Chapter 4

When we finally reach New York, when we are finally in front of our brand new apartment , the apartment in which I'm supposed to live in from now on. Matt wakes me up.

He shows me around and the apartment is pretty good, it's awesome actually and I am super excited to see my new room and to decide how I'm gonna decorate it.

The moving truck comes shortly after us and we begin setting some stuff up and get settled in a bit.

We set up the couche and some kitchen things.

After we're done with most things I ask Matt if I could go exploring for a bit.

He shakes his head "this is New York Fran, you're not going out on your own this late" he says.

Oh man

Matthew sees the disappointed look on my face and sighs.

"I'll go with you tomorrow and you can do all the exploring you want" he says.

And I grin and jump up and down happily while he laughs.

The next day Matt and I do get out and explore the city.

I see the Statue of Liberty from afar.

We even go to Central Park.

It's a good day.

Once it's about noon, Matt and I go to a donut place.

We settle one a table and Matt goes to order.

I'm just setting, scanning the menu when the door of the donut shop opens.

I glance up, then go back to scanning the menu agai- wait a minute.

I look up again.

and sure enough I see Dan.

My brother Dan.

Dan is in the same space as I am.

Dan and I are breathing the same damn air.

This can't be happening. How is it possible that I see my brother the first full day I am in New York?

Does the universe hate me?...Or does it love me?

Either way once I get over my initial shock, I dive under the table.

Dan is with two other guys, probably his friends.

They're talking for a bit and then all three of them head to the cashier to get their order.

It's.....extremely weird seeing my brother in real life after all this time.

Fuck it's so fucking sad to say that but it is.

A part of me wants to go over to him and hug the shit out of him so badly.

But another part of me is too scared.

I mean even if I go to him, what am I supposed to say?

Hey Dan! Remember me? I'm your sister Francisca that you haven't seen in 6 years. It's so crazy to coincidentally see each other like that here! I've actually been cyber stalking you, dad and Ivan for years now! So I kind of been up to date on some things going on in your life, but how've you been beyond that?

And oh my god they are right behind freaking Matt.

This is a freaking nightmare.

Matt shortly begins to head back to our table and spots me under it.

He looks at me confused.

I probably look extremely ridiculous.

"What the hell are you doing under the table?"

"Oh just admiring the...floor?" I laugh nervously.

Matthew narrows his eyes at me. Clearly not believing me.

I mean that is extremely fair.

"Just get up Fran". He sighs, yeah Matt looks completely over me.

I begin to get up but then I spot my brother and his friends heading back to the door after getting their donuts. So, I quickly dive under the table again as Matt was getting settled on his chair.

He raises his eyebrows at me. Asking me with his eyes what the hell is wrong with you???

I see Dan exit the shop, I breath a sigh of relief and get up from the floor.

Matt is still narrowing his eyes at me and I send an innocent smile his way.

***

The next day, I FaceTimed Lori and Jenny and told them what happened at the donut shop and they haven't stopped laughing since.

"Will you guys stop?" I ask, annoyed

"Sorry sorry" Lori says, "it's just that I was right and you acted like a fool", she keeps laughing.

I roll my eyes at her

"But seriously tho" Jenny starts "the universe is sending you a message to go reunite with the your long lost family! You have to listen to the universe!"

I sigh "it was just a crazy coincidence that's all" I say

"A really crazy coincidence" Lori says "and on your first day in New York too"

"I'm telling you it's the UNIVERSE" Jenny repeats.

"Look it's probably not gonna happen again" I say

They both look at me like I'm delusional.

Maybe I am, i don't know.

Maybe there is a very big possibility that I'll be seeing Dan again or Ivan or maybe even my dad.

But do I want to?

Just the thought of seeing them again makes me incredibly nervous.

But the thought of never seeing them again makes me......disappointed? Sad?

I think I have to figure out what I want to do about this, if I'm just going to ignore my family being in the same city I am or if I'm going to do something about it.

I hear Matt calling me down for dinner. So, I end the conversation and say my goodbyes and head down.

******

Daniel's POV

It's the first day of school today.

Senior year babyyyy!

It's exciting to think that I only have one year left in high school.

Ivan and I are currently sitting in the Kitchen having breakfast with dad.

He's been acting weird for a few days now.

He is....I don't know, suddenly interested in everything we do? Nosey?......more involved?

He has been having a change of attitude since Ivan got caught coming home late from a party.

It wasn't really a big deal to me, to us.

We've done that kind of thing thousands of times before.

And I'm pretty sure dad was aware of it and had people keep an eye on us from afar too, to be safe.

I have a feeling dad now knows where Ivan exactly was and what part of town he has been hanging out in.

And it's not like I'm any better.

It really was the first time dad had been home early since...well, since Fran left.

Maybe dad realized that he hadn't been paying much attention to the children he does have under his roof.

Took him long enough.

Anyways I finished my breakfast and was waiting for Ivan to finish his.

We were going to take his car to school.

When the slow eater finally finished we began to pick up our things and head to the door when our dad stopped us.

"I'm taking you guys to school today" he said.

Ivan and I turn around and looked at dad surprised at what he suggested.

He never takes us to school.

He's always too busy with work.

"Why?" Ivan asked narrowing his eyes.

"I can't take my sons to school?" He said raising his eyebrows.

"You've never done it before" Ivan said coldly, getting defensive.

"And what about work?" I ask.

Dad sighs.

"I am making time for your first day at school and i know I haven't always been there and I'm sorry, I'm.." dad hesitates a bit then continues "I'm trying to do better, to be the father you deserve".

I don't know what to say, he looks extremely vulnerable right now.

"Why now?" Ivan asks with an angry look in his eyes.

"Why not now?" My dad countered.

Ivan rolled his eyes, as dad made his way to the door gesturing for us to follow him.

We get in the care and drive off to school.

It's an Incredibly awkward ride, but I can't help but feel happy, content, our dad finally wants to be....present.

I thought he'd always be in a bad mood like Ivan.

I thought that our family would never be as happy as it once was.

I felt like I'd always be doomed to be the one who makes conversation at the dinner table or be the one to acknowledge the state of the family.

Ivan and dad were never the same after Fran and mom disappeared, I always thought they'd come back and when they didn't, I thought I'd hideout in parties and girls like Ivan had and just try to forget that I didn't only lose my mother and sister, but my father and twin too.

But dad is..making an effort now.

And that's really all I've ever wanted, for him to stop hiding from me and Ivan and for him to talk to us.

For us to go back to being a normal family.

I just hope that Ivan can.....act civil and make an effort too.

The year is starting off great already!

***

Francisca's POV

Matt and I just reached my new school.

Silver Oak high school.

I'm fiddling with the hem of my shirt, just staring at the building and all the students.

Matt of course notices "you don't need to be nervous, Fran" I look at him. "You're going to be fine, I know being at a new school is hard and that you don't know anyone but you will be okay". He says.

"It's just that...what if no one likes me, and I don't make any friends" I say "I mean Jenny and Lori were my only friends back home so what if-" I get cut off when Matt says "not possible, who wouldn't want to be friends with you?"

I just shrug.

"You're gonna be fine I promise and if not you just tell me if anyone's bothering you and I'll teach them a lesson" he says

I laugh at that "what? What would you do?" I ask amused.

"Hey I did some wrestling back in my day, I can kick ass" he says faking offense.

I chuckle. "Well, I have to get going to get my schedule and all that stuff". I say

Matthew nods and kisses my temple.

I get out of the car and start walking away.

"Have fun!" Matt shouts.

I turn around and say "it's school!" While laughing.

He laughs as well and takes off.

This is gonna be hard without Lori and Jenny.

But I make my way inside the school but before I reach the door I hear a group of girls next to me mumbling something and pointing at a car.

I squint my eyes and see Ivan and Dan getting out of a car.

Oh. My. God.

IT IS THE UNIVERSE.