Rebound: A 2nd Chance

Jason was stunned for just a moment "Yeah, this is Jason Yang. Can I ask who this is?" She answered flatly "This is Leslie, Nate's older sister.

I know that you've been trying to get in touch with Nate the past few days, sorry about that. I took his phone away as a small punishment for acting so irresponsibly on his own.

But despite that I will be helping the two of you with your little plan. You guys want my dad to fly down to Riverside next week right?"

Jason was glad that she wanted to help but at the same time he was feeling some type of way about her slightly aggressive tone.

'What did I ever do to her? She sounds kind of pissed. But she is Nate's sister which makes her my cousin I guess.

I'll let it go for now. Hopefully after we get a chance to know each other better her attitude improves.'

Jason answered "Yeah. My birthday is next week and both of my parents thought that it would be a good idea to have your dad over then for the reunion.

I can tell that you don't really seem to like me much, which I can completely understand seeing as how we've never really met and all.

But I want you to know that I am a hundred percent serious when I tell you that all I want is for everybody to be happy.

At least everyone that I care about. Which includes Nate and your dad and by extension you as well."

She was silent for a moment. She then let out a sigh "Sorry. I know that I might have came out a little strong for a first impression.

I just can't help it. I know that you and your parents have had it rough but things haven't exactly been easy for our side of the family.

In some ways I'm actually jealous of you Jason. I know that it sounds selfish and tone deaf of me to say that but I really am.

Even though you were separated from the rest of the Yang family and never got a chance to know this side of your family I actually think that it was a blessing in disguise.

If I'm being honest you might be getting the short end of the stick with this plan. Me and Nate get to see our dad be reunited with the only sibling that he ever felt close with and your dad gets to see his younger brother again.

But you, all you get is the risk of being exposed to toxic people that would use you in a heartbeat if it meant them gaining from it."

Jason shrugged his shoulders as he spoke into the phone "That's good enough for me." Leslie fell silent as she was blindsided by Jason's answer.

Jason took the silence as an opportunity to continue "I've never cared about what other people have said or did around me.

All I care about is that the people important to me are happy. Besides-" Jason's gaze turned serious as the tone of his voice became cold and ruthless.

"If anyone wants to plot against me they better make sure they do a good job of getting rid of me. I might be young but I am anything but stupid. 

And I always make sure to give back more than I get. They might take a bite out of my flesh but I'll crush them down to the bone."

- - -

Leslie hung up after the two of them finished talking. Nate was standing on the side with a nervous expression on his face.

"What did you think sis? How was the call?" He had been silent the entire time as all he could hear was what his sister had said.

She turned to him "I don't know if I can trust him completely but-" A slight smile grew on her face "He's exactly how you described him.

Stubborn, headstrong, and reckless. But at the same time he seems to care more about the people important to him than himself."

Her father's face appeared in her mind at that moment "I guess it must run in the family, well to a certain extent. None of our other relatives are like this."

Nate had a hopeful look on his face as he looked at his sister "So does that mean?" She nodded her head "I'll help you two out.

He passed my test better than I thought he would." Nate started to pump his fist in the air "Yes!" After celebrating for a moment he turned back to his sister.

"So how do you plan on convincing dad to fly out to Riverside? It'll be kind of hard without having a reason to."

Leslie smiled as she looked at her younger brother "That's easy. There's only one person that can get dad to so something on a whim."

Nate gave his sister a nod as he understood who she was talking about "Good luck sis." She gave him a nod back as she turned around and walked out of his room.

As she walked through the hallways it was clear to see that her family was fairly well off as expensive looking paintings and other pieces of décor lined her view. 

Along with the expensive pieces of art there were family portraits that hung on the wall. Pictures of Nate and Leslie at different ages could be seen.

In those pictures were a man that looked strikingly similar to Jason's dad. Next to him in the pictures was a beautiful women.

She had long black hair that shined like the most mesmerizing of onyx and her smile had an alluring appeal.

Unlike the man in the picture who gave off a serious and professional air the women exuded a playful and adventurous energy in all of her pictures. 

This could be seen by her choice of clothes as well as the colorful lotus tattoo on the front of her chest that was visible in some of her pictures where she wore a v cut dress.

After a short walk Leslie found herself outside of a room. She knocked on the door "Hey mom, are you busy?"

A voice answered back from the other side of the door "Come in sweetie." Leslie reached for the doorknob and entered the room.

Her mom was sitting crossed legged on top of a huge Alaskan king sized bed with a laptop in front of her.

She had her hair tied up in to a sloppy bun and she wore a pair of stylish reading glasses. She smiled as she patted the spot next to her "I was just in the middle of paying the bills.

Your dad had to work another double so I actually have to adult for once haha. What did you need baby?"

Leslie walked over to her parents bed and sat down in the spot that her mom had gestured to. She gave her mom a hug before looking at her with a bright smile on her face.

"Do you and dad have any plans for next weekend?" Her mom pushed her glasses up before biting on the end of her pen.

"Hmmm. I don't have any plans and I'm pretty sure your dad doesn't have any either. We were just going to have a date night, why?"

Leslie leaned her head on her mom's shoulder "I was just thinking that lately things have been pretty boring.

I haven't been out since I started college and one of my friends have been talking about how much fun she had when she went down to Riverside.

Do you think we could plan a mini family vacation and fly down to California? I would love to look around and see Riverside."

Her mom smiled as she laughed before pulling her into a tight hug "Of course we can fly down to California. 

Anything for my little girl. I'll let your dad know as soon as he gets home tomorrow morning. He should be excited too.

We've had tons of fun back there. When it came to parties those UCR kids really knew how to have a good time.

Of course that was back when me and your dad were a lot younger. At our age I doubt we would hit up any clubs or functions.

Especially me, your mom is starting to feel more and more like a grandma." Leslie smiled "Thanks mom. I'll let Nate know."