4 Florence and Theresa Taylor

After about 10 minutes, Michael's cries lessened, and Florence slightly pulled away and softly smiled at her son when she saw his green eyes looking up at her.

"Can you tell me what happened, Michael?" Florence asked him softly.

Michael nodded and told her everything, his heart slightly easing when he felt Florence's arms wrapped around him tightly, offering him comfort.

He finished recounting what he had seen in the McDonald's earlier and felt her rubbing his back again. He didn't feel tears in his eyes anymore because her hugs always calmed him down, making him feel all better. He loved her hugs, and it made him realize how lucky he was to have Florence Taylor, a lawyer who was incredibly skilled at her job and made a good amount of money, raise him as her adopted son.

He had always heard people in the neighborhood say how lucky he was to be her adopted son because they'd seen her in the court. She was a fucking badass who could make people's lives difficult, and she didn't care about anybody's family status or how rich they were. Florence was that cold, and Michael, who saw her softer and loving side at home, always knew she was the best adoptive mom one could ever have.

She was always there for him and Theresa, making sure they were happy, and she was also incredibly fit and beautiful, something Michael also liked about her. His older sister, however, Christina Taylor, hated him. Christina often brought her wife to the home, which Michael greatly wanted because Elise Grimshaw was a lovely person and an outstanding short film producer. At the same time, Christina was a short film director.

Florence softly smiled and asked, "So Bella thinks you're annoying and disgusting?"

Michael nodded sadly, looking up at her.

Florence frowned and said, "Hmm, and she thinks your hairstyle is weird and called you a shuffler?"

Michael again nodded, closing his eyes, the hurt returning inside his heart.

Florence tightened her arms around Michael and said, "Michael, you know what Bella thinks is bullshit right?"

Michael slowly nodded, but Florence slightly moved away and cupped Michael's face, making him open his eyes and look at her when she said, "No, I'm serious, Michael. Bella calling you disgusting and saying you look and dress weird when she's the one who smokes behind school is absolute hypocrisy."

"B-But Bell–" Michael said, a tinge of hurt in his tone.

Florence shook her head and said, "Michael, Bella may be beautiful, but so are you, Honey. You are smart, funny, and an amazing quarterback at Pleasant Valley, and if Bella doesn't see that and instead thinks you're disgusting, then fuck her."

Michael's eyes widened because Florence rarely cussed, and she sighed and said, "Michael, Bella smokes weed during parties. She should be called disgusting for doing that, not you."

Michael nodded, her words calming him down.

Florence said, "Michael, never lose focus on who you are because Bella and her fake-ass friends will get nowhere in their life except for smoking pot and talking shit about others."

Michael sighed and then smiled slightly, making Florence smile widely and cup Michael's face again and said, "Plus, Honey, just be yourself, sweetheart, because I always see you laughing and joking around with a lot of people, and you are always so kind and happy, you always have a beautiful smile on your face. Plus, I see you getting stares from many girls whenever we go to Walmart or anywhere. I don't know how Bella can miss such an amazing guy like you and instead go with a pothead."

Michael laughed when Florence said Brad was a pothead, and she smiled widely and asked, "Are you feeling better, sweetheart?"

Michael nodded, his eyes feeling less heavy, and said, "Thanks, mom."

Florence let go of Michael's face, pulled him close, and rubbed his back again. Michael snuggled closer, sighing in contentment when Florence said, "I'm happy you told me about Bella Michael because that way, I can tell her and her mom to go fuck themselves when I see them during the parent-teacher meetings."

Florence let go of Michael, stood up, walked towards his door, and said, "I'll make spaghetti for dinner. Try not to think about Bella and focus on the game coming up on Friday, okay, Honey?"

Michael smiled and said, "Okay, mom. Thanks a lot."

Florence, noticing the spark return in Michael's green eyes, smiled, turned around, and left his room, closing the door behind her.

Michael sighed and lay down on his bed.

A few minutes later, he got up from bed and read some comics to clear his head. His eyes stopped when he saw the picture hanging on the wall above his desk, and Michael smiled slightly. It was a picture Florence captured a few months ago, which showed the family smiling at the camera, Christina with Elise on her lap, Theresa next to Christina, Michael next to Florence, and him on Florence's lap.

Michael smiled widely and thought, 'Even though I don't have an adoptive father, I don't care. It happened before I was adopted. Mom found out about her husband cheating on her and immediately divorced him. I don't want such a lowlife as my adoptive father, anyway. I am pleased to have Florence as my adoptive mother, who loves me like she does her biological children, Theresa and Christina. And she always supports me.'

Suddenly, he heard Florence shouting downstairs from the kitchen, "Michael! Dinner's ready!"

He turned around and walked out of his room, ready to eat the spaghetti Florence made with his family, and thought, 'I must completely erase Bella from my heart and mind forever. She's not worth it.'

He walked downstairs and entered the kitchen, where he saw Theresa drinking coffee and Florence mixing the spaghetti in a bowl.

Theresa looked up at him and noticed the sparkle in his eyes. She smiled and asked, "Hey, bro, are you okay?"

Michael smiled back and replied, "Yeah, sis. I'm fine."

He approached the dish cabinet, opened it, and took out a few bowls, which he placed on the kitchen table. Florence smiled, took the spaghetti bowl, and poured some inside three bowls.

Michael then took some forks and placed them inside the bowls of spaghetti, and Theresa placed the coffee pot back in its place and sat down on the kitchen table.

He sat across Theresa, and Florence came out of the kitchen carrying a water pitcher.

She placed it on the kitchen table and sat down, everyone taking their forks and started eating.

Michael looked at Theresa and thought, 'She looks pretty as always.'

Theresa wore a black tank top and shorts, highlighting her gorgeous pale skin. She had shoulder-length, light blonde hair, which complimented her triangular, hazel eyes inherited from Florence, and Michael had heard a lot of guys ask for her number. Still, she politely declined them, saying she focused on her studies and not boys.

Michael smiled because even though Theresa looked shy and naïve at first, he had heard Christina and Florence sometimes talk about how Theresa had the potential to become a great psychiatrist in the future. She was majoring in psychology at Pleasant Valley University while he was in his senior year at Pleasant Valley High.

Michael, on the other hand, was a 6'1" tall quarterback. His light brown curly hair complimented his green eyes perfectly, while his tan skin was healthy and toned thanks to the practice he had for football matches. Many girls and teachers looked at Michael lustfully because he looked hot.

He had high cheekbones similar to Florence and long arms, and he loved teasing Theresa, who was only 5'9", while Christina was 5'8" and Florence was 5'9".

While eating her spaghetti, Florence asked, "So, Mike, what's happening in school?"

Michael looked up and said, "Well, it's the same, but I've got this biology test on Monday. And I'm worried about it, Mom. It's going to be huge."

Florence smiled, and Theresa asked, "Hey bro, do you want me to help you study?"

Michael smiled at her and replied, "Yes, please."

"Okay, then, today's Wednesday. I don't have classes on Saturday so we can study at 11 at night. Okay?" Theresa said.

Michael nodded, and Florence smiled at Theresa, ruffling her blonde hair, making her squeak in protest, and said, "My smart Theresa."

Theresa blushed at her mom's praise.

After eating, Theresa stood up with her empty bowl and said to Florence, "I'm going to study, Mom. Good night."

Florence looked up from her almost empty bowl and replied, "Okay, Honey. Don't sleep late."

Theresa nodded, took her bowl to the dishwasher, placed the bowl in, and turned around and left the kitchen, leaving Florence and Michael behind.

A few minutes later, Michael picked up his empty bowl and walked to the dishwasher, saying, "I'm stuffed, Mom. That was amazing."

Florence stood up, took her empty bowl, and walked towards him while replying, "I'm glad you liked it, Honey."

Michael placed the bowl in the dishwasher and turned around. He picked up a glass from the table and filled it with water, saying, "I think I'm going to sleep, Mom."

Florence looked at him and replied, "Yeah, me too, Honey. And go to sleep. I'll just clean up."

Michael nodded, kissed Florence on her cheek, and walked away with the glass in his hand when suddenly...