Chapter 27: The twins special day

I woke up with a startle. I shook my head as I saw a beaming Sasha look at me. "Morning sunshine." Immediately my mind went to 'the earth says hello' but I was to tired to say that.

"Morning" I grumbled and checked my clock. 4:29 a.m.

My eyes scrunched in confusion and I looked at Sasha who was just staring at me. Very creepy. "Why did you make me up this early?" I mumbled. I may wake up early but this is just unholy.

"Uh girl have you forgotten it's your brothers birthday today?" She says in a duh tone.

My mind was clouded with confusion and sleepiness. "No I was not informed. Who's birthday is it?" I asked but by the end of my sentence I was 3 quarters asleep.

Out of nowhere she pops me in the mouth. Normally I would've reacted in a more harsh manner but I was still too sleepy and just glared and asked "What in Jesus Christ was that for?"

"Because missy, you are not waking up when you need to." She said sternly.

"It's 4:30 in the freaking morning. I'm going back to sleep." And I fell half asleep when I felt coldness on my bare legs.

"Wakey wakey. Get up now. We have to decorate the house!" She said cheerfully.

I sighed, obviously not going to win and complied. I grumbled a few words about how sleep is important but she didn't hear and if she did then she ignored it.

We walked- well she walked, I barely lifted my feet off the ground- and into the living room. There was a box filled with balloons and streamers and party hats. Essentially everything you would need for a party.

She handed me a small box and said two words: "Start decorating."

Now I'm sure half of the stuff I put up weren't going to stick for 5 more hours but it's the thought that counts. We put up everything you could imagine. Sasha even made a banner that said 'Happy 17th Birthday Twins!' To my half asleep ass it looked like it said 'Crappy 17th Birth Date Twines!'

The streamers were red and yellow and silver and so much more. She should really invest in a party decorating business. Sasha could really make big bucks off that.

After about 2 hours of hanging and taping and coloring and getting tape stuck on my hands Sasha finally said "Pretty Girl we did so good. I'm so proud of us!" She squealed.

I nodded my head nonchalantly and laid down on the couch and passed out then and there. I woke up by a flash and snickering. I groaned and glanced up and saw Jesse with a camera. "Happy birthday." I mumbled.

Jesse smiled the biggest smile ever. "Why thank you little sibling."

I smiled back but realized I didn't have a present for him. I didn't want to tell him that, just in case I could make him a card or something. Oh wait- he's a twin. Damn it! I have to get them both something.

It's not that I don't want to- I really do- I just don't have the money or the time to make or get them something. It's quite sad honestly. Sasha made them this big surprise and the boys are going to get them something really expensive while all I can say is 'Happy Birthday'. Nobody just wants a 'Happy Birthday'.

I mean I wouldn't.

Jesse helped hoist me up. "You ready to get our party on?" Instead of saying party he pronounced it and I quote 'partayyy'. Yep it's him alright.

I giggled and we hooked our arms and he started to skip to the kitchen. I don't think he's ever skipped a day in his life. I didn't want to ruin his good mood so I skipped with him. He faced me and smiled.

We sat down at the breakfast table and Zack handed us Jesse's favorite food. Bacon and eggs. "Um excuse me, it's my birthday too?" James asked quizzically.

"James have you forgotten our tradition?" Zack retorted.

James huffed and mumbled a 'no'.

"Exactly so eat your food and shut up." Zack said.

James grumbled a few words and did as he was told. Me not living here for the tradition asked "What's this tradition you speak of?"

Zack smiled and was about to respond when James cut him off. "It's stupid really. The person gets to pick what they eat for dinner, breakfast and so on but, since me and Jesse are twins we have to split it. He gets breakfast while I get dinner." He finished what was supposed to be a explanation but ended up sounding as a rant.

I shrugged. "Well that doesn't seem too bad. I mean you both get to pick a meal. Isn't that enough?" I asked.

James gave me a 'are you serious right now' look. Man he is the king of making faces. I think Luke only has one face.

"Trust me, it's not." He at argued.

I shrugged in indifference. I knew my brothers were rich and somewhat spoiled but never knew they could be, oh what's the word? Bratty?

Luke did something unexpected. He came in and took a seat and began to eat his breakfast. Now that I see it, all of my brothers are here. Including Sasha of course.

I took a bite of egg and then it hit me. Brothers. Mafia. Luke kills. Death.

I started to choke on my egg. Zack, who was right next to me, started to pat my back. "You good?" He asked me with concern.

"I-I'm fine. Just a little tired since someone", emphasis on someone, "woke me up at 4:30 in the morning!" I playfully shouted.

"No way?!" Jesse gasped.

"Yeah! What demon wakes up that early?" I stared at Sasha. She stared back and we started to laugh. How can these people be in the mafia?

We made a few jokes after that. Every chance I could somewhat get I would try to go off and make a birthday present.

Jesse had stole me from Sasha and we ran off into the theater room to play Mario Kart. To my surprise I actually won. I mean Jesse had played a great game but, I won. When the screen said 1st place I jumped up and yelled 'take that!' in his face. Never would I have thought three months ago I would be able to do that.

Me and Jesse were walking back after getting some Dr. Pepper when we passed by a indoor gym that I somehow never noticed. Well I probably could've not noticed it seeing as I only go to about four rooms in this entire mansion. What I saw saddened me. James was punching a punching bag by himself. I shook Jesse's hand and nodded to James. "Oh he does this every year. He's fine." He said.

He didn't look fine so I said "Hey uh Jesse, I'm going to go uh wish him a happy birthday. Okay?"

His gaze was almost calculating as he nodded and said "Okay, I'm going to go talk to my friends. Later hater."

I giggled and watched him go down the hall. Suddenly I hadn't wished I left him. I took a deep breathe and turned to walk into the mini gym. "Hey bro. Happy birthday!" I said a little awkwardly.

He glanced up from his punching and looked at me. He nodded his head in acknowledgment. Alrighty then. "So um, you come here a lot?" I asked.

He walked over to me, sweating buckets with a white towel wrapped around his neck. "Uh when I get bored I guess yeah." He shrugged and picked up a water bottle and started to chug it.

"You know you shouldn't drink it in one big gulp right? Take little sips, that way your stomach doesn't cramp." I pointed out.

"Thanks for the tip." He replied. Doesn't he know I'm trying to make conversation?!

I stared off into space, thinking of what we could talk about. I glanced up to see if looking at him could bring something to mind but I saw him already looking at me. I gave him a small smile and turned to leave when he said "Do you, do you want me to teach you how to box?" He got out.

I turned around enthusiastically and quickly nodded my head. Realizing I had probably been too eager with my movements I slowed down and slowly nodded. He gave the rarest of smiles and- wait for it- he chuckled! I guess birthdays really do make you feel special. Albeit not be a good kind of special but nonetheless it makes you feel something.

Upon seeing his smile, my smile widened. I walked over to him and he looked at me like he was dissecting a murder case. He then moved my arms and legs to the position of where they needed to be. He nodded his head in approval and spoke. "So the first thing you want to do is always keep your thumbs out of your fists. This way they don't break." I moved my thumbs to outside my fist and looked up, seeing what he wanted for me to do next.

For the next hour we spent fixing my form and teaching me the basics of boxing. It's quite simple really. It's just dancing and jabbing. There, now you can go off and box someone!

I was sweaty and smelt gross so I told him I'm going to head into the shower. He nodded and said 'bye' to which I replied 'see ya'. I hopped in the shower and lathered the body wash onto me to get the stink off me. When I came out of the shower I smelt of strawberries, freshly picked from the garden.

I changed into some light skinny jeans and a green button up blouse. Can't forget my cross necklace. I wore my hair down so it cascaded down my back and strode outside into the backyard where Jesse was playing with Kenzer while Kai was playing on his phone. Jesse saw me and waved hi and in turn the boys glanced up and saw me. I waved hello to Kenzer and nodded when I saw Kai. I wonder if he remembers our little agreement.

I walked to my tree and was about to sit in the fork of it where I had always kept some paper and pen or something there when I heard a familiar woman who was dating one of my oldest brothers.

"Pretty Girl! Hey! I need to talk to you!" She yelled. Now I'm not one to say bad stuff about someone- especially not Sasha- but at this moment I was about to cuss someone out.

"Yes?" I asked.

"I need you to keep Jesse and James distracted. Got it?" She asked.

Now I was confused. While we were talking James had walked over to the basketball court and started to play also. Why would I need to keep them distracted while they were basically distracting themselves?

"Why would I need to keep them distracted when they're already distracting themselves?"

She smiled. "Oh Pretty Girl, you have so much to learn." She chuckled.

Learn? I'm the top in my grade. I have read all the books at my old school library. I'm almost halfway through my new school's library. What do I have to learn? "What do I have to learn?" I asked, genuinely confused.

"That those brothers of yours are just pretending.", I look over at them. They look pretty distracted to me, "They aren't actually playing basketball. They're looking everywhere to see if there's a present someone didn't hide well enough."

Now I was really confused.

I'm sure she explained it perfectly to a person who had a somewhat normal background but hey hey hey! Not this guy! Not trying to make her angry I nodded my head and walked over to distract them.

"Sup uh dudes. What's good?" I asked awkwardly. I don't know if you know this but I've never been around a crowd of boys whom most aren't my brothers and even then I get sorta awkward with them.

Kai snorted, Jesse looked at me weirdly, James just gave me a blank face and Kenzer looked almost as awkward as me. We stood there for a good 3 minutes then all of a sudden Kai started to die laughing. Jesse and Kenzer soon joined him and even James himself gave a small chuckle. Two times in a day! A new record!

I didn't get what was funny so I just stood there, waiting for one of them to talk. "Oh-oh my Lids- that- that was hilarious." Jesse gasped for air.

I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion. What had I said that was so funny? I just said hello in 'dude language'. Right?

I shook my head. Remembering what Sasha said I sat down on the bench and pretended to watch them play. I was blinking but just not watching. I still don't have a present! I mentally scolded myself. How can I be so dumb. My mind has not been working properly.

Kenzer had made the ball into the basket and I subconsciously clapped. I turned over to Kai. He nodded solemnly. I moved my head back to its original position.

After about 45 minutes of the boys interchanging it was time to go to dinner. And I still don't have a present. I don't even know why I gasped when I saw the car we were riding to the restaurant in. Zack helped me into the sleek, black limo. Only the best for my brothers I guess.

The others in the car made idle chat as I pretended to listen to Sasha rant about how good we did this morning. Now I haven't checked yet but I'm pretty sure that the things I hung up fell down.

We arrived at the bougie restaurant. Ruth Cris Steakhouse. Huh. Never knew he liked steak. Good to know. What I'm used to is order drinks, appetizer (if you can afford it), meal and you're done but to my surprise the people brought us warm rags to clean our hands. They next asked if we wanted any wine. The older ones said yes but my youngest brothers and their friends had pop. I got a water.

The most surprising, astonishing thing about this whole dinner was they brought it in waves. By the time it was time for the 'main course' I was full to the brim. I was so desperately holding in a burp. Very, very hard to do. 1/10 do not recommend.

Like the car ride the others made idle chat and I sat and ate my food. Since coming here my stomach has grown. Now don't get me wrong, my brothers still have a black hole for a stomach compared to my medium pizza size stomach.

Alas the night came to an end. The thing I dreaded most had came; time to open presents. As I suspected Luke had bought James an authentic Rolex and Jesse a pair of Gucci Sunglasses.

Honestly I zoned out after that present because I was too preoccupied with internally freaking out. I hate when I internally freak out. I resumed into consciousness when I heard my name. "Lidia, your turn. What did you get the boys?" Luke asked. Damn it. Now with Luke asking makes it way more embarrassing.

"I-um. I- don't uh, uh I don't have one." I said quietly.

Everyone looked at me. I kept my head down. If you keep your head down you can't get in trouble. I chanted.

"Well of course you don't! Lidia, you're present was decorating the house!" Sasha exclaimed, saving the day once again.

I looked up. "Yea- yeah. That's my present."

"Well Lids, it's a wonderful present. I couldn't imagine waking up at 4:30 a.m. to decorate a house. Great job." Jesse praised.

I smiled. Sasha really is the best.

After dinner we rode the limo back to the mansion and I said goodnight and I'm going to bed to everyone and finally made it to my bathroom. As much as it hurt to, I looked in the mirror. How selfish and dumb. Quiet tears began to steam down my face. I just stared at myself and thoughts buried down found their way to the top of my head. What would they do if I died? Would they mourn me? I thought.

Of course they would mourn me. I'm their little sister. Right?

"What would happen if I just", I picked up a razor I use to shave my armpits, "sliced." I made a slicing motion with my hand across my throat. I didn't cut it but I was so close. I could just end all the pain and suffering. Everything would end and I could rest in peace up in heaven and guard my brothers from harm. I doubt they would be let into heaven but still, I could convince God to let me be their guardian angel.

I shook my head and lowered the razor. My fingers gripped around the white marble counter. Not today. Today is your brothers birthday and you are going to be happy. So with my tears and red, puffy face, I smiled.

I smiled for them. I smiled so they can be happy. I will go through all this suffering just so they can be happy. I mean suffer and brother do rhyme.

I am sooooo sorry it took my this long to post. School has been very stressful and my mental health has not been the best but it's okay! Longer chapter to make up for my absence. I hope you like it and don't forget to vote, comment and obviously like :)