THE GAME

Natalie's POV

"Hey Natty! Won't you wake up!? Get your ass down here!!” my brother yelled downstairs. I groaned on the bed, turning to my side. The alarm had gone off minutes ago but I still wanted to get more moments of sleep. We had a leaving party last night, and it was a blast. Yeah, I'm leaving middesville to New Orleans.

My door burst open, revealing the hunk of a brother. 

"Natty, if I come to get you there, you'll punch the wall 60 times as your punishment..."

"I'm up, I'm up. And I am not punching the wall. I need my hands when I'm carrying those boxes." I said, sitting up.

"Good. I need you downstairs in the next 5 minutes, no more no less."

I took a proper look at my brother and frowned.

"What are you doing in my room without a shirt?” I asked. He raised a brow, confused.

"Huh?" He looked down, later smiling and revealing his fang-like teeth, which always made him look devilishly handsome. " I went for a run, just came back in."

"How many times have I told you not to come into my room looking like that? "

"I Always forget. Your time's counting " he said and left the room, the door ajar.

I slipped into my soft slippers and slammed the door shut. Then proceeded to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face, I'll save bathing for later.

Wearing my mom's favorite necklace, I kissed one of her pictures and headed downstairs. My brother was busy dishing his breakfast, just oats and some fruits, nothing Fancy. I grabbed a bottle of milk and sat down to have my breakfast. Taking a spoonful of oats, I turned to look at my brother.

"Jace, when is Greg coming to pick us up?"

"Soon... And that's why we have to hurry. You know he hates delay.” I rolled my eyes.

"I barely know him." I muttered, taking another spoonful.

"But I do, and just like dad, he hates when his time is wasted. So if you have anything you need to take, I suggest you go get it now."

I  stared at all of the boxes around me. " I can't carry all of this."

"Go get help. I thought you were the head of your basketball team once..."

"They're coming..."

"Then hurry with your breakfast and go get ready... I'll be in the gym in case you need me." He said, standing up.

"Why didn't you just take us?” I yelled after him.

“You know I'm a terrible driver" he yelled back.

I scoffed, smiling. That was true. His favorite quote was, why drive a car when it's not trying to kill you? Only God knows where he read that one from....

I washed the plates and wore my running shoes for a quick jog. Along the way, I walked to my mom's grave. She died a long time ago due to cancer, when I was three, so I don't remember her much, but my brothers do. They say I look a bit like her, without my long hair. 

Squatting beside her grave, I removed my earphones.

"Hey mom, how are things up there in heaven? Pretty good, huh? Just like I guessed... I'll be leaving Middesville today, the town where you raised us all to New Orleans so I'll be closer to dad and my brothers cause lately he's not been feeling well and needs all his kids by his side." I said, as if she was alive and could hear me.

“I'll try to be a good girl, but we both know that's not possible... Just protect me from where you are and help me not to get into trouble... Cause I do that a lot........ Unfortunately I have to leave now. Greg is coming soon, and he is going to freak out when he finds out that I'm not ready yet.”

Sighing, I added. " Take care of yourself." before standing up and fixing my earphones back into my ears.

Going back the way I came, I ran back home. I spotted a few guys carrying boxes to the moving car. It's the basketball team, I thought. I smiled.

They saw me and some of them waved. I hurried over to them, giving each of them fists bumps. A few girls were with them. Looks like it was my entire class that came to see me off. Which is weird cause I had a party last night.

"Knew you were leaving today. So we came around to help.” Drake, the captain of the basketball team, said.

"Really? You guys shouldn't have..."

"It's no biggie. Concerning how you've helped us around here. Both positively and negatively." he whispered the last part, raising his brows. I chuckled.

"Finally! I become important!"

"You've always been Natty! And we are going to miss you when you leave.” one of them said.

"Awwn thanks. I'd cry but you know I don't do tears." I said and he laughed.

Drake smiled and picked up another box.

"Trust me. I know."

"I'll leave you guys here. I need to go freshen up."

"Okay..."

I walked into the house and met Jace wearing his jacket.

"That's a lot of boys out there..." he commented, staring outside.

"I was the head of the basketball team once, remember?"

"Yeah... How did you even do that?"

"Hard work and a bit of luck." I replied, making my way to my room. One of my female bestie, my only bestie actually, was in my room, trying on my things and scattering what I had already arranged.

"Who is going to arrange all of that?” I asked, peeling my sweat-soaked clothes off my body. 

"I am!!"Ariana replied.

"Good.... cause I'll be leaving in the next few minutes and I need to get ready."

"Our girl will be going to New Orleans soon. I hope you meet all the hot guys, and send us the pictures!" she added dreamily.

Ariana, always boy crazy. It's a good thing I was her best friend. She had a field trip flirting with all the boys in the basketball team and more.

"I think the boys in Middesville are good enough."

She scoffed, folding her hands.

"Come on. They aren't as hot as the guys in New Orleans, especially the Anderson brothers. Those guys are.... Fire!!” she exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air.

I frowned. Ariana saw my expressions and sobered up. " But they aren't like your brothers, anyway. Like that beautiful hunk down there and the one I saw at Thanksgiving.”

"We will not be having this conversation again." I stated, before heading to the bathroom to shower.

"Hey! you can't blame me though, your brothers are handsome! everyone knows that." Ariana said.

I smirked. That was true. All five of my brothers are undeniably handsome. It's even an eyesore seeing them every day.

Not every day actually, both most of the time. They are all adults now and have families. That doesn't stop them from being hunks, though. It's a real pain when you walk around with them. They are always stopping every minute to talk with a girl when they have serious relationships going on. 

I let the warm water caress my skin as I reminisced about my life here in Middesville. It was a small town and perfect for raising a huge family like mine. Little wonder why mom chose here. Now I have to leave this pretty little familiar faces to a whole new world. I'm not sure am ready. I rounded up my showers and came out of the bathroom, water dripping from my skin.

Ariana was already checking out my choice of clothes. She never agrees with what I wear.

"An oversized t-shirt, crazy jeans and these ridiculous cowboy boots? Seriously Natty, don't you have anything fancier? More girly?"

"I'm moving Ariana, not going for a fashion runway."

"I still think you should wear a something pretty." she countered.

"I don't have the time, Ari. Just let it go."

I heard her huff, obviously frustrated. 

I packed my hair and put some lip balm on my lips. I don't like talking about how I look, but if I paid a little more attention to it than basketball, I'm pretty sure that by now I'll be in one of those teens magazine covers, the ones we waste money on.

I turned back and saw Ariana staring at me.

"What?"

"You know, I'm really going to miss you when you move." she began, her eyes glistening. I walked up to her, wrapping my hands around her.

"Don't start crying now. You did that yesterday."

"I can't help it. I see you almost every day. And suddenly you're leaving."

I wonder why she makes sound like it's a surprise, I informed everyone two months ago.

"Hey. I'll always call. I'll never forget you. I promise"

"Wait till you meet those handsome dudes and girls out there. We will become a memory." she pouted.

"You know that's not happening...." I said hugging her, she returned it. " If you want, I can send you pictures of every guy I meet." Her face brightened. That always work.

"Really? That sounds good to me."

"I knew it would. Now help me pack my things, my brother will be here any minute."

"Uh... Which one?"

"Greg. The one you saw at Thanksgiving."

"Okay. On it."

I wore the last of my clothes and took some boxes  myself. We headed down stairs where Jace was already waiting for us, already impatient.

"What took you guys so long?" He asked the moment we stepped down.

"Girl talk. You can't understand." Ariana answered. She was already swooning. Shaking my head, I stared out the window. The boys were already through.

"Trust me, I wasn't planning to. Are those last boxes?" 

"Yes."

"Good. As protocols dictate, ladies first."

Ariana smiled and walked out. I followed right after.

"Thanks a lot sir, you're such a gentle man," Ariana piped in, fluttering her lashes.

"Shut up Ari." I chided. 

"What!?" she retorted. I rolled my eyes. Jace only chuckled. I put the boxes in the moving van and went to join the rest of the boys.

"What do we do now?" Jace glanced at his watch.

"We wait for Greg."

"I thought you said he'll be here any minute."

"That's true... Speaking of the devil.. he's here" I glanced at the drive way. A black sleek car had already pulled in, with tinted windows. Ari was already shaking excitedly. Okay, here goes nothing...

Greg stepped out, and he looked NOTHING like the one I saw at Thanksgiving! Everyone's mouths were hanging open as they stared at him, well everyone except mine.

"Is that your brother?" Drake whispered to my ears.

"Yes."

"And I thought I had muscles. Where'd he get those muscles from?" he asked, all googly eyed.

"I wasn't joking when I said you needed to eat up and work out more." I grimaced.

"I really need to fix my life." he said absentmindedly. I scoffed.

"Are you guys ready?" Greg's thick voice boomed. Jace nodded.

"Okay. Get your ass in the car." he said, pointing at Jace. He ambled to the passenger seat.

"Good morning, bro. I see Maggie's been stuffing you." I commented. He let out a crooked smile.

"Thanks Nat. I knew you would notice." 

"It's Natty. I'm not a Guy."

"You don't look like a girl to me. Not with the crowd I'm seeing."

I nodded. " Should I get my butt in the car too?"

"You know you have to."

I turned to my friends, who were still lost staring at Greg. Ariana was literally drooling.

"Okay guys, snap out of it. I'm leaving now. Take care of Middesville while am gone. I'll miss you guys."

"We'll miss you too. Don't forget to call us." Drake said.

"I'll do that."

I looked at the house one last time, and my friends as well. A few were crying, seriously? I'm going to miss them so much.

"Bye."I said simply. And walked to the car, entering it. 

Greg saluted them and entered the car as well. Soon, the engine revved up to life, and we began cruising out.

The whole of the basketball team was waving and Ariana as well, who kept cleaning her eyes the entire time. I waved back. It was a small town, so everyone knew we were leaving.

Staring out through their windows, I watched them watch us leave. A wave of nostalgia hit me.

"Man, I'm gonna miss this town." Jace said,

"Me too. We had our best memories here," Greg answered. They were right. We had our best memories here.

"Mom sure knew what she was doing when she made us grow up here. We'll never be like this if we grew up in the city." Jace continued, lost in thought. We all miss her.

May her soul rest in peace, I said in my mind, smiling.

"She sure did."

"Sweet conversation, but I don't think I want to hear that now. I'm headed to the city and I don't know what to expect." I voiced out.

Greg chuckled, and so did Jace. This isn't good.

"I hope you're ready Natalie...." Greg started.

"You're in for a shocker...." Jace completed.

"Just great. I'm excited." I said sarcastically. But they were right... I was in for a shocker, a shocker that changed my life forever...