Becoming a DeMarlo

24: "She's our brat."

Chapter 24: "She's our brat."

"I was just helping Jabba," I mumbled, feeling embarrassed that this bakery lady was about to watch me get scolded by my older brother.

"Did I not tell you to stay in the car?" Jasper darkly spoke. 

His hair was a bit disheveled and his lips were pursed tightly as he bore into me with his cold glare. I shifted in place awkwardly. 

The lady cleared her throat, and moved to the back of the counter, trying to pretend like she wasn't listening. 

"I couldn't just leave him alone outside," I protested, pointing to the little pupper who was oblivious to the drama occurring.

"Get your ass back in the car, now," he ordered, holding the bakery door open for me to leave. 

I scooped up Jabba, and left a five pound note on the counter for the lady, who gave me a wary smile.

"Where do you think you're taking him?" Jasper asked, as I carried the dog out with me.

"What do you mean? He's alone. He needs a home."

"We're not taking him," Jasper firmly stated.

"Why not? Our house is gigantic. What harm will one little puppy do?"

"I said no." 

Jasper pushed me to walk across the street once it was clear, and followed behind me as we made our way to the car, while I continued to clutch Jabba in my hands.

"Can you stop being mean for a second? He's doesn't have a home, Jasper!" 

My brother stopped arguing when he spotted a young lady standing near our car. She was dressed in a flowy dress with a cardigan wrapped tightly around herself, looking like she had been waiting for us — or at least for Jasper. 

He left my side to walk up to her. I followed behind now, to eavesdrop on their conversation. 

"Why did you come down?" he quietly spoke, seeming to be much nicer than he was with me.

"You forgot your keys," she replied, opening her palm to reveal his car keys. 

She seemed to be around Jasper's age, with olive-colored skin and black flowy hair with a fringe. She looked behind him to glance at me, and gave me a small smile.

I smiled back, very curious about what was going on between the two. 

"Thanks," Jasper said, as he took the keys out of her hand.

She looked at him expectantly and he shrugged.

"You're not going to introduce me?" she asked, motioning at me and Jabba.

"Now's not the best time, Nadia," Jasper tightly spoke, only to have her roll her eyes and push past him.  

"Hi, I'm Nadia. You must be Jasper's sister. It's a pleasure to meet you," she greeted, offering a hand to shake.

I shook her hand.

"I'm Maya."

"And you've found little Apollo," she grinned, petting the puppy in my hands. 

"The lady at the bakery said his name was Jabba."

"Everyone on the street has a different name for him," Nadia explained. "I think he looks like an Apollo."

I did not think he looked like an Apollo.

"We should get going, Nads," Jasper interrupted.

Nads?