You can't do this alone. ~Frank Hardy x Reader~

Chapter 1.2 - Welcome to Your Life

Juliet's POV

"Ah ha!" She said, coming through the door.

"I thought I locked the door behind me, sorry." I whispered to Trudy, knowing she didn't like her either.

"Not your fault." She whispered back.

"Boys, you're here! Guess what? I brought dessert." She cheered. "Hello, Francis. Hello, sweetheart." She greeted the boys.

She saw me but simply ignored me.

"Trudy. I brought cherry pie." She cheered. She moved my pie off of the raised pie plate and then placed hers on it. I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes.

"That's so thoughtful. But we already had dessert. I ordered one of Juliet's pies." She said.

I knew that I that point I was screwed. Why did she have to bring me up?

"Oh, well, hers isn't good enough. It's merely side worthy. You need something better! Juliet, get us some plates, will you?" She says, waving me off.

"Sure." I said through gritted teeth and a fake smile. I got up and went to the kitchen cabinets. I've been in Trudy's house enough times to know where things are.

I was glad to get up. I didn't feel like fighting with her. She insults my dessert and then waves me off like a servant?! I took a deep breath and grabbed the plates before heading back to the table.

"Now, I imagine you boys, having lived in the city all those years, you probably know the best way to survive a new place is to learn the lay of the land. And that's why I'm here." Gloria said.

"Well, I could show them that, too. I grew up here, also. Plus, Juliet could too since she and Frank are the same age." Mr. Hardy said.

"Yes, I know. But I'm sure I could show them more than she could. And with you, Fenton, we might not show them the same things." She said. I gripped my seat harder and Trudy rubbed my back. I caught Frank's confused eyes so I sent him a quick fake smile.

"Oh, Fenton, I remember when Laura first brought you home to meet me." Gloria said, bringing all the attention back to her.

"Yeah, I remember that, too. I think you said that you thought she found me in the forest. Remember that?" Mr. Hardy said with a laugh, Gloria joining him.

"That's funny. That's funny. So, Francis, I understand that you are looking into universities. Making a short list." She asked him.

"Uh, yeah. I mean, I'm about to start my junior year so." Frank said.

"Well, I've begun to make some arrangements. You know, pad out your résumé. Get you to meet all the right people." She said.

I, once again, had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. This lady was already trying to turn Frank into a selfish high-society brat! Already trying to control his life!

"Uh, that's great." Frank said, confused slightly. "Uh, me and my dad were thinking about schools close to home in the city."

I smiled at Frank's response.

"Nonsense. Think bigger. Think biggest. Think Rosegrave Preparatory Academy." She said.

"There it is." I whisper over to Trudy who was thinking the exact same thing I was.

"Now, young Joseph, I have been making some plans for you, too." She said.

Now she's trying to control Joe?!

"Uh, thanks, but I don't really wanna pad my résumé." Joe protested but Gloria just laughed.

"No, I was thinking more along the lines of active summer diversions. How would you like to learn to ride horses?" She offered.