Edited.

Brynn woke up late in the night. Not by choice, mind you- habit.

She tried to get back to sleep, but to no avail and ended up standing in front of her door debating whether or not to go out.

On one hand, no one would be up and she really need some water. Her throat had that horrible post-sleep dryness which felt awful whenever she swallowed.

On the other hand, she wasn't sure whether or not she was allowed out of her room at this time.

Zayne didn't say she couldn't and technically it is morning. Making up her mind, she decided to leave.

She left her room, closing her eyes to try and envision the path to get to the kitchen. Envisioning it took time, there were so many hallways. However, she soon found herself at the top of the centre staircase. Standing behind the rails, she inspected the downstairs area checking no-one was down there and when she saw that nobody was, she ventured down.

The downstairs area was a bit easier to map than upstairs and finding the kitchen wasn't too hard.

The darkness of the kitchen once she'd opened the door made her feel creeped out. Such a huge room in total black abyss. The girl debated staying out in the dimly lit hallway. That wasn't going to get her her water though, was it?

She stepped into the room, jumping when the lights switched on the millisecond her foot was on the hard, marble floor. Woah. The lights could do that in other rooms too?

The main large chandelier lit up the entire space and so did the inside of the cupboards, displaying all their contents. Above the large stove was where the cups looked to be so Brynn made her way over there, stopping when she was right before them and remembering something.

Don't I have my water bottle upstairs? she questioned before scrunching her face up in annoyance. Stupid.

She could have just filled it up in the bathroom sink. What a stupid mistake to-

The front door opened and slammed shut.

Jumping, she spun around. This truly was a stupid thing to do. How could she think that she'd be allowed to do something like this? This wasn't even her house.

She crept out the kitchen, the lights flickering off when her figure was fully out, and found herself underneath the centre staircase in the main entry hall. A man stood in front of the closed front door, the only lights illuminating him were the two ones beside said door.

Oh god. She thought Silas was disconcerting. This man's aura was blood-curling. His messy and sweaty dark brown hair stuck to his forehead and his knuckles were wrapped in bandages. Standing at at least six four, basically ninety five percent muscle, with vivid blue eyes which could be seen from where Brynn hid, it was obvious to her who this was.

Ezra.

She knew he owned his own boxing studio, where he probably came from just now, still in his gym wear. He was on his phone, growling at someone on the other end. Brynn heard some of it, peering her head out of her hiding place.

"-fuck man, you think that's my problem?"- the person on the other end said something- "no, I didn't think it was, so tell me why the fuck you're bothering me with it"- the person said more.

Brynn couldn't zone into his other words because Ezra started moving. Closer to where she was underneath the staircase.

Her eyes bulged out of their sockets and she spun around and pushed herself against the bottom of the staircase, trying to merge into it if she could.

Ezra came right up next to the staircase, merely a foot or two away from where Brynn was trying to become an inanimate object. She nearly choked on her breath, he was so much scarier up close.

He was still on his phone, "you're talking, but all I'm hearing is utter shit." He listened to the other end as Brynn looked to her right. She could sneak that way and go up the stairs unnoticed.

Her eyes looked to where Ezra still was, on the phone and then back to her plan. She moved her right foot out, her body following it only to strongly flinch when a hand grabbed her left upper arm.

She gasped, choking on her breath as her head shot down to look at the rough bandaged hand, holding her arm. She looked up, fearing what was going to come.

Ezra was still on the phone though, looking straight on, not at her. She stayed still, worrying over anything that might happen. Ezra was terrifying.

He hummed unamused into the receiver, listening to what the other person on the phone was saying. Brynn could hear the faint voice on the other line, and she probably would be able to hear more if she wasn't panicking so much. Her chest felt tighter. Please let me go.

"I'll deal with you later." The voice on the other end sounded frantic as Ezra removed his phone from the side of his face and pressed end call.

The second his phone was slipped into the left pocket of his gym shorts. Brynn's breath hitched as he pulled her out from the darkness to directly in front of him, not releasing her arm.

They made eye contact, his glaring, vibrant eyes a little darker. She tried to move her arm out of his hold, but she couldn't even budge it.

"Has nobody ever told you that eavesdropping is considered rude?" he sneered, his face moving closer to hers.

Brynn audibly gulped. She had no words she could spew out. Please let me go.

"Hm?" he raised an eyebrow, harsh look deepening.

"Was- I was- just going upstairs," her words came out breathy and shaky and she took her time time getting them out.

In no way did Ezra look like he was going to let her off. "And you just so happened to listen into my private conversation on your way up, did you?" his voice sounded really deep.

"I'm sorry," she said, using her right hand to grab his hand to try and peel it off her arm. She used all the upper body strength she had, trying to release herself, yet nothing seemed to budge him.

"I'm sure you are, Brynn," he drawled, squeezing his grip, "is this going to happen again?"

Brynn shook her head frantically, earning a tighter squeeze. She cringed and winced, "no, it won't. I'm sorry, I promise."

Ezra was silent and Brynn still struggled to be released. His silence wasn't at all comforting. His silence was worse than when he was talking.

"What's that?"

Brynn stopped struggling. Her eyebrows screwed up as she took a good look of his face. His eyes were zoned in on her left shoulder.

She looked down, noticing the jumper she was wearing had come down slightly. She used her right hand to pull it up, "nothing."

Ezra's eyeline was back on her, still blazing. "Go." He let go of her arm and stood back up. The girl wasted no time in backing away and hurrying around and up the staircase, rubbing her arm and drying her eyes.

In her bed, she pulled the duvet over her head. She wasn't so thirsty anymore.

---

When she woke up next, she wanted to know what time it was so she retrieved her phone from her bag in the bathroom. It had sixteen percent charge and the time read six thirty one am.

Placing it on the side table, she just laid in bed for a while, only hearing a few footsteps after about half an hour.

She curled further into the sheets until the footsteps subsided. Once it went silent again, she released her intense grip on the pillow and proceeded with her remaining still and silent.

The sun could be seen slithering in through the small gaps of the shutters and birds could be heard squawking outside. It was an abnormal change to wake up to.

Finally deciding that she'd laid there long enough, she checked the phone for the time. Seven fifty eight am.

She got out of bed, not sure whether she should change or not. Would wearing the same outfit be seen as lazy to her brothers? The only clothes she had were the ones Callan took and the two pieces she had in her bag- and they felt like nothing compared to the ones she was wearing now. She'd keep them on unless told otherwise, for now.

None of her brothers seemed to be around which she didn't find a bad thing. Running into one of them wasn't something she wanted at this moment in time.

She made it to the kitchen to see Brayden cooking by the stove, in grey joggers and a loose white t-shirt. The blender looked like it was used beside him as did an empty glass. She took a few breaths. Just say hi.

Or should she say hey? Good morning?

Her mouth made it up for her, "hey." He whipped his head around, hands still working on whatever he was making in the pan.

"Morning, sweetheart. How'd you sleep?" he asked, turning back to the pan.

"Good, thank you. How did you?" she lied, playing with her hands. Awkwardly standing at the door led to making her way to the kitchen island, taking a seat at the far right.

"Very well, thank you hun," he switched the stove off and turned around, placing his hands on the island.

"Where is everyone else?" she asked because she felt it would be better if she knew where some of her brothers were so she could avoid running into them.

"Z and Cal are doing some boring business, Ezra is at the studio, Zai, Zach and Silas are most definitely lying in, we won't be able to get them up until it's at least lunch," he rolled his eyes effectively making the girl huff a small, split-second laugh brightened his smile.

"Now, what can I interest you in eating? I will admit that my cooking is the best in the house," he gave a small wink. Brynn smiled as Zach came sauntering into the kitchen, in his blue pyjama pants and matching t-shirt.

"So humble, Brayden. Wherever did you get it from?" he mumbled, running a hand through his hair not looking fully awake.

He passed Brynn, placing a hand on her right shoulder and squeezing it softly before letting go.

Why did he do that?

He even sat in the seat right next to her. Why did he do that?

"Food please, brother," he gave a dozy smile to him. Brayden narrowed his eyes, grabbing a plate from the side and filling it up with what he was cooking in the pan- scrambled eggs Brynn saw. He then got another plate and did the same, popping down four slices of bread in the toaster.

It was silent whilst Brayden went to the fridge and pulled out a carton of orange juice and pouring it into two glass cups. He placed the two drinks in front of Zach and Brynn, the two thanking him.

Zach gulped half of his down and Brynn took small sips, her eyes wandering the room. Observing as the toast popped up and was taken out to be buttered.

What surprised her was when Brayden placed the pieces of toast on either plate and placed them in front of her and Zach. One was for her?

A fork was placed by her plate and she looked up at Brayden confused. Why was she given so much? Why was she given any?

"You didn't have to. Thank you."

Brayden, as well as Zach, looked at her like she'd said the most daft thing. "Of course, sorellina."

Her face heated, sorellina- she wouldn't get used to that one. Picking up her fork, she hovered it over the eggs- she'd never tried eggs before. She found she quite liked it, but she also found she was feeling full after three small bites,

Brayden and Zach watched curiously, Zach focusing on his own plate when he made eye contact with Brayden, who gestured for him to stop staring. Odd.

Brayden noticed she wasn't eating anymore. "Why don't you have a piece of toast, okay hun?" he coaxed, his eyes looking like they were subtly analysing her.

Brynn looked at the toast, she really didn't think she could. Although part of her nagged her to, a part that was eager to not disappoint him nor waste the food. So she ate a piece, slowly. And once it was done, she felt like she was keeping it down forcibly.

Zach had finished his entire plate, picking it up and taking Brynn's plate too. Brynn furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as he emptied out the leftovers in the bin and brought them over to the sink.

Brynn's body began to fidget, feeling like she needed to do something. "I can do the dishes."

Zach turned around, "nonsense love, it's what Brayden is for."

Brynn felt her lips smile looking towards Brayden who placed his hands on his hips.

Zach went back around the island rather swiftly coming up behind Brynn's stool. "Well, we must be getting on with online shopping."

Brayden gave a look, "who's we? Don't you own enough black jeans?"

Zach lightly scoffed, "for Bry, obviously. Come alone, love." Brynn felt him look down at her. She got down from the seat.

"Thank you for breakfast, Brayden," she said before having to leave with Zach. Brayden smiled, "I'll be in in a minute, hun."

Brynn didn't get a chance to reply because she was already trying to keep up with Zach's pace as he walked towards an unknown room.

It had a large entryway, and hardwood floors. There was a huge window overlooking the front property and a huge television up on the wall with storage shelves below it. In the middle of the room was a large white rug and atop of that was a large, white L-shaped couch and to the left of that was another couch- a round one.

Zach walked to the storage boxes after he'd made Brynn sit on the L-shaped couch. He pulled out a laptop from one of the boxes and sat on her right, opening it up and switching it on.

"So, what would you like?" he asked as the laptop started running. Brynn played with her fingers. "I don't really need anything honestly-"

"Okay so everything."

"No honestly-"

"We'll start with Harrods. Do you like Harrods?" Brynn had never even heard of it.

"Marks and Spencers is good too actually, we'll start there," Zach looked up said store and clicked on the website.

"We'll start with shirts. Long-sleeved, short-sleeved or both?" Brynn was trying to take all of this in. You can shop online?

She stayed silent for about five seconds. "Brynn?" Zach interrupted her thoughts. She looked up at him, he looked like he was deducing her, like a lot of her brothers liked to do. It made her uneasy.

When she thought about his question, the obvious answer for her was long-sleeved. She didn't need anybody else to see her arms, she didn't even want to.

"Long-sleeved, but honestly I don't-"

"Choose." He turned the laptop towards her. She was getting tired trying to explain it, she didn't need anything. Especially not a sixty five pound simple white t-shirt.

Zach narrowed his eyes when she didn't make a move to choose anything. He turned the laptop back to him and took a good look at his sister's face. Then he added a lot of shirts into the "basket".

"I said-"

"Hush," Zach proceeded to add more, getting the right size in them too.

"Leggings or jeans?"

"Neither-"

He added leggings into the basket which was odd because wouldn't one be enough? They all look the same? And she had her own pair.

Then he added baggy jeans into the basket; black ones, blue ones, grey ones. He even added pairs upon pairs of trainers. You could own this many clothes?

Footsteps came closer to the room before Brayden was seen entering. Sitting next to Zach, he did nothing but point out more things. Brynn was frustrated. Why were they being so nice?

"WHSmith should have good school supplies," Brayden took the laptop and searched the website. On that website, so many more things were added to the final cart. A plain black backpack, a blue pencil case and pens. Lots of pens and pencils. Basically everything you'd need for a full pencil case. Such a vast difference to Brynn's usual old pen.

Brynn stayed in silence as the two kept looking for things and they kept looking for things for a while until Brayden's phone made a noise. He checked it.

"We are needed in Zayne's office," he gave Zach a certain look Brynn tried to place with furrowed eyebrows. Why did that require such a stern look?

But Zach seemed to understand the look and nodded. She thought-

The laptop was placed on her lap. "We'll be right back, okay Brynn?" Zach said, getting up. "Keep choosing things."

They both left and Brynn was left alone with the laptop still placed on her lap. Her hands hovered over the keyboard unsurely. She wanted to remove all the unnecessary things but she didn't know how.

Zach's fingers were moving around the rectangular pad so she presumed that was how you got the arrow thingy to move. It was.

But how does she remove things? She was just mindlessly moving the arrow thingy around. It was kind of cool. Her finger went up, it went up, her finger went right, it went right. Fascinating really.

It wasn't until she looked to the bottom right corner of the screen to see that she had been sat there playing with it for over two hours. The time read ten fifty nine am.

She really had nothing to do now. Brayden and Zach must have been busy and she still had the laptop. She had no clue what she was supposed to do with it.

"Press pay."

Brynn jumped at the voice behind her. Zaiden stood behind the couch staring at the laptop screen. He was eating a packet of blue doritos and was only in black joggers. Did he think she knew what that was?

Zaiden scoffed, taking the laptop away from her and moving the arrow thingy and clicking a few times and then closing the laptop, placing it next to Brynn. He left, leaving Brynn to stare at where the laptop sat dumbfounded. Was she stupid for not knowing how that worked?

Chewing on her bottom lip, she stood up and to her room she went.

The only thing to do in her room was go on her phone- which had nothing except messages.

She could look around and she did. She found that the room right was a walk in wardrobe- an entire room just for clothes which was unfathomable to the girl. She'd never own that many clothes in her life.

But her life was different now, much different. For example, her brothers ate the final meal of the day with each other which she was invited down to at five pm.

Which was going to be fun.

---

<3