Jamie's POV

I watch, mesmerised, as my twin manipulates her body on the ice. She glides with a grace I will never possess, from one side of the rink to the other. Pulling her leg up behind her and stretching it all the way up.

From there, she drops her leg and does a prep. One that I often see her practice at home all too much, before she leaps up, flying through the air as she turns more times than I can count.

There is a faint, scattered, applause from the rest of the audience, but I can only sit there, leaning forward with my breath caught in my throat. The more complex her routines continue to get, the more entranced I continue to become.

The way she moves seems completely effortless. Throughout the routine, I find myself wondering how she isn't dizzy.

The way she's so comfortable with whipping herself around more times than one can count, and still be able to move straight into her next skill is more than impressive.

But all too soon the routine is over, and Juliana is making her exit, the roar of the audience following behind her.

"That could be you." I snap my head in the direction of my oldest brother, who whispers this to me as the next skater starts preparing to take the ice.

"If only you worked half as hard as your sister, maybe you would finally have something to show for it."

The comment feels like he is sending a knife straight to my heart. I acknowledged a long time ago that I would never amount to even half of what Juliana does, I mean, the girl is well on track to be competing against olympics by the time she's fourteen.

I know for a fact that Juliana has continuously won gold in almost every division she's competed in at one point or another.

She's always been a fast learner, and I've always been the exact opposite. While she was learning to throw double salchows, I was still trying to figure out how to do a waltz jump.

As we got older, and competitions started getting more serious, it became abundantly clear that Juliana and I were nowhere near the same level.

I remember so many nights of begging Jameson to let me quit, but it was always to no avail.

Which is why I find it so unfair that he continues to ridicule me for not doing well in a sport I never asked to be in to begin with.

"One of these days." I hear Jensen reassure me from where he sits on the other side of me. "Just be patient." He rests his hand on my thigh and I lean into his arm, pretending to get sucked into the next skaters routine.

One of these days, I will prove that I can be just as good, if not better, than Juliana.

'And I did.' I think bitterly to myself as I set down the picture that was taken of Juliana and I at one of the very few competitions of hers I was allowed to attend.

It was a slow process, but eventually I found something I was good at. People pleasing.

Could I skate at an olympic level? No. Did I skip two grades and still graduate top of my class? No. However, I understand the art of manipulation to an impeccable degree.

I will admit, I've had some outbursts. When I first got here I was having a bit of emotional turmoil about my life being completely torn apart, but who wouldn't?

Now that I'm back in control, and with a clear head, I can go back to being the perfect child.

Jameson had always made it clear that he would accept nothing less than perfection. He wanted immediate obedience, impeccable manners, the knowledge of when to speak and when to stay quiet.

And so I learned.

And along with that, I learned that the more effort you put in, the more freedom you were allowed. Sure, I didn't get to go over to friends houses, or go to the mall unattended, but I did get to speak out of turn.

I got to choose my own interests, and I got to have a good relationship with my brother so long as I showed him I could remain respectful when needed.

Juliana, on the other hand, never seemed to figure that out. She constantly fights Jameson for control. She speaks out of turn, and is disrespectful.

She causes problems, rebels, and breaks rules. Not to mention that she hurts people for her own entertainment. Just because she can. All while expecting there to be no consequences.

She brought that on herself.

Walking through the living room, mentally noting the absence of life, I smooth my hand down the front of my skirt, picking nervously at the edges.

It's been a rough couple of days, and it's safe to say I haven't made a very good first impression.

While Jenson did set me straight, I'm worried that I may have just ruined my chances. What if they think I'm like Juliana? Who knows what they're capable of.

I pause, turning my head to look behind me when I hear a voice call out my name. It's Justin. I draw in a breath, suppressing an eye roll at his presence.

'You have to be good, remember that.' I think solemnly to myself.

"Where are you headed?" He asks, bounding his way down the stairs towards me. I rub my lips together in annoyance, but paint a smile on my face regardless.

"I was just headed to the kitchen." I keep my reply short and simple, hoping he might not reengage. Unfortunately for me, he doesn't sense my agitation.

"Oh great! I'll come with you." He says as he grabs my hand, holding tightly as he starts to yank me forward.

I try to dislodge my hand from his as he starts yapping away, once again, but it's to no avail.

Though he keeps asking me questions, or making statements that most people would have some semblance of a reply to, I don't actively try to engage in the otherwise one-sided conversation.

It blows my mind how he is able to be so oblivious to my blatant distaste of his presence. I mean, I know he has a habit of acting like a child, but is he really this juvenile all the time? This is going to get old fast.

I let out a breath, walking around him towards the pantry, thankful he finally decided to free me. I open a random cabinet, freezing when I see the contents.

"Does one of you have a toddler?" I ask, interrupting Justin. Shutting the cabinet, not truly giving it a second thought as I move on. I realise I haven't actually had the chance to use the kitchen since we've been here.

"Um, no." Justin says shortly, and I can't help but turn to look at him after a few moments of silence.

Huh. I was starting to think he didn't possess the ability to shut up for more than five seconds.

When my eyes lock on Justin I see him lost in thought. He stared blankly at the cabinet for a couple of seconds before he shook his head, taking a small step backwards.

"You know what, I just remembered that I have to go... check on something." He stammers, pivoting on his foot and slamming through the swinging kitchen door causing it to bounce off the wall on the other side.

"What's his problem?" Gino asks me as he precariously enters the kitchen after Justin. I shrug, because I really don't care.

If he wants to act out, that's his prerogative. I'm just grateful he decided to leave me alone for five seconds.

As I open the fridge door, I can't help but take another peak in the direction of the wooden cabinet.

Why would they keep all of that baby stuff if there's no babies? And why did Justin react like I had just asked him if he'd murdered the family pet?

Shaking it off I noticed some leftover pancakes from yesterday's breakfast. I quietly groan, regretfully reaching for the container with a scrunched nose.

Should I be eating something so calorically dense first thing in the morning?

Absolutely not. But now that I've seen it, I either eat two or three right now and feel guilty for a little bit until I can work out. Or I can eat some fruit and think about it incessantly all day until I crack down at three in the morning and eat six of them.

I take two out and place them on a plate, heating them up while I search for the syrup. By the time the minute is up, I still haven't found it, but decided to cut my losses. Less calories anyway.

I no longer see Gino and assume that he's sitting at the bar instead of the table. I decide to follow suit, sitting two chairs down from him.

He's made a much better decision than I did, opting to have oatmeal with fruit on top.

Looking down at my pancakes in disgust, I hesitantly take my fork, cutting into them. I'm reminded of why I couldn't resist the minute the bite made its way into my mouth. The warm, chocolaty goodness was definitely too irresistible to pass up. I'll pay for it later.

Within the span of twenty minutes, almost everyone starts trickling downstairs. Save for the people who have already left for work. The kitchen is very lively for it being like, eight in the morning on a Saturday.

From what I could tell, Zeke, Aunt Teresa, Grandma and Grandpa, and then Micelio were all either sleeping or at work.

Elliot joined Gino, choosing to sit on the side furthest from me. Neither one says anything, the two of them seeming content to just sit there and scroll through their phones.

Uncle Stefano was sitting at the table, his wife on one side, his oldest son on the other. Justin, oddly enough, was sitting curled up in his lap, watching something on his phone while occasionally stealing food off of his parent's plates.

Makayla was sitting with her younger brother, Angelo. The two of them seemingly arguing about something, while Elijah sat a few seats down, not even pretending to mind his own business.

Uncle Lorenzo was nowhere to be seen though. I know he's supposed to be here today because he was talking about taking us to the library. I wouldn't be too sad if he ended up going into work though. Libraries suck.

Everyone has a variety of different things for breakfast, some people opting to actually cook something and others eating something random, like pizza.

I gasp slightly when I feel a kiss being pressed to my forehead, but smile when I look up to see that it's Jameson.

"Hi Bubba." I say, leaning back into his chest. His smile grows wider, as it typically does when I call him that.

I don't quite get the story that people have been spinning. Part of it just seems to go straight over my head, and the other part of me doesn't want to believe it. Whatever the truth may be, I'm just glad my oldest brother still loves me.

Even if I haven't earned much of his attention lately. It's probably my punishment for acting out. If we were at home, I'd have been on restriction in a heartbeat.

"How are you?" He asks, and I tell him that I've been doing good, even though that's a lie. Any other answer is only to be said in private. Anything else is completely unacceptable.

He nods in response, moving deeper into the room and greeting the others.

I can't help but believe them when they say that the Jameson with us right now is a different Jameson than I lived with previously. While it does sadden me, it's blatantly obvious to anyone who looks.

Not only is he smaller, but he showed up with bruises that definitely weren't there in New York. Not only that, but he acts so differently now. He's not been strict with Gino, nor has he stuck anyone yet. Everything about him is just... softer.

Though the idea that everything that's happened the past nine years was fake is something I simply refuse to believe. He may act like a different person right now, but I know the truth. I just have to find a way to prove it.

For a few minutes, everything goes back to normal. Jameson gets his food and sits down in between mom and Elijah. Everybody goes back to their own conversations, and I continue to sit there, observing people quietly.

Sending a side glance to Gino, I see that he and Elliot are huddled over Elliots phone. I get the urge to say something to them, but when I open my mouth I come up with nothing.

Instead, I simply take another bite of my pancakes, chewing absentmindedly.

That is, until Uncle Lorenzo walks into the room.

He makes a beeline for James, interrupting his and Elijah's conversation as he learns down, whispering something in Jameson's ear.

James's eyebrows shoot up slightly, his eyes widening. He scoots his chair back, grabbing his plate as he prepares to stand, but Uncle Lorenzo places his hand on his shoulder.

He says something else, still in a hushed tone before shooting a look at Elijah, who just nods in agreement.

Jameson sinks back down, a look of uncertainty painting his face. Scooting back up to the table, I notice he keeps sending worried glances towards the direction of the door.

Each time, I can't help but take a quick look behind me, wondering what's put him so on edge.

Over the next minute or so, Jameson's unease continues to go unnoticed. Though, it has now put me on edge, because my brother is never nervous.

The room quiets down slightly when the kitchen door opens this time. I see some random guy holding the door open for Juliana as she uses her singular crutch to hop inside of the kitchen.

After hearing about the extent of her injuries through Gino, I was honestly expecting her to look a little worse.

Other than a bit of discoloration at her neck, the fact that she's cradling her arm to her side and using crutches to get around, I see no major differences.

Maybe over the years I've just grown accustomed to seeing Juliana walking around with an assortment of different injuries, but part of me expected it to be worse. I'm glad she's okay though.

Juliana honestly takes no notice of the others in the room, too entranced in whatever conversation she's having with the rando. From my perspective, the two of them look pretty close.

The entire time she's been in the room she's been struggling to form the rest of her sentence because she's been laughing so much. Both of them have, actually.

And the sister I know, who usually hates the touch of any person on this earth, is willing clinging onto his arm for support.

The random dude helps Juliana over to where she wants to sit, which surprise-surprise, is right next to Gino.

Since Elliot is sitting on the far side, she's forced to sit closer to me. But, like everyone else in the room, she pays me no mind. Too caught up in talking with her boyfriend.

"Good morning Julie." Dad calls out, forcing Juliana to take note of the others present.

"Morning dad." She replies, smiling at him. I watch as her eyes drift to the side, eyes Jameson up and down. He gives her a hesitant smile, offering her a good morning which she repeats back softly.

Turning back to her boyfriend, she resumes her conversation, prompting the others to do the same.

During this time, she does not hold back when it comes to reaching out and holding onto his arm, or reaching out and smacking him when he makes jokes. Ones that aren't even that funny, in my opinion.

Glancing around Juliana, I notice that Gino and Elliot don't seem too happy about their interaction either, though I think it may be for a different reason. Both of them have put their phones away, and are glaring bullets through this poor guy's head.

How does that saying go? If looks could kill, he would be six feet under.

"But why?" I hear Juliana ask, and I once again am forced to tune back into her boring ass conversation. Literally would rather watch paint dry.

"Because, I'm technically still on duty." He laughs, and Juliana huffs. "But I'll see you tonight, right?" He assures her, lifting up his hand and brushing her hair over her shoulder.

I guess the saying that there's a first time for everything truly is correct. Never in my life did I ever think I would see my sister blush. Especially not because of a boy. For a while there I was beginning to think she was a-sexual or something.

Honestly, kind of wishing she was because this is gross to watch. Does this count as PDA?

"Whatever. Go do your job, Ryan." She mutters, turning to sit correctly in her seat. This gives 'Ryan' the perfect opportunity to scoff while her back is turned before leaning down and not so quietly whispering in her ear.

"It's Ryker, princess. Because-" He says something more, but his voice drops even lower, and combined with the residential chatter from the rest of the room, I am left unable to hear the rest of the sentence.

I do, however, see Juliana's jaw drop, as she whips around, using her good arm to shove Ryan/Ryker away from her. She flips him off and he just laughs, making his exit.

Juliana laughs to herself, before turning to Gino, resting her head on his shoulder. He stops his glaring at the door, patting her head and wishing her a good morning.

"Who was that?" Elliot demands, and Juliana sits up, turning away from me to look at Elliot with what I'm assuming was a glare.

"A guard." She replies, grabbing one of Gino's pieces of toast and stealing his spoon as she starts plopping oatmeal on it.

Gross. Who eats toast with oatmeal?

"You're awfully friendly with him." Gino mumbles, and Juliana rolls her eyes.

"And that's none of your business." She retorts, causing Gino to put his hands up in a surrendering motion.

Her and Gino do their usual back and forth, Elliot staying quiet, yet still giving them his full attention.

Getting bored, I start looking around the room again, noticing that Jameson is still giving worried glances in Juliana's direction. As is Massimo.

"So, who all is up for going to the park?" Dad asks loudly enough to cut the chatter in the room. "I've heard that their walking trails are quite nice. I thought it might be a nice activity to get everyone out of the house.

"Well, I have work. But you guys have fun." Massimo comments as he scoots back in his chair, standing up.

"No you don't, son." Uncle Stefano buts in, making Massimo give him a dirty look. "We can all go. As far as I know, no one here has any plans for today."

"But-" Massimo starts, only to be cut off by Juliana.

"Please, Massimo. You have to go. Who else is going to keep Elliot away from me?" Juliana whines, giving him a pathetic look that immediately has Massimo sighing as he sits back down.

You've got to be kidding me. That was the most annoying thing I've ever witnessed.

She totally learned that from me. And she didn't even do it right! When I do it, it's cute. When she does it, it's just... wrong.

You know, this entire situation is starting to annoy me. Not just Juliana, but everyone else too.

Am I not worth speaking to? Is that why everyone is suddenly ignoring my presence? I bet this is all Juliana's fault. She's gone around, spreading lies about me so that our family wouldn't like me.

That girl drives me insane. Of course she would do something like that. She's always been jealous of me. Jealous that our brothers loved me more than they did her. Now she's trying to ruin my relationship with people I've never even met before.

That's okay. Two can play at that game. Juliana better watch her back. She has no idea what she just started.

—-----

Thoughts on Jamie?

How ya'll feeling about Ryker?

And where did Hunter go?

Because not me literally getting to the end of the chapter before realising I forgot about Hunter...

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