Deadly Dynasty

2

Mid June, 2018

Liam and I began hanging out a lot over the summer. Today, he invited me to join him for ice cream. "But, not as a date or anything. Just two friends hanging out." He said while letting out a nervous laugh. I laughed along with him. The annual Watermelon Festival was happening that day, and we decided to do a quick walkthrough on our way to the ice cream parlor that was in town. Parker, Wyatt, and everyone else was also at the festival, but Liam and I didn't really understand the hype. The festival consisted of watermelon tasting, a parade, and different kiosks with various watermelon themed merchandise. 

It was just Liam and me at the Maroney house when everyone left. We were so awkward together, we didn't know what to talk about. I told him about the band that Wyatt and I started together, Armor For Fire. I told him about our bandmates and how we all met at school soon after Wyatt and I moved to South Carolina. I showed him a few of our videos on YouTube and he seemed impressed. 

"You guys are incredible!" He said while watching us. "I like how all of you sing, especially you and Wyatt. Your voices blend together so well."

"Thank you." I said quietly. I pursed my lips together and looked down at the ground and hoped he didn't notice me blushing.

"So you and Wyatt are brother and sister?" Liam asked.

"Twins. He's 11 minutes older." I said. 

"Wow. What's it like?"

"We've been so close our whole lives. Me and him have never fought. We've never been separated for long periods. He's more of the cool outgoing one, I tend to just stay back and observe. I'm on the Autism spectrum so I feel like I depend on him a lot. I know it's probably not healthy, but that's just how it is." I explained to him.

He nodded while listening before saying, "That sound's fun. I wish I had a twin."

"We get that a lot." I said and smiled shyly.

Liam smiled back at me and I felt like melting. I hated admitting it but I was starting to fall for Liam. Not a lot. I wouldn't allow myself to fall head over heels for him. Because he was my friend's cousin and he literally lived out of the country. But it wouldn't hurt to enjoy spending time with him and fantasizing about being with him, would it?

"W-Would you like to....go get ice cream?" Liam asked. It was so cute when he stuttered.

"Right now?"  I asked.

"Yeah...yeah right now. I mean it's up to you if you don't want to because I know we've only known each other for a few weeks and it won't be like a date or anything-"

"I'd love to go. Let me head back to the gun room to get dressed and I'll meet you back here." I said while hopping up from the couch. 

"Oh..okay! Great!" Liam said as I made my way to the front door. "And be careful heading down those stairs. Remember what happened with the previous housekeeper that lived here!"

"Yeah, I'll be careful." I called back. 

I climbed down the stairs where the Maroney housekeeper, Georgina Sanchez, fell just months earlier. She bumped her head pretty badly, and she died a few days later. Parker ended up missing a few days of school because of it. He loved Georgina like a third parent, and her death crushed him. He says he's okay now, but we all know that he is still grieving in silence.

I knew it was morbid and a sad occasion, but I couldn't help but smile at the thought of going into town with Liam. Like he said, it wasn't a date. But I was still going to look cute. I drove to the gun room and made a mad dash inside. I ruffled through my closet and chose a cute black mini dress that reached my mid thigh.