“Holy crap this place is huge!” Lux squeaked.

I chuckled a little and scratched the back of my head.

“Yeah, that’s what I get for letting Jack help me pick a place.”

Lux and I both stared up in awe at it. The building was huge and looked like it was made of glass! But if you looked closely enough, you could see the gold and grey trimming on it. This is exactly what I imagined actors and superstars lived in. I came here with Jack a few weeks ago, I never went inside. But I gave him the okay to help get me set up to live here. To think the day finally came…

“Well let’s not just stand here! Let’s go in and check it out!” Lux cheered.

She gave me a big smile and jogged ahead. But I grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

“Not that way, we need to go through the parking garage.”

She turned back to me and raised her brow.

“Uh, sure alright. Lead the way then Superman.”

I nodded and then guided her along to the side of the building. Where I used our key card to get us in. I felt like a secret agent or something going in there! Lux remained quiet the entire time, Just excitedly looking around the building.

“What took ya so long kid!?” I heard Jack call out to us.

I looked to my left in this maze of a parking garage. And there he was, waving me down.

“For a guy who dresses like a bum, you sure do like the fancier things in life.”

“Hey I take offense, I’m a man of class!” Jack chuckled as we came around the corner.

Then he tossed some keys at Lux, which hit her upside her head.

“Hey, what the heck was that for you frostbitten jerk!” Lux roared. “It’s dark in here!”

And Jack just responded by laughing. Lux leaned down and snatched the keys off the floor.

“Oh, you think this is funny!? You still gonna laugh when I take your stupid car for a joy ride!?”

“I think you mean your car, my love.” Jack hummed.

“W-wait, what?” She mumbled out. “You bought me a car?”

“Well, you were telling me a few days ago that you hated taking the bus. So I figured why not, not like I have to watch my budget.”

I smiled and patted Lux’s back.

“Come on, let’s go check it out.” I hummed and jogged over to Jack.

She didn’t say a word. She just slowly walked over to us, and her eyes somehow got wider as she saw the car. It was a new, blue 2019 mustang! The last time she had a car, it was basically held together by duck tape and luck.

“Jack...I-”

Lux started, but she stopped as Jack walked over to her. He moved rather close to her, and my brother’s senses were tingling. I’d throw a shuriken at him if he tried anything.

“I tried to get a color to match those beautiful blue eyes of yours. But it really pales in comparison.” Jack chirped as he looked her in the eyes.

Thankfully he didn’t move any closer to her. Just as he was about to move away. Lux grabbed his collar and pulled him down to her. Bringing Jack in for a kiss. I was stunned, and judging by his wide eyes. He was just as stunned! She let go of him, and Jack just stared at her. While I could see a rosy shade spread on Lux’s cheeks.

“You’re nosey, pushy, and so nonchalant about everything. Sometimes I can’t stand you ya know. But honestly, I can’t imagine not having you around lately. You’ve really been a rock for me. So thank you..” Lux said as she looked away from him.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“You talk too much, ya know that?” Jack said before he pulled her in and kissed her again.

Lux then immediately wrapped her arms around him and pulled him in. I quickly looked away from them. As happy as I was for her, seeing my sister make out with someone wasn’t exactly how I wanted to spend my time. I gave a loud fake cough.

“Ya know, the others should be waiting on us still!” I called out.

That’s when I heard a gasp of air from Lux.

“R-right! My bad..” Lux called out.

“Come on kid. Ruining the mood.” Jack groaned.

“Oh shut up you!” Lux yelped.

I turned back around and I saw Lux hitting Jack’s chest.

“Fine! Let’s get going. I guess your friends do matter.”

With that, we headed up to the room. We were stationed on the fifth floor of the building. The hallways here were really fancy! It was completely different from my old place. With stains and holes in the walls. They had freaking lamps and mint bowls on stands in the halls! It was so bright and golden down the hallways. I couldn’t believe this place even existed! Then I saw it. Room 503.

“Well, here we go..”

I took a breath and held up my key card to the door. My new home. I pushed the door open and I was greeted by cheers.

“Suprise!”

There they were! All of our friends! Elizabeth and her crew, Zack and Annual. And even Valentina, Alexis and Donum!

“What freaking took you so long!” Zack groaned. “Leaving me in a boring place with no damn furniture.”

“Sohry! we troyd t' stawp thaem frawm aytin ooll the food.” Elizabeth cried as she hopped forward.”Buh' Weis was myde yah haeld off hiies foigh!”

“Yeah, that’s my bad guys.” I chuckled.

“Hey! Why are you holding my darling’s hand like that!” Zack roared as he marched over to them.

“Didn’t you hear? We’re madly in love!” Jack chuckled. “We’ve even had our first kiss!”

“YOU WHAT!?” Zack cried.

“Jack!” Lux growled and punched him in the gut.

“I’ll cook you, you snowball!”

Then Alexis flew forward and grabbed Zack by his waist.

“Hey now come on. You still have me Zack” Alexis cheered with her wings spread out.

She flapped them and flew in the air, dragging Zack away from Jack. While Zack hurled insult after insult at him. But he was too busy struggling to get out of Lux’s headlock.

I started to laugh, but that didn’t last long. I felt someone yank me into the apartment. I looked up and I saw Elizabeth’s bright smile. And that all to familiar scent of the sea.

“Stryder come on! Oy syved yah a sloice of peezza!”

She pulled my arm into her chest as she dragged me over. My face ran hot as I looked over to her. She was only inches from me now and I was at a loss for words. Then I saw Elizabeth jump with a yelp. She turned around and I saw Annual in her wheelchair.

“Let my knight breathe!” Annual huffed.

“Whuytevah do yah mayn!?” Elizabeth hummed as she turned to Annual.

That’s when it hit me, they were all here...Annual, Elizabeth and Valentina…

“Oh no..” I mumbled.

“H-hey Stryder?”

And speak of the devil.

I turned and there she was, Valentina. She was wearing her usual black sweater, and I couldn’t help but admire how cute she was. Her cheeks were red and she looked surprisingly nervous. Is this what it felt like to be popular?

“H-hey Valentina! I’m glad you could make it.” I said as I gave her a smile.

She seemed to calm down as she saw my smile. She nodded and held out a small brown package.

“I got you something.”

She held it out to me and I took it.

“What is it?”

She giggled.

“Well, you gotta open it to figure that out smart guy.”

I rolled my eyes and started to rip the paper off.

“You look good in your new threads by the way.”

“And you always look good in your sweater.”

I caught my breath as I said that. Did that really just come out my mouth!? I tried to pretend like I didn’t just say that and finished opening it. I snuck a peek at her though, and I could see her cheeks were red.

“W-why thank you..” She mumbled.

I looked back down to the gift, and my eyes grew wide.

“Oh my gosh did Rick make a new series!?”

“Mmhmm, I was hoping you hadn’t read it yet!”

“This is awesome! Thank you!”

“Don’t mention it, just let me know when you finish so we can fangirl together.”

I chuckled and nodded.

“Totally.”

“Oy deedn't knaow yah loiked books loike thaht! Haow adahable.” I heard Elizabeth cheered as I felt her wrap her arms around me from behind.

I jumped a little and turned back toward her. Her face was just as close as she was before. And I felt the heat rise to my cheeks just like it did.

“O-oh Elizabeth, yeah I love this series.”

“I’m surprised you give yourself time to read. You usually work yourself to death helping people.”

Annual said as she rolled over to us.

“Well, I’ve learned the hard way that I need to take some breaks,” I said with a nervous laugh.

Oh crap, they were all around me now. I could see Valentina was looking nervous, she already backed away. While Annual was giving Elizabeth the side-eye. Crap! What do I say? What should I do? Should I try and make Valentina feel comfortable? Or should I try and talk to Annual so she doesn’t feel ignored. Then again, Elizabeth has no in on the conversation.

“Hey everyone! I’m gonna go get some more food and entertainment! While I’m doing that Lux and Stryder are gonna pick out some furniture for the house!” Jack called out.

He looked over to me, and I could’ve sworn he winked.

My hero…

…

“Geez little brother, who knew you’d turn out to be such a lady killer?” Lux teased as she nudged my side. “Your lucky Jack saved your butt!”

“I could say the same about you.” I sighed.

“Well, maybe it’s just a curse of being a Beowulf.” Lux hummed.

“Lux, what do I do?”

She turned toward me and flopped down on a futon. She patted the spot next to her and giggled.

“Well, why don’t you step into my office?”

I sighed and walked over to her. I plopped down next to her and leaned back into the futon. We were so lucky the furniture store was practically empty.

“So, what seems to be the problem?”

I looked over to her, and she had this smile on her face.

“I-I don’t know what to do about all this. I want to show them all I care about them ya know? I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.”

“Elaborate some more. Give me the juicy bits.”

I groaned and slid down on the futon. I looked over to her, and she just rolled her eyes.

“I-I still have feelings for Annual. When I look at her, I still feel my heart racing. I miss her blunt honesty. I miss how we used to walk through the woods. Hell, I even miss hearing her tell me about all the new stuff she learned about plants.”

“It’s Valentina, isn’t it?”

I sighed.

“You can tell?”

“You were looking at her like she was the only girl in the room.”

“You’ve gotta be kidding me..”

“And It’s obvious your super attracted to that Aussie girl!” Lux laughed.

I just groaned again.

“So not funny..”

“But for real though. You have to understand, that you’re not gonna come out of this without hurting someone. And you’ll only be hurting them a whole lot more trying to do that.”

I sighed.

“Your right, but still. What does that mean?”

“It means you need to be honest with yourself about how you feel. I know the past is important to you with Annual. But don’t feel obligated to be with her for nostalgia or pity. If you want to be with her. Let it be because you chose her, not because you feel obligated.” She looked over to me and poked my cheek. “And don’t let this stop you from enjoying Valentina. I can tell you really like her. So don’t avoid her.”

I nodded and gently smacked her finger away.

“I gotcha, I just need to stop running away then.”