The Styles Triplets

Chapter 1

The disadvantage of a family of two and a family of four combining after the respective parents' marriage is that the smaller family tends to move into the larger family's home. This is what has happened after my dad got re-married. That means a lot more physical labour on my half since I have collected numerous obsolete items throughout my life.

While I was halfway through packing my things at what is soon to be my old home, Dad halted my progress to transport everything we had packed so far to our soon-to-be new house. He obviously has not heard the phrase, 'two trips are for the weak.' I personally think he had an ulterior motive. He has been married for a day and missing his new bride.

My new 'step-brothers' decided to disappear to avoid helping Dad and I unpack our car. One of which is claiming to be studying, which is suspect as it is currently the middle of the summer break.

So all the work is left to me, Dad, and Dad's new wife, Anne. It's nice to have another female around regularly, finally, and I've picked up the vibe that Anne feels the same way about me. It will take some time to get used to going from a household of two to a family of six.

My Mum passed away six years ago from a heart attack, even though she was one of the healthiest people I knew. At least that's what it says on her death certificate...

We finally unpacked the car and placed the boxes in their respective rooms. I was sitting in the car, scrolling through my phone out while waiting for Dad to come back, when there was a knock on my window that made me jump.

"Sorry, dear," Anne said as I opened the door to hear her. "If you want to go upstairs and start unpacking now, your Dad and I can go back to your house and get the rest."

"Thank you, but it's okay. I have the whole summer to unpack. There's no rush," I reply, smiling.

"Are you sure, Baylee? The boys are all home. You, Marcel, Harry, and Edward can all use this time to bond," She says, making it clear that she was unsure if the boys were actually home. "I know you guys go to school together, but it's different now that you guys are step-siblings."

I smile at her attempt to get the 'children' together and 'bond.' But I only really got along with Harry as we hang in the same crowd at school.

"Here, I'll call them," Anne says, taking out her phone from her bag.

"I'm sure they're busy doing something else, Dear," Dad says as he was walking out of the house with his keys in his hand. "But Baylee, go inside and unpack. We've got it from here."

"Are you sure? You could never have too many helping hands," I say, holding out my hands in an offering way. An attempt at a joke.

"Baylee, take those hands upstairs and unpack your stuff," he says sternly, stopping Anne and me from our giggle.

Anne had a look of worry on her face, but I was used to it since he acted like a drill-Sargent for no apparent reason around me.

"Okay, Dad," I say as I unbuckle and hop out of the car.

"And when we get back, you have to tell me five things about each of the boys," He says, pointing the finger at me like I was in kindergarten.

"Dylan, dear. Don't be so harsh on the girl," Anne says, walking up to dad and hugging him from the side. She then looks at me and says, "Try and make some conversation with them. They are hard to talk to, just a warning."

"Anne, I'm not harsh. I want our families to get along," Dad says, pulling Anne into an embrace that makes me want to cringe, so I turn away.

"Dad, may I remind you. I already know the boys," I say, still turned away. Some more than others, I think to myself.

"I think that's something. Don't you, Dylan?" Anne says, making me look back at them.

Something dashed behind them, and I bent over to the side to take a look, but whatever it was, was gone as quickly as it was there. I just shrugged it off and stood up straight, and turned my attention back to Dad and Anne.

"Fine. One fact about each of the boys," Dad says, turning to look at me. He heads towards the driver's side of the car, and I head towards the house to give room for Anne to get in.

"Deal!" I yell back, not turning around.

As Dad pulls out of the driveway, he rolls down the window and shouts out, "Can't be their names, their birthday, or the fact that they are triplets!"

I roll my eyes as I wave over my head, still with my back towards them. I look up to make sure I don't lose my footing on the porch steps when I see something move in the bushes in front of the porch that makes me freeze.

I slowly creep over to the bush and peer into it. "Marcel, what in God's name are you doing in the bush?!" I exclaim, confusion written all over my face.

"I, uh, needed some fresh air?" He says, sounding unsure.

"And why are you in the bush?" I ask, crossing my arms and not believing him for a second.

"I, uh, needed something for an experiment," he says, quickly grabbing a leaf and tugging it off of the branch.

"Okay then. Back as you were," I say, turning around and heading back to the front door.

Oh, Marcel. I had caught him in a lie.