Darling of the Wild

Parties, Brothers, and Maia

I pull Philomena to one of our recliners so we could both sit, then I put some of my wet hair behind my ear before I asked. “What party are you talking about?”

My friend placed the bag she was holding beside her before she looks at me with are-you-serious-look. “I’ve already told you about it last few days ago. Remember the captain of the football team?”

I frowned while thinking about what she said, when I finally did, I nodded, “Yeah! I remember now.”

“Good, now, I brought my make-up and some of my dresses, so you have something to wear that is appropriate for the event,” and she opened her bag and showed me what’s inside.

I held her hand to stop her and get her attention as well, “Wait, Philomena.”

“What?”

“I can’t remember that I said yes though.”’ I calmly told her.

“But you told me that you would ask your brothers” she answered back and pouted.

I let out a sigh and look at my brothers who are intently watching us while they are still soaked inside the pool. Staring at them, I know that they wouldn’t let me because for the record I can’t remember a time that they let me go in a party except on the time it was held inside our house and I think that was . . . one time?

I sadly turned my head back to Philomena, “I’m sorry. You know my brothers. They won’t let me. And also, today is Saturday. You know that it was a family time for me during the weekends.”

“But Chantal will come!”

“She will?” I asked, shocked and not believing her.

Philomena quickly changed her facial expression from trying to be pitiful from smiling and proud, “I convinced her.”

“You did?” I blurted out still shocked that Chantal will come. I mean, that friend of ours is an introvert. She can’t handle loud noises, and easily irritated around large crowds, that’s why I am obviously surprised.

She nodded with a huge smile on her face then flipped her hair, “The power of Philomena’s charms.”

“How did you convinced her?” I asked again because I wanted to know how she did it. Chantal is usually firm on her decision. When she said ‘no’ then it’s a no.

Philomena crossed her legs and confidently told her answer, “During the last three days, I called her during 7pm, 10pm, 1am and 4am to ask her to come. Well, at first it was hard. She was firm on her decision, and she even blocked my number, can you believe that? But giving up isn’t on my vocabulary, duh!” and she even rolled her eyes before continuing, “Today, at 3AM I called her in the telephone of her room while I am sure she was asleep and not reading a book or something. She answered it, annoyed, and I threaten her the I will not stop if she will not come. Then she finally said yes, and I happily ended the call after saying good night”

During the time she was telling the story, I was basically in shock. Like why? For a party?

“That was so bad, Philomena!” I scolded her clearly showing that I don’t like what she did.

“Whatever! At least she will come. And I made her promise that she will come here at your house after lunch.”

I shook my head, “You are unbelievable.”

“I know right! But my efforts will be put in vain if you will not come. So, please?” she tried to make a cute face to convince me.

“I’m sorry, Philomena, but I really can’t. And didn’t you tell us that it was on Friday, which is yesterday? Today is Saturday already”

“It got moved because they had practice.”

“What are you girls talking about? I overheard the word ‘party’” I turned my head to see Lennox standing behind me, “Are you going out, Maia?”

I was about to answer when Philomena stood up, “Well, Lennox, there is a party that I am invited and I am asking Maia to come with me, but she told me that you guys will not let her.”

Lennox glanced at me with his eyebrows furrowed which made me stood up, preparing to explain, but Lloyd left the pool and walk towards us, basically he heard the whole conversation.

“What party is that?” he asked Philomena.

“Just a simple party.”

“Where?” Lloyd quickly added.

“On the house of the captain of our football team” Philomena answered not really intimidated on my brothers.

“Why do you want to go in that party? You can just have a sleepover here in our house. I will ask the maid to prepare everything you might need” Maverick suggested while he’s back on the position where he is sitting on the pool edge with his feet dipped on water.

“Nah! That’s boring. We want to party” My friend turned down the idea.

“Wait. I never said that I want to party” I voiced out my opinion which made them all look at me. “Philomena, I’m sorry. I really can’t go. I just hope you will have a nice time later.”

My friend has about to protest and say something to convince me when Morgan walked towards us, “What time is the party?”

“8PM?” Philomena answered in an unsure voice.

“What? So early! I guess it’s 10 or 11PM. And even so, why are you here already? It’s just almost 10AM” Lloyd is now the one who complained.

“I got so bored in the house!” Philomena reasoned out and crossed her arms.

Why are my brothers asking questions like I will come?

“Going to a party is a nice idea” Lewis blurted which made me frown.

What? Are they actually saying that I could possibly go?

“I also think so” Marcus agreed with his brother.

All my brothers are circling around us except Morgan who’s sitting on one of our recliners and busy eating the nachos brought by Maverick a while ago.

“Maia can come if we all tag along” Lennox answered the question I got inside my head. Is this really happening? Are they really letting me go in a party? Even though I will go with them, it is really shocking. This is a first. If this is a normal day, before I finish what I’m saying, Lennox would say no and explain to me the dangers of going to a party.

I am close to my eldest brother, but he is really strict. He doesn’t even like parties too. During her college days, I can’t recall a time where he asked dad if he can go on a night out. Usually he is inside the room, studying and reading a book.

My other brothers are the exact opposite. They like parties and outdoor activities but they also don’t like me going to parties. What did they just ate today to let me go?

“All of you?” Philomena asked shocked and glanced at each one of my brothers which are nodding towards her.

“Morgan, do you want to party?” we all turned our heads towards him who’s still busy eating while scrolling on his phone. There’s a towel around his shoulder. He looked up when Maverick called his name. Morgan just nodded with his mouth full of nachos.

“Are you sure?” my friend is still unsure.

Lloyd was about to answer when I raised my hand to get their attention. I think they fully forgotten my existence here. Doesn’t mean I am small; I will be ignored and disregarded. They all look down because I am the smallest here. I now got their full attention.

“Why are you raising your hand like you are at school?” Marcus asked looking like I am so weird.

“Well, if I didn’t. I will not get your attention.” I defended myself.

Maverick and Lloyd chuckled, and I don’t know why.

“Well, anyway. I don’t think you heard what I said a while ago. I can’t come” I added trying to let it sink into all of them.

“Why? Your brothers gave you permission. What is stopping you to have fun?” Philomena asked sounding tired on my constant refusal.

“Are you saying that we are a hindrance for Maia to have fun?” Marcus asked with his eyebrows raised.

“I didn’t say that. You did!” and Philomena gave her a smirk.

My brother was about to fight back but I ignored them and glanced at Lennox, “Today is Saturday. Isn’t it a family time?”

“Why? You don’t want to go to the party?” he asked staring straight into my eyes.

I paused for a second trying to know if I don’t want to go, “Well, not that, it’s just, uhm, really unusual. It’s really rare for you guys to let me go in this kind of night outs. I am more used on you guys saying ‘no’”

I saw Philomena look at Marcus like saying ‘see?’ and showing that my brothers are hindrance. Well, for me they’re not. I’m good on the way they’re raising me. They are basically my guardians as well as dad. But our father is always busy so most of the time, I am under their supervision.

Lennox patted my head, “These kinds of experiences are good for you. We’ll just keep an eye on you and don’t wear something revealing” he look serious about this.

I nodded “Okay, but what about dad? Today is a family day, remember?”

“I will tell dad, don’t worry. I got this. But I wanted to get your opinion first, do you want to party, or you don’t?” Lennox asked looking straight into my eyes.

I glanced at everyone, and it seemed like they are all waiting for my answer. I bit my lip and smiled, “Yeah.”

Philomena clapped her hand and screamed excitedly, “Finally!”

My brothers look happy as well, so I think that I did the right decision. While my brothers are excitedly talking about later, one of the maids called us.

I looked behind and saw her, Chantal was standing beside her with eyebrows furrowed.

“What did I miss?” she asked.

“Why are you here so early as well?” Lloyd asked while pointing at my friend.

“Because I wanted to” then Chantal rolled her eyes.

Marcus and Maverick teased Lloyd by saying ‘burn!’ and they laughed.

Philomena walked towards Chantal and clung her arms on her, “I’m so excited. We are all going to the party!” then Philomena excitedly jumped up and down..