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The Pleasantview Diaries (20)
Back to: The Pleasantview Diaries (19) Next: The Pleasantview Diaries (21)

Whoot whoot! 20 Chapters! That's gotta count for something, right? Anyways, I finished this all today after class and although it's been way less than a week since I've uploaded, I thought you good people deserved an extra chapter for having to wait so long for chapter 19. So, I hope you enjoy! This is a pretty long one.

Please, if you read this story, love or hate it, I want to hear from you. I'd love a comment, PM, thank, and/or rating. For the readers (if there are any) who do not have an account on MTS, I've decided to provide my email address. Don't hesitate to email me at hmrnd3@aim.com. If you do have an account here, you can just comment or send me a PM.

NOTE: Several people have alerted me that the characters are getting hard to keep track of. Who's related to who and why, names and dates yadda yadda. Considering the nature of my story, knowing that information is pretty important. To help everyone out, I've created an interactive family tree. It's pretty neat, so you should check it out. Especially if you're struggling with names and faces while reading the story. It's up to date with the story as of now. I will try to keep it up to date. So I guess, spoiler alert, don't look at it unless you're up to date with and have read the latest chapter. Here is the link to view it. There is also a link on my profile as well as in my signature. Hope it helps, let me know how you like it!

SIM STATE UNIVERSITY



Carter Long sat reading and talking with his half brother, Henry Broke, in the study lounge of the Pinenut Plaza dorms. While Dustin and Beau were very close, Henry and Carter, the youngest boys from the Broke-Long family, had always enjoyed each others’ company most of all. Carter, now a college freshman, joined Henry in the dorms and their brotherly bond grew.


Although the brothers spent a lot of time together, they often had disagreements that would cause Henry to run off to his girlfriend Tabitha Burb and Carter to stay home with his books. Carter was a deep, philosophical type and didn’t always appreciate Henry’s lust filled mind.


Also a new freshman at Sim State University was Gideon Goth. After his mother’s hospitalization, Gideon left home abruptly for college. The only parent he ever knew; he loved his mother dearly and hated seeing her confused and weak. So confused, she couldn’t even remember her youngest son. Of course, Gideon had thought. Once again Ricardo is the only kid she cares about.
University was the perfect place to hide from life for a few years. Feeling a bit depressed, Gideon was struggling to make friends and socialize.


Destiny Goth had noticed the strange new boy at Pinenut Plaza; he always kept to himself and she’d never heard him speak. Feeling sorry for the freshman, Destiny decided she would introduce herself. Gideon liked to avoid the social gathering sites where the his dorm mates hung out, so Destiny decided to sneak up on him while passing by in the hallway.
Destiny stopped the young man in his tracks and shook his hand. “Hi! You’re new here, right?”


Gideon grew shy. “Oh yeah. Hi. I’m a freshman this year.”
Destiny smiled warmly. “How come I never see you in the leisure room? Or the study lounge…or the cafeteria?”
Gideon’s cheeks grew red in embarrassment. “I guess I’m just not the social type.”
Destiny chuckled at Gideon’s obvious flushing. “Well hey, you don’t have to be shy here. We’re all practically family. I promise, everyone here is the friendly type.”
Gideon forced a half smiled. “Well, thanks. Maybe I’ll try introducing myself to some of the others.”


Destiny pumped her fist in the air enthusiastically. “That’s the spirit! Say, what’s your name again?”
“Oh sorry, I never said. I’m Gideon, Gideon Goth.”
Destiny’s smiled dropped off her face. “Did you say…Goth?”
Gideon smiled incredulously. “Yeah! Why?”
Wide eyed, Destiny pulled Gideon into her dorm. “We need to talk.”


Gideon and Carter were not the only new freshman at Sim State. In the Bright household, Lorenzo Lothario was patting himself on the back for finishing his very first term paper. “That wasn’t so bad. I think I can get used to this college life.”


Martin Ruben stood behind Lorenzo eerily. “You will be sick of those papers before sophomore year.”
Lorenzo jumped, throwing the computer mouse off the desk. “Dammit Martin! You can’t sneak up on people like that!” He readjusted the mouse and stood up to face his socially awkward housemate. “What do you want?”
“I want you to help me win the heart of your beautiful sister, Letti!”
“Oh brother….” Lorenzo was fully aware of the history between Martin and Letti. “You know, my sister and I aren’t very close. I only first met her a year ago. If you really want to win her over you should talk to Ricardo. Or better yet, my sister herself.”


“Oh no no no. That’ll never work. Your brother thinks I’m a twerp and your sister finds me repulsive.”
Lorenzo put his hands on his sides and quirked an eyebrow. “ And how do you expect me to change that? Do I look like your fairy godmother?”


“I don’t know how you are going to change it! That is for you to figure out! If I knew that I would not be asking for your help!”
Lorenzo sighed. “I can’t help you man, I’m sorry.” Lorenzo started to walk away.
“No! You have to help me, please, I love her! Just talk to her!”
Lorenzo sagged his shoulders and thought a moment. “If I talk to her, will you leave me alone?”
Martin stood still and calm, not wanting to ruin his chance to get Lorenzo’s help. “Yes. I promise.”
Lorenzo groaned dramatically. “Fine. I’ll talk to her.” He wagged his finger in Martin’s face. “But no funny business. That’s my sister. And I guarantee no results.”
Clearly intimidated by Lorenzo and his biceps, Martin closed his eyes and nodded his head in agreeance rapidly.


Lorenzo climbed the stairs of the Bright house and knocked on the girls’ room. “Letti? You in there?”
Without removing her eyes from her book, Letti told her half brother to come in. “What’s up?”
Lorenzo bit his lip worriedly. “It’s Martin…”


Letti sighed, set her book down, and sat up in her bed. “What does he want now?”
“What he always wants. For you to fall in love with him.”
Letti frowned and picked at some fuzz on her sweater before walking towards Lorenzo. “So what did he tell you?”
“Oh, just that nobody in our family likes him but he still thinks he has a chance. He has it in his head that I’m his last opportunity to win your heart."
Letti laughed. “Why? Because you’re new and the only one who hasn’t been fully exposed to his weirdness?”


Lorenzo chuckled. “I guess. I promised I’d talk to you though.”
Letti started flailing her hands about. “Well I’m not going out with him again! The first date was bad enough. I don’t need to spend any more time with him to tell that we’re not compatible.”
Lorenzo frowned. “I know, I know. But I had an idea…what if you went out with him again, but pretended to be really awful. You know, so he wouldn’t like you anymore and give up!”


Letti blew air through her lips and raised her eyebrows. “Sorry Lorenzo, but that’s not my style. It’s kind of childish, don’t you think?”
Lorenzo shrugged. “I guess. But it may be your only ticket out.”
“You know what would really work? If I actually had a boyfriend. A strong one that could scare him off. But that’s clearly not going to happen anytime soon. The only guys interested in me are...guys like Martin.” Letti’s face deflated and she began staring off, feeling blue about the lack of a desirable man in her life.
Lorenzo kissed Letti’s forehead and then started to head out of the room. “Don’t be sad. You have Ricardo and me. And Dad, don't forget. You’ll figure out what to do with Martin.”
Letti smiled weakly at her brother. “Thanks. I’ll try.” Even though Letti loved her family and was still passionate about her studies, graduation was looming in the distance. Letti knew that pretty soon her peers would be getting married and having babies. Letti, on the other hand, would be moving out of the Bright house and into a lonely apartment.

BROKE



It was a busy night in the Broke house, an evening full of birthdays. Rose and her twin sisters, Flora and Fauna, were all three ready to age into the next phase of life. The birthdays were in such abundance, that there was no time to plan any parties and only time for cake. Rose watched in sweet admiration as her daddy blew out the blazing candles for her. She wasn’t quite sure what was going on, but was very excited by all the clapping and cheering around her.


After some wobbling and jumping, Rose sprang into action as a rambunctious child. She admired her larger hands and feet in amazement, and then gave herself a little round of applause. The girl looked just like her daddy, but had all the coloring of her grandma Mary-Sue. Although she shared common family traits, Rose had a personality all her own. She was hyperactive and craved the attention of everyone she met. She was a happy and well loved girl. Thanks to Grandma Brandi and Grandpa Benji, she didn’t leave her parents too exhausted.


With the assistance of Grandpa Benji and Grandma Brandi, the twins followed behind their big sister in birthday celebration. Benjamin held green eyed Flora while Brandi cradled brown eyed Fauna. Both girls were thrown into the air and landed as toddlers in a rain of confetti.


Fauna, the older twin, had a striking resemblance to her grandmother Mary-Sue with her brown eyes, chubby cheeks, and jet black hair. Flora looked more like her father, although she had her mother’s green eyes and the black hair of both her grandmas. Despite their looks, both twins were delightful little girls who loved each other and their family very much. After Angela dressed them in matching pink pajamas, all the adults in the Broke household collapsed into bed after an exhausting night of birthdays.


The birthdays didn’t end there; a few days later it was finally time for Benjamin to become an elder. Not wanting a large celebration, Benjamin faced his lit up cake as he listened to his family cheer for him. A smile on his face, he looked back on his life with no regrets.


Not long after huffing and puffing on his candles, Benjamin went wide eyed as he felt the transformation begin to take over his body. After a few jerks and twitches, Benjamin's blonde hair disappeared and a cheesy Hawaiian shirt replaced his grey sweater. He looked at his new body and smiled happily, ready to join his beloved wife in the process of growing old.


After a change of clothes, Benjamin approached Brandi in their bedroom. “May I have this birthday dance?”
Brandi giggled and brought her hand to her chest. “Why sir, I’d be honored.”


A wide grin spread across Benjamin’s face, making his newly formed wrinkles visible. “Can you believe we have all these granddaughters after raising a house full of boys?”
Brandi chuckled. “It’s truly a miracle. I’m thankful though; I don’t know how many more years I could take of football tackles and machine gun noises.”
The couple laughed heartily together. “I’m so in love with you, Brandi. You’re such a wonderful wife and mother, now a grandmother. Your beauty inside and out never ceases to amaze me.”


Brandi’s heart fluttered. “Oh Benjamin…” He spun her around as they danced on the beige carpet. “I have you to thank for that. I was doing okay on my own, but you came along and brought color back into my world. You helped raise my boys, our boys in the way only a father can. I love you so much for that.”


Benjamin smiled proudly and dipped Brandi. He leaned in and kissed her passionately. “It was my pleasure, darling. I can’t wait to see what these last several years bring us.” The happy couple finished their dance and retreated to bed, unafraid of what the rest of their lives would bring them. They had each other, and that was enough.

DREAMER



In the early hours of the morning, Lilith woke up with a jolt and soon realized she was going into labor. After a few nights of “not trying to not get pregnant” with Dirk, the long time couple found themselves expecting a baby. Lilith clutched her abdomen and groaned through gritted teeth. “Ow ow ow! Oh Dirk! I need you!” Dirk was at work, and sadly, would miss the birth of his first child.


Although Dirk was not present, Darren heard Lilith’s shouting and cursing and came to the rescue. He was just in time to see Lilith spin, revealing the birth of a sweet little boy.


Lilith admired her son’s dark blue eyes and black hair. She smiled while the baby stretched his arms out towards his mother’s face. “He’s got Dirk’s blue eyes. Your blue eyes too!” Darren smiled at Lilith while she cradled the baby in her arm a little nervously. “How do I look?”
Darren beamed, a proud grandfather. “Like a natural mother. What are you going to name the little guy?”
“Liam,” Lilith said firmly. “That’s what Dirk and I decided.”


Lilith was reluctant to leave for work the next morning, but she knew little Liam was in good hands. Cassandra fell in love with the baby the instant she laid eyes on him. Although Dirk was only her step son, she loved Liam like her own flesh and blood. She doted on him day and night; the hole in her heart which longed for more children was finally filled.


After laying Liam down for his afternoon nap, Cassandra heard the phone ringing and hobbled downstairs to pick it up. She answered, expecting to hear from Dirk or Lilith. She was sure they’d be worried about their little boy all day at work. “Hello?”
To her surprise, Destiny, Cassandra’s baby sister, answered the phone. “Cassandra! I have big news!”


Cassandra thought a moment about what might be big news for Destiny. “Did Felix propose?!”
Destiny snorted a laugh. “Hah, I wish! But anyway, I met this guy at Sim State. His name is Gideon Goth. Cassandra, we have another brother!”
Cassandra blinked; it was hardly news to her. “Yes Destiny…I know. He’s the child Dad had with Dina Caliente. We have a step brother too, Ricardo Caliente.”


Destiny was bewildered, shocked. “A step brother?”
Cassandra furrowed her eyebrows, confused. “Yes…really Destiny? You didn’t hear this? Ricardo, Dina’s son, returned the house and fortune to our family. He told me about Gideon. He thought maybe I’d like to meet my half brother. I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”


Destiny was still confused and hurt. “You knew…all this time. And you didn’t tell me?”
“Oh Destiny don’t be dramatic. I thought you knew! You went to Alex and Lucy’s wedding; they own the house. Alex knows, obviously. You really didn’t realize?”
Destiny’s world came crashing down on her. Neither Cassandra or Alexander had included her on this major family event. Gideon and Ricardo hadn’t even known she existed. She was a family secret, hidden away by Cassandra.


Destiny grew very angry. “How the hell was I supposed to just realize?! I didn’t grow up in that house like you! I just thought they bought some house! You can’t just know things that people hide from you, Cassandra!”
Cassandra grew wide eyed. “Destiny, I wasn’t hiding anything from you! I swear, I thought you knew!”
Destiny didn’t care what her sister had to say. “Oh right, I forgot. You just want to hide me. This Ricardo guy knew about you and Alex, but not me?! You didn’t feel the need to so much as mention me? ‘Oh by the way new step brother, you have two step sisters! Maybe you’d want to tell Gideon he has two half sisters!?’ Gideon didn’t know about me either!”
Cassandra was shocked. “Destiny…I…”


“Save it! I’m so done with you trying to be my mom but then discluding me from the family! All my life you’ve made me feel like an outsider!”
Cassandra panicked. “Destiny you’re overreacting! I didn’t mean any harm! I’m sorry!”
Destiny snorted. “Yeah whatever. You know, it’s a good thing I met Gideon. We’re both rejected by our family. We’ll get along nicely. Goodbye, Cassandra.” With those last harsh words, Destiny hung up the phone, leaving Cassandra aching with regret.

PLEASANT



Mary-Sue Pleasant stood outside of her daughter’s pink house. Her stomach flip flopped as she debated on walking up to the door. Why am I so nervous? This is ridiculous! Mary-Sue hadn’t seen Angela since her wedding day which was three grandchildren ago. Angela had called her mother out of the blue, and asked her to come meet her granddaughters. Mary-Sue was grateful. Living alone in a tiny apartment wasn’t proving to be as liberating and happy as she once had hoped.
“They remind me so much of you!”, Angela had said over the phone. “They’re so beautiful, Mom.”


Before Mary-Sue could sneak away, Angela opened the door and came bolting down the porch. “Mom?!”, she cried out while covering her eyes from the sun.
The second Mary-Sue laid eyes on her red headed daughter all her nerves slipped away. Her motherly instincts kicked in as she beckoned for her daughter to come closer. “Oh come give your mommy a hug, you!”


Angela wrapped her arms around Mary-Sue and sighed peacefully. “Oh mom, it’s so good to see you.” She breathed in her mother’s familiar perfumed smell. “I can’t wait for you to meet the girls. The twins should just be waking up from their nap.”


The mother and daughter duo made their way upstairs to Angela and Dustin’s room, where the twins slept. “Mom, meet Flora and Fauna.”
Mary-Sue looked at her granddaughters and smiled with pride. “They’re gorgeous. And what clever names!”
Flora looked up at her Grandma and smiled. “Flora, say hi to Grandma!”


Mary-Sue leaned into the crib and scooped up the smiling Flora while Angela picked up Fauna, who was still a bit sleepy. “Hi sweetie!” Mary-Sue waved at Flora, making her giggle. “They’re so easy to tell apart! You got lucky that way. It was difficult when you and Lilith were babies.”
Angela smiled, reminiscing and bouncing Fauna on her hip. “Oh I’m sure. Red hair and green eyes all around. Not these two. They look different as day and night.”
Mary-Sue laughed knowingly. “You and Lilith’s personalities are different as day and night.”


After two diaper changes, the ladies headed downstairs. Fauna was more awake now and excited to play with her newly discovered Grandma. After an abundance of giggles, Mary-Sue stood up to join Angela on the couch. “Fauna really does look like me. I’m amazed two of your daughters have my eyes and they all have my dark hair. Speaking of that, where’s this Rose I've heard so much about?”


Just then, Rose burst through the door and into the living room. “Mommy! You’ll never guess what happened today! Guess! Try!”
“Did you…” Rose cut her off, bubbling with excitement.
“I got my report back and I got an A plus! Aren’t you so proud of me?!”


Angela stood up to cheer for her daughter. “Wow! Yes Rosie, I am so proud of you!”
Rose’s laughter overflowed; she was practically enveloped in giddiness. “I’m so proud of me too, Mommy! Oh my gosh I could just kiss my report card!” Kiss the report card she did. After a few more cheers and displays of approval from Angela, Rose was satisfied. Angela could barely make the child stand still long enough to say hi to her Grandma before she flew up to her room.


Mary-Sue rose from the couch laughing. “She’s quite the bundle of energy, that one.”
Angela smiled in pride and exhaustion, waving her hands in the air. “You’re telling me! I don’t know how to handle her half the time! Rose is so stubborn and competitive, yet so sweet and happy. She seriously wears me out. I don’t know where she gets it from, honestly.”
Mary-Sue almost doubled over in laughter. “Are you kidding? I do!”
Angela cocked her head. “You do?”


"Oh come on Angela. The girl is exactly like you! When you were her age you needed my attention and approval more than you needed oxygen.”
Angela laughed. “Really?”
“Oh yes my dear. And it didn’t end there. You were always trying to out do everyone in high school. Not just with grades but cheerleading and with your sister. You really didn’t put that together? Why, it was like déjà vu when Rosie came through the front door!”
Angela laughed lightly, a little embarrassed. “Well, I guess you’re right.”


“You know Mom, I’m actually glad you pointed that out. None of the girls look anything like me, and that’s always made me a bit sad. Now I know at least she got something from me.”
Mary-Sue laughed and hugged her daughter. “Now you know how I felt when you and Lilith popped out with Daniel’s fiery red hair and emerald green eyes.” Mary-Sue internally scolded herself for bringing up her separated husband. “But really dear, I can see those girls are the apple of your eye. I’m so glad you invited me over. Meeting them has brightened my day tremendously.”
Angela’s heart softened, now thankful the girls looked so much like their grandmother. Had they not, Angela may have never invited her mother over. They may have never reaffirmed there mother-daughter relationship. “Oh mom,” Angela said gingerly, “I’m so happy to hear that. I love you.”

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