It's funny how Ezra was so eager to leave the mall, but as soon as he saw the blonde cashier, he had to flirt with her for a good ten minutes.

He probably thinks every cashier is hot from the looks of it.

A few hours have passed since then, we ate some takeout for lunch, and I just finished washing and drying my new clothes and folding them.

Now I was seated at my desk with a brown envelope that held Alessandro's supposed rules inside of it. I narrowed my eyes at the flimsy paper and opened it. Who does he think he is to make rules for a house that isn't even his?

I sighed pulling out the folded piece of paper that was tucked inside,

                                                               RULES

1) You are expected to listen and respect Ezra while you are staying with him.

2) You are to write me a three-page apology each month and send it in the mail. If I see that you've changed, I will take you back.

I almost choked on air, apology for what? How could anyone possibly write anything longer than a sentence to him let alone three pages. Besides I don't even think I could manage to write a simple sentence, what would I even say?

3) You are going to write, 'I'm sorry for having no respect for my brothers and sister, I apologize for causing everyone trouble.'  A hundred times and mail it to me by next Friday.

Okay, how delusional is he!? I wouldn't even write that once, even if the whole world depended on me too. Sorry I don't have respect for delusional losers like you.

4) I expect you to keep up your grades and attend school every day.

5) You are still grounded; this means no electronics unless they are needed for school.

6) You are to maintain your health; I expect you to eat at least three times a day, get a proper amount of sleep and join at least one sport from your new school.

Yeah, no. The volleyball game with Leo clearly didn't work out, I'd rather not embarrass myself at school too.

7) While you are living with your cousin Ezra you are to follow any other rules he might have and help him around the house.

I finished reading them and I stuffed the meaningless piece of paper into the top drawer of my desk. These 'rules' only proved how delusional he really was.

The bed dipped slightly as I sat down. What am I supposed to do now? It's only 4 pm and I literally came here with nothing not even Fluffy.

I walked over to the small bookshelf that was by the bay window. The shelves were practically bare except for three books, '101 Knock-Knock Jokes', 'How to be a super-secret spy' and an old cookbook.

Yeah, Ezra definitely picked these out.

The only one of these books that would actually be useful is the secret spy one since everyone in this family only speaks lies.

I heard the sound of my door creak open, and Ezra stepped in, a small smile grazed his lips.

"I knew you'd like those books, kid." He grinned, picking up the cooking book and he skimmed through it.

"Yes, they are so amazing and fun looking." I replied, rolling my eyes with a smile.

"Ophelia was so wrong, she said you'd think they'd be boring and dumb." He grinned.

"Look what about this for dinner, kid?" He asked pointing his finger towards a picture of alfredo noodles.

I nodded, and he handed me back the cooking book. I will eat anything as long as it isn't bread with sauce and cheese.

"Ezra, I think you might need this."

"Nah, kid. I can cook noodles, they're just noodles. Trust me." He assures me.

Mhm, and eggs are just eggs.

"Just take it to be safe." I smiled placing the book back into his hands.

"Fine, but I won't need it." He grumbled, crossing his arms.

My lips pursed into a grin, "Sure, Ezra, sure."

He slightly raises his eyebrows at me with a frown, "I can cook some flimsy yellow noodles, kid."

"Right, but not flimsy yellow eggs, got it." I tease, trying to bite back a laugh.

"We agreed to never ever speak about that, incident again." He grumbled.

"Alright, kid I'm going to go make the noodles, do you need anything before I go?" He asked.

"Do you have anything to do?"

He shrugs, "You could watch TV or something, there's a park and bookstore down the street you can walk to. Ophelia is coming home tomorrow so you will get to hang out with her and go-" He jokingly winces, "Shopping."

I roll my eyes, "Shut up Ezra, you had fun shopping you got to talk to that girl."

A grin spreads across his face, "Right, I forgot about her. I just have too many women calling and-"

I smack his arm.

"Ow, you little sh*t!" He groans, rubbing his arm. He acts like a big bulky dude just punched him.

" I don't need or want to hear about that." I say as I scrunch up my nose.

"Stay jealous brat, stay jealous." He teases.

Trust me I'm not.

"Can I go to the bookstore and buy a few books?" I ask with a smile.

He nods and reaches into his back pocket for his wallet, he hands me fifty dollars, "Dinner will hopefully be ready by five, and I definitely won't burn the sh*t out of it."

My lips pursed into a grin, "Thanks, Ezra!"

He ruffles my hair, "Be careful little demon, if anyone tries to talk to you punch em' like you punched me."

I playfully roll my eyes with a smile, "Okay, Ezra."

He nods and goes downstairs with the cookbook by his side.

He can't mess up dinner with that. Can he?

Oh, he'll definitely find a way too mess it up.

I put the money he gave me into the pocket of my sweater, and I quickly ran a brush through my tangled hair.

Faint shouts could be heard from downstairs, "Sh*t my finger, sh*t, sh*t."

I shake my head, yup, he'll definitely mess this up.

I threw on my shoes and I began walking to the bookstore. It was only a five-minute walk; I love how close everything is. There were a few other simple shops right next door to the bookstore, like a pizza place and a small clothing store.

As I walked in a little bell that was connected to the door rang, a woman at the desk looked up from her book and waved with a warm smile.

I smiled back and I began walking towards the rows of shelves, there were about six or so. The shop had a sweet smell of coffee, I glanced over to see that a small coffee shop was connected to the bookstore.

I went over to the romance section and picked out a few books, 'The love hypothesis', 'The Fine Print' and 'Twisted Love.'

After a bit of skimming through the isles I went over to the cash where the lady sat.

"Found everything you were looking for, dear?" She asked with a smile as she began to scan the books.

I nodded, returning the smile.

I paid for the three books, and I walked back to Ezra's house.

I love that store! if I was a bit older, I would definitely work there!

I twisted the door open, and the delicious smell of alfredo hit me in the face. I raised my eyebrows, wow he actually made it.

I took off my shoes and walked over to the table with my bag of books. I set them down and took a seat.

Ezra set a plate of the noodles in front of me.

"Thank you, Ezra."

I slowly took a bite of the noodle just in case it just looked good and tasted awful. But it was amazing!

"Wow, I knew that book would help you." 

"Nope kid, it was all me didn't even touch it." He said proudly taking a seat next to me.

"See, you need to stop doubting me, admit it, I'm the best cook ever." He rambled, taking a bite of his food.

As I took another bite of the food my eyes caught a bag sticking out of the garbage can. It was a pasta company bag.

"Ezra..." I paused, looking over at him.

He looked over at the garbage can and quickly ushered out, "Don't look at that."

I laughed, "Okay."

"So kid, what books did you get?"

I grabbed the bag and pulled out the books I bought, "These ones."

He scrunched his nose up, "Why would you want a book with people kissing on it? And twisted love? What do you want your future love to be twisted or something?" He sighs, "Kids these days."

"Your so judge mental Ezra." I rolled my eyes as I put the books carefully back into the bag.

"Oh, and here's your change." I said, grabbing it out of my pocket.

"Wow, twenty-five cents." He scoffed handing it back to me. "The prices for things these days." He tsked.

"Alright, kid, why don't you go watch some TV or something before bed?" He suggested as he stood up to take our plates.

"Bed? It's like five!"

"I know, but Samantha is coming over." He whistled, placing the dishes into the sink.

I narrow my eyes, "Who the heck is Samantha?"

"Blondie."

"Anyways, she's coming at nine you can stay up but just don't be wandering around the house is all."

Ew.

"Well, I'm not even allowed to watch TV." I complain.

He raises his eyebrows at me, "You're not?"

I slap my hand over my mouth. He doesn't know.

"Oh, never mind." I say giving him an innocent smile.

"What is it one of the rules or some sh*t?" He asks, as he begins to wash the plates.

"Yup." I sigh.

"I don't care if you watch TV kid, Alessandro's full of sh*t anyways."

I grin, "Ok, I'm going to go watch it then."

Before he could reply I rush upstairs into my room, there was a tv on my dresser I could watch. 

I found the remote next to it and immediately turned it on, flicking through all of the movies and shows.

Man, I am TV deprived.

I found a show called, 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' and I clicked play. Before I sat down on my bed I went over to my bookshelf and placed the books neatly in there.

I spent full three hours binge watching the show until Ezra came into my room.

"Hey kid, I thought I'd say goodnight to you before she gets here." He said with a smile as he walked over to me.

He smelt strongly of some sort of woodsy cologne.

"Ezra, what do you do for work?" I randomly ask, I wonder if he's a photographer too.

"I used to work in the military, but I retired." 

My eyes widened a bit, "That's so cool! When did you retire?" I ask.

His lips pursed into a grin, "A few days ago."

"Aww did you retire for me." I tease him.

No, you're not that special." He teases, ruffling my hair.

I playfully roll my eyes with a smile as I swat his hand away, "Goodnight, Ezra."

"Goodnight, kid." He replies turning off the lamp.

Before he leaves, I hear him say some in Italian, "Sei la ragazza più speciale di sempre, ragazzo."