Darling of the Wild

The Weekend

I dipped my foot in the pool and watched how my brothers, Lloyd, Morgan, Marcus, and Lewis, compete on who is the fastest swimmer. They are basically having fun while trying to win using their cheats and tactics. Lennox is just lying on one our recliner with his shades on, watching them as well. Maverick, on the other hand, is inside getting food. My dad needed to check something at work, but he will come home at lunch.

Days passed and today is Saturday. In our family we have this promise at each other that every weekend is a family time. We must not work or study, just focused on bonding with each other. It was my mom’s idea when she was alive, and my dad kept it. So basically, we can be busy and do our thing during weekdays but on weekends, we must spend time with each other. And I think that’s beautiful. It makes our bond stronger and closer.

The weather isn’t too hot nor too cold, just enough, the perfect day to do outdoor activities. It was 9AM and my brothers loved the idea of swimming so here we are.

I choose to watch them first because I want to cherish the moment. I want to keep it inside my head. I want to see how my brothers smile and laugh. To observe on how they’ll become closer. The weekends are my favorites. No matter what the weather is, we choose to spend time and put aside all our responsibilities at school and at work.

“You look happy” I looked up and saw Maverick, standing beside me with a brotherly smile on his face, holding two fresh coconut juice.

“Hi, Mav” I smiled back and turn my head back to watch my brothers again. Maverick sat beside me and put his foot inside the pool as well.

“Here” he handed me one of the coconut juices, and I happily accepted it. “I brought cheese and nachos too. Do you want me to bring it to you?”

I shook my head, “No, thanks. I’m still full.”

There’s a long silence between us and I know Maverick wanted to ask something.

“I heard from Marcus” and I was right. He’s been itching and curious about that. Maverick is busy with work but I know he still has time to ask for updates about me from my twin brothers. And knowing Marcus, he won’t think twice to tell them about Aiden.

I remembered when I was in 8th grade, some guy approached me during our lunch time and basically I’m with my brothers. That guys straight-up asked my sibling if he could take me to date, well at that time, my brothers said ‘no’. It is not because they are protective but because they got irritated that the guy asked them first before me. Their point was, the guy wanted to ask me out on a date, so the permission should come from me, not from them. I don’t really understand their point at that time and to be honest, I don’t like that guy. I don’t even know them.

So, the catch is, when we get home, Marcus told Lennox, Maverick and Lloyd that I had a boyfriend, the guy asked me on a date, I got mad because my ‘boyfriend’ approached me when I’m with my brothers which I really hate (according to Marcus) and I broke up with him in front of them. He’s exaggerating, obviously. But I don’t know why does he need to do that? Like, he’s lying. He just wanted to irritate me of course. Then there’s a change of mood, he said that how come that guy liked me when I am ugly.

Brothers are made to irritate, annoy, make fun and make the life of their sisters miserable. So, I want to know what he told on Maverick.

I sighed and asked, “What did he tell you?”

“Marcus told us that you have a secret relationship with Aiden” Maverick answered while intently looking at my face. Trying to see if my stupid and story maker brother named Marcus is telling the truth.

“WHAT?!” I shouted in disbelief. “That’s not true!”

Maverick squinted his eyes and asked like he’s not believing it, “Are you sure?”

“Yes, Mav. I’m telling the truth. I promise” then I lifted my right hand like a sign that I am not lying. I am so stressed out. I don’t want my brothers to get mad. They doesn’t like me to have a boyfriend yet and I don’t like anyone too.

My brother patted my head and smiled, “I’m just kidding, Maia. I believe you. Lewis corrected what his twin told us and added that they saw you with that guy. That one was true right? Lewis doesn’t really lie that much.”

“Well, uhm, yeah” I nodded slowly telling the truth, but I was carefully watching his face “But, it’s not what you think” I added quickly.

“Did he really gave you some sweets? Lewis emphasized the words, ‘it was Maia’s favorites’” and he motioned quote and quote.

I nodded.

“Why did he do that?” he asked again. I thought I won’t be placed on the hot seat again. Why am I here again?

“Gift of, uh, friendship, I guess?” I answered because I, myself doesn’t really know what reason. I can’t tell them that Aiden gave it to me because he wanted to make me feel better from what I encountered last few days ago.

Maverick frowned and stayed silent, but he didn’t remove his stare at me. He is watching my face in both suspicion and disbelief.

After a while he nodded and put his arms around my shoulders, there are small taps before he said, “Just wanted to remind you. Aiden might hurt you and we don’t want that to happen that’s why we’re really protective. I hope you don’t think that we’re depriving you with happiness. We only want the best for our only sister.”

I smiled sweetly at him and leaned my head on his shoulders, “I know that Maverick.”

“You know that we love you right?”

“Of course!”

There a few second of silence and I even closed my eyes to cherish the moment when Maverick called my name, “Maia.”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry.” I looked up to him, curious on why he is apologizing.

“For what?”

He didn’t answer and showed a peace sign before pushing me inside the pool. The song I saw on social media where the lyrics go like this, ‘I tried to scream but my head was under water’, that’s what I felt. The coldness of the water filled my whole body. I closed my eyes tightly the same with my mouth so I won’t drink the pool water. My feet touched the pool floor because of the force Maverick put. 

I quickly swim back up so I can breathe. This pool is 6 ft., and I am only 4’11, good thing I know how to swim or else I will be drowning. My shirt and my denim shorts got wet. I planned on swimming later but because of my annoying brother, I am now soaking wet.

“MAVERICK!” I shouted as soon as I let out a breath and wipe the water from my face. My eyes hurt and I think there’s a water inside my ears.

He just laughed while he’s still in the same position I have a while ago. When I looked around I saw that Lloyd, Morgan, Marcus, and Lewis are laughing as well while they are standing near me. Morgan and Marcus even high fived. Lennox is standing now on the pool side, watching all of us.

“You are annoying! Why did you do that? Now, I am wet” I complained while I tried to swim towards where Lennox is standing so he can pull me up.

“Why are you leaving the pool now? You are now wet, just enjoy” I heard Lloyd saying. I turned my head towards them while glaring, “SHUT UP!”

When I finally swam near Lennox, I raised my arms as a sign that I wanted him to pull me up. He did it and I squeezed my clothes while murmuring how irritating my brothers are.

I thought that it was a wholesome moment with Maverick, but it wasn’t’ He just straight up pushed me towards the pool! Who does that after telling me that he loves me? So irritating!

“You okay?” I looked up and saw Lennox, completely dry and looking concerned.

Before I answered, I saw Morgan motioning ‘push’ then pointing at Lennox. Lloyd was mouthing ‘Push, Lennox’ beside him then Marcus just nodding meat me, like telling me ‘go ahead.’

I glanced back at Lennox and naturally took a step forward while squeezing my shirt, making him, move backwards towards the pool, “Maverick is irritating” I added.

“They’re just having fun” he tried to pat my head to console me when what he said echoed in my head.

I sadly nodded, “Yeah, they’re just having fun” then I stared at his face and smiled playfully “I’m sorry!” before pushing him full force towards the pool. The impact made the water splash.

Me and my brothers laughed loudly on the sight of our eldest brothers.

“Nice one, Maia!”

“YEAH!!!”

They cheered me out and I clapped while laughing because Lennox stood up, wiped the water on his face and shook his head, “I should’ve known” he blurted out.

“Sorry, Lennox, we’re just having fun” I told him and jumped on the pool again after taking off my shirt and denim shorts, leaving me in my one-piece floral baby pink swimsuit.

We played lots of pool games and in the middle of having fun, when one of our maids came and called my attention. Behind her was Philomena, carrying a pink sparkly bag and raised her brows while watching us.

“Hi, Philomena! What brings you here?” I asked after leaving the pool to accommodate my friend. The maid handed me a robe which I quickly used to cover my body.

“Did you forget?” She asked sounding like I did a very big mistake.

“What did I forget?” I asked myself, clueless.

“We’re going to the party, remember?” Philomena answered.

“What party?” We both look behind me because of the reaction my brothers gave. How the hell did they heard that?