Mari's POV
"I'm fucked up," I whispered as I nonchalantly threw my phone on my bed before proceeding into pulling my hair out of frustration.
"Is he mad at me?" I sat down, my lips puckered and I have never wanted to wipe that annoying smirk my brother has in his face as much as I do right now.
Latch lifted his arms and stretched them, he raised an eyebrow at my words.
"You're his best friend. You very well knew how Z hate it when people lie to him. You knew that's one of the reasons why you first fought in the past. It's like, do the stupidest thing in the world but never lie to Z. Even Dimitri knew Z hates it when people lie to him,"
"It was not a big deal!" I reasoned. "He's not my boyfriend and I'm not dating Lennox too,"
"I said you lied. I never said he's mad you were dating someone else," he snickered and that made me shut up a little. He has a point though.
After that incident, everyone in the group found out what happened.
First, photos of me and Lennox holding hands circulated. Second, a few students heard what Y said and it spread like wildfire. And three, Z decided that it's fun not to talk to me and it's been what, eleven hours! It's past nine and I won't be able to sleep without talking to him.
"Y isn't responding to my messages too. I asked him where his twin was but he just left me on seen. I guess he knew you were asking. Sorry sis, I tried!" he grinned.
Heron does that. He may be playful but he never does anything that will make Z upset. He shuts up when his brother tells him to. And he gets affected whenever Z changes his mood. Maybe it's a twin-thing. Z watches over Y too, like he's always there to protect his twin.
"Check your phone because Zammy is bombarding me with messages," Latch rolled his eyes and I grabbed my phone to check on it. I've seen her messages earlier and all she did was congratulate me for finally fucking up. That asshole.
"What did I do so wrong that even she was scolding me?"
"You lied to your best friend. That's what you did,"
"I was nervous, okay? I mean, how do I tell him that someone else was courting me too? Plus Lennox grabbed my hand!"
Latch raised his eyebrows, "When did Z ever get mad to you for something that will make you happy?"
"Huh?" I asked confused.
"Z loves you. That has been established the moment he informed you of his feelings the other night - though to be honest, almost everyone already knew. But, what I'm trying to say is, Z will never force himself to you. You know he will always put your happiness first, always,"
His words hit me straight in my chest. I feel so guilty and I don't know if it's because that I lied or because I never told him about Lennox.
Latch went out of my room and I ended up staying up all night. I can't sleep a wink and I swear the bags under my eyes will have a field day tomorrow.
Morning came and I barely had gotten any sleep.
"Honey, you look like you ate something funny. Did you sleep?" mom asked out of worry. I sat down on the couch and grab the nearest cushion and hugged it.
I feel so lightheaded and that's not a good thing.
"Z won't talk to her,"
I turned around and glared at my younger brother who seemed to be annoying me a lot these days.
"How about you shut up?" I snickered. Mom laughed at both of us. Latch sat beside mom and hugged her.
"Where's Dad?"
I looked at Mom and she smiled. "He went out for a jog. Jin oppa came here with Xander,"
"Why is Dad so competitive about his body though?" Latch asked and Mom chuckled.
"It's their way to bond. Anyways, what do you mean Z won't talk to your sister?"
I saw Latch lean and whispered something to our mom.
"Yah!"
Mom's eyes widened. "You cheated?" she exclaimed. Her hands were on her chest as if I actually did something horrible, which I'm starting to feel like I really did.
"Can you stop telling people stupid things, Latch Justin!" I threw him the cushion in my hands which he just swatted away. In the end, he just stood up and headed to the kitchen, that is after he gave me a wink.
He's just so annoying!
My mom cleared her throat and I released a long sigh.
"It wasn't like that Mom, okay. Z called me asking where I was and I said I was already in my class even though I wasn't,"
"And?" she asked as if she was very sure there's more into it.
I closed my eyes for a moment. Somehow, I find it so hard to tell everyone now what happened because then I'd hear how it was my fault yet again.
"I didn't tell him because Lennox - I'll talk about him later mom -" I stopped her when I saw how she was about to ask, "Lennox was holding my hand,"
"Oh," her lips was left in an o-shape and I saw her grab her phone.
"So your hands were intertwined?"
"He just grabbed my hand and just lead the way. I didn't know what to do! I haven't even allowed him to court me!"
"Juicy..." she giggled but still urged me to continue. I swear my Mom is weird sometimes.
"Yeah, so it turns out Z was watching from behind, and yeah, he caught me lying. I don't lie to Z..." I said the last words in a whisper, unable to lift my head and meet my mom's gaze.
"Your Aunt Jen said Z went out to workout though. And he isn't acting weird or anything. Maybe he isn't mad,"
"Mom! Z answers my call every single time. Like, if he doesn't, he would call me once he sees it. That's Z. That's how he is... That's how he was to me..."
"And so? Z is just your best friend. If you have that Lennox guy, you have to start getting used to being away with Z,"
My eyes widened. "Mom, I don't like Lennox!" I suddenly exclaimed.
"You sounded so sure about that honey, so you like Z then?"
My lips parted at her sudden question. Fuck. I didn't even realize I was too quick in deciding whether I like Lennox or not. I mean, I was sure he looks attractive and yeah, I guess he has that effect on me too. But I don't think I can live without Z as well.
"I'm not sure..." I answered. I suddenly feel so helpless. Why did things turn out to be so complicated?
Mom stood up and I was left all alone. Now I feel even more conflicted and I don't know what to do next.
I don't have classes so I ended up just sleeping the entire day. I didn't even bother taking a bath.
So when I heard the sound of knocking on my door, I was half debating if I should open it. But I did since it isn't stopping.
And yeah, my prick of a brother greeted before me, his annoying grin spread all over his face.
"WHAT?" I asked in annoyance.
He looked amused but smirked anyway.
"You have a visitor. I suggest you go down immediately because Dad has been all over him. And wash your face. You drool in your sleep," he teased and before I can hit him, he was already quick to run away from my sight.
"I hate that kid..." I whispered. But then I just realized what he just said.
Of course, Z can never be angry at me. With that in thought, I quickly washed my face and brushed my teeth. I just grab one of his clothes from my closet and wear a pair of short shorts. Why is Dad acting like a strict parent these days?
With a huge smile on my face, I was almost running down the stairs so I can see him.
"I knew you c-"
My words were cut off midway the moment my eyes landed on the person Dad was talking with.
Because there, in all his glory, was Lennox, with a bouquet of flowers in his hands and a small teddy bear on the other.
Fuck.
I hate teddy bears.