"Wow..." Ryann gazed at the beautiful marble mansion in awe.868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar9XIYVM7F
It towered above him, gleaming proudly in the afternoon sun, showing off its many dozen windows which were shined so thoroughly that he could spot the ocean’s waves from smiles away in them. The prideful mansion pointed out its magnificent arches and pillars, and how the pattern of its marble swayed and swirled like a coming storm, and it boast about how perfectly it fit its location. It pointed out to Ryann its red shingled roof which can be seen from miles away much clearer than any lighthouse, and the tall twin peaks of its chimneys which promised delicately carved masterpieces at its base. The mansion smirked down at Ryann, whose jaw hung at a hinge, waiting for his response of how beautiful it is. 868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yJblpHKr8
Ryann has always seen it shining from afar, like a beacon for the island villagers since they had built it with the intention of it being their safe house when the ‘big one’ comes, but he’s never made the pilgrimage to see it’s grandeur up close like this. He felt too inferior to even ogle at its perfections.868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9EBdsJZLO
"Hey, Tiger!" a feminine voice broke his trance and he turned to find a large smile.868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmmMjaETQr
A woman, petite and caramel of skin, marched up the last few steps up the lofty hill carrying plastic bags that sagged in her grasp. 868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RdZGCVIjs
"Rebecca!" Myah sang as she bounced happily to her guardian's side. "This is Ryann!" 868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIwAJEWfZP
Ryann stiffened up at the introduction, especially since this was Myah’s foster mother. Sweat budded against the back of his neck, his blond locks gluing to his sticky skin, as he gave a tight smile to the shorter woman. 868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuZx6zRf9q
Rebecca's eyes lit up at his name, and she let her bags drop without a second thought, eagerly holding out a hand for him to shake. "You're the little boy in the picture she always carries around!"868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ5YzOjdXs
Ryann choked back a stuttered response to try and save her first impression of him. He hadn’t expected her to say that. “Excuse me?”868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMcH01Pffk
“The one in her pocket right now, which she talks to whenever she feels—”868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawldsYZJQJ
Myah threw herself at her foster mother with a heated hiss, her face burnt up in flames that matched her ruby hair. “Do you really have to talk about that of all things, Rebecca? And do you eaves drop on me?” she growled lowly, like a wounded panther. 868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpq156pnrt
Rebecca smiled innocently, playing dumb. “What do you mean? I’m just keeping a watchful eye on you! Mi chiquita, bonita niña mas preciosa!” * Rebecca cooed in a higher voice, pinching at Myah’s tomato cheeks to her abhor. 868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml7q31mTax
Ryann couldn’t help but smile fondly at their relationship, his chest ebbing in relief that Myah hadn’t shouldered all of her loneliness on her own, thanks to the warm, brilliant white smile that radiated from her foster mother.868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb6DZYGRgI
His chest cringed at the last few words, realizing what he had said and what exactly it had meant. Even though Rebecca was a great person, it’s a shame for Myah to even know her. She should have her own, real mother to help her, to hold her, to embarrass and love her... 868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BgZbjUX2Z
His heart felt heavier, reminding himself that a foster mother was better than no mother at all…868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyjkaj492e
"Ryann?” At the sound of Myah’s voice, Ryann yanked himself out of the bitter tomb he was beginning to bury himself in. He snapped back to consciousness, his flesh warming with life from just the sight of her angelic smile. "Rebecca is going to make dinner, and you’re welcome to stay."868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM28x17J18Q
“But first take her down to the beach! She’s been dying to go with you.” The Latin woman gave a loaded wink meant for only him to see as she picked up her groceries from the ground. They crinkled in irritation as they were lifted into the air and hauled into the majestic mouth of the mansion. 868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbBgrG7Xvx
Ryann flashed a deeper red at her slight action, a jolt running down his spine that froze him like an ice beam. Myah waved goodbye to her foster mother, unknowing of the overtone Rebecca had struck him with. 868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnKAwQFsHz
Rebecca suddenly poked her head out from behind the heavily decorated mansion doors, as if she had forgotten something. "Have her back by sun down, okay? It's only her first day." She shot Ryan with a glare so heated, it not only melted him from his paralysis, but it scaled him as well. 868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBStInlPzFm
Ryann's burned face nodded animatedly in understanding, lost for words in the woman’s steely glare.868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KJv8i7YuN
Her stare melted at his complete compliance. “Good. Dinner’ll be ready before then!” Then she gave the heavy door the slam, disappearing from the teen’s view. 868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfolblKAX5
Letting out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding, he shifted his mortified gaze toward Myah.868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKAFUJ2pTC
"Common, let's go to the beach just like we used to do. For old time's sake." Myah hastily suggested, her cheeks still slightly aglow from the previous scene. She paused for a moment, a thought stuck on her mind, before flashing a bright smile at Ryann, taking his palm hostage to a tight hold. 868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2veiSpWrnl
The boy felt his chest lurch forward as his heart forgot a step in its beat at her brash act. But he gulped down his emotions and took it willingly. 868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zVDprxxlh
With her carefree beaming, the sun caught in her bouncy hair, for a moment—a mere fleeting seconds—she finally returned to being the five-year-old in the photo of his pocket again. 868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhzyVOK8PA
Ryann sheepishly smiled at the sudden resemblance, his mind calmed by the thought, forgetting everything of the past day, and of the past ten agonizing years. He gripped her hand, though not with the same amount of brash confidence as she possessed, and led her to the beach.868Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfOz0ttRZD
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*Spanish for 'My little, beautiful, precious girl.'
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