The Time of My Life [Completed]

Chapter 5: The Time When We Packed

"Now there are fourteen of us."

Fourteen? Fourteen?! Yesterday I didn't even know who my biological parents were. Now, I have fourteen new brothers?! I was speechless.

"I know it's a lot to take in. I mean, I freaked out every single time Mom told us she was pregnant."

He's right. It is a lot to take in. But I'm with one of them right now and I want nothing more than to know my brothers. "Tell me about yourself?" I asked shyly.

"About me?"

"Yeah, you, your-our brothers, your life, whatever."

"Well, me.... I don't really know. I spend most of my time working so we can pay the bills and for Alec, Jake, and Caleb's college tuitions. I started seeing this girl a couple months ago, but we never even made it official so there's not much to tell there.... There is one thing I should probably tell you. It's not about me though."

"Go for it."

"You have a twin." I almost fell out of the tree at that one. "His name is Spencer and he's been a little out of it ever since he found out about you. He tries to hide it but I know he's totally freaked out."

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "Huh.....wow....." I didn't know what to say. What am I supposed to say? So...yeah, I said exactly that. "I don't know what to say. Of course I want to meet him, but.....wow... What's he like?" I couldn't help but wonder.

"Well, from what I can tell so far, a lot like a guy version of you. He's 14 so he's got a bit of an ego, and he's not really one for cliches. He's not much for sports either, except for skateboarding, and he's one of those kids that thinks the government is a scam. He reminds me of Hyde from That 70s Show."

"Aw, I love Hyde! He loves rock music and hates everything else!" I chuckled. Yes, chuckled.

Cade tilted his head and looked at me carefully. "You know, your laugh kind of reminds me of Spencer, believe it or not."

I smiled softly. "There's not much I wouldn't believe right now."

~•~

Thursday June 15th, 2017

The last week has passed by painfully slow. I've packed up the majority of my things by now since we're leaving on Wednesday. Cade and I have been texting each other, keeping each other updated.

In a few weeks, they hold tryouts for all Fall sports, meaning I'll be trying out for tennis. From what Cade has told me, the schools there are crazy competitive when it comes to sports. Practically all of the schools' funding goes towards them.

At the end of August I'll be starting at the same high school as Spencer and two of my older brothers, Darrell and Orange. Who in the world would name their child Orange, right? But, at the same time it's a pretty sick name.

"So you're definitely coming to my birthday party tomorrow night, right?" Kyla asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Of course! I wouldn't miss it."

"Okay, cool. What snacks should I get? I don't know if i have any that are gluten free."

Kyla has always been so thoughtful when it comes to gluten. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease when I was 5 but I've known Kyla longer than that. She's allergic to nuts but I could probably tell her that nuts are gluten free and she would go get some, not that I would ever do that.

"Ky, it's your party, not mine. Get whatever snacks you want! Hey, you love those Pop Chip things that my mom is always buying."

"Are they gluten free?"

"Yes."

"Do you like them?"

"Yes, but why does that-"

"Than I'll get them." She said, with a sense of finality in her voice.

I giggled a bit. "If you insist..."

"Remember, no presents."

"I'm still getting you something, but if you insist, I won't bring it tomorrow."

"Thank you! Okay what other snacks?"

~•~

Friday, June 16th, 2017

"Oh please, you are not wearing your sweats to this party!" My mom exclaimed.

I have half an hour until the party starts so I'm getting ready. For whatever reason, my mom has more of an opinion than usual on my wardrobe choices.

"Why not?! Mom it's barely even a party! It's just Kyla and like, ten other friends. I see no reason whatsoever to dress up."

"I'm not saying you have to dress up. Just please change into something else?"

I could tell she was tired. We leave in 5 days and Sadie and Raven have refused to cooperate at all. Mom would pack a box from their room and before you know it, everything is laying back on the floor.

I changed into my camo t-shirt and old denim shorts before meeting Mom in the car. The ride to Kyla's house normally takes less than 5 minutes, but for whatever reason Mom constantly switched between giving me odd glances and staring intensely at the road all while driving 8 mph.

After about 15 minutes of this, we finally pulled up outside of Kyla's house. I expected Mom to just pull over and drop me off, but to my surprise she pulled into the driveway and started to climb out herself.

"Mom, you really don't need to walk me inside. I'm fourteen, not seven." I pointed out, laughing awkwardly.

"Oh I um... I need to talk to Mrs. Oakley about something anyway."

I walked up the path to the front door and knocked. Mom stood behind me with a huge smile on her face. Am I missing something or-

"Jess, hey!" Kyla said, opening the door. I could see Declan behind her pouring chips into bowls.

As I walked into the house, it was obvious something was off. I'm 20 minutes late yet it's silent. "Where is everyone?" I asked.

"You're the first one. I came early to help set up." Declan told me as he walked over. As he finished, Mrs. Oakley came in with a big grin.

"Jessica! I haven't seen you in forever!" She said giving me a life threatening hug.

Mom stepped in, luckily. "Jane! Should the kids go wait for the others in the backyard?"

They all exchanged looks. It was obvious something was up. I mean me, first to a party? Like that's ever happened before. I followed Kyla through the house. We stepped outside with Mom and Mrs. Oakley ahead of us.

"It's almost six o'clock." Mrs. Oakley pointed out. "Everyone is running pretty late. I wonder where they could be....."

There was an awkward silence I couldn't help but interrupting. "Well, Brittany texted me saying she was running a bit late. She should be here any minute though." I said, looking down at the time on my phone.

"I said... I wonder where they could be!" Mrs. Oakley said once again, much louder than the last time. Before I had the chance to question it, a dozen or so of my friends popped out from under tables and behind bushes.

"SURPRISE!"