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4x8 "Breaking Point"
Part Two
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Mere seconds after Buck reached out to knock on the door, the only wood went swinging inwards, Anna standing beaming on the other side.
"Sorry we're late," I apologized immediately, sending her an awkward smile, "I blame Buck."
"Hey!" Buck whined, "It was out of my control. I was babysitting."
"It's fine," Anna waved us off, stepping aside to let us into her house, "Besides, I just finished cooking. The others are setting up the table now."
I stuck close to Buck's side as we trailed after Anna. I observed the high ceilings and eyy-shell white walls, pictures of Anna and her family taking up every available free space.
"This place is... wow..." Buck breathed into my ear, hunched over against my side.
"Wow... indeed." I nodded, equally quiet as we tried to keep how astounded we were by Anna's home. And in LA?
"And here are our esteemed guests-- oh?" Anna paused in the large archway, eyebrow raised as she observed, "What did you guys do?"
A lanky brunette man was half folded over the long dining table, frantically pulling at a maroon runner as Marielle and Riley tried to rearrange the cups and plates.
"Honey!" The man shouted, scrambling to stand straight and throwing the runner behind him, clearly still in view, "And Emma and-- er, Buck was it?"
"Yes sir." Buck nodded, eyes still on the dirty runner on the floor.
"Sir?" Both be and Anna repeated, the man in shock and Anna in disbelief.
"Please don't call me sir--" he waved his hands in the air, "Spencer is just fine."
"He gets nervous when he's put into authoritative positions." Anna explained, placing a hand on his arm, "Anyway, Anna, Buck, meet Marielle and Riley."
Marielle stepped forward, eyes and hair dark and skin tan, tanner than even Anna's. She held out a hand, "It's nice to meet you. I've been looking forward to this."
My tense shoulders relaxed, "Me too."
Over her shoulder, I could just make out Spencer nudging at Riley's arm. Reluctantly, she stepped forward, towering over me. Her lighter skin and stature made it clear that she took most after her dad, "Riley."
Her face was stoic and words monotone. I tried to let it roll over me, "Nice to meet you Riley."
The awkward silence that filled in the gaps between our words was only saved by Anna, "Alright, let's get eating!"
