Chapter 65: "Who will win?"

We went into a different living room, no doubt the one where they had so selfishly confronted me was being cleaned or something, and moved the furniture out of the way. Well I didn't do anything, but hey, moral support!

The Twins got the board game out of some closet somewhere and laid it out in the now empty area. They were debating on whether or not two mats or one, eventually agreeing on two.

"So this is how it's going to work. Someone gets nominated as the spinner," Caden grumbled something while crossing his arms, "and we will have two people on each mat. The winner of each mat will face off, and then the person who wins that, wins." Zack explained. He then looked at me and hesitantly whispered, "You do know how to play twister, right?"

My deadpan response did not go unnoticed. "I might've been abused at home but not at school. I've played Twister plenty of times."

It went a bit silent, no doubt the boys were still furious about what happened all those months ago. I wonder if Jesse only told Luke about my self-harm or if he blabbed to the rest of our siblings. Hopefully not. Hopefully he just lets it be water under the bridge.

Though with my luck it might not be.

"Oh-kay then! Let's begin shall we?" Jesse clapped his hands together, "Who's the spinner?"

It seems we all had the same idea since we all touched our noses and kneeled on one knee. "Not it!" We all yelled. Well actually everyone but Luke yelled.

"Ha! I'm not the spinner this time! Suck it Luke!" Caden jumped up and pointed his finger in Luke's face. I didn't really think that was a good idea, but he sure did. And yes, I may still be a bit salty about the whole diary situation. If I'm being honest, I don't think I ever won't be salty about the diary situation.

"Actually," Luke's deep voice said, "I'm not playing. If I did, we would have an odd number of people. Therefore," he motioned to himself, "I'm not playing."

"What? Oh my gosh are you kidding me? Now we all have to do it all over again. Thanks a whole lot Lu-"

"Not it!" All of us except Luke cut off Caden and touched our noses again. We were still kneeling so there really wasn't any reason to just stand up then get down again.

I grinned cheekily when Caden glared at all of us. "It's always me." He grumbled. He continued to grumble some more words but I couldn't understand them, and I'm sure if I did, I wouldn't want to repeat them.

Potty mouth.

Turns out I would be facing off against James. This should be easy. I hope. "Well, well, well. Hello there little sister. How are you today?" He said ominously.

"Um, doing okay thanks for asking. Uh, how are you doing?" I nervously replied. Hopefully he doesn't cheat-though I'm sure he will-and try and push me over or something. That will not have a happy ending.

"Right foot red." Caden grumbled. We both put our right foot on one of the red spots, Jesse and Zack doing the same on their mat.

So facing off one of my scary brothers, fun. But I mean, he's big and burly, he has to topple over at some point, right? Wait-doesn't he do boxing?

Screw me.

"Ha! Right hand green! Suck it!" Caden laughed triumphantly. No idea why though, I mean isn't he the one stuck being the spinner?

"Caden please refrain from saying that in front of our little sister." Luke's commanding voice boomed through the room. I'm being serious, it was like a sonic boom just went off in a tiny dollhouse.

It boomed so much that I jumped and almost took my foot off red. "Hurry the hell up Lidia! My leg is cramping!" James snarled.

Wow okay rude. "Fine," I reached over with my right hand, "this better?" I cocked my already sideways head.

"Perfect. Now Caden, be a dear and spin the fu-" a look from Luke had James retracting his words, "freaking spinner," he added a "please." after Luke gave him another look.

"Luke seriously, I've heard worse. You don't need to censor every little thing." I told him while practically arching my back, trying to find a more comfy position that seemingly, doesn't freaking exist.

I couldn't see his face, but I could feel it darkening. "Yes, I know. It still shouldn't have had happened. And it will never happen again. I promise."

The tension in the room was heavy. Too heavy. "Left foot green!" Caden called out again after a few minutes of more tension and more moving our limbs.

"Aw shit!" Jesse cursed and fell. He grumbled incoherent things-though I'm guessing it was just about how this whole thing is rigged and how he hates it-while Zack stood up and pumped his fists into the air.

"Oh yeah! I'm the champion!" Zack belted. He did a little victory dance, and I was cringing at how much it looked like a dad from a cringy sitcom.

"Not so fast, me and Lidia are still going." James called out, while his butt was in my face.

"James get your butt out of my face! It smells like grape juice!" I gagged and almost lost my balance.

The boys busted out laughing, even Luke graced us with a small chuckle. "It's really not funny. Like not at all. What if his stinky ass was in your guy's face? Huh?"

"Lidia bad girl! No cursing!" Jesse scolded me like he would scold a dog. Trust me, I am no dog.

"Jesse I am not a dog so don't treat me like one. Also, boo hoo. I'm still salty about the diary thing so be grateful that I'm only saying ass. Got it?" I said. Well I tried to say it with confidence, but it came out a bit strained since I was trying not to breathe in James' butt fumes, while also trying to balance my very unfit body.

"Woah Lidia, looks like you're about to get out." James stated, looking at me between his legs.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Well not everyone can do boxing and have perfect balance."

His smile showed all his teeth. "Yeah, I guess so. It sucks not being perfect, doesn't it?"

Again, I narrowed my eyes at his comment. His smug expression was just enough for me to-gag-'accidentally' fall a bit forwards and 'accidentally' head-but his, well, butt.

His face was no longer smug as he fell forward. "Hey! What the hell?! That's cheating!" He stood up and shouted.

I also stood up, glad to not be in that awkward position ever again. "No it's not. I accidentally fell forward. I think you just need better balance." I shrugged.

"Screw you Lidia Candice." He narrowed his eyes, though you can see he didn't really mean it.

"Hey that's enough! This is why we don't have family game nights anymore. All you guys do is fight." Luke commanded, once again.

"What are you talking about? This isn't even fighting. Luke, do you not remember what you did to Jesse when he +4 you on Uno?" Caden crossed his arms.

Luke adjusted his tie. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"What?!" Jesse threw his hands up in the air, "I know what we're talking about! I now have a scar under my chin from that game!"

"No, I think you mistook me for someone else." He said indifferently, but it was pretty obvious he knew what they were talking about.

"Really? I have the video if you want proof." Caden said and pulled out his phone.

"Ooo I wanna see!" I tried to run over there and peak over his ginormous shoulder, but I was pulled back by Luke.

"Don't we have a Twister tournament to finish?" Luke asked.

"Oh yeah! You're going down Zack!" I pointed my finger at him. Well actually I'm more likely to fall down, but let's at least try to be positive. Hopefully. Please.

Lord save me.

"Am not! Lidia I am older therefore more practice. It is obvious that I'm going to win." Zack boasted. Why? He hasn't won anything. Why do all of them think they have the upper hand? That they know more than I do? Wasn't I the one that kept not only mine, but their secrets too, for like, five months.

Woah, has it really been five months since I've moved here? It seems like I first walked through those doors only yesterday, but at the same time, like I've lived here all my life.

Time is weird.

"Don't sound so pompous dearest brother. You haven't won yet." I cocked my head and crossed my arms. Typical fourteen year old girl power stance. Over used and outdated, but still effective.

"I don't even know what half of the words in that sentence mean Lidia." James said beside me.

"Well it's a good thing I'm not talking to you isn't it?" I looked over at him. Not only are they annoying, but nosy? Are you serious?

Though I should've known that his only response would be a shrug of the shoulders. I just love how expressive they are. They always dive deep down into their feelings and pour their heart and soul into every word they say. It's truly admirable.

"Are we going to get started or?" Jesse drawled out, waving his hands in the area of the mat. He put the other one in its box, so we don't trip and fall and crack our heads open.

"Don't know, are you ready Lidia? It's not too late to back out." Zack smirked.

"Oh yeah old man. I'm ready to become the next Twister Champ. Are you ready to become first place loser?" I poked my finger in his chest. Lids would've never even thought of doing that. Too bad I'm not Lids.

"Bring it on little girl."

So it wasn't exactly what Carl called me, but it was close. I mean, close enough to cause flinching. I don't think my brothers noticed it, or if they did they didn't say anything. Maybe they learned there lesson! But I'm pretty sure they just didn't notice it.

After all those promises of going to do better, and helping me in any way possible, they still didn't notice a flinch. It's so tragic it's funny.

"S-sure." I cleared my throat. Damn him for having such an effect on me.

It was close, in fact I almost lost. But surprisingly, I didn't. How cool is that? The first games I play with my brothers, I win!

Zack would shimmy his body every so often, trying to make me lose my concentration and fall. It almost worked. If he had done it maybe a few more times I would've lost, but since he's old and out of shape like me, he got tired pretty quickly.

"And the new Heavyweight Champion of the World! Lidia White!" Jesse belted out in a deep voice while raising my right hand.

I was giggling since Zack was glaring at him, while Caden and James were clapping and cheering. "I don't do boxing. This was just a Twister championship." I told him.

"Just go with it." He whispered and swung my arm up and down.

I giggled some more. Even if they didn't notice what they promised to, they were still good brothers. No matter how loud or nosy or annoying they are.

"Wait," Luke called out. "She hasn't won anything yet."

"Okay now I'm confused." Caden thought aloud.

"She still has to beat me. Aren't I the reigning champion?" He uncrossed his arms and walked over to us.

"Since when?" James crossed his arms, no doubt trying to look bigger but failing and instead making himself look smaller.

"Since 2014." He said nonchalantly.

"That's not fair! You cheater! That doesn't count in the slightest. How come we all had to do this hard work and you just sat there and watched?" Jesse, exasperated, threw his hands up in the air.

What is it with him throwing his hands up in the air?

"I'm about too! C'mon Lidia, you're not too chicken are you?" Never in my life would I have ever thought Luke would say those words. Like never. But sadly, I have heard another guardian say something close to that.

C'mon Lidia! Quit being a little chicken and come out! My friends just want to say hi! Don't be rude. Doesn't your God say be nice to your neighbors or some shit? You wouldn't want to disappoint Him, would you?

"Hello? Lidia you in there?" Jesse waved his hand in front of my eyes.

I quickly blinked, trying to get out of my mind. "Y-yeah," I cleared my throat, trying to get the fear out of my voice, "sorry." I didn't try to make an excuse. Why would I? Cats out of the bag.

It felt good to not need to lie. To just be able to just not say anything. I know women worked hard to get their voices, but sometimes, I don't want to say anything at all.

"Bring it on Luke!" I tried to sound excited but their worried faces made me worried. Don't know why, and I don't want to know why. "Come on! You afraid of being beat by your 14 year old sister? Huh." I crossed my arms, trying not to show my discomfort.

He took off his suit coat and placed it in a chair that was diagonal since the boys didn't care  enough to make it straight.

"Game on."

We both got on opposite sides of the multicolored mat. It reminded me of a western showdown that I watched once in the Theater Room.

"Right hand yellow."

"Left foot red."

Already my worn out body was about to give out. Luke's fresh body wasn't even phased by the awkward position.

"Right foot blue."

"Right foot green."

Just as our bodies could rest, they were moved into yet another awkward position. My chances of winning are slim to none. And when I mean slim, I mean like 0.0001% chance of me winning. I'm worn out, out of shape, and still emotionally drained. Then you have Luke over here with his fresh, no-pain-no-gain body.

Fun.

"Left hand blue."

"Right foot green."

"Right hand red."

It went on and on and on until finally, we dropped. Like, at the same time. I was shaking and too exhausted to see how Luke was.

"So who won?" Luke, slightly out of breath, called out.

"I-I don't know." Jesse squinted his eyes in disbelief.

"Well then that just means go again!" Zack told us.

"No!" Luke, me and Caden yelled at the same time.

When we all looked at him to see why he yelled no, all he did was shrug and say "Being the spinner is boring."

"Okay then," Luke hoisted himself up and held a his hand out to me, "it's a draw." Jesse whispered something like "oh my gosh. There has never been a draw before!"

Now, now, now. A draw? I certainly don't want to go again. Never again. But do I want to share the title of Twister Champ?

Yes, yes I do.

Jesse whispered something like "oh my gosh. There has never been a draw before!" Well too bad. There's a first time for everything.

"Yeah why not?" I accepted his hand.

Hey!!!! I got kind of lazy towards the end sorry 😭. Happy Black History Month!! Sorry it's still Christmas here tho lmao. I hope you liked it and don't forget to vote, comment, and obviously like :)