One for Tea [Stewarts]

[Tomer Berelowitz]

At the best of times, Tomer was less than social. But with Harmony, Uncle Josh, Sebastian, Mr. Hayes, and his incoming guests, his room was practically a club. His mom would be ecstatic, if he told her. He wasn't. She'd go nuts. Still, having a mom who loved to have parties did have one advantage for a kid who did not. Tomer knew how to be a good host. Naomi and Orion were going to bring something over, they said, so he made sure his mini-fridge had enough lemonades and waters in it and that Clover and his cage were clean and happy. He didn't have to do anything to his room; it was always kept nice. 'Suspiciously clean', his mother used to say, back when she'd thought it was unnatural for boys to have neat rooms. Now she was just grateful.

It was colder outside now, but Tomer still kept his window open just a crack, so Clover could get fresh air. The little brown bunny had grown a little, but stayed true to his species, maxing out at around four and a half pounds. His fur was so plush Tomer thought it was like petting a cloud. He and the bunny were such good friends, he wished he could thank Uncle Josh more for him.

At the knock on the door, he scooted himself over on his wheeled desk chair and opened it up. "Hi! Come in." Tomer bent forward as far as he could to do a quick sweep for Dead John. All clear! "You guys want some lemonade or water? Go ahead."

They knew where it all was, so they could help themselves.

[Orion & Naomi Stewart]

The twins had decided it was time to do something for Tomer. Admittedly they had had a hard time deciding what to do. Tomer had tight them how to cook and was generally kind to them. Therefore, time to do something.

And the twins really only knew how to do... one thing. Aside from other people's homework (which didn't happen all that frequently just once in a while when they get bored). So they got together and...

Sort of made cookies. Well, made the dough for chocolate chip cookies and decided not to bake them because really it just made things worse, didn't it? It was much better raw. Frozen to make sure no bacteria lived and then totally raw.

The twins arrived, for once, on time. Orion had the bowl tucked under his arm. They offered a cool nod to Tomer as the door entered.

"Hey Tomer," Orion said.

"Miss us?" Naomi flopped down onto the bed as Orion offered the bowl to him.

"We brought cookie dough."

"So much better than cookies anyways. Want anything?" This was said even though it was Orion who was going to the fridge to get the lemonade.

"Where's Clover anyways?"

Being with the twin was always like a whirlwind entering your life. They moved quickly and swept you up with it.

[Tomer Berelowitz]

Tomer didn't know what it said about himself that he attracted people like Naomi and Orion, and Harmony. People more like Uncle Josh than himself. Still, he liked his friends and they respected (for the most part) his introverted quirks.

He grinned at Naomi. "Sure I did. 'F it gets too quiet I think something's wrong."

Taking the bowl with a light questioning look of confusion... Tomer didn't understand what he was seeing till Orion said. He had to laugh. "Oh my god," he murmured. "This is weird. And awesome."

He was grateful though, if a bit incredulous. "Thank you!"

"Uh. Water, please. Clover's in his cage. I gave him a piece of banana. He likes flopping after treats." Looking from the bowl to each twin, he finally asked, "How do we eat this?"

[Orion & Naomi Stewart]

”That’s a good boy.” Naomi offered Tomer a smile back and chuckled. The twins still weren’t the type to laugh much.

”It’s the awesome part that’s important, isn’t it?” Orion and Naomi grinned at Tomer. Not a normal expression and even odder considering just how similar it made them look. Normally they tried hard not to look like each other. This was the exception.

”Besides, normal is boring.

”Weird is better. Spoon?” Orion, who had two lemonades balanced in a hand, pulled some spoons out of his pocket with the other.

”Stole them from the kitchen.”

”They won’t mind. Bunny!”

Naomi was the one kneeling by the cage, though, reaching her fingers through the cage to gently pet his soft fur. Despite the headaches that doing separate things usually gave them, Orion sat next to Tomer and offered him a spoon and a glass of lemonade. Soon enough, Naomi was on his other side.

”Later,” she said. ”He’s enjoying the treats too much.”