more than expected; closed.

Gretchen sat in the living room, listening to her ipod as she worked on her homework. Her mom had mentioned that her new step-brother was coming to live with them. She wasn't looking forward to this because from what she heard he was out of control and a jerk. She looked up when her mom tapped her on the shoulder and pulled her earphone out. She heard the doorbell and groaned. She didn't want to deal with this today. She stood up and fixed her hair. "Do i have to be nice to him?" She asked. Her mom nodded, "Yes you do." She said.

@ typhlophile

@ Divergent

From the passenger seat of his uncle's jeep, Lennon sat for two hours, not saying a word. What was there to say anyway? Mom was gone. And now Lennon was being forced to live with his "father". The man who never really had any part in his life previous to this event. You would think an almost 18 year old would be able to live on his own, but Lennon didn't even have a job. His mother paid all the bills, gave him money any time he asked, and let him come and go however often he pleased - a teenager's dream.

A frown formed on Lennon's face as they pulled in the drive of his new home. Carrying what little he had with him, he rang the doorbell and waited impatiently for someone to open the door.

Gretchen watched as her step-father opened the door. His son didn't seem to happy to be seeing his dad. She didn't know much about this kid; she just knew that he was mean to his dad all the time. At least that is what James had told her about him. She bit her bottom lip lightly as she watched the boy. "How are you Lennon?" James asked as he shut the door. "You know Emily and this is her daughter Gretchen." He introduced him.

@ typhlophile

@ Divergent

"Couldn't be better," Lennon retorted sarcastically. How was he supposed to be right now? He looked around his father and offered half a smile to the girls, his eyes lingering on Gretchen. She was pretty. Still, he could tell she was judging him, not that he really cared. He wouldn't be living here long anyway, he didn't need her or anyone else's approval for anything.

Lennon stepped inside and set his bags down, "so where's my room?" Emily smiled softly, ignoring his rudeness. She knew this was probably difficult for him, no matter what James had told her about the boy, he did just lose his mother. She motioned to Gretchen, "Sweetie, why don't you help him carry his bags to his room?"

Gretchen stared at her mother for a few moments, not really wanting to help. "Fine." She said. She grabbed one of his bags then walked up the stairs with him. She took him to his room, opening the door. "Well here you go." She said as she put his bag on the bed. She walked towards the door, stopping to turn towards him. "Sorry about your mom." She said softly. She had never lost a parent, but she was sure that it was an awful thing to go through.

@ typhlophile

@ Divergent

Lennon smirked as Gretchen helped him take his things upstairs.. He noted the open door across from his own to be Gretchen's room. It was a nice room and he was actually impressed, especially with the large window beside the bed through which he could see the sun already starting to set. His old room wasn't much, partially why he spent the least amount of time in it as possible. Her sorry Interupted his thoughts and caught him off guard. He frowned and turned his back towards her, "you can leave now." Sure she meant well, and while he didn't care about her approval he sure as hell didn't want her pity either.

Gretchen stared at him, "Okay then." She said softly. She walked out, "Dick." She muttered to herself. She went to her room and shut her door. She wasn't sure if he was constantly mean or if this was just something he was working through. She sat down in the chair in her room and pulled out her phone. She put her headphones in as she texted her friend. Gretchen mostly kept to herself and didn't get involved with her mother and James. After a bit she went to the bathroom, stripping down before she stepped into the shower. She smiled as she relaxed under the warm water.

@ typhlophile

@ Divergent

Lennon ran a quick hand through his hair as he began unpacking his bags. He set up his stereo first, allowing him to drowned out the silence while he unpacked the remaining things. A mere 20 minutes later everything had its own rightful place. He threw himself on the bed and let out a dramatic sigh. "Home sweet home," he grumbled to himself as he stared at the ceiling. It didn't take long for Lennon to get bored of just sitting around. Deciding to roam the neighborhood, he slipped on a sweatshirt and made his way back downstairs.

Gretchen got ready for bed then walked towards her room. She looked over at Lennons room and decided to avoid it. She walked downstairs and sat down in the living room. She pulled a blanket over herself as she watched a movie. Her parents had gone to bed and she relaxed when she found a scary movie. She jumped when the front door opened and looked back. She sighed when she saw it was her new step brother. She look at the tv and relaxed again.

@ typhlophile

@ Divergent

Downstairs Lennon saw Gretchen on the couch but didn't bother paying her anymore attention than that. He pulled his shoes on and opened the door, the cool air instantly hitting his face and waking him up from his almost sleepy state. As he pulled the door shut he saw Gretchen jump and rolled his eyes. Outside there was barely a breeze, but still the trees rustled, making the only sound other than Lennon's even breathing. He walked and walked, not really paying attention to the time or where he was headed. His mind was completely clear, the way it always was when he took his night walks. a few blocks later, Lennon spotted a swingset next to an impressively tall slide. He shoved his hands in his pockets and set on the swing, swinging himself. Some time later, the wind picked up and Lennon shivered. He stood up and walked back the direction he came, effortlessly remember exactly which streets to turn on. By the time Lennon reached the house and slipped through the front door, his teeth were chattering.

Gretchen glanced back when she saw the door open. She went back to watching her movie and eating popcorn. She really didn't know what to say to Lennon. He seemed kind of mean and it scared her. Gretchen didn't understand why someone would ignore their father for so long. She took a sip of her water, trying not to look in his direction. Gretchen also didn't understand why he would just go walking through the dark in this weather. Maybe it was because he was a boy and boys were always stupid.

@ typhlophile

@ Divergent

As Lennon warmed up in the foyer, he shrugged off his sweatshirt and walked to the kitchen, looking for a midnight snack. Settling on a bowl of cereal, Lennon took his bowl into the living room and sat on the other of the couch. He wasn't sure what movie she was watching, and it didn't really look that interesting, but at least it was almost over. He glanced at Gretchen as he shoved a spoonful of fruit loops in his mouth. He considered appologizing for being rude earlier, but opted out.

Gretchen looked at him, "What?" She asked. She didn't understand why he was so quit. "Are you always this quiet?" She asked as she ran her fingers through her hair. Gretchen went back to eating her popcorn as she waited for him to answer.

@ typhlophile

@ Divergent

Lennon stared back at her, still not saying anything. Then he frowned, "I guess I could ask you the same question." He shoved another spoonful in his mouth. "Okay," he countered once he had finished chewing the last bite, "what is it that you are dying to know about me? I'll answer any of your pretty little questions." He put the bowl on the coffee stand and turned his body towards Gretchen. The question was filled with sarcasm, but he still sat and waited for her reply.

Gretchen frowned as he turned towards her. She could tell her was just being a jerk, "Sure, here's one for you. Why are you such an asshole?" She asked. Gretchen wasn't going to let this guy think he can push her around. "Also why come live with a father you ignored your whole life when you clearly have more family?" She asked. "Perhaps because you found out he has money?" She asked, crossing her arms.

@ typhlophile

@ Divergent

Lennon let out a laugh that sounded more like a cough. He hadn't been expecting Gretchen to come back at him like that, nobody ever did. He liked the idea that she wasn't just another bimbo blonde, she'd actually argue with him and speak her mind. Then he realized what she had actually said and made a face of confusion. "I may be an asshole, but I sure as hell didn't choose to come here. Legally, James has custody now..." Lennon got quiet again and turned away from Gretchen. He sat a minute and scoffed. "No, the money was just a perk. The only perk I guess." With that Lennon got up from the couch, taking his bowl to the kitchen.

Gretchen frowned as he got up and walked away. She got up, shutting the tv off. She went upstairs to her room and shut her door. Gretchen sat on her bed and pulled out her phone. She wasn't a fan of her new stepbrother at all. Though he was kind of cute. She shook her head knowing she shouldn't have those thoughts about him.

@ typhlophile

@ Divergent

Lennon dropped the bowl in the sink and grabbed a water from the fridge to take to his room. In his room he quickly stripped down to his boxers and laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He couldn't decide whether he should continue keeping everyone out or let someone in for once, someone like Gretchen. Sure, she was sassy, but she was also the only other person who knew anything about him. And wasn't that was he was supposed to do? Be a decent brother to her and she would be a decent sister to him. Maybe that was what he needed. Just someone to talk to. Lennon rolled over to his side and let himself fall asleep.

Gretchen woke up the next morning and got dressed before she walked downstairs. She went into the kitchen and got herself a bowl of cereal. She sat down at the table and began to eat her food. She looked over as James walked in and then looked back at her food when Lennon walked into the room. James looked at them, "I'm working late tonight and Emily is going out so you guys are gonna be alone for tonight." he said. He looked at Lennon, "Don't get into any trouble." He said as he grabbed his stuff and left. Gretchen leaned back against her seat, not wanting to be stuck with Lennon all night.

@ typhlophile