3

Maxine

I knew the footsteps approaching my door were my mom’s. She stormed into my room and turned on the lights, almost blinding my hurting eye. I pulled the covers off my body and sat up.

“Mummy,” I pouted, trying to charm my way out of her anger.

“Don’t give me that face right now, young lady,” my mom frowned. “I’m not mad at you for what happened at school. What I’m deeply concerned about is that your first conversation with a quadriplegic lady was for her to kill herself,” my mom said with that disappointing look on her face.

My pout turned to a sad frown as tears filled my eyes.

“Mom, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way—she just seemed very sad and tired when she was speaking to me. She said she wishes there was a way she could end it all,” I said, letting the tears roll down my cheeks.

My mom sighed and sat on the bed next to me. “Imagine some random person telling me to kill myself knowing that I’m all you have now?”

“I understand that I was wrong and I apologized several times, Mom, I swear. But they didn’t stop, and they stuffed my locker with cockroaches,” I cried.

My mom pulled me into a hug and comforted me. “It’s okay. They didn’t handle things well either, but you have to understand them too. They love their mom and got angry when some girl next door who just moved in was planting weird ideas in her head,” she said, wiping my tears.

My shoulders dropped. I tried to hide my eye, but I should have known my mom was super observant, especially when it came to me.

“What happened to your eye?” she asked.

“I missed a step and fell off the stairs. It’s not that bad, Mom,” I told her, covering my eye with my bangs.

My mom raised a knowing eyebrow at me. “Well, I just had a one-hour conversation with Amy and she thinks we should talk, all four of you. Everyone, especially the school, is tired of your fighting. Grab your slippers and let’s go.”

“Now?” I frowned. “But you are still in your scrubs.”

“Exactly why we need to get it over with soon,” my mom said.

I felt bad for stressing her, knowing she’s a neurological nurse who works hard and deserves to rest after work. I got out of bed and slipped my feet into my flip-flops. My mom grabbed my arm and dragged me all the way from our house to the boys' house. I wasn’t as angry as I was at school—it had been hours—but I still wasn't happy with them. Better we end this now, though.

My mom rang their doorbell and Bran opened the door, all sweaty and shirtless, wearing only black sweatpants that sat very low on his waist. I rolled my eyes at him.

“Hi, Mrs. Holmes. Come in, it’s so nice to see you,” he welcomed my mom like he was a good boy.

“Thank you, honey,” my mom said.

We walked into their fancy, beautiful living room and took our seats. It was my first time here, I tried not to gawk.

“My mom will be down in a minute,” Bran smiled. I had never seen the nerd smile, like, ever.

Johnny joined us, appearing from the kitchen with a bowl of cereal in his hand. His auburn hair was messy, but in a good way. They are all so buff and packed with muscle, especially for their age.

“Hi,” he greeted.

“Hi,” my mom responded, but I didn't until she jerked me.

“Hi,” I said, my tone tight.

Johnny put down his bowl of cereal and disappeared. I saw a photo of him in the living room in his hockey gear. Yeah, I almost forgot they are all sporty. Besides being a nerd, Bran is also on the swim team.

Shortly after, Johnny returned to the living room and sat next to me. “I have a balm for your eye. It’s very effective and would heal it in a few days,” he explained.

I frowned. “Oh, are you trying to finish the job?” I bit out, but my mom pinched me.

Fine.

I pushed aside my bangs and exposed my bruise for Johnny, who carefully applied the balm. His eyes were amber—very bright, charming golden. They are all hot, now I see why the school girls swoon and melt at the mere mention of them. I had been too occupied to notice anything about their looks before, plus they were tormenting me, so I just hated them.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting, Joanna,” I heard Amy’s voice and I jumped off the couch toward her. I sat on her lap and hugged her, ignoring broody Mike walking behind her.

“Max, how are you? I missed you,” she said, moving her neck to kiss me.

“I’m sorry,” I choked.

“What are you sorry for? Don’t be. I have scolded these stupid boys for what they did to you, okay?” she said.

“Get off her legs now, Max,” my mom said.

“It’s okay, let her sit with me. I can’t feel it anyway,” Amy laughed. “Boys, get over here.”

The boys took their seats facing their mom. Are they triplets? I never thought about it, I suppose they are. They don't look alike though.

“Maxine wasn’t trying to kill me, she just really understood me,” Amy told them.

“Didn’t seem like—”

“Shut up, Michael,” she cut him off. “The three of you will apologize to her and promise to be good to her every time.”

“She should apologize first,” Bran said.

“Didn’t Johnny say she apologized plenty of times? What more do you want?” Amy raised her brows at them.

I discreetly stuck out my tongue at them and watched Mike’s nose flare angrily.

“I’m waiting for the apology,” she demanded.

“I’m sorry,” Bran mimicked my accent again with a silly smirk.

“I’m sorry, Max,” Johnny said, sounding sincere.

“Sorry,” Mike could barely get the words out of his mouth.

I’m definitely going to cheer for Johnny’s games, not Mike’s.

“Amy, I’m really sorry once again for Max’s behavior,” my mom said, urging me to get off Amy’s legs.

“It’s okay, she did nothing wrong. She’s a good kid. I should be the one apologizing, they were supposed to make her feel welcomed but they acted like jerks to her.”

“What about detention? My Saturdays are too important to spend with Alvin and the Chipmunks,” I complained.

The boys started grumbling about my nickname for them.

“What is wrong with you?” my mom grabbed me angrily and dragged me out.

“I was going to talk to Principal Myrold, but because of that silly comment, you are spending those four Saturday detentions with them,” my mom said.

I groaned frustratedly. Those four Saturdays will be the worst days of my life.