Becca (14)

-Chapter Fourteen-

A month passed and there was still nothing. No reply. It wasn’t as if I thought they would but it is just common courtesy to do that. If anything a “hi” would be fine. Lupe also seemed a little disappointed. She probably thought it might make amends; in fact she seemed even sourer than me. 

“I’ve known Hal for years and never once would he…” She muttered to herself while baking some goods in the kitchen.

“Seems you’ve taken in a habit of talking to yourself,” Alejandro remarked but she just flashed him a perturbed glower. “Well you have been rambling to yourself for a while.”

“Eat your food.”

“I can’t you’re still making it.” I choked back laughter as her glare turned even more menacing. She looked like she wanted to beat Alejandro but he didn’t seem to notice because he stared at his empty plate.

“So make your own food if you’re so hungry!” Lupe dropped the food and stomped out of the kitchen. My cousin and I were both surprised but Tico just sat there smoking his pipe.

“Jackie you should talk to her.” He said between puffs and I looked at him incredulously.

“But I—”

“She’d prefer to talk to you.” I didn’t protest after that and went into the other room and sat beside her on the couch.

“A father shouldn’t ignore his daughter.” Lupe murmured bitterly.

“Yeah, well I gave him a pretty good reason to.”

“Grudges, gah!”

“It’s not like we should—” I was interrupted by a knock at the door. I rolled my eyes and left the comfy couch.

It could’ve been a coincidence. We were just talking about him and there he was. It couldn’t be fate; fate wouldn’t bring such people here to see me.

“Jackie!” My father exclaimed happily pulling me into a big hug. I was still in shock when Lupe began laughing behind me.

“D-Dad?” I stammered but then looked over at Lupe who had a knowing smile on her face. “Lupe, you knew?!”

“Aye, I did.”

“But that whole…”

“All part of the plan, niña.” I suppressed a glare and stared back over at my father.

“You seriously didn’t come alone, right?”

Hal blushed sheepishly and motioned behind him for Liza and Becca to come to his side. Of course, they just have to be everywhere. Liza looked the same a little flushed from the heat but her ice features were still in place. Her white gold hair was piled up in a pony tail.

It almost pained me to look down at little Becca. She was the only one that looked somewhat different. Her gray eyes still had the purple bruises beneath them but this time they were much more definite. Becca’s pale skin looked even more translucent and her hair seemed to have gotten a cut. It was an edgier cut that had different layers and lengths all over. She even looked a smidge taller.

“Hello Jackie.” She said in her tight superior voice. “So where do I sleep?”

Sleep? No. They can’t stay here. Isn’t there a hotel somewhere around here?

“Don’t worry your rooms will be covered later but first—”

“Why did you come?” I asked, interrupting Lupe whose glare I could feel at the back of my head.

“Well, in your letter you made it sound pretty so we decided a vacation would be nice.” Liza said answering the question rather than my father who was the person I originally inquired it to. I tried my hardest not to glare at her but angry tremors shook my body.

“I’ll let you meet the family.” Lupe said leading the three of them into the kitchen. I stayed behind with my nostrils flaring.

It wasn’t fair.

I finally found a place that I actually liked and then they had to come and interrupt everything. They just could’ve replied, at least then it wouldn’t be so aggravating. How long were those imbeciles planning on staying here anyway?

I shoved the door shut and sulked into the kitchen to find them all laughing and smiling. I intertwined my arms and lied back in a corner, watching the whole scene. Becca was the only one sitting still and looking as if she didn’t want to be here. Great, the only person I missed didn’t want to see me.

“Oh, don’t worry we’ll get your bags. Tico, Alejandro now.” Lupe said pointedly at her husband and son who took their time exiting the room and going out the front door to the car parked out there.

That brought their attention to the doorway which made all eyes transfer over to me. I knew I looked intimidating and possibly pouty but I saw a smile crack across Hal’s face.

“You look so much like Catalina.” He mumbled and I rolled my eyes. He was right I probably did look as cold as my mother looked, but that was only when she was angry.

“Except for the eyes and the height,” Lupe remarked and I suddenly felt like groaning. Couldn’t they just drop it?

“Yeah and the fact she isn’t wearing orange.” Becca smirked and I stared daggers at her. It took every ounce of my self control to keep from ripping her to shreds. Tension built up further in the room as even Lupe’s smile faded.

“A tour, yes, a tour would be best.” Lupe broke in making Becca’s eyes leave my face. Lupe began ushering the three of them around the house and talking. I gripped Becca’s arm as she passed me and pressed my lips to her ear.

“Make another crack like that and I will snap your legs like the twigs they are.” I hissed but she shook me off and followed after her mother and Hal.

I was still fuming when I heard the door opening and Alejandro breathing heavily. “Damn, how much these Americans bring?” He huffed and I didn’t even bother to hide my chuckle. I looked over my shoulder to see nothing but bags with legs.

Alejandro dropped his load and sighed with pleasure. “Much better,” he breathed while Tico did the same. “They can carry up to their rooms themselves.”

 “I have to agree on that, quick if we go out to the deck now then your mother cannot spot us.” They snook off out the backdoor and didn’t come back inside. I decided to go spy on the newcomers while they toured the upstairs of the house.

“And here is your room.” Lupe said to Becca when I realized that she was pointing to my room. No. I am not sharing a room with that creature.

“What?” I asked with wild eyes.

“You and Becca will be sharing a room.” Lupe replied simply but I was still having a hard time believing it.

“Is there a problem with that?” Becca asked innocently. “I just turned ten so it’s not like I am that little anymore.”

I snorted and decided not to comment with Lupe standing right there. She wouldn’t appreciate my nastiness.

“Nope,” I said tightly, “no problem whatsoever.”

“Well, that’s good.” Lupe intervened making our long glower end. “Hal, Liza! Come on out of there so I can show you the rest of my home!” She shouted and Hal and Liza exited the room across the way and once again began following after her.

I trudged down the steps and joined my cousin and uncle on the deck.

“Everything alright?” Tico asked but I grunted.

“Apparently not,” Alejandro said quietly looking over at the sandy beach.

“So how long have you both known?”

“I didn’t because they probably didn’t trust my big mouth.”

“She just couldn’t wait to tell me.” Tico said taking one more smoke out of his pipe then he ruffled his hand through his son’s hair. “Of course we didn’t trust you; I mean you spent most of the days with her and Sonny. Remember the time you and your mom were planning on giving me that surprise party. You told me weeks ahead of time.”

“Yeah, figured.” He grumbled not taking his eyes off the beach. I was dying to ask him if he was thinking about his girlfriend but I knew that it would mean war from then on. Instead I kept my mouth shut, even if a small smile was set on my face.

“Care if I join this party?” Her soprano voice made me cringe and I knew without looking at her there was a smirk on her voice. I kept my back to Becca but I knew that wouldn’t stop her from talking to me.

(Author’s Note: So like you all I have been missing Becca. I don’t think it went by fast but I maybe could’ve waited a chapter or so before I brought them back, but I was impatient and wanted her in it now. Tell me what you think and I will hopefully get the next chapter posted soon.)