It wouldn't be long until I was soon in the spacious dining room of the Kendricks family antebellum-themed mini-mansion as I was introduced to Jillian's older sister Candace (a college junior) and her boyfriend Mark, Jillian's younger brother (as well as the only boy and middle child) Ethan, and the family matriarch (and Jillian's grandmother) Endora before we all sat down to a meal of pasta salad and grilled chicken. "Demario, my family and I want to first start this off by telling you that you have our deepest sympathies regarding your late parents and siblings," Mrs. Kendricks said as a waiter silently distributed glasses of iced tea and wine (the latter for the adults). "I consider your maltreatment by your mother and you being disowned and left to fend for yourself a crime since I'm a former social worker. It's a blessing that you survived your suicide attempt and now have people who want you to heal from the past."

"Definitely," Candace hummed, nodding her head. "From what we all heard, you have hidden talents and yet got the raw end of the deal by your late mother. If you haven't heard this before, then it needs to be said: there's a special place in hell for people like your late family and your relatives who made you feel insignificant."

"Of course," I replied, pausing to take a sip of iced tea. "I've been told that alongside the reminder that I have something worth fighting for. It's something that people remind me of everyday to make sure that I start believing it."

"Then it's all the more reason for the reminder," Madame Endora commented, giving me a motherly smile. "You may not know it now, but you will in time."

"But now is the time to get down to business regarding Jillian," her son-in-law said stoically. To me, "Son, my daughter Jillian is always one to have blind ambitions and be possessive of anything that she wants to have for herself. And that includes Ryan Peavey."

"I know a little bit about their relationship," I couldn't help but reply. "Weren't they once dating or engaged at some point?"

"Engaged," Ethan said. "And that didn't last for over a year since Jillian was still a bit wild and clingy to Ryan when she felt that anyone he met- male or female, gay or straight, or even any race- was deemed a threat in her eyes. She demanded him that he spend less time with his friends- your foster brothers included- and more time with her. At one point, she even wanted him away from school and prepare himself to work for Dad."

"I wasn't going to allow that," his father added. My wife and I knew that Ryan was too good for her and even his parents believed it. We also knew that Ryan wasn't sexually attracted to her, much less any woman. So when the time came for Jillian to announce her plans to marry Ryan during school last year, it was nobody's surprise that he decided to break things off and come out of the closet. Jillian, of course, didn't take it too well and did all she could to make him see reason to change his mind: currying favor, stalking, subtle threats, and anything that she could think of. I knew that she wouldn't stop until someone else would, so I decided to send her to her relatives for the rest of summer vacation. By then, Ryan started hanging out with Hillman. Artem Hillman."

I nodded. "And I take it that this was when things started going crazy when Jillian would meet Artem for the first time," I deduced.

"Yes," Mrs. Kendricks replied. "Jillian was coolly receptive when she first met him, but still had that jealous streak because he was attractive and athletic. Ryan took Artem under his wing and soon became a known pairing throughout the neighborhoods and the school. And the more Jillian saw them together, the more upset she got. Of course, there was that fateful incident which almost ended that poor boy's life at Serenity's party that soon almost tarnished the family name."

"What happened, I'd like to know?"

A clouded look crossed over the family's faces.

Candace shuddered lightly. "Let's just say that I can never forgive my sister for stealing my antidepressants and teaming up with that little brat Theo for wanting such a sweet guy out of her way all because of her jealousy," she said lowly. "Hillman was already suffering from seizures and his near-completed transition from female to male. He almost died in that hospital bed three times."

My eyes went wide, my stomach in knots. "Oh, man," I breathed. "That's just sick."

"Tell us about it," Mark commented, grasping his girlfriend's hand. "Candy told me that she still gets nightmares about what happened and blames herself for not letting Jill or Theo near her meds."

"And it's more than ever to let you know this because she has your number, Demario," Mother Endora intoned. "My granddaughter is too caustic and cruel with her wiles and toxic mindset. If she thinks you're a threat, she'll keep harassing you until you either leave town or accept her false promises of being a superstar. I hope you haven't accepted anything from her."

"I haven't," I promised, which was true. "I already heard from the Callaways of PGHS and some students about delayed music contracts and all that, so I knew it wasn't meant to be. But I still get reminded of changing my mind before Homecoming to accept."

Mr. Kendricks hissed, gray eyes narrowed in silts. "Then she's already planning something drastic," he said angrily. To me, "Are you planning to attend Ms. McVeigh's birthday party?"

I shook my head no. "She originally planned to cancel everything, but I told her to proceed and that I wouldn't be there since I didn't want to cross Jillian's paths."

"Even so, you now have TWO people to worry about," Ethan noted worriedly. "Theo's a suicidal-happy Goth punk as he loves Jillian with a deep passion and they hate anyone who doesn't agree with their ideals, however different they may be from each other. Demario, if I know better you might be next on the list to be exterminated at any cost. And as you've heard already, neither Jillian nor Theo will back down from any challenge unless you plan on see things their way and do things their way."

"All of us fear that with you having a mental-heath crisis and dealing with your own demons from your past could easily become a perfect sacrificial lamb for Jillian," Mother Endora commented, her voice laced with concern. "In my book, my daughter and son-in-law needed to have my youngest grandchild thrown out on the streets to see how kids in unfortunate situations needed to survive. Jillian and Theo were known as goddamned monsters with nothing to lose except pride and it's apparent that they still are and will be unless someone stops their madness once and for all."

"So what should I do?" I asked.

"For the most part, stay away from Jillian," Mr. Kendricks said firmly. "We know that your foster dads had filed a restraining order against her, but she'll do anything to get it revoked so she could continue to harass you at all costs. If anything, her persuasive powers can turn physical. So steer clear from her at all costs and be sure to talk with your fathers about this as well."

"You'll need to stay away from Ryan as well," Ethan commented. "Everyone knows that he means well and has good intentions of being friends with you, but he has some secrets that could drag you down if you're not careful."

"Exactly," Mrs. Kendricks agreed, nodding her head as did Mother Endora, Candace, and Mark. "If you have any romantic feelings for him, please do not pursue a relationship with him for your sake."

I frowned at that comment. "I mean no offense, but I already suspected that there was something off about Peavey, so planning a relationship with him, never mind a friendship, sounds hypocritical. Besides, I'm seeing Oliver Slade and we're more of a couple while taking things slow."

Everyone smiled softly at that last statement. "That's a relief," Candace said. "But still, please stay away from Ryan if you can help it. He's a good guy, but comes with too much baggage in the form of my sister."

Lunch was soon finished as I was escorted back to the limo with Mrs. Kendricks accompanying me for the ride back home. "Thanks for the lunch and heads-up about Jillian," I told the older woman as soon as we arrived at the Lomax residence. "Something tells me that I haven't heard the last of Jillian or Theo just yet and I'll need to keep my guard up."

"The pleasure was mine as well as my family's," Mrs. Kendricks replied gently before the driver opened the door for me. "Be safe, Demario Bader. May the eyes of Texas guard over you."

I nodded as I stepped out of the limo and made my way inside the house, grateful that no one was around. This afternoon...was definitely one for the record books. Two jealous brats, one jaded quarterback, and me with my issues. What a recipe for disaster.

That's the truth! But while you all got one version of what went down with the Artem/Jillian/Ryan saga, there's always more to this story than meets the eye!You'll hear more about what happened through flashbacks, recollections from all three teens, and more retellings from two more classmates.

But coming up next, an upcoming English assignment has Demario paired with the person he doesn't expect to work with. Oh, how the tea will be spilled everywhere when you know who it is!

Dedication: ostromn and OralKel.

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