The Return (De Laurel Trilogy #1)

I

"Liv! It's Ivy's birthday party tonight! We're attending! Are you going to come with us?" My cousin, Denver asked as I arrived at the house, panting.

I just arrived from volleyball practice so I was all sweaty and tired. The varsity team will be competing with other schools about three months from now so we all need to practice and up our game.

"What happened to you? You look so gross and sweaty!" He made a disgusting face while staring at me.

"Well, that is what you get when you spend hours in the volleyball court receiving a ball." I casually said. "Besides, I'm captain. I get more extra work."

"So, about my question earlier, will you come with us?" He asked once again. "I already asked Oliver beforehand, but you know him. He'll be down to anything just to see that crush of his."

"Sure, it's not like I have a choice anyway. If I refuse, everyone will bug me and that will include you, Oliver, and my friends.'" I told him.

"You're right about that. They know Ivy, right?" He questioned.

"Yeah, duh. We all have some classes with her. She was also our classmate back in high school." I said while nodding.

"So, where's Lev?" I asked the whereabouts of my twin brother. He was supposed to arrive a few minutes before me.

"I think he's attending his basketball practice. If not, maybe he's hanging out with his friends or something." He answered.

"I'll just call him to be sure." I said while taking out my phone.

I dialed his number and after 3 tries, he answered.

[Hello?] His voice filled the phone immediately.

"Hello Lev? It's Olivia. Where are you?" I asked him.

[I'm on the way home from shooting. Why?] He answered.

"I was just worried. You we're supposed to-," I stopped what I was saying when I realized what he said. A shooting? Since when did he became an actor or something? "A shooting? What do you mean a shooting?" I asked, utterly confused to what he said.

[Yeah, a shooting. I want to become a model, sis. Didn't I tell you that when we graduated?] He explained.

"Yeah. I know, I remember. Why didn't you tell me earlier? Like maybe a day before it? Although, I know you're driving right now so you'll have to explain when you arrive later." I told him.

[Yes I know, sis. Got to go, I might crash. Love you!] In a split second, he had ended the call.

I turned to see Denver smiling sheepishly. He probably heard our conversation about the shooting and I sense the he might know something about it because his face screams it so. I

"Did you know anything about this Derrick Vernon De Laurel Gonzalez?" I asked using the full name card and sounding like a mother.

"Maybe." He said, still grinning like a scary clown.

"Why didn't you tell me about it?" Still sticking to the motherly tone.

"Well it's because-." He was about to explain but was interrupted when Lev arrived home.