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Vander.
Vander considers himself a good role model for kids.
It wasn’t a tough choice to decide and put himself as an emergency foster parent; he’s known for being a caring person and he has the ability to connect with kids, especially the troubled ones, those he understands the most. Family is the most important thing and every child who grows without one will obviously struggle throughout life. So, he does what he’s good at; giving a kid a temporary home where they can be safe until they find stability.
When Grayson calls him one evening, saying she has a teenager in need of an emergency placement, he agrees to take her in.
Vi has clearly been through a lot, only based on the bruises on her face and neck. Grayson doesn’t tell him all the details but he’s clever enough to connect the dots. He sighs internally.
The first week passes in a blur, Vander knows it’ll take time for Grayson to find her another placement considering she’s been tagged as a kid with bad behavior and she’s a teenager, which only lowers her chances of anybody taking her in willingly. So he doesn’t have rush; he sets her bedroom and cooks meals with all the vitamins a kid her age needs. He tries to let her have her space, but she seems to be mostly friendly towards him, only hiding in her room for a few days before she feels safe enough to come out and pace around the house, curious.
When she breaks down one evening, saying Grayson found her another placement, he feels his heart break down a little. Hearing her say something so simple as I wanted to stay with you makes him take the decision right there and then: she stays here, nowhere else.
It only takes a few weeks for her to settle in around the idea of a more permanent stay. She tells him she wants to start school again and he agrees. He already knows her background when it comes to school and kids her age; constantly picking fights and getting in trouble more often than not, that’s what Grayson tells him so that’s what he expects. What he’s certainly not expecting is for Vi to start talking about a blue-haired girl.
“She sits next to me and she’s insufferable.”
“She talks like she’s the Queen of England.”
“She’s constantly correcting me at everything I do.”
This is clearly different. He knows that if the girl was making herself Vi’s problem, she’d already punch her in the face, but she doesn’t. He falters. He calls Grayson that same day, asking if Vi is known for having any other friends from old schools. She doesn’t, in fact, Grayson is clearly thrown off by his question. Huh.
Vi keeps talking about her. Caitlyn, he finds out. She complains about her accent and manners every day, constantly reminding Vander how tired Vi is of sitting next to her.
“Why don’t you ask to change seats?” he asks one day during lunch, curious. Vi stills, clearly not expecting that. She chews slowly, thinking.
“I mean, she’s not that bad.” She states eventually, ignoring him as she looks at her plate absently.
The insufferable blue-haired girl with posh accent and perfect manners who constantly corrects Vi about everything (and who she’s clearly tired of) and rambles like an excited toddler is not that bad. Interesting.
Ekko.
Ekko can’t believe what his eyes are seeing.
The Kiramman girl, the richest kid of school who could probably buy every building in town, is sitting next to a literal street rat. And they are talking.
He must be going mad because what the fuck is happening? Are pigs going to fly next? Will he pass his history test? Who knows, everything is possible now.
And they’re not just talking, no, they’re clearly having an enjoyable conversation and the blue-haired girl seems truly engaged in whatever they’re chattering about. The other girl, the one with pink hair who Ekko knows has only started in this school around a month ago, is smiling. Not smirking, not making fun of her, she’s smiling. Like, happily smiling. She literally has short hair and a side of her head shaven, is she even allowed to smile like that? Does she have the ability to do so?
It's even worst than he imagined; he warns the girl about Caitlyn Kiramman, and she doesn’t bat an eye at it. She’s crazy. Or has a death wish. Ekko can’t tell for sure. He sees them the next day during recess walking around the halls talking, the pink-haired girl is holding the Kiramman girl’s backpack in her right hand as she ties her hair into a ponytail.
He rolls his eyes, of course, how didn’t he think of it? She’s paying her to be friends.
Brittany.
If Brittany had the money, she’d hire a lawyer.
Who does this girl think she is? Punching her like that. She’s been working really hard on her skin care routine; this will literally ruin everything. And all that just to defend Caitlyn Kiramman, of all people. Brittany can’t believe it.
Her whole face must be ruined and Ms. Medarda is talking to her?
Brittany knows there is a deeper meaning to this, the pink-haired girl must be obsessed with her, she’s a lesbian after all, maybe she has a crush on her and this is the way she knows how to express her feelings, through punching her. Yes, that must be the answer.
She’s walking out of the office next to her mom when she sees it; fucking Kiramman hugging the stray. Brittany gags internally, of course they’re both obsessed with each other.
Cassandra Kiramman.
Cassandra Kiramman is probably the richest woman on earth and she’s proud of that. Her daughter, Caitlyn, is an only child who she’s expecting to follow her career path, marry a rich man (or woman) and have a life full of luxury, just like Cassandra has.
Her daughter has the best grades at school and her room is full of trophies, all from professional shooting. She’s the clear image of the Kiramman name; nothing but perfection. Cassandra smiles at the idea of who the perfect suitor might be, to ask her daughter’s hand in marriage.
The pink-haired girl with poorly table manners is certainly not what she was expecting. Vi, as she calls herself, is everything Cassandra has nightmares at night; the mouth of a sailor, crooked haircut and the clothes of a stray. Her daughter must be going mad, or worst: she’s revealing herself against her family’s expectations.
Cassandra had feared this, the moment Caitlyn started being a teenager she knew something like this would happen. But she breathes, in and out; it’s just a phase, she’ll find the right person to marry once she’s an adult.
It’s… not a phase, it appears. Vi keeps coming to their house several times and, just like Cassandra suspected, she’s started growing on her husband’s heart. This is end of the Kiramman heir. Her husband tells her she’s being melodramatic. She’s not. This is the worst case scenario.
She walks around the halls of the enormous mansion, looking for Caitlyn’s room. She must say goodnight before she goes to sleep. This Vi, is having a sleepover with her daughter tonight and she should warn them not to stay up too late.
She gets closer to the door, hearing quiet voices.
“I think you’re really pretty.” A soft voice comes from the other side of the door, clearly talking to her daughter.
Caitlyn has been trained with a life of compliments and Cassandra rolls her eyes at the simple statement; her daughter has heard more complex statements all her life, surely she won’t fall for something so vague.
Except her daughter’s voice comes out flustered, like she’s having a hard time answering to that. “You really think so?” she whispers and it’s hard to catch from the other side of the wall but Cassandra pauses.
She moves away from the door. Her daughter can sleep without her saying good night for once. She’s almost an adult, after all.
Tobias Kiramman.
Tobias Kiramman is known for cooking the most refined plates of Ionian food, it’s a talent only he has in his family. His wife and daughter are very fond of all the things he has served in the past; he has a really tight schedule when it comes to work, so he’s lucky every time he gets the chance to cook a nice dinner for the three of them.
Tonight, the have a fourth guess: Vi.
He thinks in all his years of multiple gatherings and meetings he has attended, he’s never seen anyone eat with such… excitement. Her face is almost glued to the plate in front of her, eating loudly and messily. His wife keeps looking at her, clearly taken aback by such table manners, wincing. He smiles fondly, a happy guest is always welcomed in his house, even if she eats like a starved bear.
“So, Vi,” he starts, getting everyone’s attention at the table, “I take it that you liked it?” he gestures to the empty plate. Vi’s face turns beet red at the sudden comment.
“Yeah, thank you.” She says quietly, clearly a bit ashamed. Caitlyn smiles fondly at the girl next to her.
He nods, proud. “You better have space left; dessert is up next.” He states, happily seeing her reaction.
She perks up at that, “I certainly have.”
George.
George has been part of the Kiramman’s mansion security for almost 20 years now.
He has seen it all; the most luxurious parties, the famous people at the house, everything. He’s seen burglars too, trying to get past the security of the house to steal, George has always been quicker than them, calling the police way before they manage to get in. He considers himself a valuable employee.
Tonight, he’s watching the garden quietly when something catches his attention. Not just something; someone. There’s a girl, around Mrs. Kiramman’s daughter age, walking past the gate nimbly, with the skill of a real ninja.
He stops her at the entrance.
“Where do you think you’re going, young lady?” he asks, managing to sound demanding.
The girl stops, looking scared, like she’s been caught doing something that she shouldn’t. That’s right, she shouldn’t be trying to steal from the Kirammans.
“Uh- I’m-” she shutters, clearly not expecting to be caught.
There’s a sudden movement from the mansion, a window being opened. Blue hair comes in sight, Ms. Kiramman looks between the both of them before speaking up.
“It’s okay, George. I know her.” she states, loud enough for him to hear it, but still keeping her voice down in order to let everyone else sleep.
He nods, letting the girl walk past him. He frowns when she starts climbing through the window.
“Miss, wouldn’t you prefer to enter through the door?” he asks curiously.
She ignores him, almost up there.
“Should I alert Mr. and Mrs. Kiramman about her presence?” he tries again.
The blue-haired girl’s eyes widen, “There’s no need for that, George. Thank you. Have a good night.” He hears a little laugh before she closes the window quietly.
George sighs, another long night all by himself.
Benzo.
Benzo has the patience of a saint.
He’s been working at The Last Drop for almost 15 years now and he has seen it all, from loud college students to unemployed drunk guys drinking during midday. Customer service is one hell of a job, good thing he has a high salary, otherwise he would’ve probably quit by now.
Vander, his colleague, has started working less hours these last few months, something about taking care of a kid. He seems happier now which is obviously good, if it wasn’t for the fact that now Benzo has to do everything at the bar; if he has to clean the vomit of another college student, he’ll probably start a riot.
Vander’s kid comes with him one afternoon and Benzo looks quietly between the two of them; he explains to her a thing or two about what his work is about and then lets her wander around the place while he starts his shift. It is certainly no big deal, a lot of the employees bring their kid sometimes, they’re all mostly quiet, waiting for their parents to take them home.
This kid right here, pink hair with the mouth of a sailor, is nosy as hell. She keeps making herself a problem, following Benzo around asking questions about the place. He tries looking at Vander, silently asking for help, but he looks up and snorts, amused. Well, he’s stuck with this kid now, better use it to his advantage. He picks up the broomstick and hands it to her.
“If you’re going to be hanging around here, better make yourself useful.”
It’s all he says.
He expects her to refuse and go back crying to Vander about child labor, but surprisingly, the girl perks up at that and starts cleaning the floor happily. He raises an eyebrow, confused.
Many times, Vander comes to work at the bar and many times the kid is glued to his hip, asking Benzo what she should do next.
“She gets bored sometimes, when I’m working too many hours. That’s why she wants to come with me.” Vander explains around the third time he sees them entering through the door together.
Around the third month, Vi seems confident enough to start coming to the bar on her own, something about wanting to make money for herself. Benzo won’t say no to extra help when Vander is not around, so this is the perfect opportunity.
She’s dedicated, Benzo will give her that.
She’s responsible and doesn’t get easily distracted. At least not until a girl her age comes through the door one Saturday, walking directly to her. They clearly know each other, based on the way Vi’s face lights up at seeing her.
“I don’t pay you to flirt, go back to work.” It’s all he manages before going to attend another table. Her face turns beet red and he sighs, there she goes the perfect employee, distracted by a pretty face like the rest of the staff.
It’s past midnight and he’s almost done cleaning. Vi is nowhere in sight but he knows she’s still in here, her backpack abandoned in the back of the bar.
“Vi! You need to go home, kiddo. Your old man must be waiting for you.” He shouts, but there’s no response.
He sighs, going to the cleaning room to put back the broom on its place. He tries entering but the door is locked. There’s a muffled noise on the other side, and he rolls his eyes. Seriously? Then, two faces emerge from the room, clearly looking like they got caught doing something they shouldn’t.
“Get out of here before I kick you both out.” There’s no real bite in what he says, mostly looking to scare them.
Vi rolls her eyes, annoyed. The little shit. The other girl looks a bit more ashamed, fixing her hair awkwardly.
“Whatever, man.” It’s all she says before grabbing the other girl’s hand and getting out of the bar.
Around 30 minutes later, he closes up and looks through his phone, searching for Vander’s contact.
B: Tell your kid to stop making out with her girlfriend during her shift before I fire you both.
The answer comes quickly.
V: …she did what?