The Decuplets

Fourth of July

Scarlett

It was the fourth of July.

Of course, we had to throw a party!

Ella and I headed out to the store to buy decorations.

For example, we hung red, white, and blue streamers in all the doorways.

Brandon was designated griller– hotdogs, hamburgers, and ribs.

Reece ordered the fireworks.

Liam invited the people.

Everything was going smoothly.

"Okay, help us with these groceries, people," Max announced as he and Corey walked in with their hands full.

"Yo, who used the speaker last?" Gabe asked, not able to find it.

"Oh, me," Reece said, "I'll go get it."

"You two bought hella meat," Zach said, trying not to laugh.

"Shut up," Corey lightly punched him.

"I'll clean off the grill," Noah offered, to which Brandon thanked him.

"Where is Clay?" Ella glanced around.

"Who cares," Gabe scoffed, crumbling the grocery bags up and tossing them into the trash.

Ella and I gave each other a look.

Reasonably so, those two are not on good terms.

Gabe really liked Marlowe, and getting over her is going to be hard.

"Gabe, help me with the living room!" I said, smiling.

"But the party is outdoors-"

"Help!"

He followed me to the living room, and I motioned for him to sit.

"How are you doing?" I asked.

"Horrible. My heart aches when I think of Marlowe and my fists clench when I see Clay."

Fair enough.

"I'm sorry, Gabe," I sighed, "but don't let him kill your mood today."

"Easier said than done, Scarlett," he replied, leaning back.

"You're better than Clay, Gabe," I told him, "you know that."

"Yeah, well Marlowe didn't think that."

"But we all know that," I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"Thanks, Scarlett," he forced a smile, "but I don't think I can get over it that quickly."

"You don't have to," I shrugged, "I just wanted to make sure you know you have support."

He hugged me, and it was clear he needed it.

Come party time, things were going well.

Gabe was having tons of fun– he even had his arm around a girl.

Speaking of girls, Brandon and Rachelle were back on.

I honestly felt really bad about that.

Charlie and Corey rekindled things too, but they didn't seem as stable.

"You flirt with every guy ever!" Corey spat, walking by with her.

"You flirted with that girl like last weekend!" she argued back.

"That was a lie! I'm talking about real shit you do!"

See what I mean...

"Hey," Sal greeted, kissing my forehead.

And I have a boy of my own– a stable one.

Sure, my brothers don't like him, but when has that stopped me?

I looked around, a big smile on my face as I saw how much fun everyone was having.

The pool was fully occupied.

People were doing flips, trying to balance on boards, and more.

The grill was fired up with Brandon cooking on it.

Max looked like he was about to explode being he was inhaling hot dogs like he was in the Nathan's Famous National Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Ella was trying her best in a football game with a few of my brothers and his friends.

It made me happy seeing how chill everyone looked.

Even Gage and his friends were in the mix, and my brothers were laughing and having a good time.

Then I caught a pair of eyes staring at me from inside the pool.

Hanging on the edge, Josh was retrieving the ball when he saw Sal and I.

Call me crazy, but we held eye contact.

He was most definitely looking.

"You two! Come eat!" Brandon waved his spatula at Sal and I, being civil.

We ran over, joining Max.

"Brandon is the best chef," he said taking another bite, "I mean, wow!"

"How many have you had, man?" Sal laughed, thanking Brandon as he placed one in front of him.

"14," he cheesed.

"You counted?" I laughed.

"The best things in life come from those you count on," he held the food up like it was holy.

An hour and a half later, Reece went inside and came back out holding a box.

"FIREWORKS TIME!" he yelled at the top of his lungs.

Everyone gathered in the open area of our yard.

Reece set off the first one.

A big boom was followed by red and blue bursts.

People clapped and cheered.

I set the next.

"Scarlett, move!" Reece shouted.

"I am, I am," I waved him off, running.

Next thing I knew, I collapsed onto the ground.

"Jesus," Clay yelled, running over.

"I'm okay," I said.

"You have a few deep cuts," Noah examined my knee.

I looked down and saw blood pouring down my shin like there was no tomorrow.

"Oh!"

"I'll get the first aid kit," Corey ran into the house.

"Here," Sal handed me a towel, "put pressure."

I thanked him, doing so.

Corey came out with the kit and Brandon applied the bandages.

"I need a paper towel from the grill," he asked aloud.

Somebody handed him the roll and a water bottle.

"Thanks," Brandon said, damping the towel and wiping the dirt off my leg.

I looked up and yet again saw Josh.

He was who helped Brandon.

I'm overthinking it for no reason.

He was probably just closest to the grill.

"Okay," Brandon smiled, "all good!"

"Thanks," I said, "so who's lighting the next one?"

People giggled, and Gage grabbed it.

He set it off. "This is for hurting my friend!"

That doesn't make sense, but I laughed anyway.