Chapter 4

"Will and Jef!" Linda called from the dining room as I made my way to my suitcases. They were still in the foyer where Linda had told me to leave them. "Will you help Allison take her suitcases to her room!"
There was an annoyed sigh as two boys came from the living room. The one, Will, who hadn't been so welcoming, shot me a glare as he snatched up my suitcase and began lugging it up the stairs. Once he was at the top, he turned around the corner.
"Don't worry about him." The one I assumed was named Jef grabbed my other suitcase and smiled sympathetically. I suddenly wondered if he knew why I was here. "Will is always like that. I guess it's just a little odd for having another girl with us."
I only nodded as he shrugged and dragged the bag up the stairs. I was reluctant to follow them, but seeing as I would rather sleep than sit around and watch television with a bunch of guys.

I climbed the stairs and when I reached the top I was surprised at the number of rooms. The bathroom door was open and I made a mental note that it was there. I looked around and tried to guess which room would be mine. There was a noise from the room across from the bathroom and I figured it might have been Will and Jef. Quietly I peered in, only to be surprised to see a boy sitting on his bed, a DS in his hands.
He looked up when I looked in. "Hello," he said with a small, shy smile.
"Oh, sorry," I said as I backed up.
"Don't worry about it!" He grinned. "You're the new girl right? Dad told us about you, but he didn't tell us why you were here. Why are you here?"
Judging by his age and the video game systems in his room, I guessed he was Mason. "I-I," I stumbled over my words. I scratched my arm, but it didn't have an itch at all, I just needed something to distract myself from his innocent green eyes.
"You don't have to tell me," he said as he placed his DS on his lap. "I'm Mason by the way."
"I'm Allison." My lips pulled up in a small smile. I was about to ask him what game he was playing when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I jumped and turned around. Jef had taken a step back as he looked at me with concern. "Are you alright? You seem a little jumpy."
"I-I'm fine, really." I insisted without meeting his gaze.
He didn't seem to believe it, but he shrugged. "Your room is this way." He gestured down the hall and lead me to my new room.

Opening the door, I was glad to see my bags beside the bed and Will no where in sight. "Thank you," I whispered quietly as I sat down on my bed.
"No problem." Jef rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "If you need anything, you can ask me. I don't suggest you ask Will, he can be a dick sometimes. Mason's pretty cool, although I'm surprised he put down his game to talk to you."
I managed another small smile.
Seeing as there was nothing left to say and wanting to avoid anymore uncomfortable small talk, he backed out of the room and shut the door behind him. Flopping down on the bed, I rested my head on the pillow. It smelled unfamiliar and it made my heart long for my comforter and pillow I had to leave behind. I had to leave a lot behind, even my mother. I let out a sigh as I closed my eyes. I couldn't believe how tired I was even though I had had a nap on the plane. It had been a long day. The last thing I remembered before falling asleep was Jef's concerned look and Mason's innocent eyes and I realized maybe I would be able to make friends in this new house.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day light poured in from the window and I squinted my eyes at the light. I looked at the digital clock on the bedside table. Ten o'clock. I rubbed my eyes as I swung my legs off of the bed and blinked as I stared at my clothes. I was still wearing my jeans and my favourite purple and blue striped shirt. I had been too exhausted to change into my pajamas. I looked at the thin blanket that I had pushed off and realized someone must have covered me up. I had slept on top of the comforter.

I folded the thin blanket and placed it on the end of my bed. I looked around the room with curiosity. It was a nice size and I was glad it was a light green. The bed frame was certainly beautiful. A cedar bed frame with an intricate design I couldn't quite make out. My eyes scanned the room some more until they fell on my suitcases. Smiling, I zipped one open and grabbed a clean pair of jeans and a long sleeved shirt.
After grabbing my clothes I headed to the bathroom, only to have the door open and I felt myself slam into someone. I dropped my clothes and leaped back. "Watch where you're going, Edmonton!"
I knew that voice. I looked up to see Will cleaning out his ears with a Q-tip.
"Sorry!" I snapped, narrowing my eyes. I was frustrated and angry at how he was treating me, and I wouldn't have it anymore. I opened my mouth, but it quickly shut when I looked from his disheveled wet hair and down his sculpted chest and just as my gaze lingered on a towel hanging on his hips I looked away and quickly began gathering my clothes that had fallen to the floor.
"Enjoying the view?" I could feel the smirk in his voice as he pulled the towel tighter around his waist.
I could feel the heat rush to my cheeks and I fought the urge to look up again as I said, "Are you done with the bathroom?"
He didn't say anything as he walked past me and into, what I guessed, was his room, closing it behind him.

I let out a sigh of relief as I stood up and walked into the bathroom. I found the clean towels in the cabinet beside the toilet and I turned on the shower. After stripping and getting into the shower, I felt relieved by the hot water. There was nothing better than a steaming shower to get rid of one's worries.

Turning off the water, I grabbed my towel and dried off. Once I was dry, I changed into my clothes and began drying my hair. I jumped when there was a knock at the door. "Allison? Is that you in there?" Linda's voice sounded from the other side of the door.
"Yes," I responded as I placed the towel in the laundry hamper.
I opened the door to a grim-looking Linda. "Your mother's body was flown in from Edmonton. They said it was alright for her to be buried here in Abbotsford where she grew up. Is that okay?"
I opened my mouth, but my throat grew tight and I knew there was no way I could speak without crying, so, I just nodded.
"She was flown in this morning. Her burial is in an hour. I see you're already ready. Te boys will just need to get ready. I nodded once more before she smiled and headed downstairs. I followed her downstairs.
"Oh, thank you for the blanket!" I called after her.
"Blanket?" She questioned as she turned around to look at me.
"I woke up and someone covered me with a small blanket," I explained. My mind began to wander.
"That wasn't me. Must have been one of the boys." She smiled before turning back around and disappearing into the living room. Furrowing my eyebrows as I began to think, I plopped down into one of the dining table chairs.

"Allison, you okay?" I looked up to see an older boy. His blond hair was tousled and unkempt. Although he looked like the kind of guy you could see starting fights, his eyes gave away his kind nature.
I nodded. I was tired of people asking if I was okay when I so clearly wasn't.
"I guess you don't remember me," he chuckled. I cocked my head, obviously confused. "We used to have play dates when we were younger. Back then, I was a lot smaller and so were you. I'm Ronan if you didn't know."
Now I remembered. Ronan was the oldest and we had had always played together in my mother's old backyard. I smiled at the peaceful memories and soon, I realized that the other two I had also played with had been Will and Jef. It was crazy at how different they seemed. Jef had been the more rude brother and Will had always made sure I was included. I couldn't help, but let out a small laugh.
By the way Ronan's smile grew, I could tell he was convinced I was feeling slightly better. "Mom said we're leaving in a bit. I'll come get you when we do."
"Thank you, Ronan."
"Don't mention it," he waved my thanks away before turning around and heading into the living room.

Come get me? I looked around nervously and my stomach dropped. That meant the rest of the Miller boys new what had happened to me. Linda and Keith must have explained while I was sleeping or in the shower. We were all going to my mother's funeral, and I was going with a family I barely even knew or remembered. I suddenly felt a lone again.