Intertwined Destinies

Chapter One: Mystery Visitors

Left hook to the side of the head. Upper cut to the jaw.

Opponent's stunned. While they are in that phase, make a clean right cross and they're down.

One, heart racing. Two, body's shaking. Three, sweat dripping. Four, bones aching. Five, head pounding. Six, muscles tensing. Seven...

"Hah, I so got you! You thought I was down but oh no!" My brothers shouts of excitement echo through the cool summer air.

"And with that, Alex jumps back up and is ready to fight again! That was an almost close victory for Stefan! Oh the humiliation!" I roll my eyes at my youngest brothers announcement.

"Hey Philip, could I have a go?" I sighed at his response.

"What? No way. You're a lady, and ladies don't fight. Boxing is for men!"

"Oh really? You are but only ten. I wouldn't consider you quite a man. Well, not yet anyways." I teased him as I ruffled his hair.

"Just because you're seventeen doesn't mean you have to treat me like I'm five!" Philip whined as he shrugged me off. I laughed at his childish behaviour. He then stuck his tongue out at me.

"You know, you better put that tongue back in your mouth before I have father chop it off and feed it to the hounds." His face dropped but then turned into a smile as he knew I was only joking.

"Only if you can catch me!" I cocked an eyebrow as I answered, "Better start running!" And with that, he was off.

I had caught him and we made our way to the apple orchard beside our house. He threw himself to the ground in a exhausted state and I sat beside him brushing the grass off his back.

"Who do think dad picked for a suitor for you?" I leaned into him and embraced him in a hug.

"I don't know. But I'm not looking forward to getting one." He looked up at me with a curious expression. He had such a pale face, that it made his freckles stand out.

"But why? You have to. Your almost eighteen and you know how it goes." It was now my turn to look curious.

"And how would you know that?" He smiled at me. "I heard mommy and daddy talk to you about it awhile ago." He always was a curious and menacing little boy.

I nodded. "I know I have to, but that doesn't mean I want to. It's like you and bath time. You have to have a bath, but it's impossible to make you take one." He giggled and started to have a laughing fit as I tickled his sides.

"Nichole, Phillip. Come join your mother and brothers and I to introduce our visitors." I heard my father shout from the door step.

"Hmm. I wonder who they could be." I stood up and then helped my brother up. I brushed my dress off and we made our way to my fathers side.

"These are the Saunders. They will be having supper with us tonight." I looked at the figures in front of me. There was a girl who looked about my age with long blonde hair and bluish green eyes. A man who looked twenty with short brown hair and hazel eyes. And lastly a man who looked about twenty two with ear length dirty blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.

I must've been staring cause my father cleared his throat.

"Well why don't you come in. We can do introductions in the lounge, it's getting a bit cold out." My father then guided us into the house. The eldest of the three nodded and said a quick thank you.

"You have a very lovely home." The girl added while we all took a seat. My mother thanked her for her kindness.

"Now, time for introductions. This is my wife Amelia," My father pointed to my mother and she said a faint hello. "That's my eldest son Alex," I glanced over to him and saw him great them with a smile. "And that over there is my second eldest son Stefan," he did the same as Alex. "This right here is my daughter Nichole," he grabbed ahold on my shoulders and I gave a small wave with a smile. "And lastly, that is my youngest son Phillip. I'm Zachariah. It's a pleasure to met you and you are welcomed to stay here as long as you need." My father finally finished.

"The pleasure is all ours," commented the eldest.

"Yes, thank you again." Added the second youngest. I hadn't noticed that they had thick British accents.

"I am Matthew, or as most people call me, Matt. That's my brother David, and our younger sister, Rose." Phillip smiled at them.

"Well dinner will be ready in a while." My mother stated.

"Thank you so much again. Are you sure it's not too much of a hassle though?" Wow. Matt had extremely proper manners. My brothers sure could learn a thing or two from him.

My mother placed her hands on my fathers, "Oh of course not. Our food is your food." Father nodded in agreement.

Matt signed with relief, "Do you mind if we wash up first before we eat?"

"Not at all Matt. Alex will show you where the rest room is and we will all meet in the dinning room after everyone's done washing up." Alex got up after my father finished and guided the Saunders to their destination.