Marigold

6

Mari's POV

"Hey, Gold," My lips automatically puckered when I felt an arm resting on my shoulder, a familiar scent filling in my nose, a scent I'm not really fond of. 

I didn't even bother looking. Instead, I gave my books to him rather forcefully that it hit his chest, a loud whoof coming out of his mouth. Nonetheless, he still took the books from me like he always does.

"What got you grumpy early this morning?" Y asked and I just grunted.

"Latch took off in my car. One day I'm going to kill him with my bare hands," I gritted my teeth in annoyance, and his laughter echoed along the hallway. 

My eyes caught the stares we are getting from the students. Something we're kind of used to. People always stare at us. They always do because to them, we're not just some students. We're those kids - the privileged ones. 

Little do they know...

"So that's why Z was so grumpy this morning. He was walking like a zombie to his car when he doesn't even have a class today,"

I rolled my eyes and scowled. "Are you expecting me to wake up my father and drive me to school? That's like me bringing my own father to his deathbed. You know how people still go crazy over them even now," 

Y pulled me a little closer when a group of freshmen suddenly came out of one room, all giddy. I had to stop myself from snarling because, why not? Maybe I can spare these kids with my bitchiness, huh?

One kid almost slipped and Y's reflex was fast enough to prevent her from having her a*s on the ground.

At that, her eyes focused on Y, her eyes widening, a reaction not really new to my eyes. 

Ahh, poor kid. 

Y, as much as I hate to admit it, has that kind of effect - like Z, Latch, Xander - heck, probably like every man I know that is close to me. They may have differences in appeal but at the end of the day, girls still swoon over their looks. Even Dimitri has tons of admirers since he was what, six?

I watch as her face started to change in color, her lips parting and a few of her classmates realizing what just happened. The sound of a few girls squealing slowly irritating my ears. But I stood still as I watch this painfully unfold in front of me.

Like always...

And like the usual scenario, the girl in front of us helplessly opens her lips, then closes it again, unable to utter a word.

And Y, even though he's known to be intimidating, is still nothing but a ladies’ man. Of course, that is because uncle Sky had been insisting so kindly that the twins should treat girls with so much respect. And Y confidently smiling at the girl is part of uncle Sky's very helpful words of wisdom. 

He lifted his hand and messes the girl's hair. 

"I love you," the girl muttered unconsciously. 

Not again...

Expectantly, I look at Y's direction and almost grimaced as he whispered the very words that will surely mark the end of the girl's slightest possibility, if there is any, of having a relationship in the future. Because, as Y nonchalantly says those words, it holds the hope and somewhat desperation of the girl that someday, Y will fall in love with her. 

Which leads us back to Y breaking another poor girl's heart.

Like a record, I heard Y whispered to the girl, "I love you too,"

And then as if he did nothing, he pulled me away to the now frozen girl as he walks me to my next class.

"I'm going to tell Aunt Max of what you did you little piece of s**t," I mumbled and he just laughs.

"What? It's not like Dad never uttered those words to some million girls apart from mom,"

I looked at him amused, "Heron, your Dad is a famous celebrity and those are your Dad's fans. You shouldn't be leading on those girls when we all know you won't even remember meeting them,"

"She's a fan too. And if I can make her happy by telling her those words, so be it. At least she won't easily be swooned by some undeserving man out there,"

Our eyes met and I made a face. He knew he got a point but I was simply not in the mood to argue. Plus, it's not like I'm good with explaining. Even though I know I still have a point, I just let it slide. So now the discussion's over.

"I still hate you,"

I reached for my books and hit his stomach as strong as I can and he just laughs at what I did. 

"Be kind to my twin Gold. You're squeezing the life out of Z. Who even has a boy best friend nowadays?"

"Me, fucker. Now go to your next class and annoy Zamara instead. I heard she made a girl cry yesterday,"

Y's brows furrowed, "Are you serious? You got the wrong info young lady. She didn't make a girl cry. She punched her, straight in the face, twice at that. Why did Uncle Storm teach Zamara self-defense when she uses it opposite its purpose?"

He was shaking his head and soft chuckles escaped my lips when I heard what he said. Waving goodbye, I turned around and entered my class, Atlantis eyeing me suspiciously as a huge smile is still plastered on my lips.

"Did you kill someone on your way here?" she asked and I flipped her off. 

"Na-ah, just Y. He just so kindly made another pure soul lose a colorful college life ahead of her. Now the poor girl would probably follow and admire him her entire years here,"

I sat down on the chair beside her and she leaned a little, relaxing her shoulders. She was smiling so prettily I can't help but reach for her cheeks and pinch them lightly. She looks a lot like her Mom and I adore Aunt Zanaya a lot.

"You should have seen those girls who followed my older brother when he came to fetch Zamara yesterday,"

"Did he went to the dean's instead of uncle?" I asked. Ashton is the oldest among us and he basically takes care of every mess we end up into just because he's the damn responsible one. Though in all honesty, it was mostly Zamara who gets in trouble. 

"He's spoiling Zamara too much! Aunt Cali laughed when she heard Zamara punched a girl who said her mom hates our parents because they are full of themselves," 

"Damn," My hand reaches to cover my lips to stop myself from giggling. Of course, our parents have antis, then and now. You just can't please everybody and Zamara hates it the most out of all of us. You don't give Zamara an attitude because she knows she's got Ashton on her back - that little son of a b***h. 

She pulled out her phone and started typing something. "Latch took your car?"

My blood started to boil at the memory of it. Dad took Latch's car after he found out that my little brother went for a goddamn race. Though Mom didn't sleep until she learns if Latch won or not. Nevertheless, Latch is such a pain in the a*s and now I have to ask for the guys to drive me. I was the only girl allowed to drive because Mom was okay with it. The guys have a schedule who fetches who.

I felt my phone vibrating so I pulled it out of my pants. 

"Don't bother calling. I'm already on my way to fetch you," 

I snickered at what Z sent. He knows I'm going to pester him later. I know choosing him as my best friend instead of Y is the best idea ever. Besides, being with Z calms me. He doesn't talk a lot and unlike Y, he doesn't talk with girls so that's less of a pain for me. But Xander is actually much worse than he is. Uncle Raze's son just doesn't talk to other girls apart from us. 

With a smile on my face, I put my phone inside my bag, and soon enough, our professor came. Atlantis and I didn't bother talking with each other the entire duration as we're both serious about studying. My Mom isn't strict about my grades but it's something about me and my pride. 

This is my last class for the day so just after our professor said we're free to go, I tapped Lan and my heart fluttered seeing her angelic smile. I will kill any bastard who will make this sweet little candy cry. 

"I still have another class," she pouted. I picked up my things and winked at her. 

"You have someone who'll pick you up? Z's probably outside. We can wait for you. I can't trust your brother to pick you up. Not when he's probably following our brat around,"

We walked sideways and she titled her head when she saw Z standing a few meters away from us, a girl on a short red dress trying to talk to him. 

Our eyes met and I swear I saw him grimace. I'm pretty sure he's going to blame me for whatever situation he's in now.

"Nah, Dad will pick me up. He said he's going to take me out on a date because he and mom didn't get me anything from their business trip,"

My lips parted at what she said, " Why can't Dad be sweet like uncle Seth? All I got from Dad was an hour of gym session and that's him, me and Latch altogether. I'm going to exercise my right for a good pamper once I get home!"

We hugged and kissed each other's cheeks before we part ways. And not a minute passed and Z was walking in my direction. I watch as a few girls follow his every move while he walks in his striped button-down shirt tucked inside his pants, a black dress shoes finishing his look. 

I raised an eyebrow at him, about to tease him of how dapper he looks but he beat me into it. 

"Mom's idea. Now let's go before I call Ashton to pick you up instead," he scowled and he took the books I have from my hands as well as my bag and I laugh. 

"Why? Not happy receiving another confession?" I teased him as I try to follow his every step. He really looked so pissed off I wonder what the girl said. Z won't be pissed off if it was a simple confession.

"Are you that sad you're picking me up?"

"Drop it,"

I pouted, "You don't want to see me,"

"I didn't say that,"

"Of course, because you always miss me," I said in confidence and I heard him scoffed.

"Didn't say that either,"

"So did she actually confessed?" I tried to pry once again, even leaning a little to check his expression and that's when I realize how serious he looked.

My lips parted at the sudden thought. I remember how two girls once approached us and invited him for a threesome. I had to pull Z away because I can literally feel him exploding at that time. 

With that in mind, I decided to shut up and stop teasing him. I don't like Z mad. The last time he got mad, he didn't talk to me for days and I had to ask for Aunt Max’s help for it.

"Dev," we turned around and saw Alexander walking with Dimitri and some guy I didn't know about. They just went out of Xander's car. 

My eyes studied the new man. I've never seen him with the guys before. He was almost as tall as Xander, eyes were onyx black and I have never wanted to question my daily skincare routine when I realized how smooth his skin looks like. 

Our eyes met and I felt shivers crawl into my skin. He was staring at me intently, emotionless to be exact, and for some reason, my body started moving autopilot and I slowly hide behind Z. 

He turned around and was startled at my reaction. 

"You okay?" he whispered, my hands suddenly reaching for his shirt as I stare down on my shoes. 

The man scares me. 

"I'm bringing Mari home. See you later," he uttered and I was glad he pulled me closer until I was almost hiding on his chest before guiding me to his car. He didn't utter a word. Instead, he reached for the seatbelt and ensure that everything is set and well. 

My eyes followed his every movement. So when he turned his attention back on the road, I was able to see how perfect his side profile is. 

I know how insanely handsome Z is. I'm not blind but maybe because I have been with him and the rest of the boys since we were kids, I kind of have gotten used to his visuals. 

"I'm craving for some beef and mushroom stew, you?" he asked before turning on my direction. 

"That'll work. Having you as a meal will probably work too," I teased and an amused grin escaped his lips before turning his attention back on the road as he started driving. 

My laughter echoed inside the car and I giggle as his cheeks burn red. 

It has become my thing and Z had been used to it. Or so I thought. 

My uncles always have fun telling their pickup lines and I get to hear all of them. So to tease Z, I always tell him those lines to throw him off but every time, he'd smack me at the back of my head and will tell me to shut up. 

"Stop practicing those lines to me. It's not like you can use them to flirt to someone else. Do that and you'll see how your dad will finally lose it," 

I lifted my feet on the car seat and opened the compartment to try to look for something, any evidence that my best friend has found love life.

"When are you going to introduce me to your girl?" I asked before closing the compartment after seeing nothing but photos of us. Sometimes I'd pull him on some photo booth and every time, he'd just throw them there. 

"Tomorrow," he suddenly whispered and my eyes shut straight to his direction. My lips parted, excitement building up inside me.

I have never met any of Z's previous girlfriends. I know he had a few but he never introduced anybody, so afraid we'd tease the girl. Of course, I wouldn't. I'd love his girlfriend like how much I adore Z. Heck, I'd probably accept anybody the other kids love if that person will make them happy.

"You're not kidding me, right?" my eyes were so wide I honestly feel like I am palpitating.

He laughed at my reaction, amusement visible in his expression.

"What has gotten you so excited? I'm kidding,"

My expression automatically changes at his words. 

Damn.

I rolled my eyes on him and snickered. "Find a girl so I can have someone to tell how bad you are. People will think you are in love with me if you don't find a girl. Though I can't blame you when I'm so gorgeous!"

One thing I like about Z, he allows me to feel good about myself. I don't lose my confidence despite the fact that I haven't had any boyfriend like ever.

I watch as a small smile escaped on his lips. And that made me smile too.

Oh Z, how lucky am I to have you as my best friend?

With that in thought, I leaned forward and gave him a quick peck on the cheeks. He was startled for a moment but allowed me nonetheless. 

"Thanks for picking me up, Z. You're the best!"

I grinned. The best that I have.