In the past few months, I noticed that my brother didn't eat with me at school anymore. I also kept seeing him hanging around whenever we had practice. For a second, I thought he was stalking my baby, Isla, with his creepy crush vibes. But turns out, he was just there to pick me up. "Mom and Dad told me to," he said. Hmp. Excuses.
Well, what do you expect? My sister and brother keep teasing me about our neighbor. That one dude who looks like he gave up on life. He scammed me out of two hundred pesos for Robux. ROBUX?! I'm still holding a grudge. If I ever see him again, I'm punching him straight from the throat to the intestines. Internal organs included. No survivors.
And the worst part? They tease me and say we'll probably end up together because "you always fight." Excuse me. EW. Not happening. A hard, solid nuh-uh. Spelled N-U-H U-H.
Today was our last practice before the weekend. It was also my birthday tomorrow, and we had a game next week. Coach blew the whistle — end of practice. I grabbed my bag and said my goodbyes. I didn't catch Isla before she left though. She said she was buying food. So I stepped out of the gym.
Outside, I spotted my brother. He looked like he was searching for someone.
"Hey, I'm right here! You're way too caring," I said, walking toward him.
But he kept looking around, totally ignoring me. So I smacked him lightly on the head.
"Ah! Sorry, I didn't see you," he said.
"Wow. I was right in front of you and you didn't even notice? Is your eyesight broken?"
But he still looked spaced out. He glanced to the other side. I was about to look too, but then he grabbed my face.
Both cheeks. Like he was silently saying, don't look back. Stay here.
"Just stay here. Don't leave," he said.
"Why?" I asked, brows furrowed.
"I just need to buy something."
"Then I'll wait by the gate like a normal person."
"No. Just stay here. I'll get munchkins."
Munchkins? That's random. I stared at him walking away. A car blocked my view. And just like that, he was gone. Whatever. I'll wait here. He's acting mysterious like he's on a secret mission… for donuts.
One hour later.
ONE HOUR. Hello? The donut shop is literally across the school. What did you do, bro? Train as a chef first? Write my name on every sprinkle? Interview the cashier's family?
Forget it. I'm going home. I'm being eaten alive by mosquitoes. I feel like the appetizer at a bloodsucking family picnic.
I started walking away from the school, glancing around just in case he was hiding behind a post enjoying his little prank show. But nope. Not even a shadow.
My brother used to be a hardworking basketball player. But now? He's like a background character in his own life. Always missing practice. Feels like he just got picked up from the sidewalk and thrown into the tryouts.
Maybe the goblins took him. But honestly, if it were up to me, they can keep him. He still owes tuition.
I'm really going home this time.
The next day, I woke up a bit late. Why? I binged a new GL series last night. A new episode dropped and obviously I had no choice. It's illegal to sleep during that kind of moment.
"Happy birthday," my sister greeted. But why did she sound... weak? I walked closer. Was it really her? She looked like she just survived a zombie apocalypse. Her eyebags had their own timezone. Her face looked like it got dusted with flour.
I smiled, still shocked. "Are you okay?"
She just looked at me seriously, then pointed to her face. "What do you think?"
"Looks like a no," I replied, grinning.
"Crazy. Of course I'm okay! It's your birthday. We should be full of energy!" she said.
Full of energy? Girl, you look like a ghost who ran out of haunting credits.
"Want help?" I asked, pretending to care.
"Nope. Birthday girls should relax," she said with a wink. Alright. Miss Dedicated Sister of the Year.
I nodded slowly, unsure. I picked up my phone. Of course I had to keep watching my series. Probably going to cry harder at that than I ever will at my sister's 3-in-1 coffee full of feelings.
As I opened my phone, a message popped up from Isamara.
"Happy birthday, Laz. Wishing you all the best, future captain :)"
I slapped my hand over my mouth. OH MY ACTUAL GLOB. OMG OMG OMG. The world was ending.
"Don't scream!" my sister yelled, glaring at me like she was about to throw salt in my direction.
I nodded like a good child. "No problem," I whispered as I rolled around on the bed like a caffeinated caterpillar. She was the first to greet me?
Oh wait, no. My sister greeted me first. But she's family. That's included in the birth package. Isamara?
She's the icing on the cake. And I'm the cake. Ready to melt.
After showering, I headed downstairs. Mom greeted me.
"By the way, your visitor is here," she said, pointing to the living room. There she was. Isamara. Sitting on the couch, hair blowing like a shampoo ad. She looked around our house like a tourist in a haunted mansion. I was about to approach when—
Mom yanked me aside. "Take out the trash before you start chit-chatting."
Wow. Birthday girl, but still on trash duty. And this trash probably has its own bacteria colony by now. Whatever. Maybe I'll find a fairy godmother by the dumpster.
On my way out, I turned my head and—WHAT?
Why is a wild beast trying to flirt with my baby?!
Oh. It's my brother. But with his slouchy posture, eye crusts, and a mouth full of useless basketball stories, he looked like a mythical creature who got lost on his way to a sitcom.
I walked up, yanked his hair.
"Oh, sorry," I said sweetly, "Thought there was an ant." I flashed a cute smile at Isamara. Page one of flirting 101.
My brother looked confused. That's fine. So is his entire brain.
When I came back, they were setting up food. My wife—sorry, I mean Isamara—was already helping. That's her new nickname. She has no choice.
My sister looked like she was about to faint. I rushed to her.
"Sit down, Ate. I can't carry you if you collapse. I also can't carry the trauma."
I honestly felt bad. If I see her research groupmates, I'll skin them alive and wrap them in lumpia wrappers. No joke.
Everyone started sitting down. But when I saw my brother aiming to sit next to Isamara?
I lost it. I yanked the chair away.
BOOM. He hit the floor. Literally flat. Everyone gasped. Even my half-dead sister suddenly opened her eyes like someone pressed "revive." No coffee needed.
"Sorry, bro," I said, pretending to care. "That chair's broken. And, you know, with your muscles... your butt might get stuck."
I even helped him up while he grabbed his back like a retired senior citizen.
Once he walked away, I sat beside Isamara. I know I'm being mean.
But like they say, love is war. And in war, there's no room for guilt.
"Are you Isamara, dear?" Mom asked while fixing her hair like a surprise guest entered her private cinema.
"Yes, why?" she smiled. I wanted to scream, please don't smile. I might pass out.
"Oh, Laz talks about you all the time," Mom said as she pinched my arm. I didn't know whether to laugh or bury myself alive.
"She says you're amazing at volleyball and that you inspire her," Mom added. Ma, please. You're going off-script.
Isamara smiled and looked at me. Not just a glance — she smiled while looking. Can I ask you to look at the wall instead? It's safer for my life.
"They look good together," Dad suddenly said. And boom. Kilig, gone. Now I'm just filled with rage.
Why him? Out of all mythical beasts, you pick Khairro?
My brother was about to speak, but I pointed at him with a fork. I didn't even say anything. He got the message. He just wanted to join the fun, but this is my spotlight.
He went silent. I was fuming in my seat, unable to even process my emotions.
After we ate, I walked Isamara to the door. It was already dark, but everything looked bright — probably the glow of kilig.
"Happy birthday again, Laz," she said and handed me a gift. I opened it immediately. IT WAS MY DREAM JERSEY.
I literally hugged her. Couldn't help it.
"Thank you so much, At— I mean Isla," I said. Don't ask why I said Isla. Let it be.
She smiled. "You're welcome. That should keep you motivated to train harder."
I nodded. Even gave a thumbs up, though I was ready to do a backflip out of happiness.
"I'll go ahead," she said.
"Sur—" My brother cut me off. "I'll walk you home."
HERE WE GO. ATTENTION-SEEKER ALERT.
"No. You have dishes to wash," I said, dragging him backward. No space for the monster tonight.
I smiled again at Isamara. She looked confused. You don't need to know. It's national security.
I closed the door and took a deep breath.
That was close.