You Look Pretty Low

[Peyton]

All four boys stayed over last night, meaning they were still asleep when Julian turned up at 9am. We knew he’d be early – he always is.

“Good morning girls!” Julian beamed, sitting opposite us in the kitchen

We just grunted.

“Come on, liven up! Didn’t you miss me at all?” Julian gasped mockingly

I couldn’t help but smile, noticing that Trinity did the same.

“Yeah we missed your fuckked up face, Julie,” I said happily

“So you’re still as charming, then?” Julian laughed

“You know it!” Trinity grinned

“We’ll leave the three of you to talk. Do you want us to wake the boys up?” Sue smiled

“Nahh., leave ’em be. We wore Zack and Alex out last night and kept Jack and Rian up, so they’ll need their sleep,” I said innocently

Donald grimaced, ushering his wife out the room. Trinity and I just laughed.

“So…I heard you have boyfriends?” Julian asked playfully

“Well, pretty much. Started out as fuckks, but progressed into a little bit more,” Trinity shrugged

It may seem weird that we’re so blunt and open with Julian, but he’s our care worker – he’s had to put up with us for 10 years now…he’s used to it! He found that being as blunt and open as us was the only way to communicate.

“That’s always nice to know,” Julian fake-grimaced

“Oh come off it Julie! We know you love the gossip!” I giggled

Julian rolled his eyes but smiled. Told you!

Then Alex, Zack and Jack walked into the kitchen. It wouldn’t have been so bad if Alex wasn't only in his boxers and Zack didn't have long scratches running down his chest. Julian just sniggered.

“Sorry, brah, didn’t mean to interrupt,” Zack mumbled, starting to back away

“Don’t worry, feel free to eat,” Trinity chuckled

Zack beamed, and kissed her cheek, before walking over to the fridge. Alex did the same, but to me. Jack just scratched his head slightly before walking straight to the fridge. The boys pottered around for a bit, grabbing some food for Rian, before shutting the fridge. Zack pecked my lips lightly before walking out of the kitchen, Jack yawning and following. Alex hung behind.

“It’s nice to finally meet their care worker,” Alex smiled, extending his hand

Julian looked surprised for a second, before shaking it. Alex grinned and let go, before pecking my lips and leaving the kitchen.

“Yeah, he’s polite. Betcha weren’t expecting that?” I smirked

“Not with your track record, no,” Julian retorted

Trinity made an ‘ooooh’ noise, before laughing.

“Now, let’s get down to why I’m here,” Julian said seriously

Trinity stopped laughing. I linked my fingers with hers under the table, letting her know I didn’t want to be here any more than she did.

“You are both well aware that today is the 10 year anniversary, yes?” Julian said softly

“No shit,” I grumbled

Trinity just squeezed my hand.

“Well, we may have a lead to finding your mother,” Julian announced

My jaw dropped. What the fuckk?!?

“What the fuckk?!” Trinity gasped

Well, someone had to say it.

“The head nurse that was on your mother’s floor finally caved, and she says she might be able to find an old record for us. We won’t be able to get it until the end of July, because you won’t be 18 till then, Peyton, but it had the old register of names of patients on floors. It might help us get a name for your mother, and then we can find an address,” Julian smiled

“Are you serious?” Trinity mumbled

“100%,” Julian nodded, beaming

I don’t remember anything else apart from my vision going black.

*

“Ssh! She’s waking up!”

I groaned, before slowly opening my eyes, confused to find myself on the sofa, with everyone crowded around me. When I say everyone, I mean Trinity, all four boys, Julian AND the Bensons.

Jesus fuckk.
What happened?

“Oh god baby, I was so worried!” Alex gasped, instantly flinging his arms around me in a hug

“Give her some room dumbass, she just woke up!” Trinity hissed

Although her tone was cold, her expression was worried, giving her emotions away. Awww, my sister cares!

Alex blushed and let me go, but remained in a crouching position, so his eyes were level with mine.

“What happened?” I asked softly

“Fuckk face gave us shocking news and you passed out,” Trinity sighed

“Language,” Sue muttered

“Fuckk off,” Trinity retorted angrily

The boys sniggered, earning a glare from Donald.

“Luckily Alex was just coming back down for more food, and he caught you before you hit the floor,” Julian smiled

I looked at Alex, raising an eyebrow.

“What? Rian eats a lot!” Alex chuckled

Rian just shrugged innocently. I laughed weakly, trying to sit up, but I clasped a hand to my head as it started spinning. Alex pushed me down to lie flat on my back.

“Easy girl,” he murmured, frowning

“Well I’ve got to get going – I’m seeing Kara today,” Rian announced

We all waved and said goodbye to him.

“And we’ve got to go to Church,” Sue smiled, indicating her and Donald

“I think I’ve covered everything that needs to be covered,” Julian added

Again, the three of them left.

“I’ve got some awesome new films we have to watch!” Jack announced to Trinity and Zack, implying their bi-weekly film marathon

“Sounds like everyone’s sorted for the day then,” I laughed, before wincing

“I’ve got nowhere to be…so I’ll stay and watch over you,” Alex said softly

“And we’re out!” Zack smirked

Alex winked, making my sister roll her eyes…but leave nonetheless.

When we were alone, I looked at Alex, frowning.

“How much did you hear?” I asked softly

I knew he heard the note of fear in my voice.

“Everything. Why is it such a shock to hear about your mother? Don’t you want to find her?” Alex asked, confused

“Of course I want to find her. It’s one of the main things I want to do once we graduate. But…”

I trailed off, biting my lip.

“But…what?” Alex mused

“I just don’t know if she’ll even want to be found,” I sighed

“I bet if she could see the two of you now, she’d be the happiest mother ever. Seriously, I do,” Alex whispered, staring into my eyes

I just stared back, not really believing his words.

“Look, I know you don’t really believe me, but it’s true. Now…let’s say we get rid of all this depressing news and sleep a bit, aye?” Alex smiled

I nodded, smiling back. Gosh he adorable. Alex picked me up carefully, before lying down on the sofa himself and laying me on top of him.

“I love you, Peyton,” Alex murmured, wrapping his arms round me

“I love you too, Alex,” I whispered back, a small smile on my lips

I can only wish that this lasts forever.