Chapter 2

Mari’s POV

His eyes landed on my bare legs, his eyebrows raising a little, his arms crossed over his chest. Like me, he was wearing a black jacket with another white Gucci shirt tuck in inside and a black denim pants. Instead of shoes, he was wearing one of our indoor slippers.

My hand rested on my hips as I wait for him to talk.

"Elle begged our father for a sleepover. The brat found out about Latch's date and refuses to be tomorrow's victim," his dark eyes met mine, and I urged him to come in, which he did. He closed the door while I went straight to my bedside table to grab my phone.

"She caught Latch on his way out. My sister jumped in front of his car like a maniac," he laughed a little while shaking his head. That's typical of Elle.

He sat on the couch, located on the far corner of my room, and pulled out his phone as well; his eyes still focused on me. Once I sat on my bed, I saw him gestured my blanket, and I understood. I quickly tucked half my body in so it would be covered, my body resting on the headboard of my bed.

"Aunt Max agreed? The last time the two had a sleepover was four years ago. They're grownups now," I pouted. Latch is seventeen now, and I'm two years older than him. Elle and Latch are of the same age, with Latch older for a few months.

"That's why I am here," he mumbled, eyes now on his phone.

I tried to stop myself from laughing. Sometimes Z gets pissed off with my brother which is quite funny because Latch ends up getting scared with the twins Z and Y, though his mischievousness would come out at most times.

"So you're going to sleep in my brother's room? I doubt the two would sleep. The two of them will play video games until Latch gives in. Your sister is fucking crazy too,"

"Again, that's why I'm here," my brows furrowed at his words, realization slowly sinking in.

"No. I'm not going to stay awake for you. Go to them and suffer alone," I pulled my sheets and covered my entire body.

I am supposed to get a good sleep today. Atlantis and I have someplace to go tomorrow.

Z and I are best friends, I've declared that many years ago and Z eventually had to accept that fact. If my brother is mischievous, imagine how stubborn I am.

But Z is like a solid rock. Sometimes he gives in but he has his own ways on how to get away from me.

"Okay," I heard him answer and my insides started to get giddy. I know Z. His answering in one-line means trouble. And right now, I can smell trouble coming after me in less than a minute.

"Hello, Zamara,"

Automatically, my hands release my covers, and I watch him as he was talking over his phone.

"Fuck you," I grunted before quickly standing up as I made a run into him, grabbing his phone and ending the goddamn call before Zamara can ask anything.

I glare at him, an annoying smirk once again plastered on his face.

Z, he looks like a younger version of Uncle Storm; only his stares are deeper, especially when he doesn't smile. And this idiot doesn't smile a lot.

Him calling Zamara means a total children's party. If he calls Zamara, Ashton will arrive in less than five minutes, which means my Mom calling the rest of my aunt and uncles. They're going to use this excuse again to meet up.

And it gets annoying afterward. Imagine seeing your parents acting like they were still in their twenties running around the backyard?

He laughed at my misery and pulled me closer so I can sit beside him - his arms were reaching for his phone.

I watch as he quickly types a message to Zamara, uncle Storm's daughter, telling her it was nothing and have a good sleep.

I scowl at him, and he just messes my hair.

I pouted. Now my night is ruined, and I'd probably have huge bags under my eyes tomorrow.

"Now you, lady, why don't you go inside your walk-in closet, put some shorts on so I can quickly do a set up for movie night?"

Shifting my body, I faced him with a gloomy expression, "I hate you," before leaning in, my hands reaching for his shoulders as I dive for his chest, burying my teeth to his tone chest.

"Awww, Mari!" he screamed before wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me away from him.

His grip was firm, but he was gentle enough to make sure not to hurt me. He scowled at me and I grinned.

"Karma hits so fast, huh?" I teased him. He removed his hands on my body, caressing the part I bite.

He looked at me sternly, his eyes focused on my face, and I smiled at him adorably. My Dad said I got Mom's smile. I don't know if that means anything, but yeah.

His eyes softened until his expression changes into a frown, "Don't go around biting people Marigold. That'll get you in trouble,"

Soft chuckles escaped my lips as I leaned over, my lips reaching for his cheeks as I kiss him. He's used to it. Every one of us kisses each other's cheeks as a greeting so me doing that to Z is like a regular thing.

"Sorry," I giggle before finally standing up so I can grab some shorts. Z is motherfucking conservative, and he gets annoyed if he starts lecturing me about it, so I've longed to follow his orders, especially if just the two of us - for peace and quiet.

"We're not going to watch some Disney movie," I heard him scream, and I just laughed adorably.

The last time we had a movie night, I won our little game, and he had to spend the entire five hours watching Elsa and Olaf with me.

Good old days.

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