— RORI —

Trudging down the stairs, i make my way towards the living area. Vinnie, Uvaldo, and Teddy take up the far couch, while the rest of my present siblings sit on the left.

"Where the hell is he then?" i ask the boys, who innocently shrug in synchronisation.

"Where's who?" Uvaldo enquires, a blank expression on his face.

"Um, the one person who actually requested for my presence," i answer, raising an eyebrow at him.

A barrel of a gun is placed against the right side of my head but i sense my brother's presence right before it happens. Not only that but i recognise the gun, being that it is the same one i had left under Xavi's pillow just a few hours ago.

The same gun i impulsively stole from his office at The Clubhouse while he was busy trying to save face.

"I' ever catch you stealing my shit again, let alone a gun which you do not have a license for, i'll break something of yours. Got it?"

Yakov immediately sees red but i remain calm, lowering the gun from my head and sparing Xavi a faux smile of understanding.

"Xavi," Yakov warns, clearly interpreting his comment as 'I'll beat you to a pulp.' "We do not lay a hand on our little sister."

"Relax...i think Zeph junior, here, means he'll cut the head off one of her Barbies or something," Uvaldo reasons, causing the rest of my brothers to snicker like the children they are.

"Do i look like someone who owns Barbie dolls?" i retort, dumbly. "I'm fifteen!"

Actually, when i was younger, i was the proud owner of a Monster High doll collection. But unfortunately, the youngest of my older brothers would dismember their bodies and hide each little limb around my room for me to find the next morning.

In fact, Teddy once went as far as making little crime scenes for them. He used to take his action figures and pretend they were the ones doing the dolly murdering.

My, my, what a twisted little boy he was.

Not that his nature has changed.

"Yeah! Listen to Rori, guys," Teddy joins in. "Equality still stands here, so just break her nose or something."

Several of my brothers cut in with an infamous "Shut up, Ted."

I roll my eyes. Typical Teddy.

"Oh, what, so am i not allowed to joke now?" he scoffs, receiving pointed glares from each of us. "Alright, i get it, i get it. No harming the poor baby sister but she can get away with anything, while we're left to suffer the consequences of every damn—"

"Be careful with your words there, Teddy," Yakov swiftly cuts him off. "And while our sister had no right to steal from Xavi, nor do i support her using a gun, i believe it could prove useful to have one handy in situations like the other night. Just in case." he captures each of us with a meaningful stare. "Zephaniah also would think so, and i believe his opinion matters most in this situation, although he is not present right now."

As always, after hearing our most rational brother's words, like a light bulb, something in Xavi's head switches.

"For the record, i am proud of you, Rori. You did what needed to be done, and although i took it out on you the other night, it was only because i was unsettled by the possibility of...Well..." Xavi's rough exterior has now softened ever so slightly, as he looks into my eyes, unable to complete his sentence. "And so perhaps i shouldn't scold you for taking this gun but rather thank you for saving our brother's life. Again," he mumbles the last word so quietly that i question if i even heard him correctly.

Again.

Thank you for saving our brother's life...again?

But there was never a first time, i think to myself, perplexed of what it could mean. Never mind a second.

Regardless, i flash him my biggest, most brightest, rare, Rori smile, and instantaneously the whole atmosphere shifts.

If i could choose anyone to be my second parent right now, Yakov would be an easy decision. At first, i thought of him to be extremely dictating and demanding of us. And he still is. Most of the time, that is, but he is reasonable also and takes everyone's thoughts and feelings into consideration.

In fact, he's almost too good at his role in this family. A lot like Wyatt is, or rather a lot like i thought he was...Perhaps i do consider my second eldest brother to also be one of my favourites.

I can't believe i'm even thinking such things though, given our past and everything.

And Xavi...Although he tends to contradict himself every five seconds due to his high-strung personality, i do not believe the words 'i am proud of you' have ever left his mouth before. Let alone them be directed towards myself.

I'm officially claiming this to be another Rori victory.

"On that note, Zephaniah will be joining us for dinner tomorrow night," Xavi swiftly changes the subject, and my grin widens even more after hearing his words.

I finally get to see my eldest brother!

"Does that mean he's been discharged then?" Quentin queries.

"No. Not yet, anyway." Yakov shakes his head. "I will be signing him out tomorrow morning."

"Oh..." Quentin mumbles, a hint of disappointment in his tone. "But that's great news...That's really great news. I'm glad he's okay," he rushes, forcing a smile to appear on his face.

"Please don't say we have to do the whole family outing thing again," Seamus grumbles, earning a few glares from our older brothers. "I mean, woohoo, can't wait for his return!" he adds, feigning enthusiasm.

"Well, really, it's up to Zephaniah on what we do tomorrow," Yakov responds. "And if he wants a so-called family outing, then you shall have to put up with it."

"Fucking brilliant," my twin sarcastically cheers.

"But wait, shouldn't he be keeping a low-profile?" Uvaldo reminds us. "I mean, giving everything that's happened and may happen to him."

"We will be ensuring that there is more security in place and that we are well protected, from now on," Yakov continues. "Especially those of us who are more vulnerable."

As i anticipated, everyone turns to face me. Of course they know what Yakov means by 'vulnerable'. Even i am not that stupid. No doubt my brothers will turn into overprotective beasts, now. Those of them who give a shit, that is. But it's not like i can't take good care of myself. I have been doing so for a while now.

Besides, i can't be that easy of a target.

— SUCKER PUNCH —

Waking up this morning, i was unhappy that Wyatt had not yet arrived home.

He did tell Vinnie that he would be back at some point later last night, yet we haven't heard anything since.

Vinnie was the one to let Xavi know of Wyatt's return, and let's just say our brother was not best pleased to be hearing this via someone else. Understandably so, as i have no idea why Xavi wasn't the first person to know.

It is still only Tuesday, and so, instead of being there for Zephaniah when he is discharged from the hospital, i am stuck in this God awful school again.

"So, Quentin tells me your oldest brother was in the hospital?"

My head shoots up at the sound of Mikey's voice, him looking at me intently as he awaits an answer. I quickly flash him a tight-lipped smile, internally cursing at my youngest brother for his notorious habit of oversharing.

"Uhm, yeah..." i nod once i have found my words. "He's okay now though. He's coming home today," i say, with a smile.

"Well that's great news!" Mikey grins. "I was just asking Quentin what was up with you this week, since you seemed a little distant, and he said that might be an explanation for it," my friend says with a shrug. "But i bet you feel a lot better now, huh?"

My mouth parts a little.

Am i really that patent of a person? And couldn't Quentin have not dismissed his concern instead of implying i was worried about Zephaniah's wellfare?

I mean, what kind of nonsensical accusations are being made here? I have a reputation to uphold.

"Sure, it's definitely a weight lifted off my chest now," i agree, although it is not true to how i really feel.

"What are we talking about?" comes Annalise's high-pitched voice, as she slams her tray down to the left of me.

"Oh, just Rori's older brother," Mikey answers her. "You know, the one who was in hospital."

Annalise scrunches her face a little in confusion, before realisation sets in.

"Ohh," she muses. "Zephaniah? He is drop-dead gorgeous. Shame about what happened, really."

I scoff in disgust.

"Annalise, you have never even met Zephaniah. And i most certainly have not mentioned him before. Also, he's not gorgeous at all! He is as ugly as an ogre, just like his pompous personality," i snarl, displeased to hear her fawning over yet another one of my brothers.

"Oh, shut up, Ri." she playfully rolls her eyes. "We bumped into him in town ages ago. Heading into Tosca's? He held the door open for me and everything. And then we made eye contact, and i swear to God, i want that man to have my babies."

My eyes widen in horror, as i drop my cutlery onto the tray beneath me. Mikey fails to hold back his laughter as he glances between the two of us.

"I'm not kidding when i tell you i'm about throw up, so think carefully before you say anything else, Kingston!" i exclaim, and she merely shrugs, a teasing smile on her unapologetic face.

"Okay," she complies, still smirking like the smug idiot she is.

"I am serious! You have got to stop talking about my brothers in that way. God, why don't you crush on someone your own age?" i continue.

"Well, there's always Seam—"

"No!" i cut her off again, flashing Mikey a pleading look of despair. "All of my brothers are off limits. Every. Single. One. Got it?" i seethe.

"Got it," she repeats.

"You promise?" i press, deadly serious.

"Yes, Rori, i promise," she mocks me, holding up three of her fingers like a girl scout.

"Very well," i grumble, glaring at her, challengingly.

God, if only she lived with those pigs. Then she'd soon change her mind.

And i didn't mind it as much when she was, like, ten years old and thought they were cute, because i found the humour in it back then. But the thought of one of my closest friends being with one of my brothers is a little unsettling to say the least.

"Anyways..." Mikey finally speaks, once his laughter has died down. "I was wondering if you guys are free tonight?"

"Not me, sorry," i answer, disappointedly.

"Yeah, me neither. What about this weekend though? You guys could come to my place and stay over," Annalise eagerly suggests.

"I'm not sure. I'll need to ask my Mom," Mikey replies. "Though i'd love to."

"Rori?" she turns to face me.

"Hm?" i question.

"Are you in?"

"Am i in what?" i ask, causing her to roll her eyes.

"Are you up for staying at mine this Saturday?" she rephrases. "C'mon, it'll be tonnes of fun. I can introduce you to Gilmore Girls, which you'll love, by the way, and we can eat junk food, order pizza...Ooh! And i can do your hair and makeup again." her eyes widen in excitement as she lists each activity.

I sigh, my mind conflicted. I have never spent the night away from every single one of my brothers before. Annalise has offered me to stay over many times in the past, but i declined, seeing as Xavi would not allow me to.

Only that was then and this is now, and i am much older. Therefore, perhaps he will finally give in if i beg just enough. After all, it's only one night away from them. And Annalise's parents will surely be there. If not, her nanny.

"I'll ask Xavi about it tonight and let you know," i say, offering her a small smile.

"Perfect!" she grins, sounding way more enthusiastic than myself. "He has to let you go."

"He might." i gulp, nodding unsurely.

"I'm sure you can convince him, Ri," she reassures me.

"I'll try my best, but he is one heck of a stubborn guy."

— SUCKER PUNCH —

"No, no, and for the last time, Rori, no."

"But why not?" i frown, whining like a petulant child. "I'm fifteen now, not a baby, plus it's just one night."

I stand in the doorway of Xavi's home office, trying my best to do what Annalise said i could earlier on: convince him to let me spend the night at her house.

I'm not giving up anytime soon. Sure, Xavi is extremely stubborn but i can be a far lot worse.

"Why not?" he repeats me, disbelief evident in his tone. "Why not?" he continues. "I can't think of one good reason why i should allow you to stay at a stranger's house."

"She's not a stranger, she's my friend!" i exclaim, causing him to laugh in that very annoying and somewhat condescending way of his.

"Yeah, a friend who i barely know. And not to mention her parents, i've not met them once."

"Well, how is that my fault? You're never interested in socialising with anyone in my life," i complain, making him sigh.

"Rori, i'm almost twenty five years old. I really don't fancy spending the day at the country club with Linda and Mark," he says, sifting through the papers on his desk, not bothering to spare me a glance.

"That's not their names," i grumble, pointlessly. "And i bet if Seamus were to ask you if he could stay over at Christian's house, you'd let him. You just have stupid ass double standards for me," i sneer, causing him to now pay me his full attention.

"Stop mouthing off, would ya? Seamus has never before approached me and asked that question so i wouldn't get ahead of yourself there."

I defiantly huff.

He didn't even deny the fact he has double standards!

"That's not the point!" i roll my eyes. "I said if Seamus were to ask you that, you would let him...wouldn't you?"

He sighs.

"Not given our current circumstances, no. And that's exactly why you'll be spending the night here. If you haven't noticed already, it's not safe for any of us to be out of sight. Not even for a second, let alone a night, okay? And as your guardian, your safety is my responsibility. So if i say no to you, it's a no. Got it?"

My mind is fuelled with rage. God, what does he think will happen to me? I'm safe at my friends house, i've been there on countless occasions.

I bet if Wyatt were in charge, he'd surely let me go.

"Wyatt would let me," i challenge, voicing my own thoughts.

"Excuse me?" he glances up once more.

"I said, if Wyatt were in charge, he'd let me go."

A humourless laugh escapes from his mouth; his eyes darken.

He looks mad...real mad.

"Well...i'm gonna have to say, tough luck on that one. Because he's not in charge. I am," he says, slowly, and in a dangerously low tone of voice.

"What's going on here?" Quentin suddenly appears in the doorway, causing Xavi to suppress a groan.

"Oh, nothing, it's just that Xavi isn't letting me spend the night at Anna's house this weekend," i tell him, with folded arms, glaring at said brother. "Not as if he lets me do anything, so much as breathe, without having a heart attack, of course, " i voice, extra loudly.

"Nah, c'mon, that's just unfair on me, Ria," he says, with a shake of his head.

"No, Xavi, i am being fully serious here. I struggle to keep friends, because for half my life, i was hauled around the world by you lot. And Annalise, my one and only girl friend, invites me to have a wholesome night in, watching movies and what-not...You just have to ruin it for me, don't you? I don't get any freedom whatsoever," i continue to rant.

"Can you help me out here please, Quentin, and calm your sister down. I don't know what the fuck to say to her without getting my head ripped off at this point," my guardian says, a look of desperation on his face.

I didn't realise how unreasonable i am being, to be honest, but i know he doesn't deserve any of this extra hassle. Truth be told, i'm just looking for a distraction.

At least fighting with my brother, the authority, can provide me with one.

"Ri, i gotta agree with Xav on this one. I'm sorry. But i think it's for the best, okay? I mean, unless you guys are willing to compromise or something?" he offers. "And Xav, you have to understand her perspective of things too. She quite often feels left out of friendships cause she's constantly having to turn things down. I mean, what if she just stayed until twelve or something? You could drop her off and pick her up. All would be well."

Xavi sighs once more, with closed eyes, as if deliberating in his own head for a moment.

"Look," he starts, "i can't let you go to this girl's house, Rori, okay?" he says, sympathetically. "She can come over here for a few hours but that's all. Maybe some other time, but not now. It's not doable and it's not up for debate furthermore."

I sigh in disappointment but accept his terms, nevertheless.

Now all i have to do is break the news to Annalise, and when remembering what she said earlier, i now realise she may not share my disappointment.

God, i hope my brothers are busy this Saturday.

"Okay, that's fine. Thank you. And i'm sorry for arguing. It just means a lot to me," i mumble, feeling rather ashamed by how i spoke to him.

Surprisingly, Xavi must be feeling particularly generous today because, on any regular day, he would have not tolerated me yelling at him.

"You're okay, Ria. I understand," he spares me a small smile. "Now clear off, both of you, please. I have lots of work to get through."

Doing just that, i usher Quentin to follow me down the stairs, and before he can do anything else, i say what's been on my mind all afternoon.

"What exactly did you tell my friends about Zephaniah? Mikey knew about him being in the hospital. Quentin, you can't just—"

"Relax. All i said was that he fell ill. Mikey didn't question it at all."

"Huh," i muse, conflicted. "Well, he sure was interested in the topic earlier on, that's all."

"He was just checking in, Ria.That's what Mikey does," he immediately reassures me. "He cares about his friends, a lot. There's no need to overthink things, hm?"

I narrow my eyes at him in suspicion.

"Why do i get the feeling you know him a lot better than i do?"

"I mean, we do occasionally hang out." he reasons, blushing a tad.

"Right." i nod, shaking off whatever suspicions i have.

"What is it now?" he questions, defensively.

"Nothing, nothing, that's great," i brush him off. "Oh, and he's coming over on Saturday also. Since you guys are...friends, i don't mind if you hang out with us," i offer. "And thanks for helping me out back there, Quen," i add. "My methods of persuasion aren't always the strongest."

— SUCKER PUNCH —

"Hello, Rori."

I glance up from my chemistry homework, upon hearing the sound of Yakov's voice as he enters the kitchen. His dirty blonde hair is tussled and wet — a tell tale sign that it has been raining — and he pointlessly rakes his hands through it, huffing and puffing when it won't go back to its original place.

I giggle as i observe him.

Yakov is an orderly man, who grooms himself in an orderly way.

He does not suit having hair like a damp dog, as it cramps his style and makes his twenty-six year old self appear a lot younger.

"What are you laughing at?" he narrows his silvery eyes at me, though amusement is clearly visible in them.

"Your hair," i tell him, honestly. "You look like a wet dog," i voice my previous thoughts.

He raises his eyebrows at me, daringly.

"A wet dog, huh?" he repeats me, less than impressed by the comparison.

"Mhm." i nod,