Sweet

We all come to the conclusion that Rouge and Trish are gonna be home late. This is based on the fact that it's now late and they're not home. Our deductive reasoning is sound, but sadly not edible, so the four of us try and figure out what to do for dinner until Marie makes the decision.

"Fuck it, we'll get pizza." She announces, pulling up options from a screen on the fridge. "Pick what you want, it's on Mother's account." Well, who could say no to that?

With our selections made, we take a seat in the living room and await its arrival. "It's been so long since we had pizza." Poppy muses, apparently misremembering.

"It was only a few weeks ago." I point out, reclining in one of the chairs.

"I know... It just feels like so long ago..." She explains, with a touch of sadness in her voice. I kinda get how she feels... It's only been a day and everything's so nuts...

A sudden knock at the door puts and end to the lamentations. As we each instead look to each other for who's going to get it... With the others settling on me.

"Fine, leave it to the big, strong man!" I sneer as I stand, I'd just gotten comfortable too. I head out of the room and to the door, pulling it open spitefully... A spite that soon dissipates as I realise it's not the pizza.

"Rufus?" Asks Andi, standing at the door with a box. "Oh, of course... That would make sense, new neighbours, new students, makes total sense!" Well, I'm glad someone understands what's happening, I'm lost. "My Dad sent me round to greet the new neighbours and drop off these muffins, a bit of a housewarming gift, so... Here you go." She explains, presenting to box to me.

For a minute I just stand there in shock, but I soon come back to my senses. "Hey... Erm, thanks, so... You're our neighbour?" I stammer, receiving a nod as confirmation. She's literally the girl next door... And I thought she couldn't get hotter. "That's great! Did you want to come in? I'm sure the others would want to thank you too."

"Sure, I'll say hello!" She smiles, following me inside. I shut the door and proceed to the living room.

"No pizza, but I did meet our neighbour!" I smirk, entering the room and placing the box of muffins on the sofa between my sisters.

The girls turn as Andi enters the room with a small wave. "Hey neighbouroonis!" She grins. "Fancy meeting you here!" Surprise is the immediate expression on their face, followed by elation.

"No way, I didn't know you lived around here." Marie responds, still looking confused.

"Back at you, I though you lived in town?" Andi smiles, leaning against the back of the sofa.

"I do... We're just here looking after my cousins until their parents move over." Marie explains. "Our... Our grandma passed away, so the house needed occupants." It's the first time I've heard Marie talk about Grandma Dani, it occurs to me that she probably knew her a lot better than us...

Andi nods solemnly. "Yeah, I knew Dani, she was a lovely woman, I actually volunteered at the shelter a few times. She was like a movie star, it's hard to think she's gone." She reminisces. Her loss even makes Andi sad? I guess it hammers home what a great woman she was... Suddenly it makes me feel sadder.

"So, who looks after the shelter now?" Poppy asks, apparently as eager to change the subject as me.

"Oh, Jenny does." Andi states without clarification, apparently only clued in to our confusion as to who that is when we don't respond. "Jenny Cray? Her daughter?"

Daughter? Wait. Back up. "We have another aunt?" I try to confirm, with both Andi and Marie looking at me like I've asked something obvious.

"Yeah... Mother and Scarlet's half sister. Dani adopted her about a decade back... You didn't know about her?" Marie asks, already knowing the answer. I look at the shocked face of my siblings, which tells me they had no idea either.

"Sounds like Mum's got some explaining to do." Rosie decides.