Only Human

Chapter One

I stretched out on the dock. The sun beat down heavily upon my pale skin.

Suddenly a familiar finger jabbed my ribs. "One, two, three, four," Phoenix said, counting my ribs. "God, eat a sandwich."

"Says you, fatty." I jabbed my finger into my brother's sculpted abs. "Lay off the pizza, bro."

Phoenix lifted his shirt, revealing his eight pack. He raised an eybrow.

"I freaking hate you." I said. I rolled over onto my back, my hands behind my head.

Dallas swam up to the dock, flicking his blond head. "Who do you hate, Leans?"

He also had ridiculously sculpted abs, and knew it, and was currently making a big show.

I put my face in my hands. "I despise all of you."

Phoenix laughed. "Don't hate on Houston, he only has a six pack. We all have eight."

"I have nothing." I said.

"You have ribs." Austin said, approaching the dock and taking off his shirt.

I groaned. I come out here to tan, and all my brothers come out here to mock my lack of muscle instead.

"Come on, Leans." My eldest brother, Phoenix, said as I picked up my stuff. "You were only going to burn anyway."

Phoenix had dark hair similar to mine, but tan skin that was like that all year long. His eyes were a dark blue, almost violet.

The twins, Austin and Dallas, were identical and impossible to identify if you didn't know them. They had long shaggy blond hair and pale blue eyes.

Houston, poor Houston, just had brown hair and green eyes, whereas the rest of us had blue eyes. He was missing out.

I had insanely dark raven-black hair and bright blue eyes, the color of the stormy sky. There was a light spray of freckles across my nose and flushed cheeks.

I plugged in my iPod and decided I was going to listen to When You Can't Sleep at Night by Of Mice & Men.

I stalked back to my house, around the lake my family owned. Our house was large, as my parents were quite popular in their parties and meetings that I wasn't allowed to go to.

It was a plantation style, somewhat common for our Louisiana home. There were white columns and dark shutters over the paned windows. Live oaks twisted around in our yard, and weeping willows surrounded the lake. Spanish moss clung desperately to the branches, blowing softly in the tumbling winds.

I opened our door and headed upstairs to my room.

I heard voices getting slightly louder downstairs.

My mom and dad were arguing.

"They're getting closer, we should relocate!" Mom urged.

"We can't. You know Janice just had another pup. She needs rest." Dad said, sounding agitated.

Pups? Aww, I'll have to ask Janice if Fluffy's puppies are for sale.

"It's only a matter of time before they catch up. What about Phoenix's initiation?" Mom asked.

She must mean college. But isn't Phoenix going to graduate sometime soon?

Dad groaned. "I can't worry about this right now. I mean--"

"Little ears!" Austin said, entering the house, dripping wet.

"Damn you, Austin." I said.

Dad forced a bright smile. "Hey, Orleans."