The Other Girl (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Seventeen

Right after Julius dropped me home—he insisted on dropping me right in front of our house even though we have to pass his house first and he could’ve just parked in his own house and I’ll just walk my way to my place because it’s not really that far—I was immediately tackled my by two gleeful looking nieces together with their new found friend, Keith.

“AUNTI BELLA!!!” Rose, Lily and even Keith joined in calling me, both of their hands extended as they ran into me. The kids bumped me and I fell butt-first on the ground with the three falling on top of me, all of them giggling. I can’t help but laugh too, as the cuteness is just too much to bear and that they’re really tickling me right there on my waist.

“Hey kids, what’s up?” I asked them, sitting on the grass with my legs crossed. I believe I really have no choice but to stick here because these kids aren’t gonna let me go that easily for sure.

“We’re playing a game!” Lily answered at the top of her lungs. The other two agreed.

“What game? Can I join you guys?” I asked, and they all looked at me with gleaming eyes and they nodded their heads.

“Yeah! We’re playing with Hatchi but he’s one lazy dog,” Rose pouted. “He seems to be only following you. So if you join us, we’ll be able to play more!”

I laughed. “Yeah, that dog’s really one lazy bummer. Well, I’ll play with you guys then, let’s go!” I got up, and helped the other three too. We’re about to head to the backyard when someone cleared their throat from the front door, getting my attention.

“Hey Britt,” I greeted my sister with a warm smile. She was leaning at the door frame of the front door, arms crossed over her chest. When I greeted her, she walked towards with a smile.

“Hey Sab, looks like you’re enjoying yourself today,” she pointed out.

I looked at the kids and another cheeky smile creped on my face. “Yeah, these kids really cheer me up.”

“That’s nice to know. But I believe you just got back home from school, so you haven’t eaten yet or anything. So I think you should go straight to the kitchen and grab a bite before playing with them,” sometimes, Britt can be just like mom.

“But I wanna play with them first,” I pouted.

She just shook her head, determined. “Nuh-uh. In the kitchen, now.” I frowned, but followed orders anyways. I entered the house and found Jeremy at the bar, making tacos and sausages and hot dogs. Hmm-mmm…

“Hey Jer, smells good,” I greeted him, walking right beside him.

“You probably smell me then,” he greeted back with a smirk, hugging me sideways and giving me a kiss on my forehead.

“Nah, I’m pretty sure it’s the food that I smell,” I replied with a teasing smile. He shook his head.

“Then it’s me that you smell. Because I’m the food in here,” I smacked his arms, which made him laugh and I smiled. I sneaked a few beef from the bowl and ate it, then walked over to the fridge.

“Any chance you can tell me what beverages we’ll be drinking?” I asked Jeremy, searching for something to drink.

“Yeah, there’s ginger ale and Cali at the chiller,” he answered. I grabbed three bottles of each then placed it on the bar beside the tray where the tacos and sandwiches are. Jeremy’s down to his last taco and then he’s all done. While he continues on working at the last shell, I went to help him clean up. He looked up from what he’s doing to meet my eyes.

“There’s no need to really, you must be tired from school so just let me do those,” he said, telling me to stop cleaning.

I just gave him a smile. “You know, as much as I love the fact that you guys are making me stop cleaning while Mom won’t stop yelling at me to start helping around the house, I really prefer to help than do nothing. I’ll be eating half of those things you made, the least I can do is help you clean it since I didn’t help you make it.”