The Decuplets

Gage's Little Lies

Ella

Me, Scarlett, Gage, and Parker were all supposed to go to the mall today, but Parker and Scarlett ended up not being able to go. Parker's grandmother was sick and Scarlett had promised Gabe to hang out, but Gage insisted we not cancel. He really needed a black hoodie supposedly.

After a couple hours of him following me around all my favorite stores like a lost puppy, we decided to sit down at the food court and have milkshakes.

"So, what's going on in your life?" he asked. "Any new boys?"

I blushed hard.

"There is!" he exclaimed.

"New, no, boy, yes," I explained, still bright red.

"Ella," he said sternly, "Reece is no good for you."

"Not him!" I said, disgusted.

"Zach?" he deduced, eyes wide. I nodded. "Wow. How did that happen?"

"I got drunk," I laughed. I recalled all the events of the two parties with Gage prompting me to divulge every last detail, up until the kiss.

"Very romantic," he grinned.

"I know," I sighed.

"Which brother is the better kisser?" he pressed.

"What? That's what you want to know?"

"Who wouldn't?"

"Fine. Well, um, Reece is a really good kisser, but it's just different with Zach. Like, fireworks every time." My face was on fire. I was blushing so hard.

"And you kissed today?"

"Yeah, like four hours ago," I replied.

"Oh. Have you told Scarlett?"

"Not yet," I said, taking a sip of my drink. "I was in his room for a couple hours and then you picked me up." I definitely did not tell Zach where I was going or whom I was going with.

"Well, that's adorable," he concluded. "She'll be happy to hear."

"Oh I know," I laughed.

-

When I got back from the mall, I kicked off my shoes as Zach walked downstairs.

"Zach!" I squealed, leaping towards him and wrapping my arms around his neck. He held me tightly by my waist.

"I heard a car door slam and thought it might be you," he said.

"I missed you so much!" I exclaimed, pulling him closer and resting the side of my face in the crook of his neck. Talk about a honeymoon stage!

"I missed you, too, El," he said, shifting away and twirling my hair with his finger.

I stood on my tip toes to kiss him, and he began to pepper my face with kisses as I giggled. I hardly noticed Gabe walking in.

"Woah, when did that happen?" he interrupted, causing Zach to stop, much to my disliking.

He turned around, one arm still around my waist. "This morning," he grinned.

My heart was beating fast. I wondered what Gabe was thinking at that moment. Is it just my imagination, or does he look skeptical right now? Judgmental?

"Well, I'm happy for you two," he smiled. Thank God. "It was only a matter of time, right?"

We nodded. "Alright, I told Clay I'd play him in basketball in 5 minutes 10 minutes ago, so I'll catch you later, El," he said, kissing my cheek. He headed to the back of the house, leaving Gabe and I alone.

"Why?" was all he asked.

"Because I missed him. He's the brother for me," I replied confidently.

"Be careful. Don't jump into things if you're not 100% over Reece."

"I am 100 thousand percent over him. Now I have to go tell Scarlett. Bye!"

I bolted upstairs. I'm not that close with Gabe, so that conversation was much too uncomfortable. I know how I feel, and I don't care to explain to anyone else.

I walked into Scarlett's room smiling and said, "Guess what!"

"You kissed Zach!" she replied, mirroring my expression.

"Wait, he told you that?"

"Actually Gage did. But I don't see why you didn't tell me first."

"I was in Zach's room all morning, and then Gage made me go, and you were busy, so I just didn't have the chance. I'm sorry, I hope you're not mad."

"Well, I'm not, but the way Gage put it was a little scary. Like, that you were going to keep it from me. He said you think I like Reece better or something stupid."

"That is actually so dumb. Why would he say that?"

"I don't know. It's pretty weird, actually."

"It's just a good reminder that we shouldn't trust him too much. We know him too well."

"Maybe I shouldn't have told him in the first place," I complained, "especially not about Reece."

"What's done is done."

"Guess so."