Grinning, I drizzled a huge amount of maple syrup on top of the homemade pancakes. The mouth-watering smell made my stomach rumble as I greedily dug in.

I hummed in delight as I chewed the delicious food, closing my eyes as the sun shined through the grand windows. Spring was getting near, and the temperature was slowly increasing, already spoiling us with rays of sun more often. It was amazing. I couldn't wait until it was summer. Even though winter was cozy, summer was just something different. For me, it brightened not only the days but also my mood. I loved it!

But I didn't love it as much as I loved Saturdays.

They were entitled for snacking, relaxing and pure laziness. Do I need to say anymore? Why couldn't it be Saturday every day? Then I'm sure there would be world peace.

"What do you mean you're not coming?"

Batting my eyes open, I peered at my two eldest brothers who stood next to the table, one getting a third cup of coffee, the other one with his arms crossed over his chest. A scowl plastered on his face.

"What I'm saying", Sebastian muttered. "I'm not coming".

"I gathered that". Nate rolled his eyes. "But why? This is an important event. You should come and show your support".

"I doubt my support or not would have any influence on how it'll go". The younger one sat down at the head of the table with a steaming cup in his hand. The black coffee matched the color of his dark styled hair. Sometimes I wondered if his hair always looked that perfect. Glancing down at my untamable locks, I envied him. I wanted pretty hair too. Not a bird's nest.

"That is unacceptable of you Sebastian and you know it", Nathaniel stated, resting against the table. His back faced me, while his torso was directly in front of Sebastian, being the only time Nate was taller than him. The eldest twins were giants. Not only compared to me but also my other brothers. At least a head taller than all of them.

"What do you want me to do, hermano?" Sebastian retorted, lifting his hands in an indifferent manner. "I've got work to do".

(Brother)

"Not today". Nate was starting to get frustrated. I felt bad for him. No one should be upset before noon and absolutely not on a Saturday. "Take the day off or go for just a few hours. Please hermano".

(Brother)

"Nathaniel", Sebastian sighed. "Trust me when I say, you'll have more fun without me". He glanced up at his brother, their eye colors being a big contrast. Warmth versus cold.

"That's not true", my eldest brother dismissed. "We miss hanging out with you. You're never around anymore". His voice lowered. "We've been lucky if we have seen you once every second month for the last five years. Now we have the opportunity to spend time together as a family since we live-"

"What family?" Sebastian cut him off. "From my perspective, I wouldn't call this a family. Our family was destroyed, hermano. Maybe you have forgotten that?" A hard expression morphed on his face, the depths of his irises growing colder and colder as he spoke. It felt like a brisk wind swarmed through the dining room, making goosebumps appear on my skin.

"Of course, I haven't forgotten". I had to strain my ears to hear what Nathaniel replied.

"Then you also know where I stand in this. Me enfermo físicamente pore star aquí". Sebastian spat the last word as if it was the foulest venom he had ever tasted.

(I get physically ill from being here)

"I know", Nate whispered softly. "And I meant it when I said earlier that it means a lot to me that you're here. Despite how awful it is to be back. It's not easy being reminded of what happened in this house". His hand reached out to rub Sebastian's shoulder soothingly. "I'm sorry you have to relive that every time you're here".

Sebastian sipped his coffee, gazing out in the distance as a dead silence occurred between them. As many times before, I watched how he zoned out, his fist clenching on the table as his emotionless orbs glazed with emptiness. I had to bring my attention back to my food. Not being able to see him like that. He could almost pass for a ghost.

Clearing his throat, Nathaniel broke the quietness, his words cutting through the thick tension in the room.

"Slade would be happy if you came. You haven't seen him play since he was on varsity in high school", he said. "After the game, we're having a family night. Nothing big, just something casual".

Peeking up through my hair, I saw Nate holding up a hand before Sebastian could utter a word. The big ring he always wore was shining brightly in the sunlight.

"Just think about it, okay? We need to stick together".

Pursing his lips, Sebastian finally nodded after a few minutes. "Okay", he agreed. "I'll think about it".

"Thank you, hermano". Standing up fully, Nathaniel gave his younger brother another small pad on the shoulder as he returned to his seat next to mine where he continued eating his breakfast.

(Brother)

Only a few short minutes later, Sebastian said goodbye as he strolled out, heading to the garage. There was a sort of awkward silence hanging in the room as my eldest brother seemed lost in his thoughts. It was hard for me to read his mood. Was he sad? Angry? Upset? Maybe I could make him feel better.

Sliding off my chair, I went to his side, doing what Nate always did for me when I was sad. I think I took him by surprise when I hugged myself to his waist, using one hand to rub small circles on his back. Smiling into his shoulder, I enjoyed when his strong arms wrapped themselves around me.

"What's this for?" He asked softly, his chest vibrating as he spoke. He pulled back a little to gaze down at me.

"Just thought you might need a hug", I replied, still smiling.

He returned the gesture, bringing me back into his chest for another snuggle.

"Thank you, angel". His lips kissed my temple. "I did in fact need a hug".

Feeling all bubbly on the inside, I snuggled further into his embrace, loving that I could return some of the affection he always showed me.

"Are you done eating?" He asked after we had pulled away.

"Yeah". Sighing, I rubbed my tummy. "I think I ate a little too much", I admitted with a sheepish smile.

"It's hard not too when they taste so good", Nate chuckled, also padding the top of his stomach.

Nodding, I giggled.

"Before I forget". I watched as he reached for something that was laying on the chair beside him. "This is for you". He handed me a black plastic bag.

"What is it?" I pondered, an excited grin forming on my face.

"Why don't you look inside and see for yourself". Nate booped my nose, laughing quietly.

Curiosity prickled in the tip of my fingers as I peeked inside, using a hand to pull out some really soft material. Holding it up in front of me, I noticed it was a jersey.

"Here, look at the back", Nate instructed, helping me turn it around.

A full-teeth smile spread on my mouth. "That's my name!"

"That's right. Do you remember what number this is?"

"Number 10", I quickly replied, easily recognizing the two-digit number that I had seen countless times in the dragonfly classroom.

"Exactly! Good job baby". His praise caused a warmth to swirl in my chest. "Can you guess why it's that number?"

Frowning, I licked my lips, thinking really hard about the said question. In the end I had to shake my head no, not coming up with any answer that could possibly be correct.

"That's fine. Want me to help you out a little?" He requested with an encouraging smile.

"Yes please", I agreed, liking that he didn't just give me the answer right away. I liked figuring things out on my own.

"Alright, let's start by counting how many Cifuentes siblings there are".

"8".

"And if you have to count mom and dad. How many would that be?"

"2".

"Now what is 8+2?"

Furrowing my brows together, I used my hands to count. "10?"

"That's right. Well done!" He high-fived me. "So, the reason for number 10 to be on your jersey is because you are number 10 in the family line".

"That's pretty cool", I marveled, stroking my fingers on the white and blue fabric, admiring the bold letters of my full name that showed above my number.

Demon lifted his head from underneath the table, quaking his ear as the sound of the front door opened. Springing to his feet, he jogged out in the foyer, barking happily from whoever had walked in.

Being curious, both Nathaniel and I left the dining room to see who it was.

My eyes lit up at the image of Embry standing next to the front door with a suitcase and a happy Demon wagging his tail from all of the ear scratches.

"Embry!"

"Princess!"

His crooked smirk and outstretched arms were the only invitation I needed as I bolted right to him. I squealed in delight as he tossed me in the air a few times until he settled me on his hip.

"Hi!" I said still laughing from how it tickled in my tummy.

"Hi sweetheart". He grinned, kissing me on my forehead.

With me still in his arms, Embry also leaned out to hug Nathaniel, both padding each other's backs.

"I didn't know you were coming home today", Nate said, wearing a surprised but still happy smile.

"Neither did I, but last night the judge called me into his office". He paused, his eyes turning a bit misty. "We won the lawsuit, hermano. Luca was transferred to a safer juvenile center in Connecticut this morning".

My eldest brother stared at him with wide eyes as the news settled in, my mouth dropping open.

"She's- wow", Nate stumbled upon his words. "That's amazing!" He finally choked out, unshed tears filling his orbs.

"It really is", Embry agreed, wrapping his arms a bit tighter around me as he also became emotional. "One step closer for her to come home".

"Is Luca going to be home?" I asked, not understanding everything they said. I tried not to get too excited too quickly, trying to avoid getting disappointed if it turned out to be the other way.

"She has to get her verdict first. Then we'll know when she'll be allowed to come back home", Embry replied, brushing a lock away from my face.

"Is that soon?" My fingers played with his tie as I debated whether or not I actually wanted to know the answer.

"Hopefully". Stroking my cheek in a loving gesture, he pecked me on my cheek before he placed me back down on the ground.

"Well, it's the perfect timing for you to come. Slade is playing his first match this season", Nathaniel said, strolling beside Embry up the stairs, me tagging along behind them, slightly running from being so short. Why was I the only one with such short legs? Why did I miss out on the giant-gen that everyone else seemed to have?

"Perfect timing indeed. That calls for a party", he chuckled, opening the door to his bedroom.

"Couldn't have said it better myself. But", Nate held out the word, smiling guiltily.

The younger one squinted his eyes at him. "Yes?"

"I need you to do me a favor".

Embry shook his head lightly with an amused smile as he started unpacking his suitcase. "That was fast".

"Would you talk with Sebastian for me? I don't think he'll come and besides dad you're the only one who can get through to him".

"That's where you're wrong. Sebastian only lets me get through when he wants. Not because I'm his twin or because we have a stronger bond with each other", Embry sighed. "One of the many annoying traits of his", he added underneath his breath.

"He's become a complicated man", Nate mused, thoughtfully as he gazed at his feet.

"Can't blame him". Embry ran a hand through his hair. "But of course, I'll speak with him".

"Thank you".

The door from across the hallway cracked open, Ray stepping out with a big yawn. Sleep was evident on his face as was his morning hair that was sticking in all kinds of directions. Hey! Maybe I'm not the only one with untamable hair?!

"When did you get home?" He asked when he spotted Embry, his voice raspy from just waking up.

"Just now", he replied, narrowing his eyes at him. "What happened to you?" He added, taking notice of the split lip that ran along the corner of his mouth.

Nathaniel used a hand to stifle a laugh, avoiding looking at Ray's grumpy face.

"Nothing", he grunted with an eyeroll, trudging away as he slipped a hoodie over his head.

'Cifuentes war', Nate and I both mouthed when Ray was out of earshot.

---

"There're so many people!" I gushed, taking in my surroundings.

The stadium was crammed with fans when we arrived, most of them wearing the colors of the school they hoped would take home a win. I smiled as my eyes wandered down to the blue and white jersey I was wearing. Identical to the ones my brothers wore.

"The first game in the season is always big", Embry told me as he held my hand, guiding me towards the bleacher's".

"How exciting", I replied, grinning in anticipation.

We found our seats where I was gently squished down between Embry and Ray. I had never been to a soccer game before, but from the short amount of time we had been here I quite liked it. The atmosphere was ecstatic as the buzz of chatter echoed throughout the whole area, the smell of salty popcorn and fizzy drinks filling my nostrils.

"Who's the red team?" I wondered when I noticed the big division between the two different schools that were playing against each other today. All white crowd on one side of the stadium and all red on the other.

"The rivals", Ray answered, eagerly reaching for a beer Marc was handing out. I myself was given a coke. "Howard University".

"You're only saying that because you didn't get accepted", a voice said from the aisle of the bleachers.

All of us turned our head in that direction, seeing Sebastian standing there with his hands in his front pockets, his signature smirk plastered on his face. By smirk I meant the tiny tug on one of the corners of his mouth and always with a smug gleam in his eyes.

"Said the only Howard graduate in this family". Ray rolled his eyes. "Traitor", he added with a low scoff.

His words fell on deaf ears. Everyone was more caught up in the fact that the second oldest Cifuentes brother had actually joined us.

"I'm so glad you came", Nathaniel said as he stood up with a beaming smile, bringing his brother into a hug. Using a hand, he mentioned for us to make room for one more.

"Well, it is after all a family tradition", Sebastian mumbled, sitting down.

I noted a hint of white and blue peeking out from behind his elegant light gray coat that must have cost a fortune, a small smile dancing its way on my lips. I really enjoyed that everyone was on board with the dress code. Even though from the way Sebastian dressed and his usual mannerism, he seemed a bit out of place at such a casual and laid back event. The image got better though when he was also served a beer. The two had the ability to weigh out one and other.

"So, what do you everyone bet? I've already said 5-2 to Yale", Marc stated, leaning forward to glance down the long row of Cifuentes siblings.

"1 goal for Yale and 0 to Howard", Embry replied, pulling out an old notebook from his pocket. Peeking from beside him, I saw how he scribbled all of our names down, writing the numbers he had just said.

"I'm going to bet that Yale wins 4-3". Ray chimed in.

Nate squinted his eyes together with a pondering look. "Yale 2 – Howard 1".

"You got it all wrong, hermanos". Sebastian shook his head in disapproval, although he had that rare teasing spark in his irises. "Howard is going to win with 4 goals, Yale 0".

A chorus of complaints and disagreements sounded among us.

"See what I said?" Ray raised his voice so everyone could hear him. "He's a traitor!"

I giggled at their brotherly bickering. This was something I enjoyed witnessing as it didn't happen often enough for the fun of it. Their fights and arguments were often more heated and serious. Absolutely no fun in that.

"Who do you think is going to win, little darling?"

Pursing my lips, I went back and forward in my mind being a bit indecisive. And then my eyes lit up.

"Slade is going to do a hat-trick. 0 goals for Howard".

A few of my brothers glanced at me with stunned expressions, some chuckling.

"Alright princess". I didn't miss the crooked smirk that flashed on Embry's face while he scribbled down my bet.

"Do you even know what a hat-trick is?" Marc questioned with a raised brow.

"It's when the same player scores 3 goals in one game", I easily explained, almost feeling the need to roll my eyes at him. "I've been studying".

Marc didn't comment on it, just took a big swing of his beer. I didn't know if I was disappointed that he didn't have any more to say on the matter. I had hoped maybe to impress him with my knowledge of the game, but he didn't even give me a reaction. How was I ever going to get him to like me?

Soon, all the players assembled on the pitch, wishing each other a good match before the kick-off sounded. My gaze instantly found Slade in his white and blue jersey; the captain armband he wore around his bicep made him stand out. He gave a small wave in our direction before the sound of the whistle echoed through the stadium.

As the game started, people jumped out of their seats for the school they hoped would win. I wouldn't have a problem with that if I hadn't been so short! It was impossible for me to see anything because of the crowd in front of us, no matter if I stood up or not.

Ray noticed how I was struggling to get a good view, craning my neck in different directions to get a better look.

"Come", he said, squatting down for me to climb onto his shoulders.

Embry helped me, slightly lifting me as Ray was also a part of the giant-gen that I hadn't been gifted with. I held on tightly to his hands as he started to stand up, balancing me on top of him.

"Be careful, got it?" Embry said with that pointed and serious look on his face, adding; "If you drop her, I'll drop you from on top of Burj Khalifa".

It was hard not to smile at Embry's mother-hen nature. Nate too, when he made that 'I'm watching you' hand movement. It was something I had really missed without my mom around. Luca did her best, but mommy could never be replaced.

"Yeah, yeah", Ray mumbled, without the least concern as he adjusted me to his liking before his focus returned to the game.

From on top of my brother's shoulders, I watched the rest of the match much more pleasantly, cheering along with the crowd and booing when the referee was stupid.

"Go Slade!" I shouted on top of my longs, bouncing up and down in excitement when he dribbled the ball down the pitch, getting through Howard's defense. Holding my breath, my eyes stayed glued on him as he kicked the ball with the same technic, he had taught me.

WHAM!

The ball flew straight past the goalie, making Yale lead with 1 goal.

The crowd erupted in glee and applause as Slade's teammates congratulated him, myself trying to drown out all the others by my loud yelling, wanting him to hear me.

My cheeks hurt from smiling so big when he flashed a wide grin at me, when he ran back to his position on the pitch.

When the game ended, Yale won 3-0.

And... Slade scored a hat-trick.

"Told you so!" I exclaimed, jumping up and down after Ray had safely put me back on the ground.

"Well, Marc", Embry started with an overbearing smirk. "Looks like you've found your match". He