Chapter 3
Reagan Brezinka isn't only Janelle's best friend, but also a quite peculiar type. She doesn't like mingling in with the crowd; plus she hates the other prissy girls Janelle hangs out with regularly. This is why, when they can, they spend quality time on their own. Though, neither Janelle nor Aya have the faintest idea of why she's showing up at their place.
As they acknowledge her ringing the doorbell, they panic, especially Aya. They're not supposed to receive visitations when they're babysitting. Plus, Rylene would accuse them of attempting to let a friend sneak in. This is why Janelle only shows up at the door, while Aya stays behind to distract the little brat.
"Reagan! What are you doing here?" Janelle is startled to see Reagan not wearing an overcoat, a hat or a scarf at all. She's just wearing a black T-shirt with her favorite camo jeans. She has a lot of bracelets on her left wrist and three or four piercings scattered on her face. Definitely not an outfit anyone would rock in December.
"I just wanted to see Aya," is Reagan's answer. "I mean, I owe her an apology. What I said isn't exactly something you get to say without consequences." She's right, but it might be too late. Aya isn't exactly the most forgiving person when it comes to people she doesn't like.
Although Janelle is tempted to leave her friend outdoor in the cold, she doesn't. Reagan's intentions are serious; plus, she'd just stay in for a few minutes, say sorry to Aya and then leave. Rylene wouldn't have many issues with that, hopefully.
When Aya is back downstairs, she notices that Rylene isn't interested in watching TV or drawing anymore. "I need to pee," says the brat, her hands on her hips. "Someone take me to the toilet!" Her shrill voice—definitely not a cutesy one—echoes through the room, causing Janelle and Reagan to snort.
For now, the nine-year-old doesn't sense the stranger's presence as she's too busy pouting over needing to go to the bathroom. Janelle begrudgingly accepts to take her there, leaving Aya all alone with Reagan. The two girls stare at each other without saying a single word; that is, until Aya suddenly looks down.
Reagan sees this as the perfect chance to break the ice and starts off. "Listen, Aya, I'm sorry if I came in without notice, but I really need to talk you. Will you listen to me, please?" she begs, hoping that the other girl will pay attention to her. Instead, there's no sign of a reaction.
Therefore, she goes on, "I want to say that I'm sorry for what I told you last time. I was with the others and didn't think that those words could hurt you so much. I mean, I hardly ever think of what I say." She tries to laugh it off, but is shocked when Aya looks up to throw her a glare of displeasure.
When Janelle reaches them downstairs, Reagan feels as if a train is about to run her down. Her best friend still hasn't forgiven her for the bad things she told Aya and doesn't know if she's ready for letting go of the past. One thing is certain, though: either Reagan regains both sisters' favor or ends up alone, shunned by them and the rest of the group.
She has gone way too far but doesn't know what to do to fix things anymore. If even an apology can't fix things, then what is the point in doing so? She'd be far better off on her own, minding her business, but she'd feel empty, as if she were missing something.
She's about to head back to the entrance door when Janelle asks out of a sudden, "Are you sure you're taking back all those things about Aya?" Reagan nods, not wanting to ruin everything by saying even a single word.
Janelle continues, "Do you promise you won't do that again?" Reagan nods again. "Do you promise that you'll make an effort to get on well not only with me again, but also with Aya?"
This is a far harder promise to keep. Reagan knows that Aya is extremely judgemental when it comes to her and that she's not very willing to give her a second chance. But, on the other hand, Janelle doesn't want to see a longtime friendship vanish just because of some really harsh words addressed to her cousin.
Aya's fierce glare turns into a confused glance, after which Reagan surprisingly approaches her, pats her shoulder and whispers, "I promise. Aya, I'm really sorry for what I did. I didn't have the right to offend you. I may have not liked you back then, but-"
Aya stops her. "I understand. But, remember, breaking this promise might have consequences. Janelle and I might not be best friends, but we're blood related and no-one gets to mess with us," she warns. Although that comes off as stern to her, Reagan doesn't matter. She pulls Aya in for a huge hug, followed by Janelle.
The three girls glance at each other, unaware that Rylene has just finished her duties in the bathroom. The little girl runs down the stairs and is shocked and horrified to see her babysitters hugging another girl in the living room. She yells, "Hey, you two! You're supposed to babysit me, not make out with that bitch! I'm calling your mothers!"
As the three girls let go of each other, Reagan is the first one to intervene. "Excuse me, who taught you to use such a language? You're a kid, so you can't call me a bitch, okay?" she shrieks.
Unfortunately, her reprimand isn't enough to make Rylene cave. "Get the fuck out of here or I'll call my mom, okay? Go away, stupid bitch!" The little girl runs through her little pink purse and extracts a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge with a bright pink cover.
She repeats, "I'll call my mom if you don't do what I tell you to do, okay? So, get the fuck out, okay? Don't make me repeat myself." Reagan snorts, not wanting to give in to a nine-year-old. On the other hand, Aya and Janelle, although they won't let the little brat treat them like her playthings, try to be more reasonable. After all, Janelle's best friend shouldn't be there.
"Listen, Rylene, Reagan is about to go home. She just came here for an apology, okay?" Janelle tries to explain herself, but her attempt to calm the little girl down is met with a frown. She sighs. "We'll tell her to leave, okay? Why don't we play videogames together?"
"Okay. What do you have?" For a while, Rylene seems to have forgotten her real motives and is attracted by Janelle's idea. Nothing can go wrong when a teenager offers Rylene Rowan to play videogames, right?
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