6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzoxaje9O9
A giddy grin spreads across my face as I push open the restaurant doors. Ain’t nothing gonna stop me now!
“Billie!” My mum hollers as she races across the floor, in a flurry of big clunky jewelry and red hair. She’s well into her 40s but still is as beautiful as ever.
“Hi, Mum,” I say, as she squeezes the living daylights out of me. A laugh escapes my lips as she motions for my mom to come over, and Onyx my youngest sibling.
“Hey, darling,” Mom says, looking at my outfit with a raised brow. I give her a confident twirl and her Mum nudges her with an elbow.
“You look beautiful!” The smile never leaves my face, even as Onyx just gives me a nod. He’s 15, going through a most definitely emo phase. Or perhaps, it isn’t a phase.
“Naked Chicken is playing tonight, as a sort of anti-valentines day theme.” he raises his sleek black brow and a smirk plays on his lips.
“What kinda band names themselves Naked Chicken?” I shrug, but then I remember I'm part of the band.
“Emo’s.” Onyx shares a rare smile with me and I ruffle his dyed bright red hair. Mom hands me a basket of heart lights, streamers, and miscellaneous decorations.
“Knock yourself out, hun.” I give her a happy grin and lug the box to a table. Yes, I love decorating!
“When are Victory, Justice, and Harvey, getting here?” I prattle off the rest of my siblings' names. A sharp pain pierces my heart as I realize, not all of my siblings are going to get to be here. Rook, he’s laying in a lonely hospital bed while I'm here trying to have fun. No! I said I wouldn't think about him. Mum rolls her eyes and checks her phone.
“None of those kids are ever on time. Victory should be here pretty soon, she’s bringing her boyfriend.” My mouth drops open. She has a boyfriend and didn’t tell me?! That secretive son of a bitch.
“Yeah, I didn’t learn about it until I found them in a compromising position last week.” Mum scowls, not mad about Victory getting a boyfriend, but by the fact that Tory didn’t tell anyone. I hum under my breath as I pin up decorations, admiring my handiwork. The door opens and a flood of rambunctious teenagers pile through the doors. My 17-year-old sister waltzes in like the boss of the place, and looks every inch queen. Her honey blonde hair is perfectly straight, and the dark red body-con dress, and extravagant makeup.
I grin at her. She is the epitome of Mum, bold, confident, and pretty. At least seven people are with her, all teens, and a boy is clung to her hip. Must be her boyfriend. Victory walks up to me and hugs me tightly.
“It’s been so long! You never visit, you ass.” I roll my eyes yet a twinge of guilt peaks through me. I haven’t visited in a long time. I’ve just been busy.
“Yeah, college life is busy.” Victory just rolls her pale blue eyes and motions to a dark-haired boy next to her.
“This is Raymond, he’s my boyfriend.” Raymond sticks out his hand awkwardly and I take it. Rough hands must work a lot outside.
“Nice to meet you,” I repeat the words and watch as more people come in. It’s getting crowded fast. Nerves start to form in my stomach and I excuse myself from my sister's clutches. The nerves disperse as I see a familiar bob of black hair.
“Arwen, you made it!” I call out, as I jog toward him. I all but throw myself at him in a hug. He wraps his arms around my waist with the same amount of enthusiasm.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Billie.” Nash and Luke appear behind him, all looking like they walked straight out of a gothic men's magazine. I love it.
“Great! C’mon, I want to introduce you to some people.” I think I hear Arwen chuckle but the noise drowns him out.
“Mom, Mum! They are here!” My words rang out and both of their heads turned. Mum beams while Mom looks a little skeptical.
“Wonderful, you guys sounded amazing on the tape you sent us!” Mum exclaims and Arwen rubs the back of his neck while Luke blushes.
“Thanks, ma’am. We appreciate you giving us this opportunity.” Luke says, trying his best to sound proper and polite. Mom raises her brow and whispers to my Mum.
“I like this kid.” A chuckle leaves my mouth as I motion to the two of them.
“Guys, this is my mom.” They all awkwardly wave and Nash does his head nod. I motion to my Mum beside her and introduce her also.
“I’ll show you guys, my siblings, later, right now, you should get set up.” They all collectively nod and I hear a hearty laugh I would know from anywhere. I search the faces until I catch sight of a tall coffee skinned girl with a shaved head.
“Justice!” Her head whips to the sound of my voice and she jogs towards me, enveloping me in a bear hug. She smells of clove cigarettes and gasoline. Even though she’s only 22, she has lived one hell of a life so far. Even some of the stories she used to tell me were exciting and I used to want to be just like her. Always free, living life like it’ll end the next day.
“Bebe, long time no see!” She grins and holds me out at arm's length so she can inspect me.
“Damn girl, you look ready to break hearts.” I laugh and blush. I did look good though, hot as hell. So why shouldn’t I act like it?
“The only heart she’ll break is mine.” Arwen grins, winking at me and I look away, blushing. Justice raises her pierced brow and I shake my head. Silently telling her we are not together. I love Arwen…well, I’m not sure how I feel about him. It’s a topic I haven’t wanted to think about. Not when I am still thinking about the blue of Othello’s eyes.
“I’m not planning on breaking hearts anytime soon.” Justice rolls her eyes and calls over a purple-haired girl.
“This is my girlfriend, Gwen,” Justice says her name with such adoration, I'm jealous. Gwen sticks out her jewelry-clad hand and smiles at me.
“Ju-Ju has told me so much about you, girl.” My brow raises, Ju-Ju? Has someone finally been able to tame my wild sister? Justice scowls slightly and her cheeks turn pink. I like this girl.
“All good things I hope!” Her hands are calloused and Justice tugs Gwen to where our moms are.
“Nice seein’ ya sis, keep in touch!” justice hollers as they make their way through the crowd. Arwen touches my shoulder and I look up into his hazel eyes.
“We are gonna go set up, see ya in a few, darling.” I wish him luck and hug him around the waist. He smells like pen ink and dreams. I’ve never really considered the thought of well, liking Arwen. No, I'm not going to think about that right now. I have enough to worry about. I mingle around waiting for my other brother Harvey to come. He never really likes places like this, the crowds, well, people in general. He’s always been distant and invests all his energy into his drawing. At 21 years old, he dresses like a grandpa. Onyx is the closest to him, the only one he apparently likes spending time with. I know he has arrived when the smell of coffee and musk hits my nostrils. I turn around to see Harvey standing there, a wiry smile on his lips. His ink-stained hands stuffed in the pockets of his cardigan.
“Hey, Bells.” The nickname he gave me when I was seven still hasn’t left. I haven’t seen Harvey in almost a year. I wrap my arms around his skinny frame, yup, same old Harvey. He pats my shoulder awkwardly and I look up into his blue eyes.
“Hi, Vee.” His lips pull up in a small smile as motions to the decorated restaurant.
“I take it you did all of this?” I nod excitedly and tell him about Arwen's band performance and how I am actually a part of the band now.
“Little Bells in an emo band? Onyx would have an aneurysm.” I chuckle and point him in the direction of where all my other siblings are. Not all, Rook isn’t here. No one in my family likes to talk about him anymore. Except for Justice. Rook and her are a lot alike, hence why sometimes they didn’t get along very well.
“Stop thinking so hard, everything is written on your face.” I roll my eyes, nudging him towards our family.
“Go, Mom wants to make sure you’re still alive and eating.” He snorts, but I can tell he’s glad to see almost everyone here.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBYQTPrbsi
