Adrian

I picked up Riot for the third time since we arrived at the park. Gosh this freaking thing won't stop running away. I quickly reconnected the leash to his collar before placing him back on the ground. He was starting to become a professional at escaping from the leash and it was already annoying me. I glanced around the park, looking at all of the other dogs and parents who were with their kids. No sign of Naomi. She was supposed to be here ten minutes ago!

As I walked through the park, I spotted a snow cone stand that was selling snow cones for one dollar. A dollar? Well, I don't mind if I do. "Let's go, Ri. We're going to go get snow cones," I waited for the line to go down before I walked over to the stand. There was a short blonde haired man that was standing behind it, organizing the items behind he stand. As I got closer, I began to recognize his face. "Josh?" I raised an eyebrow. He immediately looked up from what he was doing.

I began to notice that his face was starting to turn red as if he was a tomato. Why the heck is this kid always blushing? "M-Mr. Hafler...hi," Josh looked down again, biting his bottom lip. "What are you doing here?"

"Meeting up with my sister-in-law. What about you?" I glanced over the stand. There was a large snow cone machine sitting on top with cups and bottles of flavored syrup next to it. "Are you working?"

"Uh yeah!" he cleared his throat, standing up straight. There's no way he's working at a snow cone stand; he works for me. Do I not pay him well enough? I guess he read my mind because a small frowned formed on his face before he muttered, "it's nothing that has to do with you. My uncle owns this snow cone stand so I help him run it sometimes."

"Oh that's cool!" I grinned. How sweet of him... "well I guess since I'm here, I'll give you guys some business. One blue raspberry snow cone please," I shrugged and bent down to Riot's level. He was running around my legs excitedly as he spotted another dog. I unwinded his leash from around me before picking him up again. Soon enough, Josh was done making the snow cone with a smile on his face.

"There you go Mr. Hafler," he said, giving me the treat. I grabbed it, making sure to brush our hands together to tease him a bit. His eyes widened before his face started to turn red again. I stifled a laugh as I pulled my wallet out of my pocket. Ten, five, twenty, fifty, one hundred. Lots of bills, but no singles. I shrugged and took the ten out of my pocket, handing it to Josh who eyed my wallet before looking away in embarrassment. I began to walk away before I heard my name being called. I turned around to see the Josh trying to hand me my change. "You forgot this!"

"I know. Keep it as a tip," I winked, walking away from the stand. Josh blinked and nodded, turning back to his stand where there were a few impatient looking costumers. I chuckled at his embarrassment before continuing to walk back towards the main area of the park. I felt my phone vibrate as I was walking so I pulled it out to check it.

1:55. Favorite sister: yo sorry I'm late. I'll be there in a few minutes. Meet me by the swing set.

1:56. Me: alrighty

I tucked my phone back in its respectable spot in my pocket before heading over to the swing set. I was walking and enjoying my delicious snow cone until I felt a small body crash into mine, knocking both them and my snow cone to the ground.

"Oh crap!" the person gasped as they fell. I glanced down at my the ground where Riot was sitting trying to lick up my spilled snow cone from the ground. I rolled my eyes and helped up the person who had fallen. I took this moment to take a good look at the person. It was a guy.

And good gosh, was he beautiful.

"S-Sorry about that," he mumbled, biting his lip and looking away. I noticed the heavy accent he carried, however I couldn't put my finger on where it was from. Me, being the stupid idiot that I am, didn't respond and continued to stare at him.

I finally looked away from his face and glanced around to ease the awkwardness. Don't wanna seem like a creep, ya know? "Ah, it's okay," I sighed. Not really. I dropped my damn snow cone! It was so good! "Did you hurt yourself when you fell?" from heaven...not the time, Adrian!

"N-No. I'm okay. Sorry for running into you. I'll see you around!" he called before trotting away, leaving me to stare at him until he was out of sight. I snapped out of my trance once I heard my name being called. I looked over to see an impatient Naomi standing in front of my.

"I've called your name like twelve times but you were too busy staring at that boy like he's the Queen of England," she rolled her eyes.

"More like the Queen of Hearts," I mumbled. "The Queen of my heart."

"Well the Queen of your heart just ruined your shoes.." Naomi giggled. I glanced down at my previously white sneakers to see them now covered in bright blue dye from the snow cone.

"Damnit," I muttered, a slight pout forming on my face. "These were new!"

"You can always buy some more," she sat down on one of the swings. I released Riot from his leaned and sat down next to her, still pouting. "Are you pouting at your shoes or are you pouting because you wanna see that boy again?"

"A bit of both," I chuckled. "Why were you so late?"

"Well...Dakota said she was hungry at work so I brought her some lunch. Turns out she wasn't hungry for food," she winked.

I frowned my nose up and shoved her away from home. "Ew! You're sick..."

"You're sick!" Naomi punched me in the gut causing me to double over in pain.

"Ow!" I groaned.

"Don't be rude and you won't get punched."

"Yeah yeah, whatever," I mumbled, rolling my eyes

***

I felt my lips turn into a grin as I watched my twin sister bounce into my office with her purse hanging off of her arm. It had been two days since Dakota and I last saw each other and I was already starting to miss her. What can I say? I love my twin sister.

"Hey, princess!" I wrapped my arms around her and lifted her up in a tight hug.

"Hi, Adrian.." she placed a soft kiss on my cheek as she glanced at the designs that I was currently working on. I was glad that she came because I was soooo bored. I love my job but sometimes it could get extremely repetitive. "What is this?"

"I'm have a meeting in a few days for these British people who are trying to make a restaurant here so I'm just working on possible designs," I shrugged and closed the computer tab. She plopped down on the couch and pulled out her phone. "So..any interesting stories to tell me, here, on this day?"

"Bitch! I have so much to tell you," Dakota's face lit up. I began to work on a few more of assignments as she told me her story. She was currently telling me the story of one of her coworkers. Dakota worked as a hair and makeup artist on broadway so she always had interesting stories about the things that happen during shows. "And then the back piece of the set started to fall apart! The director was pissed!" she exclaimed, toward the end of the story. She was interrupted by my phone ringing.

As soon as I clicked it on, my secretary's voice filled my ears. "Mr. Hafler?"

"Yes?"

"You have some visitors here for you."

"Hm...I'm not expecting anyone. Send them up," I told her before hanging up the phone.

Dakota gave me a curious look. I shrugged my shoulders and waited until I hear a knock at the door. As soon as the door opened, I groaned and went back to doing my work. Why must you visit me? Go away...

"Good afternoon, Adrian," the woman smiled before glancing at my sister and giving her an ugly look. "Dakota."

"Birth giver," Dakota rolled her eyes. I can sense the tension in the room as Dakota and Mom give each other ugly glares. Dakota and I never had a close relationship with my mother. In fact, we couldn't stand that woman. She would constantly spit her ignorant opinions and belittle others to make herself feel better. This continued until I began my company. Once she noticed how much money I was bringing in, she began to be nicer towards me while still treating Dakota like sh*t. I don't like that.

My father was the exact opposite of my mother. He always made sure that Dakota and I were doing okay, despite the fact that he was never around. Father was in the military for most of our child years and spent most of his time overseas. Of course, he had no clue about my mother's emotional abuse towards us and filed for divorce and custody, as soon as he found out. Mother, in her usual drunken state, immediately blamed us for 'ruining her life' but that mindset changed once she found out about my company. Now, all she ever did was visit my office to borrow money from me.

"Still hanging off of your brother, I see?" Mother raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest which was covered by a loose white blouse. It was a cute shirt. Too bad it had to be put on an ugly person.

"Still begging your son to pay your bills, I see?" Dakota smirked. Mother glared at her before turning to face me.

"What do you want, mom?" I sighed. "I'm working."

"I just came to invite you to my wedding," she grinned and placed an envelope on my desk. Wedding?

"Wedding?" Dakota frowned her nose up. "Who the hell would wanna marry you?"

I stifled a laugh and grabbed the envelope. "Thanks for the invitation, but I don't think I'll be able to show up."

"You haven't even looked at the date yet," Mother snorted.

"Well if Dakota isn't invited, then I'm not going."

Mom rolled her yes before grabbing another envelope from her large red purse. "Fine. You're invited," she threw an envelope towards Dakota. Bad move.

Dakota immediately hopped out of her seat, her tan face turning red. "Don't throw anything at me!" she shouted. It was obvious that she was fuming with anger and that was something I hated to see.

"Dakota!" I snapped. "Stop it. Sit down and relax."

My sister stared at me for a while before sighing and sitting back down. "Fine..." she mumbled, staring off into space.

"I'll let you know if I plan on attending your wedding," I said to my mother who was raising an eyebrow at me. "Until then, please leave."

"Whatever. Bye, Adrian," she glanced at Dakota once more before leaving my office. I looked over at my twin who was still zoned out, in her own little world.

"Princess?" I called quietly. I could tell that she was still very upset about my mother's actions and wouldn't stop thinking about it. Dakota finally broke out of her thoughts and looked at me. I held my arms out to her and before I knew it, she was sobbing in my chest. This wasn't the first time this has happened and I'm sure it won't be the last.

I'll say it again, I cannot stand that woman.