Liah's pov
Sophie, Mark and I were chatting happily while Dylan and Colton were quiet which is unlike them. I was holding Mark with my right hand while Sophie was on my left, Dylan was walking next to Mark, and Colton next to Sophie.
Sophie leaned in to my ear and whispered "don't you think the atmosphere seems off"
I nodded cause she voiced my thought.
Suddenly Colton squeezed in between me and Sophie making Sophie roll her eyes.
"Can you stop behaving childish?" Sophie said, feigning annoyance.
"Hmph, what are you whispering about?" Colton said and placed his arm around my shoulder, smiling mischievously.
I was about to push him away from me when Dylan came and did it in my stead. He flinged Colton arm away from my shoulder and glared at him "learn how to respect a lady's boundaries". His words left us all dumbfounded and everyone was silent for a moment.
"Don't mind him brother Dylan. He's so rough. Not gentlemanly at all" Mark said, raising his chin at Colton.
"Me? Rough? Come here, say that again" Colton said and playfully chased Mark around. Their playful actions made us all laugh, easing the tension.
We had lunch at a restaurant close by, but it wasn't peaceful at all. It felt as if Dylan and Colton were in a silent war. They both sat on either side of my seat, filling my plate to the brim with different kinds of food. I felt like my belly was about to burst.
After lunch, Mark said he wanted to go to the amusement park and we all agreed since it will help with digestion. To wrap it all up, we had a really good time with Mark clinging to Dylan at every chance he got. I was beginning to wonder who his sibling was.
By the time the sun began to set, we were all tired but still decided to trek home not because we don't have the money for transportation but because we wanted to be together longer. When Dylan heard Colton and his parents were going to spend the night at our place, his happy expression changed to an unpleasant one and I was about to ask him what the problem was when Mark spoke up.
"Brother Dylan, are you okay. Why did your mood suddenly change?" Mark asked, looking at Dylan with innocent eyes.
"When did my mood change? I'm very happy because you're around" Dylan said and smiled at Mark.
"Yaaay, brother Dylan is happy to play with me. I'm also happy being around brother Dylan" Mark shouted happily while jumping up making me smile. I've never seen him smile like this at home. Maybe I've not been a good sister after all. I've stayed in the same house with him since he was born but he have never smiled at me like that but he just met Dylan today and is already so fond of him.
"Come Liah, let's go get some ice cream for everyone. You guys wait here, we'll be back in a jiffy" Sophie said and pulled me towards a convenience store that was opposite the street. Ice cream sounds like a good idea.
Dylan's pov
I stared at the backs if the two girls, still feeling helplessly sad and jealous. Why did Colton have to sleep over at Liah's house. What if something happens between them.
Judging from the way he's been looking at her, I know he has feelings from her. Even if Liah does not notice, I'm also a guy and it's easy for me to understand his feelings.
"Brother Dylan, what are you thinking about?" Mark's voice brought me back from my thoughts.
"Nothing kiddo" I said, forcing a smile. The little boy have been nothing but sweet and I enjoyed spending time with him although I wished it was just him, Liah and I.
It seemed like Colton was busy on his phone since he didn't pay attention to us.
I was amused when the little boy signalled me to bend over. I squatted down and he was still a little bit shorter even as I squatted down.
"You like my sister don't you?" He whispered in my ears. My eyes widened at his question and I looked at the face of the supposed innocent boy who was smiling like a mischievous mouse right now.
"How did you find out" i asked him
"Oh come on, even the dumbest person in the world would notice by watching your actions. I also know brother Colton likes her too but don't worry, I'm rooting for you. Fighting" he said, smiling as if he had done something praiseworthy and I couldn't help but chuckle. Just then, the two girls arrived.
Sophie's pov
We reached the boys and shared the ice cream. We found a convenient spot and sat down, gobbling down the ice cream. After eating, we continued trekking home. It's the weekend and it would be nice if we could hang out tomorrow. I was about to suggest something when,
"Brother Dylan, will you come play with me at our house tomorrow" Mark asked Dylan, blinking innocently. Dylan looked down at him and I noticed Mark winking at him. What are those two up to?
"Won't I cause your parents inconvenience?" Dylan asked, looking unsure.
"Oh don't worry about that. On our way to your school today, I overheard our parents saying they would be away from home for two days so it should be okay" Mark replied.
"I'll be there then" Dylan said with a smile.
Suddenly the screen of my phone lit up, it was my mom calling. She asked me to come home immediately. I was planning initially to follow Liah home in case Dylan follows them home but seems it won't happen today. I'll just visit tomorrow then. I bade them goodbye and turned to the street by the right which was my normal path home. I walked down the street as the events of the day played in my mind. I recalled how attentive Colton and Dylan was to Liah and I won't lie, I felt really sad and alone. I couldn't care less for Colton because he have always been that way with Liah but what of Dylan.
I wished he could be that attentive to me.
Liah's pov
The next day,
Our parents left the house very early in the morning and we had the house to ourselves. I did my normal house chores with Colton helping me out with some. After breakfast, we watched a few movies, chatted and sang some songs.
At noon, Sophie arrived followed by Dylan.
We played card games which always ended up with Dylan or Colton winning.
After lunch, Sophie suggested we played Truth or Dare. I wanted to refuse but the others readily agreed. The rule was that whoever could not answer the question asked or could not do as dared will be the one to pay for dinner since we decided to eat out. I wanted to exclude Mark but he pleaded for me not to exclude him. I was shocked when Dylan also pleaded on his behalf and offered to pay if he couldn't do as asked.
Sophie spinned the bottle and it pointed at Mark.
"Alright, I'll ask the question. Truth or dare Mark?" Colton asked, smiling like the devil himself. This guy is always up to no good.
"Truth" Mark replied shyly
"Alright, who do you like the most, me or Dylan" Colton asked
"Tsk tsk, someone is being really childish" Sophie said and shook her head. Dylan couldn't help but chuckle.
"Hmph, of course I like brother Dylan more. He's obviously more good-looking and does not bully me like you do" Mark said crossing his arms.
We all laughed as Colton gritted his teeth. Serves him right.
Sophie rolled the bottle again and this time it pointed at Dylan.
"Truth or Dare?" Sophie quickly asked making me furrow my brows in a slight frown. Why was she that quick?
"Truth" Dylan replied with no expression on his face.
"Do you like someone?" Sophie asked, her eyes filled with anticipation. I won't deny the fact that I was also eager to hear the answer.
"Yes, I do" he said, still maintaining a blank expression.
My heart skipped at his answer before I could stop myself.
"Really? Who is the person?" Sophie asked again, looking hopeful.
Dylan smirked before replying "isn't it one question at a time?"
"Yeah, right" Sophie said solemnly, the hope in her eyes vanishing in an instant. Did she mean it when she said she liked Dylan?
Suddenly the atmosphere didn't feel so harmonious anymore. Dylan stood up and said he was going to the restroom and Colton followed suit leaving Sophie, Mark and I in the room.
Dylan's pov
I wasn't feeling pressed at all but just needed a moment to gather my thoughts. Thank goodness I was able to avoid Sophie's question like that because God knows that I might not be able to lie about my feelings for Liah. I turned on the tap on the sink and washed my hands. After wiping my hands, I looked at my reflection in the mirror and that's when I noticed Colton standing by the restroom door.
"You like Liah, don't you?" He asked, his voice ice cold, a huge contrast to when we were with the others.
"Yeah. I like her, so what?" I answered him. I was curious about what he was about to say.
"Give up on your feelings. She's mine" he said, walking closer to me.
I laughed at his words and honestly I found it very funny. I noticed the way he looked at Liah is way different from the way she looks at him so what gives him the right to claim she's his.
"What part of what I said is funny" he said, now standing in front of me. He was almost as tall as I am and if not for my equally stubborn and intimidating character, I might have been intimidated by him.
"Everything bro. I'm sorry but I can't do as you said. If I'm not mistaken what you have is a one-sided love and I'm not about to give up over something as fickle as that. If you have nothing more to say then I'm leaving" I said and patted his shoulder before making my way out the door ignoring the annoyed expression on his face.
Who does he think he is?
"I'm leaving guys. See you all tomorrow" I said, already making my way to the front door. I wasn't in the mood for any game anymore since things were starting to feel complicated.
"No, don't leave please" Mark shouted. He stood up and rushed to hug me before I could reach the door.
"I have to Mark. I promise I'll be here tomorrow" I promised, smiling at him. He was so adorable.
"What time are you coming tomorrow?" He asked. He looked as if he was on the verge of crying.
"2pm" I replied
"No, 12pm max" he said pouting
"Alright " I said and patted his hair
"Promise?" He asked with a soft voice
"I Promise" I replied. I couldn't bear to refuse him.
"Won't you stay for dinner Dylan" Liah asked me.
"No, it's getting late. See you all tomorrow" I said as Colton entered the room.
"Let him leave" he said and I rolled my eyes. This guy can be really childish.
"Alright then, see you tomorrow" Liah said and smiled. Sophie waved at me and I waved back before turning to leave.
Of course I'll be here tomorrow. I'm not giving that pampered brat a even a slightest chance to win Liah's heart.