Big Bros & Teenage Twins

PARTY

D A R C Y

"The best way to kick off junior year," I chuck back an unfamiliar tasting shot. It burns my throat and tastes revolting.

"We're not lame sophomores anymore, or worse, freshers," Aria giggles, passing me another drink.

"Bottoms up, Aria," we knock glasses and repeat the shot.

My twin walks over and raises her eyebrows, arm in arm with Maddie.

"Lucy! Over here!" I wave my arm wildly.

"We're right here. Haven't you had enough already?" Lucy tries to take my shot cup off me.

"Lu, lighten up! We're juniors now."

"Luce, here's one for you and Mads," Aria passes more drinks to them and Lucy makes a face before drinking it in one gulp.

"Let's dance!" Maddie chucks the empty shot cup to the floor before grabbing Lucy.

We all join the crowd of people dancing in the spacious open planned living area. The atmosphere becomes heated and electric, the stench of alcohol and sweat is almost overpowering the perfume and cologne scents.

Aria pulls me into the middle, I grab Maddie's hand and her and Lucy stumble towards us in heels, as we get close to multiple warm, frenzied bodies.

The music ramps up, I'm rammed between Lucy and Aria pushed against multiple backs but it feels good, and I ain't leaving anytime soon. This was my free pass to a great year in eleventh grade.

I grind against some strong, masculine back and Aria pushes herself onto me. It all just feels good. Like we could do anything in the world.

—/—

L E O

"Are they back yet?"

"Nope," I check my watch, looking up at my older brother sauntering into our kitchen with a deep frown.

"They are late."

"I know."

"We said half eleven," he crossly states, grabbing a protein shake from the fridge.

"I'll ring Lucy, she's more likely to pick up," I stop typing on my laptop and call her.

No answer. Should have known.

"I'll try Darcy."

"She's even more hopeless with picking up her phone. No chance, once that kid goes to any social, she never bothers to text me, call us, zilch."

"Luke, they are sixteen going on seventeen. They said they were getting a lift back with Maddie's mum so we should trust them until we have a reason not to," I reply.

"They know their curfew," Luke shakes his head. "And they know the consequences."

"Just be thankful they didn't sneak out like last time."

He gruffly nods, "ten more minutes before I'm gonna make some calls," he walks out. "And not a second later."

I roll my eyes, and don't doubt his threat for a second.

If there's one defining thing about Luke Walker, is that two little girls called Darcy and Lucy are his world and if anything, no matter the magnitude, you can be sure things or people will get hurt.

There's no second chances in his book.

Merely seconds before Luke's time is up, the front door is opened and multiple giggles can be heard.