As Alchemy slid into Uncle Mike's car, the familiar scent of leather and a hint of cologne enveloped her, transporting her back to memories she'd almost forgotten.
"It's been ages, kiddo!How have you been?" Uncle Mike's warm voice pulled her back, his smile crasing the years apart.
Alchemy beamed, her eyes sparkling, "I've been good, Uncle Mike, thanks for asking! Can't wait to eat all of the variety of dishes you have here, I miss the swallows especially"
Uncle Mike chuckled, the sound low and rich, "Hold up, gotta introduce you to the fam first!" He winked, and Alchemy's heart skipped a beat as they pulled into the driveway.
The house was just as she remembered – warm, inviting, and filled with the promise of laughter.
Inside, Aunt Kathy bustled around, her voice a gentle melody, "Your dad's almost here! Get down here, kids!"
The car horn blasted, and chaos erupted. Tansy's eyes widened, "Shoot, I forgot perfume!"
Marvel snorted, "Why do you care, she's not family."
Aunt Kathy's gaze narrowed, "Watch it, Marvel."
The door swung open, and Alchemy was swept into a warm hug.
"You've grown into a stunner!" Aunt Kathy cooed.
Marvel smirked, whispering to Kwame, "Alchemy? What a weird name."
Uncle Mike gestured, "Meet Marvel, Kwame, and Tansy."
Tansy bounced over, hugging Alchemy tight.
Aunt Kathy nudged, "Marvel, show Alchemy to her room."
Marvel grumbled, but Kwame jumped in, "Don't worry, mom, I've got this. Let's go, heartbeat."
Alchemy shot back, "It's Alchemy, not heartbeat."
Kwame laughed, "I like you already, heartbeat."
Uncle Mike sighed, "This vacation's gonna be long."
Aunt Kathy smiled, "I know, right? Tansy, help me with lunch."
Tansy asked, "Should I get Alchemy?" Aunt Kathy replied, "No, baby, let her rest."
Marvel's room was thick with tension as Uncle Mike pushed open the door, his eyes scanning his son's face.
"What's wrong, son? Need anything?" Marvel's response was a shrug, his voice laced with indifference, "Why these questions, Dad? I'm fine."
Uncle Mike looked at him, his voice taking on a firm tone, "Then tell me why you were rude to Alchemy earlier."
Marvel's denial was instant, "I don't understand, I was nice to her."
The skepticism in Uncle Mike's voice was palpable, "Well, you weren't nice enough. Go apologize to her."
Marvel's refusal was immediate, his voice rising, "No way, Dad. I'm not apologizing to her."
Uncle Mike's expression turned stern, "Sometimes I don't get you. How can you dislike someone at first sight?"
Marvel's response was a muttered, "I never said I dislike her. I'm just not apologizing."
The ultimatum hung in the air, Uncle Mike's voice cold, "It's either you apologize to her or kiss the camping trip with your friends goodbye."
Marvel's eyes widened, his voice panicked, "No, Dad, you can't do that to me!"
Uncle Mike turned on his heel, leaving Marvel seething. "Shit!" he muttered, frustration etched on his face.
In Alchemy's room, she was chatting with her mom on the phone, her voice bright, "Yes, Mom, everything's going on well."
Her mom's reassurance was warm, "I told you you'd be okay." The knock on the door was perfunctory, and Marvel burst in without waiting for a response.
Alchemy's voice was icy, "Hold on, Mom, I'd call you back.
Do you have no manners? Why would you barge into my room like this? What if I was naked?"
Marvel's response was a smirk, "Well, you weren't naked, so stop being dramatic."
The air was thick with tension as Alchemy demanded, "Apologize to me now, and next time, knock first!"
Marvel's refusal was a sneer, "Stop dreaming, Alchemy. I won't apologize to you. Never!"
Alchemy's anger flared, and she began to push Marvel out of the room. "Get out!"
Marvel's voice was a growl, "Let go of me, I'm sorry for not being nicer to you when you showed up."
Alchemy's rejection was instant, "Apology not accepted! Now get out."
Marvel's desperation was palpable, "You don't understand, this is a life-or-death situation. You have to forgive me. Just fake it, I don't care."
Alchemy's voice was a whip, "Never, get out!"
Marvel's anger boiled over, and he held Alchemy aggressively, his voice a snarl, "Will you forgive me?"
Kwame burst into the room, his voice a warning, "What's wrong with you, Marvel? I'll tell Dad about this."
He pushed Marvel away, and Marvel hit the wall, his eyes flashing with anger.
Kwame's voice was cold, "Just get out." Marvel stormed off, leaving Alchemy shaken.
Kwame turned to her, concern etched on his face, "Heartbeat, are you okay? Did he hurt you?"
Alchemy's laughter was a tremulous thing, "Seriously?"
Kwame's grin was a gentle tease, "Well, I don't mind you calling me Kwams."
They shared a laugh, and Alchemy hugged Kwame, her voice muffled, "Thanks for being nice, Kwams."
Tansy's entrance was a dramatic flourish, "Holly Molly!" Alchemy and Kwame turned to look at her, and Tansy's eyes sparkled, "He has a girlfriend, Alchemy, Marvel too. Please don't tell me you're crushing already."
Kwame's voice was a groan, "Stop being dramatic, Tansy. Why are you even here?"
Tansy's response was a grin, "Lunch is ready."
The three of them headed down to dining room, the tension dissipating, but the drama far from over.
~the next day~
The kitchen was bathed in warm morning light as Marvel sauntered in, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.
"Good morning, Mom. How was your night?" His voice was a little too cheerful, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes.
Aunt Kathy smiled, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
"I'm good, love. You're up early. Everything okay?"
Marvel's gaze slid away, his tone nonchalant. "Where's your guest, Mom?"
Aunt Kathy's eyebrows rose, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"And by guest, you mean...?" Marvel's response was a roll of his eyes. "Alchemy, of course."
"She's still resting, she had a long day yesterday. She needs rest", Aunt Kathy replied.
Tansy walked in, a bundle of energy, and the conversation shifted to a more lively tone.
Aunt Kathy asked about her night, and Tansy replied with a bright smile, "Good, Mom."
Marvel's tone turned acidic, his anger simmering just below the surface.
"We all had a long day yesterday, Mom. She's supposed to be here helping you, not sleeping!"
Aunt Kathy's voice was firm, a warning in her tone. "Just go to your room, Marvel. I'm not complaining."
The tension dissipated as Marvel stormed off, leaving the family to a more pleasant breakfast.
At the dining table, Uncle Mike asked Alchemy about her stay, his voice warm and welcoming.
Alchemy's response was a gentle smile, her voice like music. "I'm okay, Uncle Mike. Everything's going on well with me."
Marvel's snark was immediate, his voice a sneer. "Why won't you be okay when you literally do nothing to help my mom?"
Kwame's defense was a growl, his voice low and protective. "What's wrong with you? She's our guest, not our maid."
The room fell silent, Uncle Mike's voice a stern warning. "Marvel, watch it."
Marvel's anger boiled over, his voice a bitter complaint. "No, I don't even understand why she's here. I thought it was more fun Abroad."
Alchemy's eyes flashed, her voice a quiet dignity. "I thought I was welcomed here. You should have said you didn't want me here the moment I walked in."
She stood, her movements graceful, and the room held its breath.
Aunt Kathy's voice was a gentle plea, her eyes filled with concern. "You'd always be welcomed here, darling. Marvel, what has come over you?"
Marvel's defiance was a snort, his voice a bitter laugh. "Well, I don't like her, and I want her gone. I'm sure she's just pretending to like us anyway."
The room fell silent, Alchemy's voice a gentle whisper. "You're wrong, Marvel. I love you all, and I like it here too. But you don't have to worry, I'm leaving."
The room erupted into chaos, Tansy's voice a sob, "What! No, please don't listen to him. Stay, please."
Uncle Mike's voice was a command, his eyes flashing with anger. "Apologize to her now, Marvel. We raised you better than this!"
Alchemy's voice was a gentle refusal, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I don't need apologies, thanks for taking care of me. I have to leave now."