Tough Love 7

The New Man

With the sun on my face I knew it was time to wake up. Outside it looked like a beautiful day. I got out of bed and went to take a shower.
After half an hour of refreshing myself I walked downstairs in time for my mother to serve my brothers and father eggs and bacon.
"Morning sleepy head. You hungry?" asked my mother
I nodded. "After missing dinner last night, yes please"
They laughed at me. My brothers scarfed down their breakfast and rushed upstairs. My mother and father were chatting away happily. So I just sat there in silence eating my breakfast. That was until Decklan came running down the stairs with a big grin on his face.

"So Jess you need anything from the shops or something?" asked Decklan. I wonder where he was going.
He saw the look on my face. "Did you forget? I’m going on a date with Mekaela. Im picking her up in half an hour"
I had forgotten about his date with Mekaela. I smiled at him, "Nah I’m cool. I’m going to go out for a walk today anyway. So yeah. You go and have some fun. Tell her I said hi"
I gave him a wink as he headed for the door, he looked at me and laughed.
"Don’t be out too late Hun. I want you back at 9:00 tonight you got it" my mum called out to Decklan.
"Yes ma. See you guys later"

The boys seemed like they all had plans for today. So I decided to go upstairs and get changed..again. Pulling my hair back into a ponytail I headed out of the door.
"I’m just going for a walk kay. I’ll probs be back later on today. If I’m not back by then I would probably get a ride with Deck"
"Just be back at 9 o’clock tonight okay. Your relatives are coming over tonight"
I rolled my eyes at her. When she says relatives, it meant match making time. It happens every once in a year. All five of us had to go through it. to find our true love. I laughed to myself.
"Bye dad, mum. If I’m not at home by 9 pm give my love to our relatives"
I heard my father chuckle from behind his newspaper. Mum gave me a cheeky grin.

It was nice to get out of the house. I needed some fresh air anyway. Walking to the park lost in my thoughts, I accidentally bumped into someone. From the size and the way this body was built it was obvious I had just bumped into a male.
When he turned around I lost my balance and stumbled to the floor, but luckily he caught me in time.
"Woah there little lady. Watch your step" he laughed
He sounded so dreamy. I blushed and he chuckled.
"Names Aiden Moore"
I laughed, "You’re so random. My names Jessica Brown but I prefer it if you call me by Jess" is said shaking his hand. He really was a gentlemen.
"So what brings a fine young lady like yourself out here on this beautiful day"
I blushed, "I'm flattered young man. I'm just out for a walk that’s all. Care to join me?"
He chuckled. He wasn’t that bad looking, I guess he could take my mind off of Tyrone.
"So you new here?" I asked
"Yeah. Me and my parents just moved here, business I guess"

I had fun with Aiden. He was kind, and funny. I had a great time with him at the park.
"So what are your plans for tonight?" he asked
"Well my family is hosting this dinner thing for our relatives. Well we call it the match making day because it happens every year. Its like tradition"
"Match making day? Boy that sounds fun"
I laughed, "Yeah. Tell me about it. Hey do you got the time?"
"Yeah. It’s almost 4 pm"
"Wow time goes by fast when you’re having fun"
A familiar car drove past us but I couldn’t identify who it belongs too. The car stopped not far away from us. Curious, I stood there with my eyes on the drivers side to see if anyone was going to get out.
"Yo Jess, you need a ride home?" asked Aiden, distracting me.
"Huh? Oh nah I’m just going to walk home yeah. I like walking that’s all. But thanks for asking anyway"
"Sure sure. No worries. Guess I’ll see you around yeah?"
"See yah" I kissed him on the cheek goodbye and he blushed. It was different with Aiden around, it made me feel different.

The sun was going down while I was walking home. It was getting dark fast. I wasn’t one to get scared easily but I was still new in town and walking by myself in the dark was kinda creepy. After all girls my age aren’t suppose to walk by themselves. I turned around the corner to my street in time for a car to speed past me.
"Hey watch where you’re going asshole!" I called out.
The car stopped suddenly and started to reverse towards me slowly. "Oh Shit" I said to myself. I was about to take a run for it when the person inside rolled down their window. Inside I saw Trevor. Why the heck was he here ?
"Get in the car. We need to talk" he commanded
"Excuse me? I don’t take orders from anyone, especially not from you" I growled.
How dare he come here and order me like that.
"Please, Jess. I want to talk to you about yesterday"
"Oh really? Well I got nothing to say to you. Besides I have to be home soon so no time to chit chat. I have to go now. See you later"
"Please " he said, looking pleadingly at me
"Okay. But I have to be at home soon. I cant stay out too late"

I hopped in his car and he started driving. "So what did you want to talk about that was so important you had to force me in here"
He sighed before he answered me. He looked like he was struggling.
"About yesterday. I'm so sorry you had to see that I - "
"Yeah I said I was sorry. Its just hard to remove that image out of my head you know. Sorry for embarrassing you guys like that. I mean I’m embarrassed myself, I mean sheese. I wouldn’t want anyone to catch me making out with a guy in public"

"Well I am sorry. Leila practically jumped on me that day. She was angry at me because she saw me talking with you at the beach"

"Hey who would blame Leila for reacting like that. I mean if I saw my boyfriend with a random chick I haven’t even met I would freak myself. But honestly, is that your way of expressing your feelings? Now that is nasty Tyrone"

He shook his head. "No. That is where you’re wrong Jess. She is not my girlfriend"

That took me off guard. "Wait. So you randomly hook up with your relatives? I mean dude, come one how sick is that"

"You’re not listening to me Jess. She-is-not-my-girlfriend. She is my sister. My family. Do you understand?"

It took me a minute or two to think through his words. I actually thought that they were an item. I was just glad that all of it now was solved.
"Soooooo. She isn’t your girl friend?" I asked quietly, more to myself than to him. I was shocked that he had heard me.
"No she is not my girl friend"

In a way I was happy, and then again I was sad. After all the pain that I have gone through he tells me now that she was not his girlfriend? I couldn’t take it anymore. We remained in silence for quite a while. I kept staring outside looking at the trees flying past. I looked around and saw that the street we were driving in did not seem familiar to me. Panicking I looked around for familiar house and all, but all I could see now were trees. I looked at the time and saw it was going up 6 pm.

"Tyrone where are you taking me? Hurry up I want you to take me home now!" I said panicking.
"I am taking you home Jess. We were just out for a ride that’s all. I took the wrong turn so we ended up here" he said calmly.
"You took the wrong turn? Are you kidding me Tyrone! Who does that. Arggh you are so not cool you know that" I shot back at him angrily.
He looked at me and laughed. He sounded so sexy. "When you give me that look it brings butterflies to my stomach. You look so, whats that word, sexy some may say"
I blushed furiously at his comment.
"Yeah whatever. Try and flirt your way through mister. I still aint happy you took that turn" I was trying hard not to laugh at the same time.
"Well then, what ever you say. I still think you’re sexy"
Now he was just playing with me. He was being cheeky. He smiled that smile that I seem to love the first time he smiled at me, and gave me a wink.

I laughed at him. I took a look around the inside of the car. The seats were covered with black leather. He had so much space in his car compared to mine and Decklans car.
"Well you’re home now. See you at school tomorrow" he said.
He really was a fast driver, maybe faster than Decklans driving. I wasn’t sure.
"Yeah. Thanks for the drive home. Wish me luck" I said getting out of his car.
"For what?"
"Just wish me luck. Cause I really need it. Its match making day and I don’t want anyone of them"
He looked shocked for a minute but shook it away. "Good luck? You only ask for good luck if you need it to get something. Did you just not say that you did not want to find your match?"
"Oh just wish me luck will yah"
"Okay. Just don’t blame me for anything. Good luck"
With that he waved goodbye and sped off down the street into the darkness. I stood outside for a few minutes before I went inside.

"Hey mum, dad. Deck? You’re home early. What happened to your date?"
"Hey hun" said my mum and dad.
They were all in the kitchen preparing food for the guest.
"I dropped her off at home. I invited her over for tonight. So she could meet our relatives you know" said Decklan.
He obviously had a plan up his sleeve. Why didn’t I think of that. I should have invited Aiden over. Or maybe Tyrone. Maybe both of them, they both seem like good friends to me.
"Oh enough talk about the relatives will you. I’ve just got home and want to have time to think about this relative thing. How many are coming over anyway. The usuall number? I want to know what I’m up against"
Decklan looked at me and laughed.
"What? I just want to know the number if its higher than the ones we had last year"
"Sure thing little sis. So do you want me tell me or should I tell her?" Deck asked our mother.
She shrugged which obviously meant she didn’t care. I took a piece of carrot stick and started chewing on it.
They stopped what they were doing. I saw my father move into the dining room with my mother right behind him, obviously in a rush to get out of here. It looks to me like they were hiding something from me.
"Fifty" said Decklan. With that said he dropped everything and ran upstairs.
I stood there shocked, the carrot still in my mouth. I dropped everything and stood there stunned. "Fifty? Are you telling me you guys invited fifty of them over here?!" I was sure the whole street could hear me. At this point I didn’t care. My parents had invited fifty random people into the house. Unbelievable. I stood there fuming for a few minutes before I went into the dining area.

"You kidding me? I mean come on. Ten I can handle but fifty? You guys are seriously dillussional. You have five kids. Five! Cant you just let us find our own match?" I said in a loud voice.
"Honey calm down" said my mum
"Calm down? You expect me to calm down when you have invited fifty people over! I mean how many men are there? Are there more women or more men?"
"I told you it was a bad idea to get fifty of them" whispered my dad
"And you. You knew about this and yet you did not even tell me?" I said pointing my finger accusingly at my father. He put up his hands in surrender. I heard the boys come down the stairs slowly trying not to catch my attention. I turned around just in time for Tye trying to sneak into the kitchen unnoticed.
"You. Stop now. Yeah that’s right you. Turn around now" I ordered. He obeyed like a little boy being told off by his mother.
"You knew about this as well?"
He nodded then ran into the kitchen.
I stared at my parents with all the anger I had. "So what is it mother? Are there more men coming or women?"
"More men" said Beau coming down the stairs. He seemed amused to my reaction. I turned around and glared at him. I saw Bow walk behind him trying to hide from me.
"You guys are so not fair! Do I look that desperate that you guys have to invite MEN into the house?"
"Yeah, you do" said Beau
"Oh shut up Bee. You’re so not cool anymore"
"Oooooh I’m scared"
"Oh get a life. Just to let you guys know, I aint going to have any of them"
"Fine by me" said Beau
I turned around and stomped to my room upstairs angrily.
"You better dress up nicely little sister. The prettier the merrier" called out Beau. He and Bow started laughing.
I screamed with anger as I made my way to my room, throwing my arms in the air in frustration. "I hate you guys" I said before I slammed the door.

The stayed in bed for one whole hour. When I looked up again to check the time it was almost 8 o’clock. I got up angrily and went to have a shower. Taking my time in the shower I was sure I used up all of the hot water.
"Jess its me Mekaela. Can I come in"
I was still in my knickers and bra but I was sure she wouldn’t mind. Just to be on the safe side I put on my robe and sat down on the chair.
"Come in now. Don’t worry its safe"
I heard her giggle as she opened the door. "Wow. Your room is huge!"
"I know. Cant get any bigger than this. You can take a look around if you want"
"Can I"
"I just said so didn’t I?" I laughed.
"Okay. But after my tour I am having an appointment with your wardrobe and you" she laughed.
With a confused look I nodded anyway. "Sure"

Meeting Them For The First and Last Time

"You can look now" said Mekaela
After an hour of her pulling and tugging on my hair I was glad that the pain was finally over.
"No thanks. I might not like what I see"
"Please just look. You look really pretty"
"No. I’m good"
"Okay fine. You win. Next time I am going to make you look into the mirror"
"Sure. Anyway lets head down. The guest have probably arrived"
"Oh yeah heard about that. Your match making day. That’s funny, I wish my parents would do that for me"
I looked at her weirdly.
"What? At least your parents actually care about you"
I snorted, "Yeah. The only thing they seem to care about is me finding myself a good man to spend my life with"
We were disrupted by Decklan rushing into my room. "Hey girls - " he stood there looking me up and down "Wow little sis. Look at you. You sure did do your magic on her Mekaela"
I didn’t know why but I blushed which made the two of them laugh. "Shut up. Just let me through will you"
The only thing that was in view was my dress. I wore strapless black dress that ended above my knees with red heels. Mekaela had straightened my hair and let it down. I wasn’t sure why she had dressed me up but I didn’t care. I just wanted to get this over and done with.

"What happened to everyone?" I asked my parents.
"They’re out at the ba – wow, look at you. She sure did work her magic on you didn’t she" said my mother
I blushed, "Yeah well I guess she did"
"Of course you do. Now come on, time for you to introduce me to your guest" said Mekaela.
"What? But I don’t even know them"
"That’s why I’m coming with you" laughed Mekaela
"You are so out of your mind you know that"
"I know. Now lets go hunting"
I looked at her questionably.
"You I mean" she laughed
"Enough chit chat you two lets go" said Decklan pulling on our arms.
"Jess grab that plate will you, and Mekaela baby could you please grab those drinks"
"Sure" we replied.
"Danm your mum has style. You sure she your mum?" asked Mekaela
I looked over at my mother. She was still the same mother I have every other day, but I guess Mekaela right. You don’t see your friends mothers dress up like this and look twenty years younger than their actual age.
"Yeop, that’s my mum. We better get going, wouldn’t want our guests to wait now do we" I said winking at Mekaela. She giggled.
I caught a glimpse of myself walking out of the door. I didn’t look that bad I guess. Outside the DJ had started playing songs that I liked. He started playing " You belong to me" by Taylor Swift. That girl has talent I must say. We left the food on the table and walked over to where my brothers were.

"My my my little sister. What did she do to you?" laughed Tye
Again I blushed, "I know. But this is coming off as soon as this party is over" I said pointing to the dress
"You don’t look too bad Jess. I mean this is the first time I have actually dress like and actual girl" laughed Beau
"You’re going to have them boys over there drooling" laughed Bow
I rolled my eyes at them, "I know. Oh look that guy over there looks cute" I said pointing to the guy standing next to the DJ. He wasn’t that bad looking but the way he was staring at me creeped me out a bit. I looked over at Mekaela. She looked uncomfortable standing next to Decklan and Tye. She looked so small compared to those two giants.
"Hey Tye look over there. That chick is totally checking you out" said Decklan
Tye looked over to where Decklan had gestured. His eyes almost popped out of their sockets. We laughed at him, even Mekaela.
I looked around the place and saw my mother talking with her friend Aundraya.
"Jess?"
I turned around and stood face to face with Aiden.
"Aiden? What are you doing here?"
My brothers had stopped talking and were listening to our conversation including Mekaela.

"I didn’t know you lived here. And my look at you" he said looking me up and down. Again I blushed and he laughed at me.
"Well welcome to my humble home. These are my brothers Tye, Decklan,Beau and Bow and this is my friend Mekaela"
"Hey"
"Sup"
"Hi’
"Sup"
"Sup" they said together.
He shook all their hands.
"So what brings you here" said Bow eying him up and down.
"My mothers name is Aundraya. She said it was some sort of birthday party, I guess she lied"

Beau and bow started laughing, "Some birthday party aint it"
"That’s your mother?" I asked, shocked
"Well yes didn’t you know?"
"No I didn’t know. Oh my gosh are you for real? My mum has known your mum for like ever! Oh my gosh"
"Shocking isn’t it"
"Hold on a second Aiden"
I turned around and faced my brothers. "If Aundraya is one of us….then what if Aiden is as well" I whispered, only for them to hear.
"You sure? I mean only a few of us actually has abilities" whispered Tye
"I don’t know"
I turned around and faced Aiden, "Hey Aiden how old are you?"
"Seventeen years old. Why?"
"Okay this may seem weird but – ow" I turned around and looked at Beau. "What?"
He shook his head at me.
"Oh well then never mind. So you got any siblings?"
"A sister and a brother. That’s my sister over there" he said, pointing to the lady we were talking about earlier.
"Wait, shes your sister?" asked Tye looking surprised and shocked at the same time.