A Thorn In A Game of Roses

Chapter Three: Well, this is awkward.

(Evelynn’s POV:)

After school was out, Sam and I headed back to the car and made our way home. Finally, I had tons of homework I needed to catch up on. I think she did as well, though it didn't help that my father was making us go to dinner tonight to meet his boss and their family, even though I just wanted to stay at home and crack down on this homework, which wasn't due anytime soon, as they gave me a week, but I like keeping in touch with everything. I don't like being behind on things, especially assignments or homework.

As we got home and exited the car, I stretched some before grabbing my bag and following my sister inside the house. I hung the keys up and moved to my bedroom to change out of school clothes and into something nicer, a nice top and leggings. I really didn't own any dresses or skirts, as that wasn't my style at all. Unlike my sister, who probably owned a bunch of them, I wanted to be comfortable while enjoying a good meal, because if it's his boss, they have money, and money means good ass food I'm eating tonight rather than the same ramen and pizza every night.

I sat at my desk and took my books out and laptop, and I worked on some school work while I waited for him to arrive home. I guess Sam had the same idea, as she didn't come into my room to bother me much, which I am glad she did, as I needed to get some of this homework done before we left for the night.

Though when I heard the front door open, I sighed heavily, knowing he was back home and I didn't have time to get a head start on the work, I turned my head just as my father walked to my bedroom door and looked at me. He gave a smile.

“I’m gonna get a quick shower, then we can leave. How was you’re first day?” He asked me while he took off his hat.

“It was fine, went by quick,” I replied simply as he nodded his head and moved to my sister’s room and asked the same thing, I sighed and stood up closing my laptop as I grabbed my shoes putting them on my feet and brushed out my hair some before moving towards the door watching him walk away to go to his room, I eyed same inside her room as she rolled her eyes some.

“Dress nicely, and behave. This is important for him.” I warned her as she sighed, nodding her head as she stood and shut her door to change while I moved into the living room and waited for them both to finish up.

Thankfully, it didn't take them long. My father was first to finish, then my sister joined, wearing a cute sundress. My father wore a nice outfit as he walked over, grabbing his keys.

“Ready, girls.” He asked as we moved out of the house and into the car I sat in the front seat while my sister sat in the back, as she liked it.

“You didn't wanna wear anything nicer?” He asked, looking at me as he backed out of the dirt driveway. I raised an eyebrow at him, annoyed by his rude comment on my outfit.

“I’m not like Sam, I don't like dresses or skirts. You should know this by now.” I huffed at him and looked out the window, shutting my mouth so I didn't start a fight before getting somewhere we needed to be, and knowing him, if I didn't shut my mouth, he would continue to argue with me.

“Oh. We’ll I think the top is nice. Don’t listen to me, I am just nervous.” He said while driving, as I nodded my head but didn't say anything else, as I was already in a mood not being able to do schoolwork, and now going somewhere I didn't want to go.

The drive wasn't long at all, it was somewhat near town, up a large him and in the wooded area. As the car entered these huge gates, my mouth dropped seeing the large house that rests on the hill surrounded by woods.

“You’re boss is definitely loaded,” I commented to him as he gave a nod while parking the car in the front. We looked at the many nice cars in the garage as I shook my head and got out first, followed by my sister, who was also in shock.

As we moved from the car to the steps, my father knocked, and the door was answered by a butler. Of course, they had butlers and maids. I thought to myself as we were led inside the large home, which also looked beautifully decorated to the max with fancy paintings and flowers.

“This way.” The old man said, leading us into a living room area. We followed him as Sam and I sat down on the expensive couches, while my father stood and looked around the room, looking at photos and art on the wall.

“Woods!” A man yelled, entering the living room with a big smile on his face. A woman followed behind him in tow, smiling. Sam and I stood up respectfully, watching our father interact with his boss as they hugged, laughing.

“You’re home is amazing!” My father chirps, laughing as the man smiles, nodding before looking to the two of us. “Ah, these are my girls. Evelynn and Samantha.” He introduced us to his boss.

“Beautiful girls, Woods, Pleasure to meet you both. My boys will be home later. They have football practice.” He said, waving that off, but my mind wandered if we went to the same school as me. “This is my wife Miranda, and I’m Steve.” He introduced the woman behind him, who stepped up with a gentle smile.

“Nice to meet you, too.” Sam and I both said, nodding our heads with fake smiles on our lips.

“Come, Dinner should be ready, and my sons will join in later,” Miranda said, smiling as she guided us all out of the living room and into the large dining room, where we all sat down.

Sam sat there looking around curiously like a cat before looking at me and smirking as she poked me under the table, making me smirk at her.

The maids brought in the food and set it on the large table; it was like a huge feast for just a small number of people in the room! Everything looked and smelled amazing. I couldn't wait to dig in.

My father and Steve were in deep conversation with one another about work and what they wanted to do to better work; meanwhile, Miranda looked over at me and Sam with a gentle smile.

“You both are just so beautiful. I heard today was you’re first day of school. Did you enjoy it?” She asked me, sipping on her wine.

“Thank you, I did…though the beginning of school was interesting. A fight broke out. It was a weird way to start the day, I guess.” I admitted as she almost choked on her wine before putting her glass down. She was about to speak when the doors opened.

“Ahh, my sons,” Steve said, looking up at the two boys entering the dining room to join in for the meal.

I turned my head and froze in my seat. Standing there was Noah from this morning, the same Noah who oddly stares at me all the time and was the lead football player. Great, how awkward this is gonna be that both our dads know each other.

“Boys, come sit and eat, this is you’re father's friend who traveled a long way to be here. These are his girls, who are probably in the same school as you both.” Miranda said, watching her sons walk inside and sit down.

Noah’s eyes went to me as he gave a little smirk, sitting back in his seat as he nodded his head. The other boy looked a bit younger, maybe Sam’s age, but was all smiles as he sat down in his seat.

“I’m Nate.” The boy introduced himself to us; he had striking features and such a baby face. He had curly brown hair like his mother and brown, striking eyes like his Father.

“Samantha,” Sam whispered shyly with a smile as she grabbed her water, drinking some.

“Evelynn,” I said, staring at him, then away as I could still feel Noah’s eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey; it was nerve-wracking.

“Noah, but you already know that. We met this morning.” He said drinking his water.

The woman sighed and looked to her son, who just shrugged some in his seat. “Excuse my son, he liked getting into fights with the wrong people and giving me headaches.” She said, rolling her eyes.

I nodded my head towards her words as I picked up my fork and ate some of my food quietly as the table filled with chatter, but I kept to myself for the most part.

“Captain of the football team, that’s pretty intense, Noah.” My father said, making conversation with the brothers, Noah smiled, nodding his head.

“It’s where I like to be, outside and running. Plus, the good scholarships I can get from it, so it benefits me.” He shrugs, staring at him, then away before his eyes land on me. My eyes met his for a second before looking away, getting annoyed.

“You can also get scholarships in other classes as well if you don't get one in football.” I chime in side side-eyeing him.

“Evelynn was at the top of the class back in our old home in Jersey. She is a smart kid.” My father praised me as I smirked at the compliment.

“Really? That’s impressive.” Steve said, shocked as he smiled. “My son is failing a lot of his classes. Would you mind tutoring him, Evelynn? I can pay for it too.” He offered it as I blinked, looking over at him, shocked. I could feel Noah’s smirk plastered against the back of my head as I gave a fake smile, nodding my head.

“Of course,” I said without even thinking, as I had a hard time saying no to anyone, I swear it's my weakness. I really didn’t want to tutor the i***t, let alone be in the same damn room with him for a couple of hours. I sank into my seat and looked to him as he sipped his cup with a smug look on his face. I rolled my eyes. Even if it was just for some extra cash before I get a job, was it worth it?

“What are you good at, Samantha?” Nate asked, breaking the awkwardness at the table.

She blinks, shocked that he spoke to her like it was a crime. “Um, I love art.” She admits gently with a smile, looking at him as he nods his head.

“I would love to see some of your art sometime. I bet you're amazing.” He comments as he drinks his water. Talk about awkward cringe flirting in my book, but my sister was eating into it with a blush on her cheeks, making me want to gag just watching her fold easily into his words. Though who was I to judge, maybe he was different than his brother. I shouldn't judge a book by its cover before getting to know Nate more, I guess.

“I can bring her over when I come to tutor your brother, so she isn't at the house by herself; she can hang out with you for a couple of hours.” I offered a smile at him and looked to my sister, who wanted to kill me or thank me for speaking up on the matter.

“That’s perfect, she can bring her artwork.” He smiled while eating his food.

The rest of the dinner went smoothly, my father and his boss discussing work stuff to my sister and Nate talking and maybe a little flirting, then there was I, who was sitting there and wanting to go home and scream into my pillow at how much I didn't want to tutor Noah Brooks.