not edited

~*~

I ran behind Lydel, with my hand shielding my eyes from the pouring rain. I hear her giggle a little as her wbite sneakers get destroyed by the mud. 

"Stop laughing, you idiot," I muttered, running behind her. 

We came back from the clearing area and Lydel asked me to change into something casual as we were going to explore the city. I quickly did as asked and as soon as I came down, I noticed she was on her phone with changed clothes, talking to Octavian on the phone.

"Take a car with you guys, it's getting darker. So, just in case anything happens, you guys are safe," Octavian said, in a strict, no-bullshit tone. Which is always his tone but oh well.

"Yeah, we'll see. But about darker thing, the clouds aren't really dark, so nothing will happen, it might be because of the sunsetting," Lydel said, trying to convince him.

"Lydel, take a car with you guys," Octavian repeated.

"But we won't be able to walk around properly," She whined. 

I heard a faint sigh from the other end before he speaks up again, "Don't walk all the way there. Take a car, park it somewhere near where you guys are going. You can walk around but come back in the car. Is that alright?" 

"We'll see," She replied as her eyes landed on me. 

"Lydel," He said again in a tone of warning. My eyes widened and I lifted my left hand and dragged it right to left in front of my neck while mouthing 'mission abort' to her.

She just rolled her eyes in response and went back to the call, "Alright, we'll take the car," she said, defeated.

After that we went to watch a movie, had dinner at a homely cafe and we were walking down the street to the car when a light drizzle started. I looked at Lydel accusingly.

"Um, weather reports are not hundred percent accurate," She replied in a sheepish tone, shrugging a little.

I just rolled my eyes and we quickened our walk towards the car. At that moment I was just grateful that Octavian had forced us to take a car, because it was most definitely coming in handy. 

Soon, a familiar car came into view. I rushed over to it, not liking the way my wet clothes stuck to my skin. Something about half-wet clothes on me just makes my skin crawl. My hand landed on the handle as I tried to open it.

"It's not opening," I muttered, my eyes squinted due to the raindrops on my face. She looked confused as she tried it for herself. The door didn't budge. By now the rain had gotten a lot faster and I was not enjoying it one bit. 

Lydel started looking around for the driver. He had the keys, if the car wasn't opening meaning he wasn't here or he would've opened the door when he saw us trying. I quickly rushed under the shade of a shop. Lydel soon followed as I whipped out my new phone.

Going through numbers, I called the driver. The call did not go through and I tried again. But before it could start ringing, my phone died. I let out a small aggravated scream before turning to Lydel.

"We need to get home. The rain ain't stopping. The driver's not picking up and my phone has no network connection on my phone to call for help," She said.

"Please I don't want to do that," I said as I looked at her with a defeated expression. She looked at me with a blank look which she reciprocated. 

And that's how we ended up running on the footpaths two blocks away from the humongous ass mansion. The water splashed beneath my feet as I cringed. I hated running in the rain where all kinds of mud would get stuck to my shoes and jeans. 

Lydel was in front of me when a car passed us, at normal speed, splashing dirty water onto her. Her face scrunched up in disgust as I tried to hold back a giggle. I couldn't and the sound escaped me. She turned to me, a glare on her face. I quickly sobered up and wiped the smile off my face as she grumbled and started walking.

 
I followed her and within moments, the came down faster than ever with drops as big that they physically hurt us. We walked fast, crossed a few lanes all the while shivering and trembling. Soon, the golden lights from the lamps at the entrance of their mansion came into view and I sighed in relief. 

Seeing that e were on foot, a guard offered to take us upto the main house. I gladly agreed and thanked him as we both settled down in the golf cart like thing as the guard drove us upto the house. I was so happy that I was finally out of the rain that I almost relaxed. Almost.

Because before I could we reached the house and I saw Octavain's pissed off face. I gulped and saw Dorian was beside him looking equally as frustrated and angry. Two of my most scariest brothers, angry at me, together. What is the worst that could happen? Everything.

I wanted to cry just seeing their faces like that. I sluggishly stepped out of the cart, I was avoiding confrontation as much as I could but it won't be deflected for long. I slowly walked to the porch. I couldn't lift my head up from the ground while Lydel looked unconcerned about the whole situation. 

I opened my mouth to apologize, but before I could I was smothered by an income of white fluffy cloth in my face. I quickly moved it out of the way to breath and saw Zane. He took the towel from my hands, dropping it on my head and wrapping it around. He quickly looked me up and down for injuries. Satisfied when he didn't find any, he wrapped two large towels around my shivering form. 

I looked over to see Zion doing the same with Lydel. She rolled her eyes while swatting his hand away anytime he tried to wrap the towel around her head.

"Oh for fuck's sake Lyd, you're going to catch a cold, cover your head," He said, clearly frustrated with her antics. She just sighed and wrapped the towel around her wet hair. I pulled the warm towels tight around me and snuggled in the warmth.

"Now, you two," Octavian's sharp, emotionless voice cuts through atmosphere as he folded his hands, narrowing his eyes at both of us, "Care to explain why you two are drenched?"

"Octavian, if you hadn't noticed it's raining," Lydel said as if it was obvious. It was clear my brothers and Lydel were close, but I didn't know they were this close that Lydel was talking to him as if they were… siblings. 

"I'm well aware that it's raining, Lydel," His said, his voice was not clipped and he was gritting his teeth, "But why am I receiving calls from the driver that he has been waiting for you two for at least 30 minutes? And you two running down the streets in heavy rains at eight at night?

"That bitch," Lydel cursed as she came to realize what he had done.

"Lydel," Octavian warned with a hard glare on his face and this time she seems to realize what she had done wrong.

"I'm sorry," She quickly muttered, "What happened was that we were at the car when it was just a light drizzle, so it wasn't much. But he wasn't in the car. So, we called him but he didn't pick up. Ria's phone died, mine did not have a network connection so we waited there. For fifteen minutes, still no sign of him just the rain had gotten faster. So, we thought it would be best to leave. The rain just kept getting faster and faster and it was getting dark, we were tired and didn't feel safe waiting any longer," She explained to the boys.

"I'm going to let it slide but pay more attention next time. It could have been way worse," Octavian said, his hard gaze shifting from me to Lydel and then back at me, "You, keep a power bank with you at all times when you're out. I would like to keep in contact," He said, directing his wishes at me. I quickly nodded before he turned to Lydel, "I better not find you explaining weather forecasts to me next time." 

She just huffed before Zane spoke up, "Now that that's out of the way, you two need to ET changed. I have a warm bath running for both of you and get out of those wet clothes as soon as possible. Treating hypothermia is not on my to do list today," He said, pushing us inside.

I quietly walked inside keeping head down. Lydel followed my lead and I could feel their on my back as I climbed up the stairs. 

***

I snuggle in the fluffy blanket Zion wrapped around me as I wait for Lydel to come downstairs. Zion and Zane were sitting in their pajamas scrolling through the television to find a movie for tonight. We were supposed to be watching this in their cinema room, which was not surprising considering they had an indoor swimming pool but we shifted to the living room on the mine and Lydel's request. 

She came and plopped down next to me as Zion threw her a blanket similar to mine. She gratefully accepted it, wrapping it around her as the movie started. 

The lights were died and a girl in off white shirt and black jeans walked in with two giant mugs on a tray and walked over to us. She bent down, offering the mugs to me. I peered inside and found two jumbo marshmallows swirling inside the rich locking hot chocolate. 

"For me?" I asked in a low whisper. She merely nodded with a small smile. I returned her gentle smile with one of my own as I grabbed the light pink cup. She offered the other cup Lydel who gladly accepted it. We both thanked her as she nodded and walked out of the room.

I slowly sipped the hot chocolate as the pitter of small steps was heard. Sky came into my view as she claimed on the sofa and then onto me. I smiled and caressed her fur as she licked my face, making me giggle.

She soon settled down as I averted my attention towards the screen where a marvel movie was playing. I slowly sipped on the hot chocolate as I listened to Peter Parker make Gen z references.

As the movie ended, we all retired to our rooms. I insisted on Lydel staying in my room and she really didn't mind. I jumped under the covers as I tugged at my hoodie's sleeves. I offered Lydel my shorts and tops for the night cause she didn't have anything. The shirt was fine but the shorts didn't fit so she left to get something from Zane. 

A knock sounds on the door and I let them enter. Octavian walks in with a paper bag in his hands as his eyes roam over the whole room before landing on me. He raised an eyebrow in question as he observed my form fully covered by a duvet and a comforter. Only my nose and eyes could be seen. 

"Are you cold?" He asked as I sat up, letting the covers slide down. "Do you want me to get the extra blankets from the closet?" 

"A little, but it's fine, the duvet and comforter provide enough warmth," I said softly, reassuring him that I was fine. 

"Are you sure? They're extra fluffy ones," He said with a twinkle of amusement in eyes. It was a nice change from his usual emotionless expression.

"Quite tempting, but I'll pass," I said with a smile on my face. 

"Alright," he said as he kept the bag on the table, "These are your books, you can go through them. Don't forget, school starts on Monday. There is are quite a few subjects you'll have to choose. The list is inside the bag as well. You can go through them with Lydel," He said and as if on cue, the door opened and Lydel walked in.

"What do I have to do?" She asked as she joined me under the covers. 

"Help her choose subjects," Octavian replied to Lydel before turning to me, "Here, these are for you," He said, dropping a few multicolored papers on my lap. Among all of them one word shined through the most. It was also the most prominent amongst all, 'dance studio'.

"Why?" I asked him in confusion, my eyes still on the brochures.

"I heard you talking to the twins about how you would love to join a dance studio here. So, I went through some sites and asked a few people who know about dance and these are the best ones I could find," He said, looking somewhat proud of his work.

"I did not tell them anything of that," I replied in a small voice as I look at him in confusion.

I notice his eyes getting just a fraction bigger before he goes back to his normal unbothered state. "Oh, then I must have misheard. But since I've already got them, there is no harm in going through them now, is there?" He asked, raising one of his eyebrows. I noticed him giving a side glare to Lydel who was looking at him with an oblivious expression on her face. 

As if realizing something she spoke up, "Yeah, right," she started slowly, "Y-you should got through them. Plus, you told me over the phone how you wished that you could continue dance."

I gave her a fleeting smile before lppking down, "I would love to if i had the money," I muttered under my breath. I underestimated how close Octavian was standing and how sharp his hearing is, so unfortunately, he heard me.

"You don't have to worry about the money Astria. We have more than enough to fund you for the next eighty years and that's undermining it. And as your guardian for the next seven months, it is me who will pay for everything, be it your dance or school or some random gadget you want. You don't have to worry about anything," He said softly. 

I just looked at him as I held myself back from giving him a piece of mind about wasting money. I just held myself back as he walked out of the room after I thanked him for everything. Lydel and I stayed up late, talking about random stuff as Zane had offered take a sleeping Sky to his bedroom so that we wouldn't end up disturbing her.

Throughout the night, even after we turned off the light and retired for the night, there was one thought on my mind.

They had so much wealth, it was not as if they didn't have the resources to find us. Then why didn't they help. I remember every single one of the times when I overworked myself, working three jobs at once when I was thirteen. I remember every single one of the nights when I had to go to bed hungry because we didn't have enough money to buy food. I remember every time I was bullied because I did not have enough money to buy new clothes or shoes or books.

They had so much money they were flourishing while were suffering to survive. They lived a luxurious life while we worked our asses off, couldn't they have helped just a little.

With all these thoughts swarming my mind, there were only two questions.

Was I not worth enough? 
Did they hate us that much that they didn't care if we died?

***

A/N:

So, here's the tenth chapter folks. Kinda a filler chapter but I kinda like it. I liked her little adventure which I would've hated if I was there. I just hate getting wet in the rain. The weather is refreshing and all but getting wet is a whole another story. And I don't like it 😫😫

Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter! Next chapter will be her room reveal and her first day at school which will
be... interesting to say the least. But I promise, no cliche queen bees beating her up or bullying her vecause she was seen with the Crawford Siblings 🙄🙄

My question is, are there actually people like this? Does every school have a queen bee who just slaps people on random or likes to embarrass herself in front of everyone.
Personally, I have never seen anyone like this where I live but you tell me, do such people actually exist?

Enough of my rambling, if you liked this chapter, make sure to vote and share! Comment and tell me about your favourite part from this chapter!!!

QOTD: What is a series you're currently obsessed with?
AOTD: I am currently rewatching Lucifer, cause well, I'm obsessed with it 🥲🥲.

Here's a random sibling meme

I'm here to clarify, this 👆 actually happens. Speaking from personal experience 😭😭

Toodles

~Ash