beginning to get harder to keep his family's secrets hidden.

-

Period two had just ended, and the bell that indicated lunchtime, rang stridently through the announcement speakers, flooding the hallways with patches of teenagers rushing to get to the cafeteria.

Allison made her way to her locker in the stampede, and started packing her schoolbag to get ready for her first shift at the Red Rose Café.

Before she could even gather up things, her friend Rebecca had appeared out of nowhere, with an outraged look on her face.

"Oh no, what is it now?" Allison asked, already fearing the outcome, with a slight tilt of her head.

"I just heard that Nancy overheard Katie who overheard Spencer, who overheard Kevin, who was eavesdropping on the vice principle-" she took a deep breath in between her long sentence, with a frightened look. "That we might be getting school uniforms!"

"Oh the madness," Allison relayed in sarcasm, closing her locker with a playful eye roll, as she swung her bag over her left shoulder.

"I don't look good in knee high socks, Allison. And a plaid skirt does not do any wonders to my fair complexion, and excuse me for being rude, but, these school colours don't do my eyes any justice," she reasoned, seriously distressed about the whole situation.

"I think what they're considering is pretty necessary," Allison voiced herself, a simple shrug at the end of her sentence. "They're already so strict about the dress code, why not actually create an adequate one?"

"You are not human," Rebecca responded dramatically, while Allison waited impatiently for her brother to show up so she could avoid this uninteresting conversation. "But it would be super nice if you could help me act on my plan to protest about the uniforms at lunch today."

"Rebecca, I have work," the eldest Pierce daughter explained, a faint smile visible on her pale face. "And, I can't always be here to back you up on your spontaneous ideas."

She crossed her arms in an irritated manner, then shook her head disappointedly. "Since when do you have work?"

"Since today," Allison replied confidently. "I work at the Red Rose Café now."

"...with Jackson?" The redhead questioned, unable to control her excitement, as Allison nodded in confirmation.

"Yes, and I'm going to be late if I don't leave this second." She was already rounding the corner of the hallway, deciding not to wait on Jackson. "Catch you later, Becca!"

Rebecca waved gradually, and then hurried on towards the cafeteria.

Allison sighed in relief at her finally getting away from her, then headed towards Jackson's locker, where she found him struggling to fit his school books into his bag.

Something about his demeanour seemed very off, and unsettling, as his hands were shaking noticeably, trying to gather his books successfully.

Without a delay, Allison rushed over to his side, and displayed a look of worry. "What happened?"

Jackson gazed at her in fear, zipped up his schoolbag, shut his locker, and then guided her towards the school parking lot by the wrist. He looked back and forth cautiously, making sure no one was surrounding them, and instructed for her to get in the car.

She did as said, and looked at him intensely from the passenger seat. He just stared ahead at the steering wheel, looking completely dazed and confused.

"Okay you're really starting to freak me out here, Jack," she let out, hoping to get him to explain his strange behaviour. "Seriously, what's wrong?"

In a split second, he turned his head to the right, with a worried expression. "I just had a little chat with your social and youth worker." Allison's heart sank in her spot, and her jaw clenched immediately. "He's a total nut job. He scared the crap out of me."

"What did he do?" She demanded to know, recalling her talks with Alaric, and how she was able to be somewhat vulnerable with him at times.

"He cornered me, he told me to come visit him in his office, and...he asked about life at home," Jackson elucidated, aggressively running a hand through his thick black hair. "Why would he do that? Why would he ask about things at home? I don't understand, I-"

"Jackie," Allison interrupted him, noticing his anxiety levels increasing. "You're just being paranoid. He's a social and youth worker; that's his job," she assured him, grabbing a hold of his trembling hand that lay limply beside him.

"I don't know, Allison." Jackson shook his head, peering at her nervously. "I don't know how, but...he was able to see right through me somehow. I couldn't respond confidently, I couldn't make up some stupid little lie-"

"Hey," she budded in once again, making sure to squeeze his hand comfortingly. "I'm sure everything is fine. Don't worry. He's one of the good guys."

Jackson let out a ragged breath, and stared into her eyes uneasily. "That's what I'm afraid of."

-

The two Pierce siblings had reached the Red Rose Café, after a troublesome car ride about Jackson stressing continuously about his risky encounter with Alaric Fairchild.

After Allison had reassured him multiple times, the two headed into the coffee shop, instantly approached by the aroma of caffeine.

A few daytime customers were seated at dispersed tables drinking their daily coffee, and reading a book, as the sunshine peered through the wide window reflected onto the mirror hung up on the wall directly across from it.

Allison instantly got a rush of nervousness, as she took her brother's lead into the back room of the coffee shop.

Sure enough, Henry was found rummaging through a box full of coffee mugs, when Jackson cleared his throat intentionally, to make their presence known.

Henry looked up from his task, and emerged into a wide smile, advancing towards the two in genuine excitement.

"You must be my new employee!" Henry beamed exuberantly, his plump cheeks high on his face.

"This is my sister Allison, and Allison, this is Henry." Jackson introduced the two, and watched his boss take a step towards his sister.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you." He proffered out his right hand, as Allison smiled sweetly, accepting his hand shake.

"You as well," she replied in her soft voice, as Henry pulled out a dark green apron from a box underneath the sink.

"I think this will make you officially a member," Henry presented, as Allison took the apron from him gratefully. "I'm really glad you applied for this job. Your brother is a hard worker, and I really appreciate his service. You can see why I didn't have to call you in for an interview; because if you're anything like him, you're absolutely perfect for this job," he explained thoroughly, flashing a smile in Jackson's direction, as Allison nodded in understanding. "Anyways, I'm not much of a personal trainer, so I'll let your brother help guide you on how all the gadgets function, and the basics of coffee and whatnot. I hope you have a great first day, and please let me know if there are any questions or concerns."

"Sounds good, thank you!" Exclaimed Allison, showcasing her pearly white teeth, as Henry smiled in response once again, and then headed out, not before letting Jackson know he was going to be running a few errands.

Once the bell placed above the door rang, indicating Henry's departure, Jackson turned towards his sister with both eyebrows raised.

"Okay, he's gotta be the coolest boss in history," Allison gushed, slipping on her apron, that seemed to engulf her petite frame, and acted more so as a dress.

Jackson chuckled to himself, and slipped on his as well, smiling down at his little sister. "Welcome, officially, to the Red Rose Café."

Allison looked around in amazement, and breathed in the fresh brew of coffee, thrilled to be working at her first ever job.

"How does it feel?" Jackson asked, noticing her astonishing expression.

"I can't describe it," she replied simply, with a small shrug. "I know I'm supposed to not like it, since it is a job and all -but, I'm ecstatic."

A laugh echoed at the end of her sentence, as Jackson smiled with a shake of his head. "Shall we get down to business?"

-

It had been exactly 2 hours on their shift, and Jackson had been explaining in great detail how the coffee machines worked, how to run the till, and the various recipes of their coffees on the menu.

Allison had dealt with customers in her positive manner, rung them through the till successfully, and made a delicious and exceptional cup of coffee for them. She seemed to excel already, and effortlessly fit right in to her surroundings with her bubbly personality, which Jackson took notice of.

After rush hour had ended, the two siblings were able to rest in their spots, a little overwhelmed by the amount of people in their small town who wanted coffee.

"Who knew this town had so many caffeine addicts," Allison remarked, wiping a sweat off her forehead, as she gathered her hair up into a high ponytail, immediately feeling more refreshed.

"Well it certainly doesn't help, it being a socially accepted drug and all," Jackson shrugged innocently, then surrendered momentarily. "Okay, maybe I'm guilty being an addict, as well."

Allison laughed at her brother, and then picked up a damp rag to wipe down the coffee filled counter with. At the moment, there was no one in the store but them, so Allison took the opportunity to discuss a few important topics with him.

"So..." she trailed off schemingly, while Jackson checked off his side duties, obliviously. "I was thinking, and I just realized, you're eighteen, and you haven't had your first kiss yet."

Jackson dropped his pen on the counter, and froze at her unexpected sentence.

"Why don't you tell the whole world?" He expressed in slight frustration, an uneasy look on his face, as Allison scrunched her eyebrows.

"But there's no one here."

Jackson rolled his eyes in dismissal, and then tried to cover up his embarrassment by saying defensively. "And what makes you think I haven't had my first kiss yet?"

Allison only shrugged in response, equipped with a simple reply. "Because, you run away when a girl is within a metre of you."

He rolled his eyes once again, and started fidgeting with his fallen pen, a serious look now overtaking his entire face. "Where are you going with this?"

"I think you should get a girlfriend," she bursted out loud, surprising Jackson by her sudden use of words.

Her brother stood still with two raised eyebrows in disbelief, and held a very rigid expression on his face, while Allison went on with her proposition.

"I mean, think about it, you can go on dates with her, long walks on the beach, split a plate of spaghetti with her-"

"Okay if that's your idea of my kind of relationship, I am seriously concerned about you." Jackson interjected her long list of ideal events in a relationship. "And, I don't want a girlfriend. I already have way too many responsibilities in my life."

"See that's the thing, Jack," Allison reasoned, her attitude remaining persistent. "Maybe you don't exactly want a girlfriend, but you definitely need one, and I've got just the girl for you-"

"Alli," he chimed in once again, a cautionary tone lingering on his lips, but Allison ignored it casually, then went on to suggest.

"I happen to think that you and Rebecca would look really nice together," she spoke in a playful manner, making sure to glance at him to see his reaction.

"I can't tell if you're joking, or just mentally insane," Jackson fired back with a disapproving shake of his head. "No offence to Rebecca or anything, I just don't do well with relationships."

"That's because you haven't tried," the eldest Pierce daughter rationalized. "How can you ever know that, if you haven't even given it a shot?"

Jackson repressed his tendency to start a heated debate, and only replied shortly. "Is this suggestion only aroused because you have a boyfriend now?"

For some reason, both of them twitched at the distinct word, finding it rather odd to vocalize officially and audibly. With that honest question, Allison's body unknowingly stiffened, and she had gripped the damp cloth in her hand even tighter.

Jackson and Allison had a very mutual connection, and they were pretty close. But still, as they stood across from each other, Jackson's gaze fixated on hers in anticipation of her response. She felt awkward discussing about Ethan with him.

"I told you, Ethan's not my boyfriend," she quickly dismissed, trying to avoid the topic, but Jackson just wouldn't stop, as it was now his time to bombard her with several questions.

"But you want him to be, don't you?" He only spoke in response, a devilish ring to his tone, as Allison huffed in defeat, then left her cloth on the counter in irritancy.

"If I do, is that a problem?" Allison finally spoke up, trying to understand where Jackson was going with this.

He immediately transmitted into a forced, lighthearted laugh, reaching across to grab the same -now drenched cloth from beside her, with a small shrug followed after. "You live your life the way you want to. I thought I made that pretty clear last night." Her gaze fell on the black and white flooring, as her brother resumed. "And I only ask you return the same consideration for me."

"Fair enough," she stated emotionlessly, a reserved expression held on her face, as she fidgeted with the small green thread on her apron. "But sooner or later, we're going to have to start acting a little normal; and one day, you're going to have to stop pretending everything's okay."

Jackson stood motionlessly across from her, trying to avoid her piercing brown eyes that always pried desperately for his real emotions to be distributed publicly. But he couldn't.

He just couldn't risk for that type of vulnerability to be publicized, especially in front of his sister, who perceived him to always be the resilient brother.

So he looked slightly behind her, focusing his sight on a nearby coffee mug, and retorted sympathetically. "I'm not pretending, Allison; I'm simply choosing to dismiss it right now, for the sake of the twins. There's a difference."

She looked at him in disbelief, while Jackson struggled to conjure up a convincing smile.

"You've sacrificed more than enough," she vocalized truthfully, a certain crack to her voice being made prominent. "You deserve to live a little. You deserve to be a normal teenager."

Jackson agreed with her wholeheartedly, but what she didn't realize was that, as much as he tried, his heart was completely closed off and numb to anyone but his family. That was something utterly out of his control, and weirdly enough, he didn't mind it.

He enjoyed loving his family only, but he also knew it wasn't conventional or beneficial down the road. But he couldn't help it, his love for his family outweighed any desire to attempt to live a normal life.

Cunningly, he responded. "I think I'll leave that to you."

-

A few hours had passed, and their shift was over, as both Allison and Jackson prepared to leave the coffee shop. Henry had come in during the last hour, and watched Allison's work ethic, and was impressed by how fast she had learned, satisfied by hiring her.

Allison removed the apron that was laced around her waist, and sighed in exhaustion, feeling today's activities catching up to her. Before she could relax even more, Henry came barging in from the front, a happy look dawned on his plump face.

"Great day today, Allison!" He exclaimed very vibrantly, expressing grand contentment. "I'm so glad you're working here now. Just a reminder, the monthly work schedule is drawn on the small chalkboard near the kitchen sink, so you can take a picture of it to know your next shifts."

Allison nodded in comprehension, and then glided over to take a picture of the said schedule. After she was satisfied with her capture, she picked up her schoolbag from the ground, and made her way to the front of the store, where she saw Jackson conversing with one of their co-workers who just started the next shift.

Jackson wore a polite smile, that outstretched wide enough to display a couple of dimples on his cheeks, and rested his elbow casually on the ordering counter, while the boy across from him, behind the till, returned the same genuine smile.

He looked younger than both of them, and he had short blonde hair that reached just above his ears. On his bare arm, she noticed a small tattoo of a dove, and underneath his apron, a vintage old shirt of The Beatles.

Tiredly, she marched over to stand beside her brother, and caught the attention of her co-worker she hadn't yet been introduced to. The two boys stopped their casual discussion, and stared at Allison in silence. The blonde boy was the first to break the quiet.

"I don't believe we have properly met yet. I'm Benjamin -but everyone here just calls me Ben." He displayed a graceful smile her way, as Allison fought back her fatigue, and managed to reciprocate the same smile.

"I'm Allison, Jackson's sister," she countered back, contemplating whether or not she should've mentioned the last part.

"Yes," Ben beamed in response. "He was just telling me how you just completed your first shift here successfully. I mean, don't get me wrong, this place is awesome, but sometimes the type of music that plays here, drives me crazy!"

Allison chuckled slightly, while Jackson tilted his head at the two interacting so effortlessly with each other.

"Well I can agree with that." Allison nodded. "They should seriously start playing The Beatles-"

"Yes, that would be awesome!" Ben squealed in excitement, as Jackson stifled in a laugh of amusement.

"Well it was lovely to meet you," Allison concluded, glimpsing at her older brother for a split second to determine his slightly distressed expression. "But we really must get going. Hopefully I'll see you around."

"Yes you will," he replied energetically, while Jackson waved briefly, and then the two Pierce's strutted out of the coffee shop, into their old black car sitting in the overheated parking lot.

Once the two slid inside, Allison instinctively rested her now heavily weighted head against the hot window frame, and felt her exhausted eyelids getting droopier.

Obliviously, Jackson started the engine to the car, and steered his way towards the twins' school. On their way, Allison decided to lazily vocalize. "I don't know how you do it everyday. I am so worn out, and I cannot feel my legs."

Jackson let out an uneasy chuckle, concentrated on getting to the twins on time, and urged his right foot onto the gas pedal, then went on to articulate. "You get used to it."

"I also didn't know how many ways there are to make coffee," she ranted, snuggling up in her oversized warm long sleeved shirt. "I mean, people are very unhealthily picky with their caffeine and how exactly it's produced."

"All the wonders of working at a coffee shop," the eldest Pierce boy spoke sarcastically, an amused look planted on his face at the sight of his sister listing various complaints. "Sooner or later, every type of coffee, and how to make it, just gets embedded into your brain."

"Well it also helps to have a good teacher," she chimed in conveniently, as Jackson pulled up into the school parking lot.

He shut off the engine, and unbuckled his seatbelt, already out of the car, while Allison struggled to remove her effortlessly positioned head from the passenger window.

"You can wait here. I'll get the twins," he advised compassionately, witnessing her body struggling to stay awake, while Allison let out a soft moan, as a response.

Jackson raced over to the main doors to find multiple parents greeting their children with open arms. He ruffled a fidgety hand through his uncooperative hair, and watched in anticipation for the twins to make their appearance.

Sure enough, Jocelyn came trotting outside with her growing plant that she had been taking care of, clutched securely in her tiny hands, with Alex following wearily behind, seemingly uninterested in his surroundings.

"Jackie, look what I have!" Jocelyn exclaimed excitedly, showing off her thriving plant that had begun sprouting.

"Wow, it looks really good," Jackson automatically beamed, bending down to take a closer look. "It's got a great caretaker."

Jocelyn smiled in response, and hugged the pot tightly against her, while Alex only rolled his eyes at his sister's childish behaviour, and made his way past her, in attempts to avoid the conversation, but was interrupted by Jackson.

"How about you? Where's your plant?"

Jackson had a teasing edge to his voice that was made quite prominent, in attempts to conform the unpleasant atmosphere to a much lighthearted one. Alex, however, did not seem to comply, and his twin sister was left to answer the question directed at him solely.

"His didn't grow, because he didn't water it," Jocelyn spat mockingly, targeting a sassy expression towards Alex, who remained easily irritable.

"Why didn't you water it?" Jackson pried further, steering the attention back to his much younger brother who seemed to be going through several unusual mood swings in just the last minute.

"Because plants are dumb." Alex crossed his arms in frustration, and started stomping away from the school's main entrance, while Jackson sighed at his disadvantageous behaviour, and nodded Jocelyn over to follow his lead to the parking lot.

Jocelyn silently trailed after her older brother obediently, with her beloved plant clutched firmly against her chest, whereas Alex only dragged his feet along the cement, caught in a frightful mood.

As the Pierce's mounted the car, Jackson was the first to see Allison fast asleep in the passenger's seat. Her head rested gently against the hard window, and her brown locks frayed around her face partly, just enough to make out the paleness in her cheeks, the rigid part of her stiff nose, and the elegancy of her eyes now able to find rest.

Jackson couldn't help but smile as he admired his younger sister, and then redirected his eyes to the front windshield, instantly being met by the sight of multiple parents loading their kids into cars.

"Is Alli okay?" A frail voice erupted from the backseat of the car, as Jackson met Jocelyn's concerned eyes in the rear view mirror.

He flashed her an assuring smile, and replied sweetly. "Yes, princess. Alli's just had a long and tiring day."

His eyes drifted to Alex, who sat with a grumpy look plastered effortlessly on his face, and restrained the urge to question him about his impetuous conduct.

Finally, he started the car engine, and pressed his foot hard against the gas pedal, ready to head home.

-

A few minutes had passed, and Jackson pulled up into the driveway. The twins were quick to unbuckle their seatbelts, and raced towards the front porch, where they heard Bruno barking loudly in excitement to greet them.

Jackson assessed the car to make sure he had everything he needed, and then ran a gentle stroke down Allison's arm, who still remained

in a peaceful slumber.

At his affectionate touch, she flickered her eyes open in ambient, analyzing her surroundings. Her neck hurt from the constant strain of her head leaning against the window, and she unwinded from her uncomfortable position to converge with Jackson's slightly hazel eyes.

"Rise and shine," he addressed melodically, a toothy grin now sewn across his lips. "We're home."

Allison nodded her head sleepily, and reached for her schoolbag that sat between her legs, then slowly departed the car, walking unsteadily towards the porch.

Jackson rushed to her aid, making sure to lock the car beforehand, and then supported her weight by placing a firm hand across her back.

"Second guessing getting a job?" He whispered teasingly against her ear, as Allison took a moment to straighten herself up.

"Not for a second," she replied back, just as playfully, then watched her older brother unlock the front door, now witnessing the twins run quickly inside to meet Bruno.

The golden haired dog wagged his tail in excitement, and bounced around carelessly, curing Alex's disdainful attitude easily.

"Remember, finish your homework first, and then you can play!" Exclaimed Jackson, over Bruno's excited barks, while Allison set down her bag on the ground, and made her way into the kitchen to fix dinner.

"What are you doing?" Jackson pondered, following his sister's steps with his car keys jingling noisily on his pinky finger, as she just gave him a strange look, unable to determine why he asked such a foolish question.

"Making dinner," she simply replied, with a raised eyebrow, blinking back the drowsiness her tiresome day had produced.

"You made dinner last night. Maybe you should get some rest," he advocated. "Finish your homework? Or take another nap?"

"No, I'm good," she only responded, waving off his offer, as he raised both eyebrows with a dumbfounded expression.

"Then how about we both make dinner tonight?" He finally proposed reasonably, an irresistible smile outstretched on his face, as Allison couldn't help but return one as well, unable to refuse the offer.

"That sounds good," she said genuinely, nodding in agreement, with twinkling eyes.

-

About forty-five minutes had passed, and the twins had completed their homework successfully in no longer than half an hour, and were now playing with Bruno in the backyard, after receiving a healthy snack from Allison, who remained in the kitchen, continuing to cook a tasteful dinner for the evening.

Alongside her, Jackson accompanied Allison in her efforts to cook a nice homemade meal, to provide some sort of entertainment, or difference in their daily school routine, as it had finally reached Friday, after a long and stressful week.

While the eldest Pierce daughter stirred the wooden spoon in the pot filled with freshly cooked rice, her arm glided across the kitchen counter that was soaked in water, completely drenching her long sleeved shirt.

The water expanded towards her chest, and an uncomfortable sticky feeling enveloped her delicate skin. Jackson, who was working on the salad across from her, tried his best to hold in his laugh at the view, as the look on Allison's face radiated nothing but frustration.

"You've got to be kidding me," she huffed in exasperation, holding still in her position, to avoid the increase of displeasure the cold water had caused.

"At least it wasn't boiling water." Jackson shrugged in reciprocation, looking at his sister smugly, clenching his jaw tightly to thwart him from bursting out into fits of laughter.

"I'm going to go change," Allison announced with an incredulous sigh, then climbed up the stairs to swiftly enter into her room.

Jackson shook his head at his clumsy sister, and continued to cut up a cucumber, with the knife gripped tightly in his right hand. As he did so, he glanced shortly outside the backyard to find Bruno running in circles around Jocelyn, and Alex kicking his soccer ball against the fence.

He smiled to himself, and then proceeded to finish off the salad he so carefully made. He placed the cut up pieces of cucumber into the bowl with the rest of the vegetables, and then stirred the pot of rice once again, to prevent them from burning.

As he made his way to the cabinet to fetch a pile of napkins, he heard a familiar vibration ricocheting off the marble counter, and unintentionally left the cabinet door ajar, in attempts to find the source of the sound.

He made his way to the counter, and found Allison's phone resting on the counter.

"Allison!" He exclaimed, hoping she'd be able to hear him from downstairs.

"What?" She let out from her room, scrambling to find a casual shirt to put on in replacement of her soaked one.

"Your phone is..." he trailed off, as he peered at the phone screen a little more closely, now able to read an -unfortunately recognizable name; Ethan Santiago.

Ethan was calling her.

Thoughtlessly, he pressed decline, before he could even finish his own sentence, and noticed all the texts he sent his sister, while they were busy making dinner.

Are you busy tonight, he read in his mind, shifting uncomfortably in his position at the next one.

Maybe we can go on that date I was talking about?

Jackson shuddered at the thought of Ethan and Allison on a date together, and heedlessly turned off her phone, so that she wouldn't receive any more texts or calls from him. His heart was now beating rapidly at what he had just done, and he set the phone back to its original place, with the screen facing downwards this time.

In just a matter of seconds, Allison came trudging down the steps with a new shirt on, and her long brown hair was now wrapped up in a high ponytail.

"What were you saying?" She questioned, as Jackson stumbled backwards a little, overcome by a sudden rush of anxiety.

"Uh, I was just saying that I finished making the salad," he lied, while Allison only nodded in response, then noticed the cabinet door hanging wide open.

"What's up with that?" She pointed to the wooden cabinets curiously, her ponytail swinging to the right side, as she tilted her head.

"I was just searching for napkins," he explained casually, dismissing the feeling of guilt that was poking persistently at his chest.

"I can help find them," Allison volunteered kindly, already stepping towards the cabinet, while Jackson also followed her lead, almost clashing into her body.

"I think they're on the top shelf. You wouldn't be able to reach it," he said, causing his sister to roll her eyes at his inconsiderate comment.

She scanned the bottom shelves first, and started shuffling things around in attempts to locate the missing napkins, but wasn't finding any. Jackson chuckled to himself lightly, and stepped towards her, standing directly behind her, and reached for the top shelf, enclosing her body against him and the cabinets.

He shifted his hands across the shelf, and victoriously pinpointed the location of the squared napkins. He then gazed triumphantly down at his shorter sister with a prideful smile, and unknowingly moved the bag of all purpose flour further off the shelf. Accidentally, as he reached for the napkins, he dragged down the small bag of flour off of the shelf, and onto Allison, who shrieked in anger.

"Jackson!" She screamed, completely covered in flour, as it blended into her dark hair, and camouflaged itself into her white shirt.

The Pierce boy stared at the scene in astonishment, trying to control the urge to break out into a laugh.

"You, idiot!" She cursed, pushing him angrily away from her, her -even more so pale face radiating her discontent in the sunlight.

The bag of -now almost empty flour, sat on the tiled floor, away from Jackson's reach, and Allison broke out into a mischievous smirk, absorbing an enticing idea.

Jackson was now in fits of laughter, as he supported his weight against the kitchen counter by leaning his arm on it.

Without him noticing, Allison stealthily picked up the flour bag, and dumped the remaining flour all onto her annoying brother, who gasped dramatically, feeling the powder excavate into his face.

"That is it!" He shouted playfully, his eyes completely widened. "I'm going to get you-"

Without properly completing his sentence, he made a mad dash towards his sister, who dropped the empty bag of flour quickly, and ran around the living room, with Jackson hot on her tail.

The two siblings scurried around the house, as Jackson chased Allison, leaving trails of flour behind, entirely engulfed in the white powder from head to toe.

In the midst of their chase, Allison positioned herself on one side of the couch, while Jackson was on the complete opposite, making it seemingly impossible for him to reach her.

"I will get you," Jackson threatened jokingly, staring intimidatingly into her eyes, while Allison held on an unimpressed gaze.

"If you can catch me, that is," she replied cockily, feeling pretty confident in herself.

In circles, they ran around the couch, with laughter echoing against the cream coloured walls, when finally, Jackson leapt briskly towards the right, propelling himself onto Allison, who was knocked onto the couch.

"Told you I'd get you," he said pridefully, smiling in satisfaction, as Allison laughed loudly, trapped underneath Jackson.

"You're the worst," she commented childishly, beating at his chest lightly with her fists, as he remained on top of her.

The two shared a moment of silence, as they took in their vicinity. Before they could speak, the doorbell rang, interrupting their moment of fun.

Jackson intuitively got up from his place, to move towards the front door, mentally questioning who it could possibly be. He brushed off the fallen flour on himself, then conjured up his guard once again, and twisted the metal doorknob rightwards, pulling the wooden door towards him.

Allison now fixated herself from her vulnerable position on the couch, along with shaking off the flour that embedded her clothes, then stood upwards in anticipation.

Jackson forced himself to believe his eyes, at the sight. There stood a tall woman, with a black laced dress hanging limply on her skinny body. Her long bleach blonde hair flowed graciously down her back in loose curls, her lips were coated with bright red lipstick, and her face appeared wrinkle-less. And on her face, was a sadistic grin, as she stared down Jackson, who was utterly speechless at the unbelievable scene.

After a few seconds passed, in attempts to convince himself this was real, his voice formed itself into a will-less welcome. "Aunt Josephine..."

A look of horror replaced Allison's curious one, as she quivered at the mere mention of the all too familiar name. She spun towards the door, and was brought face to face with the devil herself.

Aunt Josephine.

To Be Continued...