That's Not Her

15. Submit an application or blood sacrifice

Jace's point of view.

I still couldn't stop thinking about what my sister said.

She didn't expected a anything from me.

When did I turned into such a horrible brother.

I was too tired after my practice and pissed at Maia for yelling at me in school at I was relieved that she wasn't home last night. It never even entered my mind where she might be. I just assumed she was with Livia or Mama Kay but never bothered to call and check.

Worst part is it wasn't just last night. I know literally nothing about her. I don't even know why she broke up with her boyfriend. Hell I don't even know what she did when she was in Paris. I knew she didn't love our mother because she hasn't given Maia any reason to love her but I didn't realize I was walking on my mother's footsteps. Maybe Maia's recklessness is a result to our dysfunctional family. I am an asshole. Maia deserves so much more that this.

I need to make it up to her. I was going to lose my sister. I refuse to be a stranger in her life.

I picked up last grocery bag and went after Alec. He and I were shopping for almost 3 hours to get everything Maia like to eat. I ignored the guilt that I had to ask Alec to ask Mark of her choice because I had no idea.

"Jace!!" I heard Alec yell from inside. I rushed inside and saw what I never expected to see in my living room.

There were sheets everywhere. Sheets covering furniture and strategically placed chairs to form some sort of tent.

Not the cute kind with fairy light. It looked like a refugee camp. Dark glomming and scary. I knew living Maia and Liv alone for so long was a mistake.

I looked at Alec who looked so shocked that it was funny. Together we yelled for two idiot's responsible for this.

Suddenly a head appeared for the cave near our feet. It was Livia.

"Hi. Do you want to join a cult?"

"What's this? Where is my sister?"

"If you wish to express your grievance with our clut leader please submit an application or blood sacrifice."

Alec started laughing. Blood sacrifice? Who comes up with this stuff? Answer appeared next to Livia's head. Maia poked out her head and gave a sweet smile.

"Hello. I heard you boys want to join our cult. Wait a minute while I get the ingredients ready." Maia said and disappeared again. I swear it's like living with a 7 year old.

"Just go along with it. She was really upset and I am trying to cheer her up."

"Why is she upset?" Alec asked. And he said I was oblivious.

Maia's head poked out again. "Leaving my sex scandal out I am upset because Lorcan betrayed everyone and Aedion is mad at Lysandra cause she helped Aeline in her insane plan. I am upset because Mavae took Rowan's fire heart, his mate. His wife." My sister fake sobbed and ducked back inside. She is so melodramatic.

"Am I supposed to know what that was about?" Alec whispered to me. I shook my head. I had no idea what she just said.

"So apart from her sex scandal this is the reason she is upset." Liv said. She was about to go back inside when I grabbed her face. Not so quickly. Time for answers.

"What going on?" She looked at me. Then Alec. Then gestured me to lean down. "Shane is mad at her and so is Mark and your dad. She thinks your mad too"

"Since when she cares if I am mad or not." I joked. Something told me Liv didn't get my joke cause she snatched my ear and twisted it wildly. "I am joking. Relax woman."

"So the cult your starting. Any place for two more?" Alec asked saving my ass. After I saw her slapping Natasha I am more than scared of her.

She smiled sweetly at my friend. Damn it she likes him. This is worst day of my life.

"Sorry we have 3 months waiting list."

"We have 3 kinds of ice cream and pizza."

Before Livia could say another word their cave demolished as Maia stood up running towards kitchen.

"What's all this?"

"I brought everything you like. Be happy."

"You asked Mark didn't you." She asked. How did she found out. I swear her know it all act is getting really annoying.

"Yeah. How do you know?"

"I- ummm I just do. You guys should eat fast if you want a share."

"I brought it from my allowance."I might be feeling guilty but that doesn't make me humble. She just looked at me in shock then smiled. She smiled like she knew something I didn't.

After eating like pigs we decided to play capture the flag. Ok maybe we all are 7 year olds.

"Let's team up. Liv can be in my team" I said hoping I wasn't sounds as eager as I am. Liv smiled at me and pinched my sister who was looking at last pizza slice with great regret.

"No. You can't team up with Livia."

"Why not?" Alec asked.

"I have my reasons." Maia said trying to eat the last slice. But as soon as she started to chew she ran towards toilet to throw up.

We laughed as she puked her guts out.

"Now I am done."

"I think your bulimic" I joked. Suddenly Liv stopped laughing and sat up straight.

"I am not. I just tend to eat more than my capacity." My sister shook her head at her best friend who kept staring at her wide eyed.

"Let's team up. McQueens versus peasants." She put her hoodie back on. I could tell it was Mark's cause it was Manchester's.

Alec froze and so did she realizing this. I really hoped this evening to be drama free.

The liv came in wearing another oversized hood with shorts. Damn it she looked so cute in it. Then I realized it was mine. One from my football team hood. It had my number and name on it. Thats it. I was in love with this girl. Tonight I am going to do something about it.

"Your going to let her wear that? You never even let me touch you stuff."

"Her I trust. You. I would trust you with a pencil let alone my clothes" I said as we stared building tents again this time on opposite side of our living room. Maia went to get some old newspaper to make paper balls. AKA ammunition.

When Maia and I were talking our plan strategy I decided it was my best shot to apologize.

"I am really sorry Maia. I should've called you. I am going to do my best to be a better brother to you."

"Does it means I get to cut your hair?" She asked smiling widely.

"If only I get a shot at your" I laughed. We McQueen's kind of have an obsession towards hair. I blame my father for this. I ruffled her hair and she punched me. I kept forgetting she is trying so even her playful punch had me crashing down on our tent's support pillar. It was a tripod. And then she pulled my hair. My hair!

Oh it was a war now.

I pulled her again and she tried to bite me. Well long story short our enemy had to come in and separate us. Our camp and grenade were thoroughly demolished.

That was just beginning of our game of doom.