Rose Cassidy closed the front door and dropped her gym bag to the side. She pulled off her trainers and placed them on the shelf by the door. Suddenly a large bundle of fur skittered around the corner and headbutted her shins. She stumbled back a slight bit and picked the cat up.

"Hey there Selina," she softly scratched the cat behind it's ears "Looks like someone's keeping you well fed"

Selina wriggled out of Rose's grasp and scampered around the corner and up the stairs to her room. Rose pulled a pair of slippers under the shoe shelf and put them off before making her way to the bathroom.

She stopped before the kitchen as a low voice softly spoke

"How was training?"

"Oh not that bad, Kate threw up though"

"Oh nice, how you feeling?"

"Little sore. Coach made us run full sprint with only 3 minute breaks. I know I'm gonna feel it tomorrow"

"I'll give you a proper stretch later. How does chicken rice sound"

"Abso-fucking-lutely perfect"

"Go get washed up I'm nearly done here"

With a light smirk on her face, Rose snuck into the kitchen and hugged the tall man from behind. Her hand snaked below his apron and shirt.

"You're sticky"

He softly pushed her away as he placed the four pieces of roast chicken into the pan and placed the lid on. Now pouting, she walked into the bathroom.

She washed her face in the sink, catching her reflection in the mirror when she came up. She had long curly dark blonde hair which reached just below her shoulders. Grey eyes, sharp nose and soft pink lips. She currently wore a loose white shirt over a black sports bra and grey short shorts.

She peeled off her clothes and placed it in a basket with other laundry. The warm water tingled her bare feet as she stepped into the shower and took her slippers off. The water rolled down her hair and back washing the sweat off her body. She had a lean athletic body, a slight hourglass figure. She didn't have a very impressive bust but she stopped worrying about it after she left high school. Her long legs were lean and muscular but she was the most proud about her back and shoulders.

After applying the proper shampoo, conditioner and shower wash, she rinsed herself off with blasts of cold water. It woke her up and prepared her for a long night of working on assignments.

Someone knocked on the door as she was drying her hair,

"Yeah?"

"Food's ready. Also your parents called, they will be coming home late so don't lock the door yet. Don't be late or Jimmy will eat it all."

Rose heard the man turn around and walk away

"Wait Ollie."

"Hmm?"

"Can you get me some clothes, I forgot to get them."

"Oh sure, what you feelin'"

She lightly grumbled in thought

"Cold, got a lot of work, show me your fashion skills"

She heard the heavy footsteps walk upstairs and back down after a few minutes. He knocked on the door

"Can I come in or do you need more time to hide your wrinkles"

"Shut up dickhead"

The door opened and he stood there with a pile of clothes in his arms, he walked in and placed it on the counter by the sink. He lightly bowed before Rose, receiving a light smack on the back of his head. He looked back up, a sly grin on his face. His eyes were blatantly wandering.

"Eyes up here Babe."

"Yeah I know."

"You gonna just stand there?"

"I've got more to offer if you ask nicely"

He slowly leaned down, getting closer to Rose's face. His left arm slowly wrapped around her waist. He lifted her chin with his right hand and whispered

"The food's getting cold"

He lightly kissed the tip of her nose, receiving a punch in the arm. Feigning pain, he backed out of the bathroom and closed the door. Rose put on the clothes Oliver placed on the counter. Black tank top, black sweat pants and a grey hoodie over comfortable underwear. He knew she didn't like wearing a lot of layers over hear arms since they sweated a lot.

She placed her towel into the laundry bin and started the wash, then walked out of the bathroom to the dining room. In the middle of the table was a large pan with three pieces of chicken with some rice and beans. Beside it was a large pitcher of lemonade and a bowl of fried cauliflower.

Oliver pulled out chairs for her and her brother, then used a spoon to serve the three. One piece of chicken and a pile of rice for each, he made sure James got a bigger serving of cauliflower but gave him an extra crack of pepper.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

"How was first week of school Jimbo? Any girls catch your eye or vice versa?"

"Nah, been busy getting textbooks and warming up to teachers."

"Remember if you get to pick spots, pick somewhere on the middle rows near the doors. Teachers pick students from the front and very back, plus you get more time to pack and not feel weird when you're too slow and are then stuck in the classroom while you panic and stuff things in your bag with your teacher sitting there. Also get to run to lunch faster."

Oliver felt a slap on his forearm

"Hey don't teach him that stuff."

She turned to look at her brother

"Don't worry about looking for someone in high school, they usually don't last long and you'll probably split when you go to college either ways."

"Didn't you guys get together in high school?"

"Shut up."

Oliver chimed in

"We've known each other for 9 years it's a little different like that."

James ate a piece of chicken along with as much cauliflower he could get into his mouth, Oliver leaned over and wiped his mouth.

"How're the teachers."

"They're alright, I'm probably fucked for math though."

"Oy language."

Rose suddenly spoke up

"The kid's 16 he can swear in proper company."

"Don't you dare teach him anything, I've first hand dealt with your colorful language."

"What's more charming than creative cursing?"

Rose glared at Oliver, he flashed a charming smile back at her, the two had obviously been doing this for years.

"Wish more teenagers were like you Jimmy, caught some kids being awkward trying to hide their stares at the ladies' behinds this morning.

"Not much an ass man myself."

"'preciate the honesty, if you're gonna stare just do it, no need to do pretend you're casually glancing around the room.

Rose pinched his arm

"Don't listen to this idiot, just pay attention to your studies, the ladies can come as a bonus. You'll have much more time to go for it when you're in college."

"I don't think there's much value in your advice, if it weren't for Oliver I doubt anyone would go for you"

Oliver put down his fork

"I remember back in middle school, your sister decked a guy for accidentally touching her hand. I'm surprised I haven't been stabbed giving her a hug."

Rose reached out and twisted Oliver's ear, who laughed and begged for forgiveness, a wide grin on his face the entire time.

The three ate with the occasional chatter and eventually separated. James went upstairs to his room. Rose picked up her laptop and sat length-wise on the window bench, she dragged a wool blanket over her legs. She then pulled over the side end table from the the couch to where she sat, plugged in her laptop and started working. Oliver cleaned the dishes in the kitchen and neatly organized them back into their cabinets.

After a bit he walked out of the kitchen with a steaming stainless steel suction bottle, the kind that couldn't be knocked over. He walked over and placed it on the window sill across the bench Rose was sitting at.

Her eyes were fixed on the screen, only slightly shifting around when she was thinking. Oliver softly touched her cheek with the back of his hand

"You cold?"

"Little."

"I'll be back in a sec, take a sip when it's not scalding."

His hand lingered, she softly pressed her cheek against it. He then left to go upstairs and pick up his things. Rose continued to scan the screen, occasionally highlighting a few things and writing notes.

Oliver walked down after a moment with his laptop and tablet in one hand, headphone in the other. He walked over to the window bench and gave Rose a soft tap on the shoulder.

"Scoot."

She pushed the side end table forward and slid forward with her legs together. Oliver sat behind her with his legs on either side, luckily the couch was large enough to fit them comfortably. Rose instantly started warming up, Oliver was basically a walking radiator.

"You good?"

"Mmm."

She mumbled, clearly focused on her work. She used her hands to push herself back and get more comfortable, Oliver's chin sat neatly on the top of her head. Rose went back to reading, highlighting and note writing. Oliver rotated between reading, writing and randomly staring into space. Rose could hear the gears turning in his mind with his thousand yard stare.

A few minutes later Oliver reached over and picked up the bottle he placed on the window sill. He took a small sip to test the temperature, after a short while of leaving the bottle open with out the lid, he touched the bottle to Rose's neck. She jumped a bit but settled down.

"Stay hydrated."

"What's in it?"

"Try a bit."

Rose held the bottle with both hands, the heat permeated in her palms. She took a sip, making sure it went down the right pipe.

"Mmm tastes like if mint chocolate chip ice cream were melted and microwaved, but like, better."

"Your descriptions never cease to make me question my decisions."

"What is it?"

"Basically mint liquors and hot chocolate. Not gonna bore you with details."

"Mmm whatever's in here it tastes amazing."

She took another deeper sip

"Woah there cowgirl slow down a bit, it's a boozy drink you should let it sit and digest a bit before your next sip."

Oliver put down his tablet and took the mug out of her hand, giving it a sip himself. The creamy and smooth drink warmed him inside, the mix of peppermint and chocolate is a match made in heaven. He let out a satisfying sigh and put the mug back down on the window sill.

"Ollie?"

Rose softly spoke

"Yeah?"

"What do you think about targeted advertising online?"

"Discussion?"

"Yup."

"Hmm, I can give you a bullshit good grades response and a personal response. Which do you want."

"I already have my response I just want to hear yours."

"Aight. Well. I don't care much for them. Not really affected by those online advertisement banner thingies anyways. I get interested in those like mobile game ads every now and then when I'm bored but not real products I have to buy you know?"

"Right."

Oliver sat up straight and softly tugged Rose back more comfortably into his chest, she pulled the side end table closer.

"I don't really get how companies earn enough money off those banner advertisements or TV ads to justify putting it there. It's expensive innit?"

"Ads are more effective than you'd think babe. You barely buy anything regardless but even you think 'hey that thing looks pretty cool' when you see them ads right?"

"Sometimes yeah."

"Adverts seriously work and influence people to buy the products, plus think how much traffic goes through those websites and see ads over and over again. It kinda gets imprinted into people's minds. When they then see the product in like supermarkets and stuff they'll subconsciously gravitate towards it than other brands cus they've seen it a lot online. At least that's what I understand."

"I just heard it's stupidly expensive buying advertising space. But if companies seriously earn enough from those advertisements then sure. I dunno, the last time I was affected by an advertisement was finding cool music in a youtube jewelry brand ad."

The two worked in comfortable silence for a few hours until it was midnight. Rose softly shut the laptop and pushed the side end table away. She relaxed and laid back against Oliver.

"Done?"

"Mhm."

"Got any stupid 3am meetings?"

"Nope, thank god."

Suddenly Rose's phone rang, she picked it up and responded with a list of 'mm's and 'yeah's.

"Mom and dad are staying with the Adams tonight, I'll go lock the door." 

Rose lifted the wool blanket and swung her legs over Oliver's to stand up and walk to the front door. She returned in a short moment with a sly grin on her face. Oliver felt a primal sensation of a prey being hunted. 

She sat on his lap facing him, he could see her breath in the winter air. 

"Say. My parents won't be coming, Jimmy's sleeping" 

She lightly gripped Oliver's shirt collar 

"Shouldn't we check first?" 

"Aww is the big man Ollie scared?"

"Can we at least go upstairs fir-"

Rose cut him off with a deep kiss as she slowly slid her hands under his shirt. Seemingly given in, Oliver too hugged her closer to his body. The two intertwined under the soft lamp light.